Call Number:

MC.950.142

Repository:

Haverford College Quaker & Special Collections

Extent:

5 folders

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Norwegian Quakers correspondence (HC.MC.950.142), Quaker & Special Collections, Haverford College, Haverford, PA.

Date:

1813-1848 (inclusive)

Creator:

Kloster, Asbjorn, Tasted, Elias, Dahl, Endre, and Jacobsen, Enoch

Form:

Correspondence

Abstract:

This collection is comprised of the correspondence of various Norwegian Quakers, often with Quakers in Great Britain. Correspondence focuses on the state of Quakerism in the letter writer's community.

The history of the Norwegian Society of Friends starts in 1814, as released prisoners from prison ships in England returned home and started silent meetings for worship in Stavanger and Christiania (now Oslo). At the end of the Napoleonic wars (1807-1814), Norwegian prisoners of war returned to Norway and started practicing their Quaker faith. They had each brought home one copy of Barclay's Apology as a gift from English Friends. During August and September of 1818, British William Allen and French-American Stephen Grellet visited Norway. They felt that the small Quaker group ought to organize properly, and set up a structure according to the English-American Quaker custom, with Meetings for business, Minutes of decisions, and lists of members. The newly formed Society of Friends was meant to take care of the necessary ecclesiastical functions and exist as a separate religious entity outside of the state church. Lists of members were to be forwarded to the authorities annually. A booklet of regulations and also of Advices and Queries was published. It was meant for both internal use and for the benefit of Norwegian authorities.

Source: "Quakers in Norway" by Hans Aarek

This collection is comprised of the correspondence of various Norwegian Quakers, often with Quakers in Great Britain. Correspondence focuses on the state of Quakerism in the letter writer's community.