The Books
As each of us individually conducted research on a specific Atlantic traveler, collectively we read these books and used them as our navigational tools to sail the Atlantic's historiographical waters. The books' histories and stories guided us through our own process. Each of the following books features a unique, comprehensive approach to the early modern Atlantic world and the people who traversed it. Their authors provided us physical, conceptual, and narrative maps that we used to navigate our own understanding of the global Atlantic world. These books also offered us a set of concepts to understand and interpret the world our travelers inhabited and the challenges and opportunities they encountered in their journeys. Scott and Hébrard’s “micro-history set in motion,” Sparks's "Atlantic Creoles," Restall and Fernández-Armesto's "armed entrepreneurs," Sweet’s “Black Atlantic,” Jasanoff's "spirit of 1783," Pérez Morales's "masterless Caribbean," and Colley's "biography that crosses boundaries" offered us fruit for thought and nourished our weekly discussions.
The Books
As each of us individually conducted research on a specific Atlantic traveler, collectively we read these books and used them as our navigational tools to sail the Atlantic's historiographical waters. The books' histories and stories guided us through our own process. Each of the following books features a unique, comprehensive approach to the early modern Atlantic world and the people who traversed it. Their authors provided us physical, conceptual, and narrative maps that we used to navigate our own understanding of the global Atlantic world. These books also offered us a set of concepts to understand and interpret the world our travelers inhabited and the challenges and opportunities they encountered in their journeys. Scott and Hébrard’s “micro-history set in motion,” Sparks's "Atlantic Creoles," Restall and Fernández-Armesto's "armed entrepreneurs," Sweet’s “Black Atlantic,” Jasanoff's "spirit of 1783," Pérez Morales's "masterless Caribbean," and Colley's "biography that crosses boundaries" offered us fruit for thought and nourished our weekly discussions.
The Books
The Books
Ramusio Map (1534). Courtesy of John Carter Brown Library
Alice Curwen (1619 - 1679)
By Christopher Wilkins
Though the story of Alice Curwen’s early years remains untold, her eventual influence on Quakerism and the world as a whole gained her some prominence as one of the most progressive figures of her time. Born in Baycliff, England in 1619, little is known about her childhood. At the age of 22, Alice married Thomas Curwen, a fellow Baycliff native, and quickly started a family. In 1652 their lives would change forever when George Fox, the founder of the Religious Society of Friends, visited their region in an attempt to spread Quakerism throughout England. Both Alice and Thomas converted and would, from that point on, commit their lives to their new religion. For years, they travelled around England sharing their beliefs with their peers and vocalizing their passion for Quakerism. Despite facing harsh criticism and the risk of imprisonment, their connection to god was only strengthened through this period. Alice’s devotion to Quakerism reached a tipping point in 1676 when she heard of the horrific treatment of her peers in Boston. Members of the Society of Friends were whipped, imprisoned, and even executed for their beliefs. Though Thomas Curwen was hesitant to leave their life behind, Alice, claiming to have received a directive from God, felt she had no choice but to travel to Boston.
Claiming to have received a calling from God, Alice Curwen set sailed from England to spread Quakerism across the Atlantic. Between 1676 and 1678 she traveled through New England and the Caribbean sharing the spirit of Quakerism.
Quakers on their plantation in Barbados. Alice Curwen preached in favor of religious freedom for slaves in Barbados in 1677. Image from Wikimedia Commons.
In the spring of 1676, the couple set sail and once settled, quickly began amassing a following. In order to share their beliefs with as many people as possible, they remained mobile and traversed the coast of New England. From Boston, to Rhode Island, to New York, through New Jersey, Alice fought for her religion and for her peers by sharing the spirit of Quakerism with thousands. Her callings from god continued, but this time, they directed her to a region with little exposure to her ideology: the Caribbean. Alice arrived in Barbados in March of 1677 and continued her journey with unwavering fervor. It was here that Alice made perhaps her most notable imprint yet. She adamantly demanded that the slaves be free to practice religion in whatever capacity they wished and declared that they should be part of the Quaker ceremonies just as much as white members were. This abolitionist mindset was uncharacteristic of the time but an incredibly noble cause to defend. Feeling content with the work she had done, Alice returned to England in 1678 where she would die soon after at the age of 60. Though she had passed, her legacy would live on through the values she had instilled in her peers and through the extensive population of newly converted Quakers that resulted from her travels.
Alice Curwen’s story not only provides insight into the specifics of her life, it also provides context for better understanding the world in which she lived. Alice is a perfect example of the importance of devotion to Christ at this time and demonstrates how globalization impacted religion. As it became increasingly possible to traverse the Atlantic, more and more individuals from a variety of religious backgrounds used it to spread their ideologies. Those who were most passionate saw the new world as an opportunity to find additional followers in a society with fewer religious restraints. Alice’s passion is
demonstrated by her willingness to leave her children and her home behind in exchange for a society where Quakers were regularly being persecuted for their beliefs. Alice knowingly stepped into a world where she easily could have been killed, but because of god’s command, she felt obliged to do it. The actions which Alice took were almost entirely tied to religion, even the progressive behaviors which she is known for today.
Progressiveness in the 17th century looked far different from progressiveness in the modern world. Though many of Alice Curwen’s beliefs would classify her as “progressive” in the modern sense of the word, the root of these beliefs is somewhat different than today's motives. Her behaviors were almost entirely a result of her religious ideology. Her abolitionist perspective was noble, but she was not advocating for complete equality; instead she was advocating for religious equality. She believed that slaves deserved to attend meetings and “have an account with God” but made no mention of freeing them of their duties to their masters. Additionally, her opinions on indigenous people demonstrate how religiously tied progressivism is an incomplete form of positive change. Alice was frightened by the indigenous Americans and dehumanized them in her writings. In the eyes of god, she seemed to believe that they did not deserve equal treatment and were animalistic beings. Clearly, this would not be a progressive viewpoint in today’s world. That said, Alice was doing what she thought was right in the world she lived in. Religion-based progressivism does not provide a perfect set of values but it did motivate Alice to advocate for slaves rights, religious freedom, and gender equality. Though she was imperfect, Alice was a strong defender of her beliefs and a positive influence on the world around her.
Quakers on their plantation in Barbados. Alice Curwen preached in favor of religious freedom for slaves in Barbados in 1677. Image from Early English Books Online (EEBO).
References
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Hall, Meghan E. “Allies and Friends: The Women's March and Alice Curwen's Quaker Testimonial.” The Rambling 3, (2019). the-rambling.com/2019/01/26/issue3-hall/.
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Martindell, Anne. A Relation of the Labour, Travail and Suffering of That Faithful Servant of the Lord Alice Curwen: Who departed This Life the 7th Day of the 6th Moneth, 1679. and Resteth in Peace with the Lord. London, 1680.