Description:From the early days of Quakerism, Friends were subjected to persecution, which at times was violent and in some cases led to death in prison or on release from prison. In the 1660s, a series of acts aimed at quelling Quaker and other non-conformist dissent were passed, with failure to comply punishable by fines and six months imprisonment.
Quakers found themselves being prosecuted for: not attending church; holding meetings for worship; refusing to pay tithes and church rates; refusing to swear oaths; travelling and opening their shops on Sundays and religious holidays; contempt of court because they refused to remove their hats; and teaching without a bishop's licence.
The Religious Society of Friends carefully recorded all cases of prosecution or distraint (seizure of a person's property for payment of money owing). From 1790 the regional quarterly and monthly meetings recorded these in books of sufferings which were kept until 1828.
As well as being a wonderful source for researchers interested in the history of non-conformist persecution, books of sufferings such as this one are also an excellent source for family historians and those interested in researching social and economic history.
Eleanor, Project Archivist (Birmingham and Warwickshire Quakers)
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