Quakers Influence

The Quakers were first founded in the mid-1600s in England and were formerly known as The Religious Society of Friends. They were a very simple and devoted democratic group of people. When they arrived in America, they began to try to settle in Massachusetts. Massachusetts was also where the Puritan colonists had been settling and because they (the Quakers) threatened the Puritan’s beliefs in America they gave them and other opposing religions, such as the Baptists, harsh punishments for inhabiting their land which included hanging, fines, whipping, and banishing the people from Massachusetts. The Quakers later moved their efforts to the new land of Pennsylvania. They established their land on “the equality of all persons (including women, blacks, and Indians) before God.” They proved this stance of equality by being the “first group of whites to repudiate slavery” of Africans. They also purchased their found land from the Indians that owned it. These actions show that the Quakers truly lived in equality. “Religious freedom was Penn’s most fundamental principle.” The Quakers never gave an established church for Pennsylvania and allowed almost all religious freedom in its land. Although the Quakers were lenient on race, gender, and religious preference they did have a “strict code of personal morality.” They “prohibited swearing, drunkenness, and adultery” among many other activities that they thought were immoral. Many of their beliefs spread throughout America and has

Quakerism came into existence as an offshoot of Christianity in the 17th century. The main belief of Quakers focuses on an equal access to God for all people otherwise known as spirituality equality. People of this religion believe that no race, gender, class, or other group has any sense of entitlement to divine revelation over another (Sullivan Julia). In the church setting, Quakers are very welcoming. In fact, prior to my attendance of a Quaker meeting, I visited their website and the very first page had these big letters that read, “You Are Welcomed Here”. I saw this same welcoming when I attended the meeting at First Friends Meeting in Richmond, IN. Those who attended greeted me at the door and conversed with me after the meeting. Both conversations, while brief, made me feel welcomed. Welcoming is a sign of the Quaker belief

In 1682, Pennsylvania, the twelfth British colony, was formed. This colony, like the eleven others already founded, was instituted with a comparable style of government and its own questionable religious prejudices. Throughout the colonies, levels of religious understanding fluctuated, apart from a few exemptions. For example, the Middle Colonies had a great deal of open-mindedness when it came to religion, whereas New England had a scarce amount, if any toleration for religious independence at all.

During the early colonization of the East coast of North America, many groups of people of Europe came to the New World such as the Puritans and Quakers. Both the Puritans, led by John Winthrop, and the Quakers, led by William Penn, were escaping persecution from England but each they had their own views and goals in religion, politics, and ethnic relations. Being on the native land of the local Indians, both Penn and Winthrop had to face issues and negotiations with the Indians. Penn and Winthrop had their own separate approaches to politics but they both sought a more just system than the one in England. After being persecuted, both Penn and Winthrop wanted their people to be free worship, but Penn and Winthrop each had their own

Quakers- those who condemned extravagance, sought to restore Christianity to its early simple spirituality; William Penn made Pennsylvania a refuge for his fellow Quakers who refused to pay taxes or serve in the military for the Church of England.

This paper will explore the history of the colonial settlements of the Quakers, who are also known as the Society of Friends, who settled in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in colonial times. The history surrounding the establishment and growth of the Quaker colonies of West Jersey and Pennsylvania will be discussed. William Penn’s efforts in establishing the colonies of West Jersey and Pennsylvania were paramount to Quakers immigrating to America. John Fenwick also played a major role in founding the colony of West Jersey, which is now known as New Jersey and the later immigration of Quakers to Pennsylvania. The abolitionist efforts of the Quakers in their fight against slavery, their equal treatment of slaves and the assistance that they provided to slaves will also be discussed. Quakers provided shelter, financial support and harbored many slaves so that they could avoid capture by their owners. Quakers were a large part of the abolitionist movement in the colonies while slavery was legal. Many Quakers played a role in the Underground Railroad, which assisted slaves in obtaining their freedom and avoiding capture. The terms “Quaker” and Society of Friends are interchangeable and will be used throughout this paper accordingly.

The Quakers were different from many of the settlers of other early American colonies. The Quakers, also known as the Society of Friends, were built upon ideals of pacifism and benevolence. They did not come here as traders or merchants. The Quakers came here for religious freedom, as did many others. However, Quakers, who had experienced persecution in other colonies like

The Quakers in England were badly treated and often killed and martyred for their cause. Maryland became site of a major Quaker population after their previous migration from England to Holland. The way all of these colonies were founded seemed to revolve around a common need for a better religious

Like many people back then they came to the one place that many went to ,to avoid getting killed. And that place was America. When coming to America some Quakers had already made their way to New England (a place founded on religious freedom), but the Puritans didn’t want them there. The Quaker some found themselves being treated just like when they Britin, with Some they hanged and others they banished. Later on, a number came to New Jersey, where they soon became so numerous that Penn took part with other Quakers in the purchase of that province. Some of these settlers crossed the Delaware to its western side. Thus when Penn reached America he found Quakers in his new province.

Many places around the world, did not have religious freedom. If you lived in England during the 1600’s, you had to practice at the Church of England. Many people did not want to practice this religion because it was not their own. William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania, was a

The Quakers believed in the Bible as their truth. They believed in direct comunication with God himself. This is exprssed by George Fox in the statement, "Christ is come to teach his people himself.” They constantly preached their truth. This causes tension in Pennsylvania, where they resided, because the others in the community got tired of the Quaker’s preaching.

The Quakers of New England had strong convictions. After persecution of Quakers began, William Penn looked to the New World. William Penn was given land in the New World by the king who was repaying a debt to William’s father. The Quakers of the Middle Colony Pennsylvania would have friendly interactions with the Indians. This interaction was only possible because of their strict pacifism. Pennsylvania became very liberal due to the Quaker beliefs. No person would be taxed by a state church. Quakers also were tolerant of others. Thus, anyone of any faith could be a resident and worship in Pennsylvania. The Quaker pacifism was also extended to capital punishment. Few crimes were punishable by death. Through the Quakes’ beliefs, Pennsylvania became a hub of acceptance. Being of the most diverse colonies, the Middle Colonies were also impacted by a religion that was vastly different to those in the Chesapeake and New England colonies in the

Several valid points were made, and she used textual evidence to back up her assertions. Pestana stays on topic and she does not digress, which makes it easy to follow and understand. This article is important because it raises questions about certain topics such as the, “suspicious similarities between Quakers and Catholics” (Pestana, 339). Because Pestana notes the Puritans believed that the Quakers were affiliated with other religious and social groups, the readers question the similarities and look for connections. In short, it is thought

Despite a fixed religious doctrine, Quakers have occupied various roles throughout early American society. I wish to determine what precise effect Quakers had on all aspects of pre-Revolutionary life in the Colonies, whether as pacifists, instigators, or seemingly disinterested commentators. It is instructive to examine the writings of the well-known Quaker military officer, Nathanael Greene, so as to determine what made him stand out so staunchly from his fellows.

The Religious Society of Friends, better known as the Quakers, is a Christian society who believes God in is the presence of each and every person. The Religious group was founded in the mid-17th century by George Fox in England. Eventually the group came to America for a better life and religious opportunities.