The Quakers, Abolition and Persecution

     The importance of Christianity in early American history cannot be understated. The bible was the main source for education, the God of the bible and Jesus Christ were invoked so frequently in the sources of the era, most American colonists were biblically literate and with the array of actual ministers and preachers involved in the creation of the early American republic, that it would be a great historical injustice to not highlight the strong Christian influence.

     One such influence were the Quakers and their support of the abolition of slavery. Quakers, known as the Society of Friends, questioned the institution of slavery as early as 1688 citing the Golden Rule stating that “we should do to all men like as we will be done ourselves.” Throughout Pennsylvania and New England, Quakers were well known for their pacifism and many attempted to remain neutral during the American Revolution, though many in America would eventually join the revolution in various capacities. Pacifist Quakers during the revolutionary war endured hostility from patriots and in 1777 a printing press was destroyed, some fined and sentenced to prison for aiding wounded British soldiers, feeding the hungry and giving the thirsty drink. Indeed, one notable Quaker, William Lloyd Garrison who was a leading abolitionist, helped procure and manage the underground railroad, published the famous abolition newspaper “The Liberator,” was raised in New England under Quaker influence. Garrison went as far as setting fire to a copy of the Constitution in 1854 stating that it was “A covenant with death.” He predicted the Civil War but believed the North would or should succeed from the South because of the South’s insistence on keeping slavery enshrined in law and doctrine.

     By 1870 the population of the Quaker community was about 100,000 primarily residing in the Northeastern region of early America. The Quaker doctrine included reliance on the Inner Light of Christ or a personal relationship with Christ, direct revelation, and their views on the Trinity did not hold that Jesus was co-equal with the Father but that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were more of chain of command Triune. Because of this Puritans and others tended to accuse the Quakers of Unitarianism. This rivalry raged from the earliest days of American history and included the execution of some Quakers at the hands of the Puritans. Between 1659 and 1661 four Quakers were sentenced to death by the Puritan communities. All four had been whipped or incarcerated or both and banished from the colony for heresy and attempting to infiltrate the colony. Upon returning to the Massachusetts Bay Colony and refusing to abandon their efforts to convert Puritans to the Quaker faith, they were convicted and executed. The most notable and bold amongst the four individuals executed was Mary Dyer from Rhode Island who was a staunch supporter of Anne Hutchinson.

     As the influence of Christianity and the bible upon early America is undeniable, it remains an academic subset to humanism and other secular movements and ideals included in the historical narrative of the founding of the American Republic. Amongst these Christian ideologues that contributed to the founding principles of early America were the Quakers. The Quakers are one example of the diversity and deep Christian heritage that comprises early American history. A history that was complex and far from a singularity of race relations, humanism and Greek or Roman philosophy.

Sources

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sufferings of the people called Quakers, in the jurisdiction chiefly of the Massachusetts : beginning with the sufferings of William Ledra, whom they murthered, and hung upon a tree at Boston, the 14th of the first month, 1660, barely for being such a one as is called a Quaker, and coming within their jurisdiction : and ending with the sufferings of Edward Wharton the 3d month, 1665 : and the remarkable judgements of God in the death of John Endicot, governour, John Norton, high priest, and Humphry Adderton, major general. London: [s.n.], 1667. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed June 2, 2021). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0111685163/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=a45a0127&pg=1.

Noll, Mark A. A History of Christianity in the United States and Canada. Grand Rapids: William B.

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Pestana, Carla Gardina. “The Quaker Executions as Myth and History.” The Journal of American

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Philemon. “Quaker Doctrine of the Trinity.” Monthly Repository of Theology and General

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Williford, James. “The Agitator WILLIAM LLOYD GARRISON and the Abolitionists.” Humanities,

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