Many of its early members were prominent Quakers involved in the American Revolution before the society was established. There is a small group of Free Quakers in Indiana who continue the tradition of the Five Principles (Inner Light, peace, simplicity, justice, stewardship) and the Five Freedoms (from creeds, from clergy, from public worship, from organized membership, from evangelization). Notable Free Quakers at the early meetings include Lydia Darragh and Betsy Ross.
Oh John! It was purchased in the year 1677, when the natives received for it, 30 match-coats, 20 guns, 30 kettles, 1 great kettle, 30 pair of hose, 20 fathoms of duffels, 30 petticoats, 30 narrow hoes, 30 bars of lead, 15 small barrels of powder, 70 knives, 30 Indian axes, 70 combs, 60 pair of tobacco tongs, 60 tinshaw looking-glasses, 120 awl-blades, 120 fish-hooks, 2 grasps of red paint, 120 needles, 60 tobacco boxes, 120 pipes, 200 bells, 100 Jews-harps, and 6 anchors of rum.Lord Berkeley, in the year 1675, for the sum of one thousand pounds, sold his half of the province of New Jersey to John Fenwick, in trust for Edward Byllinge, and his assigns.Quoted from Samuel Janney's "The Life of William Penn," 6th edition, 1882. The Religious Society of Free Quakers, originally called "The Religious Society of Friends, by some styled the Free Quakers", was established on February 20, 1781 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am sorry that a toy, a trifle, should thus rob men of their time, quiet, and a more profitable employ. My counsel, I will answer for it, shall do thee all right and service in the affair that becomes him, who, I told thee at first, should draw it up as for myself. This was the first English ship that came to the western part of New Jersey, and none followed for nearly two years. No man to be arrested, condemned, imprisoned, or molested in his estate or liberty but by twelve men of the neighbourhood; no man to lie in prison for debt, but that his estate satisfy as far as it will go, and be set at liberty to work; no person to be called in question or molested for his conscience, or for worshipping according to his conscience; with many more things mentioned in the said concessions. Following the end of the American Revolutionary War, the number of Free Quakers began to dwindle as some members died and others were either accepted back into the Society of Friends or by other religious institutions. There were Quaker governors, assembly members, justices of the peace, and much else. If this cannot scatter thy fears, thou are unhappy, and I am sorry. Thy friend,West New Jersey being now opened for sale, the trustees published and circulated through the kingdom a description of it, with an invitation to Friends and others to purchase lands and promote emigration.In publishing these proposals for colonization, they were careful to advise, that "whosoever had a desire to be concerned in this intended plantation should weigh the ting well before the Lord, and not headily and rashly conclude on any such remove, and that they do not offer violence to the tender love of their near kindred, but soberly and conscientiously endeavour to obtain their good-will and the unity of Friends where they live. "At Chygoes Island they laid out a town. Friends there have split into various groups because of disagreements throughout the years.Pastoral Friends emphasize the Bible as a source of inspiration and guidance. They conduct both service projects and evangelism, and are found primarily in Indiana, North Carolina, Iowa, and Ohio. In order to induce Fenwick to come forward and settle the difference, the following letter was written:"We have made concessions by ourselves, being such as Friends here, and there, (we question not,) will approve of, having sent a copy of them to James Wasse; there we lay a foundation for after ages to understand their liberty as men and Christians, that they may not be brought in bondage, but by their own consent; for we put the power in the people, that is to say, they to meet and choose one honest man for each propriety who hath subscribed the concessions; all these men to meet as an assembly, there to make and repeal laws, to choose a governor, or a commissioner, and twelve assistants to execute the laws during their pleasure; so every man is capable to choose or be chosen.
This made the Church of England the official religion, but religious toleration persisted and Quakers continued to play a full part. The Friends, who had been persecuted with relentless severity in their native land, found a peaceful and happy asylum in the forests of the new world, among a people who had hitherto been reputed as ruthless savages.In these several respects, as well as in the efforts for putting an end to the trafic in ardent spirits with the natives, they faithfully followed their convictions of duty, and the colony was blessed with an unusual degree of prosperity and happiness.The colonists made it their first care, on landing, to establish meetings for Divine worship and Christian discipline. The first Friends who settled along the Delaware River were John Fenwick, Edward Wade, John Wade, and Richard Noble. Colonists arrived in considerable numbers, good order and harmony prevailed, the country proved to be productive, the air was salubrious, and the Indians, being treated kindly and dealt with justly, were found to … Oh John !