Articles by Date - 18 th Century

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Here you will find a timeline, organised by century. The people and projects featured are in chronological order, either by date of birth or when an initiative/project began.

Some people and initiatives projects overlap two centuries. These feature on both timelines.

Featured Article

Quaker Schools in Rwanda

Quakerism came to Rwanda in 1986, just 8 years before the genocide. Quakers and their schools are playing a crucial role in rebuilding Rwanda. There are 4 secondary schools, 5 primary schools, and 4 nursery schools, with about 6500 students between them. The students and teachers come from all ethnic and religious backgrounds and learn to live and work together.

Read more about Quaker Schools in Rwanda

18^th Century

Mary Fisher was one of the first Quaker missionaries – the Valiant Sixty. As well as preaching in England she made two journeys overseas, one to Boston, in North America, and the other to Turkey, where she visited the Ottoman Emperor, Sultan Mehmet IV.

William Edmundson

William Edmondson (1627-1712) grew up in Westmorland. He was in the Parliamentary army during the Civil War, but became a Quaker in 1653. He spent most of the rest of his life, in Ireland, and was key to establishing Quakerism there. He undertook several fruitful missionary journeys to the American colonies, often alongside George Fox.

William Penn (1644 –1718) was born in London, and became a Quaker as a young man. He was imprisoned several times for his faith, but used that time to develop his Quaker thought and to write influential books. He spent most of his life in England and Ireland, but he also had a very significant four years in colonial North America, where he founded Pennsylvania, guaranteeing religious freedom for all.

Crime and Justice

The effect of crime and justice in society has always been important to Quakers. Quakers have been concerned with prisons and offenders from the beginning. Many early Quakers spent time in prison, so had first hand experience. The belief in 'that of God' in everyone led to work on rehabilitating prisoners and on prison reform.

Rights of the Child

Children were seen from the outset as having ‘something of God’ within them, which should be respected and nurtured. They are entitled to education and to be heard, and to freedom from exploitation and ill treatment in the workplace and the home.

Quaker mission work over the centuries has had three strands – spreading the Quaker message to non-Friends, visiting and strengthening existing Friends, and service (educational, health…). These strands have often been interwoven, with varying thicknesses at different times and places, but all three continue to the present day.

John Bellers was an economist and social reformer. He was greatly concerned about the welfare of the poor. In 1695 he published proposals for a mixed agricultural and manufacturing settlement where about three hundred people could live and work. He was also the first person in Europe to advocate the abolition of capital punishment.

Mission in Colonial North America

(1656 – 1783) Quaker missionaries from Britain began visiting in 1656, and went on doing so throughout the colonial period, soon joined by American missionaries. Some travelled for years at a time. They visited all the thirteen colonies that founded the US, and Quakerism became strong in several places, notably Rhode Island, Nantucket, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.

Mission in Colonial New England

(1656-1783) The first Quaker missionaries came to Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth and Rhode Island. They were persecuted in the first two, but welcomed in tolerant Rhode Island. Later missionaries took their message all over present day New England, and Quakers were to be found in many parts, with the largest concentrations in Rhode Island and Nantucket.

Mission in colonial Maryland, Virginia, the Carolinas and Georgia

(1656-1783) The first Quaker missionaries came to Maryland and Virginia in 1656-7, and to Carolina in 1672. Maryland and Carolina were tolerant, open colonies, where Quakers could minister freely. Virginia was more restrictive. Quakerism took root in parts of Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina.

Quakers in Germany 1657–1918

Quaker missionaries first came to Germany in 1657. Later many German Quakers went to Pennsylvania, and some were early antislavery campaigners. Quakerism also persisted in Germany itself.

Mission in Colonial New York

(1657 - 1783) The first Quaker missionaries came to the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (later New York) in 1657, and were followed by many others. The colony tolerated religious differences, and many were willing to listen to Quaker ideas. Quakerism thrived on Long Island and in New York City, and spread upcountry as the colony grew.

Quakers have always been committed to education. They believed from the outset that it could nurture ‘that of God’ in everyone. There are Quaker schools on all continents, and some universities/colleges too. All aspire to a Quaker ethos, and all welcome Quakers and non-Quakers.

Workers’ Rights

The belief in equality led Quakers to aspire to good treatment of anyone who worked in a Quaker enterprise. As well as workplace conditions, many were also concerned with general welfare. QUNO works at the UN towards international labour standards.

Botanists and the Study of Trees

Trees played an important part in the Quaker interest in plants. Saplings were transported across the Atlantic in both directions, and arboreta were created both for study and the general public.

The Lloyd Family

The first Quaker Lloyds were brothers Charles and Thomas, from Dolobran, Wales. Thomas emigrated and became deputy governor of Pennsylvania. Later generations prospered, notably in iron and banking.

Mission work and Quaker settlement in colonial New Jersey

(1674 - 1783) In the 1650s there was a vast tract of sparsely populated Indian land between the northern and southern colonies. William Penn and others seized the opportunity to acquire the land as a place where Quakers could live freely. West Jersey was the first, in 1674, followed by East Jersey, and then Pennsylvania.

Meeting for Sufferings

Meeting for Sufferings (MfS) is British Friends’ key strategic body. It was established in response to the sufferings Quakers experienced in the early days, hence its name. Its role was soon broadened and it has played an important part in British Quakers’ responses to the needs of their time ever since. The name has never been changed.

The Darby Family

(1678 - 1789) played an important part in the early stages of the industrial revolution in Britain. They developed new methods for the mass production of iron, and manufactured new things with it - pots and pans, railway lines, and much else.

(1681-1759) campaigned for abolition amongst Quakers in 18th century Philadelphia. His methods were often dramatic, such as standing barefoot in the snow to illustrate the conditions under which slaves lived.

Quakers in colonial Pennsylvania

(1681 - 1783) William Penn established Pennsylvania as a Holy Experiment enshrining Quaker principles of religious and political liberty. Quakers and many others flocked to the colony, and it prospered. Quakers were soon in a minority, but they played a prominent part in colonial public life.

1694 – 19121780

Botanists: the Illustrators

Many Quaker botanists were talented illustrators. Their work was particularly valuable because of their attention to detail and the care that they took to accurately represent the plants that they drew.

Peter Collinson

(1694 - 1768) was part of a prosperous family of cloth merchants. He worked in the business, but his wealth enabled him to spend much of his time on philanthropy, and on scientific matters, especially botany.

Interaction with Tsarist Russia

(1698 - 1919) Several Quakers met Russian Tsars and their diplomats, and discussed many topics. There were significant impacts on Russian education, agriculture and health. Towards the end of the period Friends’ focus was on relief - for victims of wars, for communities suffering famine, and for minorities suffering because of their beliefs.

Six Quaker Clockmakers in North America

(1702 -1813) comprised four generations of a family of skilled clock and instrument makers. The first, Abel Cottey, probably built the first clock made in America. A great-grandson made advanced compasses for surveyors.

William Cookworthy

(1705 – 1780) had wide interests, but his major achievement was to begin porcelain manufacturing in Britain. Prior to this, potteries had only made earthenware: porcelain had to be imported from China. He was a very active Quaker minister.

John Fothergill

John Fothergill (1712-1780) was a Quaker scientist who made significant advances, both as a medical doctor and as an amateur botanist. He made accurate observations and advanced the treatment of diseases include scarlet fever, epilepsy, tuberculosis, influenza and migraine. In his extensive hothouses he cultivated over three thousand rare plants and has species of lily and geranium named after him.

Anthony Benezet

(1713-1784) was an educational reformer and committed teacher who did much for the beginning of free education for African Americans. He argued strongly against slavery, and for racial equality.

Eliminating Slavery amongst Quakers

In the early days of Quakerism, there were Quaker slave owners and slave traders. As the unacceptability of slavery became clearer, the first step for Quakers was to root it out within their own communities.

(1720-1772) John Woolman is thought by many to be the central figure of 18th Century Quaker faith and social reform. His ministry still speaks to us today through his journal and other writings. He was very influential in the abolitionist movement in America.

Quakers in South Africa

Quakers in South Africa have always been a small group, but with an influence that far outstrips their size. Today they are still actively concerned with justice, peacemaking, development, education and political activism.

(1729 - 1809) and his brother John opposed slavery. When they received land in Jamaica in payment of a debt, 32 slaves were included in the payment. They soon freed them.

(1732 - 1822) worked in the family tea and coffee business in York, UK. He was a keen philanthropist, and founded The Retreat, in York, where he introduced humane modes of treatment for the mentally ill.

William Curtis was born in London in 1748. He developed an interest in natural history and particularly botany. He was the publisher of the Botanical Magazine.

Thomas Scattergood

Thomas Scattergood (1784-1814) brought the concept of the 'moral treatment' of mentally ill patients to Philadelphia from The Retreat in York. England. He helped found Friends Hospital, the first mental hospital in the US to follow this model.

Influential Quakers in crime and justice in Britain from 1750 to 1950

Five Quakers are singled out here, though many others played their part. William Tuke (provision for mentally ill prisoners), Stephen Grellet (preacher and advocate of improvements), Elizabeth Fry (prison conditions for women), William Tallach (prevention and rehabilitation, and the first secretary of what became the Howard League for Penal Reform), and Margery Fry (also secretary of the Howard League, and advocate of compensation for victims of crime.

Priscilla Wakefield

(1751-1832) was an early Quaker feminist and philanthropist. She established one of England's first savings banks, and wrote many books for young people on scientific subjects, as well as a significant book on feminist economics.

Chocolate Makers

The 19th century saw three great Quaker chocolate firms emerge, all family enterprises – Frys, Cadburys and Rowntrees. In the 20th century the firms became public companies and Quaker involvement soon declined.

Thomas Clarkson

(1760-1846) although not a Quaker, was greatly influenced by them in his work for the abolition of the slave trade. He was a key member of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade.

Elizabeth Heyrick

(1769-1831) was influential both in Britain and the US in the campaign for the abolition of slavery. She was a key leader of the boycott of West Indian sugar, because it was produced by slaves. She was also a feminist.

(1770-1843) became an eminent pharmacist. A generous philanthropist and activist, he supported many causes - anti-slavery, poverty, emergency relief, and education. He travelled widely in Europe and Russia, in connection with these.

(1771-1840) was the first Quaker missionary to spend significant time in Russia. For 15 years he devoted himself to transforming the St Petersburg marshes into good agricultural land. He spent his final years on missionary travels in the South Seas and in North America.

Stephen Grellet

(1773 – 1855) Stephen was born in France, but had to flee during the French Revolution in 1789, and reached New York in 1795. He became a Quaker after reading the writings of William Penn. His home was in Pennsylvania, but his missionary work took him to many parts of the US and Europe. He had a particular concern for prison reform.

(1780-1845) was a very influential and effective prison reformer, especially regarding conditions for women. London's Newgate prison was her first focus but soon extended to many others. She enlisted many other women to the cause, and was also able to interest royalty and Parliament in the reform movement.

(1786 -1862) was an abolitionist and a feminist. Impatient with the slow progress towards abolition in Britain, she argued vehemently against compensation for slave owners. She also campaigned strongly for votes for women.

Quaker organisation and Anti-Slavery campaigning

Quakers in Britain quickly developed a strong network that linked meetings together. This network was a great source of strength in anti-slavery campaigning.

Anti-Slavery: Pioneering Aspects of Modern Campaigning

The historic anti-slavery campaigners pioneered some of the key features of modern campaigning - logos, produce boycotts, direct action, and much else.

Robert Were Fox (The Younger)

Robert Were Fox the Younger (1789 – 1877) was a Quaker geologist and mine owner from Cornwall in the UK. He was the first person to demonstrate that the Earth’s temperature increased with depth. He also developed a special form of compass accurate at all latitudes, used by Sir James Clark Ross in his expedition to discover the South Pole. With his daughters, Fox founded the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.

Influence on Prison Design

The design of an institution is very important in determining what happens within it.

(1793-1859) was a corn merchant and philanthropist in Birmingham. He worked for peace, the abolition of slavery, education and temperance. He helped revive the Adult School Movement.

(1798-1877) was an abolitionist, and a businessman. He was deeply involved in the Underground Railroad in Indiana and Ohio and his home was often called 'Grand Central Station'. Many escaping slaves passed through his care.

Campaigning against Capital Punishment in Britain

Quakers have argued against capital punishment from very early on, and became effective campaigners in the 19th century.

16700 – 17420

(c1670-1742) was an early Quaker missionary in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany and colonial North America. He also worked for William Penn in Pennsylvania for several years. He loved trees and brought many specimens back from his travels.

Barclays Bank and its Quaker roots

Barclays can trace its origins back to Quaker goldsmiths Gould and Freame, in the 1690s. James Barclay became a partner in 1736. The bank prospered and financed canals, railways and bridges. In 1896, it became Barclay and Company Limited.

Gardeners and Nurserymen

Many Quakers ran businesses supplying plants to wealthy landowners. There were famous nurseries in Lancashire, York and London. Some worked as gardeners on large estates and had a reputation for diligence and hard work.

17720 – 18640

Luke Howard (1772 – 1864) was a pharmacist and meteorologist who created a classification of the clouds.

Anti-Slavery in Britain

Quakers were prominent in the abolition of the slave trade and in the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. Today many Quakers work against modern forms of slavery.