The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-08-14
Memoir OF RhOdc-Isln nd,
1867.
OF THE QUAKERS.


II is not our intention in these me-
nIoirs to dwell largely on subjects which
principally relate TO other colonies, but
an account of the introduction Of the
Quakers into N. E., and some Of the cir
cumstances which were consequent up
on their coming, we deem not out Of
place in these memoirs-especially when
we consider that Rhode Island was to
them a fortress of defence-a city Of re-
fuge-to which they fled from persecu-
ton, and where they were received and
protected with an open and generous
hospitality.
A few years previous to this time
George Fox had raised new religious
sect in England, who, from their quaking
and trembling when they were brought
before Justice Of the Peace in England,
1860, were called Quakers. In the
month of July, 1856. Mary Fisher and
Ann Austin arrived at Boston from Bar
badoes--and few weeks after arrived,
in The ship SpeedweIl Of London, Robert
Lock master, nine more, viz. William
prand,. Thomas Thursto n, Christopher
Holder, John Copeland, Richard Smith,
Mary Prince, Dorathey Waugh, Sarah
Gibbons and Mary Wi.herhcad. On the
9Th Of September they were brought be-
fore the Court Of Assistants, and being
examined and each of them questioned
how they could make il appear that God
sent ,hemi After pause they answer
ed. that they had the same call that
Abraham had to 60 out of his country.
To other questions, it is said, they gave
rude and contemptuous answers-whicb
is the reason assigned for committing
them to prison. A great number of
their books which they had brought over
with intent to scatter about the country,
were reserved for the fire. The Court
passed sentence of banishment on them
nI', and required the master of the ship
in which they came, to become bound
with sureties to the value of five hundred
pounds to carry them all away, and caus-
cd Them to be committed to prison until
the ship should be ready to sail.
AT this time there was, in Massacbus.
etts. no special provision by law for the
punishment of Quakers; they were,
however, brought within former law of
fl'e colony against hcreticks in general.
At the next sessions of the General
Court, 'he l4th Of October following, an
act passed laying a penalty of one hun.
dred pounds upon the master of any YES.
sci who should bring a known Quaker
into any part Of tie Colony, and requir-
ing him to give security to carry thens
back again; that the quaker should be
immediately sent 70 the house Of correc-
'iOn. and whipped twenty stripes, and
aftcrw ards kept to hard labor until
transportation. They also laid penal.
~ offive pounds for importing. and the
like for dispensing quaker books, and
severe penalties for defending their he
retlcal opinions, And the next year an
additional law was made by which all
persons were subjected to the penalty
oi forty s'ialings for every hours enter.
ia'nment given to any known quaker.
and any quaker after the firs. conviction.
II man, was to lose one ear and the se-
cond time the OTTER awoman each time
10 be severely whipped; and the third
"me' man or woman, to have their
tongues bored through with rcd lio,
iron; and every quaker who should be. |
come such in the colony were subjected
20 the like punishmsnts. In May, 1858. |
penalty Of ten shiIIings was laid on
every person present at a quaker meet.
'ng' and five pounds upon every one
speaking at such meeting. Notwith-
standing all this. severity, the number of
quakers increased rather than diminish
ed. In October following, a farther
law was made for Furnishing with death