The following is taken from a book "Blethens in America" published around 1900
INTRODUCTION
Research Promoted by William W. Blevin, Esq.
William W. Blevin, Esq., New York, began a research for the genealogy of the Blethen family, thinking that the Blethens and the Blivens were of the same ancestry. But after much correspondence with Blethens and officials, and the expenditure of seventy-five dollars in cash, he came to the conclusion that he was not on the track of his ancestors.
His correspondence had brought him in touch with Colonel Laden Joseph Blethen, President of The Times Printing Company and Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Times, Seattle, Washington, who paid Mr. Blevin his cash expenditure for the Blethen genealogy and took upon himself the work of co-ordinating and publishing the material collected.
Among others, Mr. Blevin, in 1896, employed Mary E. Arvedson, Assistant Librarian of Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, and George Arvedson, "Competent Guide to Salem, Massachusetts", to make researches in Salem, Lynn, Boston, etc., in public and private records and libraries.
As the older generations of Blethens were members of the Society of Friends, and as it was the tradition that their immigrant ancestor was a member of that sect and lived in Massachusetts, Mr. Arvedson examined the ancient records of the Quakers at Lynn, Massachusetts. The Friends were extremely careful of the ancient documents and had them preserved in a safe in their church. After several unsuccessful attempts to get access to them he finally succeeded and on the first day found nothing, except, as he passed a book back to the watchful custodian, he saw the names "John and Jane Blethen" and reference to something they had done wrong. His second attempt he relates as follows:
Salem, July 10, 1897.
Wm. W. Blevin, Esq.
Dear Sir:
I have just returned form Lynn, Mass., where I have just put on another day at the terrible old records. I thought everything was arranged; that the new man would open the safe at once. He was in doubt what was best to do. The records are so valuable; he did no like to take the responsibility. I told him I had seen the other two who had charge; that I had the young lady, who was well known in Lynn, to look after their interest; and then there were men at work replacing the seats, one of whom was a Brother Quaker. I told him if he got through before I did that I would pay him for the extra time he would have to stay. I began to think that the prospect of what might be before me was lost. Just as he got the safe open and very reluctantly passed one book. As it was the one I had been through, no more until it was passed back, when the true old Quaker came in and I had it to suit me. It was nothing but perseverance that conquered. I soon got the right side of the man who was at work, by speaking of a name that turned out to be one of his ancestors over two hundred years ago. He then says: "That work you are doing is as much of a trade that takes time to learn as his trade of a carpenter."
The first I found – Marriage Certificate – 1704-5:
"Elizabeth Blethen, dau. of John Blethen (and) Isaac Chase of Swansea.
Witnesses: Sarah Blethen, John Blethen, Abigail Blethen, Hannah Blethen and quite a number of other names.
"1712, 16, 10.
Certificate
Sam’l Pope and Sarah Estes.
Geane Blethen, one of the witnesses.
He examined the Quakers’ Quarterly and Monthly Record Book (in bad shape).
"At our men and womans meeting held at Joseph Boyces house the 6th day of the 5th month, 1680, a committee of Daniel Southwick and Bro. Gaskill go to John and Jane Blethen and others and to deal with those contrary spirited people for their disorderly walking and keeping on their hats and continuing sitting in the time when Friends of Ministry are at prayer to Almighty God, and other disorderly things which the above said people are guilty of, which is contrary to the truth and practice of the Lord's people and so you are desired to return their answers to the next monthly meeting held in the house of Joseph Boyce."
"Salem, 6th day, 6th month, 1680, the Committee reported left them very stubborn and obstinate refusing to give plain answers according to the truth, except John Blethen, who gave some small satisfaction upon which Josiah Southwick and Bro. Gaskill was desired by the meeting the same time while the meeting sat, to go to John Blethen for a further satisfaction to whom his answers, which was done accordingly, and Josiah Southwick and Bro. Gaskill answer was as follows: 'We have been with John Blethen, he will give us no satisfaction or either will he acknowledge that he hath done anything contrary to the truth.'
"One of the attendants at the meeting at house of Sam Collins, Lynn, 18th day, 5th month, 1689, was John Blethen. Thomas Maul lay before this meeting his aggrievances sustained by Jacob Allen in his business relating to his vessel. John Blethen and Daniel Southwick is desired and appointed by the meeting to ho to him and know his mind whether he will come to any agreement freely, without any further trouble and so may be decided without going to Law, or either to lay it to the judgement of friends an buy vessel wholly to himself or else to sell his part to Thos. Maul. John Blethen and Daniel Southwick , is decided by the meeting to return their answer the next 7th day ensuing the above date."
Among the Record of Quakers at Lynn, Massachusetts, there is a record of a Quaker Meeting held at the house of Samuel Collins May 18, 1689, when the following named people were present: Thomas Maul, Daniel Southwick, John Blethen, William Williams, Samuel Gaskins Jr., Samuel Collins, Thomas Graves, Edward Gaskins and James Goodridge.
Mr. Arvedson next notes in his letter the following entries:
28th day, 5 mo, 1689
To our friends and brethern in Rhode Island or elswhere (Signed by) Rob't Stone, Sam Robinson, John Thomas Graves, Wm. Williams, Tho. Maul, James Goodridge, Josiah Southwick, John Blethen.
Lynn, 13th day,7 mo, 1689, house of Sam Collins, John Blethen with others took principal part in all meetings; this to raise a contribution for hire of travvelling Friens horses and house, amount raised 28 shillings.
John Blethen and Dan'l Southwick to go to Jacob Allen to give satisfaction and a paper of condemnation to the world to clear the said James Goodridge from those slanders cast upon him.
A public testimony was give against Jacob Allen in connection with James Goodridge above.
A meeting was held in Newport, Rhode Island 4 mo, 1700.
A meeting was held 8-6, 1689, at John Blethen's and a certificate granted to well beloved friend James Goodridge.
From this time the name (John Blethen) goes out of existence, although there are quite a number of leaves gone soon after this date.
I believe I have given you everything at last that I can find.
I was a little surprised to find: 13, 3, 1714, upon the building of a new meeting house in Salem, permission had to be asked for from the Friends Society in Rhode Island.
I remain, yours very truly,
GEO. ARVEDSON.