I don’t know if you realize it or not, but the Amish are just one of the several sects of “Plain People” in the US. The others are the Mennonites (Amish are a branch of this faith), Shakers, Amana, Hutterites, and Quakers. I am fascinated by this last sect which is just as old as the Amish.
If you’re unacquainted with the Quakers, rent the old Gary Cooper film, “Friendly Persuasion,” or the older film John Wayne’s, “The Angel and the Badman.” Both excellent films which portray the Quakers, or members of the Society of Friends. They are most noted for their use of “Thee” and “Thy.” They are also pacifists and were at the forefront of social reform in the 18th and 19th centuries. I wrote a series about three Quaker sisters. Do you remember THE GABRIEL SISTERS series? I also included Quaker characters in THEIR FRONTIER FAMILY and HEARTLAND COURTSHIP.
My September book, Honor, is the first in my “Quaker Brides” series and my heroine, named Honor, becomes involved at the very beginning of the Underground Railroad. I put up a board on Pinterest about Quakers and Slavery and Abolition. Here it is--if you’re interested. http://www.pinterest.com/lyncote/honor-quaker-abolitionist-heroine-book-1-of-quaker/
I also put up a board featuring the Underground Railroad use of Quilts as a code to guide the runaway slaves. http://www.pinterest.com/lyncote/underground-railroad-quilts/
This month three authors--Marta Perry, Ann H Gabhart, and Judith Miller--will join me on my blog discussing these different Plain People, stop by AND LEAVE A COMMENT! I'M GIVING AWAY TWO COPIES OF HONOR IN A DRAWING OF COMMENTERS. http://booksbylyncote.com/SWBS/new-book-release/sarah-angelina…-sisters-heart
To purchase, click here.Honor (Quaker Brides)
Blurb for Honor:
When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free—and seek refuge with a distant relative. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to local glass artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.
A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she becomes increasingly—though secretly—involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together as man and wife?
Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of three brave heroines, fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart."--Lyn Cote
6 comments:
I don't do so much with the Amish, but Quakers I do. I do remember the John Wayne movie and loved it. Your book is for sure on my to buy list.
My grandparents were Friends (Quakers). I love reading stories about this amazing denomination.
I'm very interested in in reading about the Amish or Quaker and see how they deal with life.
I'm on the fence about including Quakers in the list of "Plain People." That witness was laid down around the turn of the 20th century.
Very few of us still dress Plain today. A teenager with a blue mohawk or an aging hippy with a ponytail and tie-dyed shirt are as likely to be Quaker as anyone else. When you find a Quaker who is particular about their clothing, the form it takes for those who do is often very different from the historical form. Since we can each define it for ourselves and our Meetings have no rules about dress, some people interpret the call to live and dress simply as meaning they shouldn't wear t-shirts with words on the front (but solid color ones are fine) or others take it to mean we should only wear clothing made under fair labor standards (Fair Trade or cottage industry or DIY or whatever that means to you).
I'd add Bruderhof to your list of Plain people, and I need to go look up Amana.
There is something so special about books about "Plain People." I have always longed for a semi-simple life. Little House on the Prairie was my dream life as a child. I also read and reread Heidi more times than I can count. I have never lived by anyone living a plain life so it is really a cherished vacation/escape when I read these works. I hope this type of work stays around for a long time. :)
Thanks for all your comments. Mackenzie, since I'm writing historical novels with Quakers, that's different than today. Until the 20th century, Quakers dressed and spoke very differently than the main society. Now--you're right. They aren't distinctive outwardly.
AGAIN THANKS FOR ALL THE INTEREST!
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