Introduction
This packet contains materials related to the 2000+ tracts written by Quakers or against Quakers in England from the 1650s to early 1700s. These materials can support classes and research in women’s studies, communications, material culture, religion, and theology. Potential pedagogical goals from using these materials might include understanding the rise of Quakerism and anti-Quaker movements, examining the role of women in developing theology, 17th century British culture, and practicing analyzing primary sources and material objects.
These tracts started to be written as Quakerism was developing, around the time of the English Civil War, which was both an exciting and unsettling time, with many religious movements developing. Quakers used tracts to communicate with each other, including having “pamphlet wars” where people would respond to others’ tracts and pamphlets. These conflicts were often with non-Quakers who were against Quakers and their beliefs. Not only were these distributed among Quakers, but they were also posted in store and press-fronts. The front pages of tracts were beautifully designed as an advertisement for the message of the tract.
The materials in this packet come from Haverford’s Jenks rare book collection. This collection has over 1400 tracts, and was named for William H. Jenks, a member of the Haverford College Board of Managers from 1895-1907. His wife Hannah M. Jenks gave these to Haverford in 1909 in memory of her husband, along with money to care for and add to the collection. Over time, approximately 300 more tracts have been added to the collection. In an act of preservation and uniformity, these tracts were bound in similar leather decorated bindings.
Contents of this packet include:
- List of primary sources
- Guiding questions
- Secondary sources which can provide context:
- Calkins, Susanna. “Print Culture and the Early Quakers.” Seventeenth-century news, 2006, Vol. 64 (1/2) 54.
- Hagglund, Betty. “Quakers and the Printing Press.” Early Quakers and Their Theological Thought. Ed. Stephen Angell and Pink Dandelion. Cambridge University Press, 2015.
Primary Sources
Margaret Fell. Womens speaking justified, proved and allowed of by the Scriptures, all such as speak by the spirit and power of the Lord Jesus. London: 1666.
[Page 1 image]
[Page 2 image]
[EEBO digitized version]
Judith Boulbie. A testimony for truth against all hireling-priests and deceivers. London: 1665?
[Cover image]
[Page 1 image]
[EEBO digitized version]
George Fox. The beginning of tythes in the law, and ending of tythes in the Gospel. London: 1676.
[Pastedown Endpaper image]
[Page 1 image]
[EEBO digitized version]
Jonathan Clapham. A full discovery and confutation of the wicked and damnable doctrines of the Quakers. London: T.R. & E.M. for Adoniram Byfield, 1656.
[Cover image]
[Page 1 image]
[Page 2 image]
[Page 3 image]
[EEBO digitized version]
Richard Baxter. One Sheet Against the Quakers. London: Robert White for Nevil Simmons, 1657.
[Endpaper image]
[Page 1 image]
[Page 2 image]
[EEBO digitized version]
Guiding Questions
- Explore the materiality of the tracts: Why were they the size they are? Do you notice any accommodations the printers made because of their equipment?
- Who created these tracts? For what purpose?
- What do you find interesting or surprising about these tracts?
- How do these tracts contribute to your understanding of this subject?
- What additional contextual information would you need to understand these documents? Where might you might find this information, and why might you choose a particular source over another?