Our Beloved Friend

Gary B. Nash presents Our Beloved Friend, Volume 1, a compelling biography of Anne Emlen Mifflin. Born into a wealthy Philadelphia Quaker family, Mifflin emerged as a progressive force during the eighteenth century. This historical biography utilizes her personal writings and correspondence to reconstruct her life as a Quaker minister and social reformer. Living near the Pennsylvania statehouse during the War of Independence, she utilized her moral energy to advocate for abolition and social justice long before formal women's anti-slavery societies existed.

Our Beloved Friend, Volume 1, offers a unique window into the lives of Quakers throughout the Revolutionary Period and the War of 1812. As a traveler, Mifflin ventured far beyond typical settlements to reach frontier communities and meet with Native Americans in New York and Canada. This work serves as a significant piece of United States history, exploring themes of religion, Christianity, and social issues within the context of early American life.