Quaker Influence
Angelina then became greatly influenced by her sister Sarah. Sarah was a Quaker
and helped Angelina along in her spiritual life (Birney 51). Under Sarah’s
guidance Angelina began to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church and to embrace
the simple life of Quakers (South Carolina 71). She began to attend the
Society of Friends meeting in her town (Birney 60). She would walk to the
meetings and worship with two old men, the only Quakers in Charleston (South
Carolina 73). Angelina’s commitment to her new religious beliefs ran
deep. In accordance with the simple lifestyle of Quakers, Angelina cut up her
novels and placed all her fine clothing in the family’s sewing scrap pile (Birney
51-51). She aligned herself more fully with the Quaker ideals while continuing
to live in her mother’s house. She disregarded the fact that people questioned
her sanity about becoming a Quaker. Although people ridiculed her about being a
Quaker and opposing slavery she did not feel that she had to leave the South at
first. In fact she felt she was being a good influence as a Quaker in the South
(South Carolina 74). Finally, the pressure broke her and Angelina headed
for Philadelphia to join her sister Sarah (Birney 82-93). It was the last time
she saw the South, but the memories would play an important role in her later
life.
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Last updated March 2, 2001