The History of Thomas Ellwood Written By Himself

A candid memoir that follows Thomas Ellwood from his birth in 1639 through the turbulent years of the English Civil War and the rise of the Quaker movement. In his own words he describes the simple, devout life of a Society of Friends, the challenges of refusing oaths, and the harsh imprisonments that shaped his early adulthood. The narrative also offers rare, personal glimpses of the people who influenced him, from the young George Fox to the compassionate Isaac Penington, whose friendship left a lasting imprint.

Ellwood’s reflections illuminate everyday religious practice in a time when dissent meant danger, revealing how prayer, community, and a steadfast inner conviction guided his choices. Readers gain a vivid sense of 17th‑century England—its politics, its hardships, and its hidden networks of support—through his straightforward, unadorned prose. The account serves both as a window into a bygone era and as a reminder of the quiet resilience that defined his long, reflective life.