The Friendly Virginians America’s First Quakers

Contrary to popular wisdom, American Quakers did not first appear in Pennsylvania, the Quaker State, in 1682. Rather they appeared in 1655 in Virginia. In the 330-odd years thereafter, the Friendly Virginians, as I have come to call them, have stood for peace and against violence, for religious freedom, civil rights and women’s rights. They have striven to end war, change the penal system and aid Native Americans. Their world view has affected their lives and characters and also, as you read, the ways of the larger society. *From the Preface. Chapters include: The Quaker Way Comes to Virginia, 1655-1660 which opens on a street corner in the city of London in the summer of 1654; Virginia’s Quakers and the Right to Worship as One Wishes, 1660-1663; In Which the Truth is Crushed to Earth, 1664-1677; The Friendly Virginians Become Somewhat Respectable, 1677-1700; At Last within the Law, 1700-1733; West of the Blue Ridge, 1733-1750; The Quaker Way Alters Course, 1750-1763; Farewell, Britannia, 1763-1775; The Friendly Virginians and the American Revolution, 1775-1781; After So Many Ages, 1782-1800; To the Westward Waters, 1800-1820; The Blood of Christ, 1820-1833; On Laying Down Virginia Yearly Meeting, 1833-1850; O, Virginia! Virginia! 1850-1865; They Leap the Hedge, 1865-1900; Thee Interests Me, 1900-1950; and, I Think of the Great Work, 1950-Now. Photographs, a map, an appendix listing Quaker Meetings in Virginia, a bibliography, and a full-name index enhance the text.