152 THE ISLAND Otf NANTUCKET. 



of life they practised, had a good influence in their 

 own homes, and on those about them. 



" Some of the women of the society on the island 

 were well educated for their time. As early as 1820, 

 two young women went from the island to Providence, 

 E. I. , as teachers in the large boarding school organ- 

 ized and carried on by the society of Friends in New 

 England, for the education of the children of Friends, 

 and directly under their supervision. 



li That Friends have always advocated and acknowl- 

 edged the right and the duty of their women to preach 

 the gospel is well known. Three women Friends, as 

 duly authorized and acknowledged ministers of the 

 gospel of our Lord and Saviour, in the early part of 

 this century left the island and travelled very exten- 

 sively in New England, New York, Ohio, Indiana, 

 Pennsylvania, Virginia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas; 

 holding meetings, and preaching to large public gath- 

 erings. Often in their journeys they endured much 

 hardship and fatigue, as the States were thinly settled, 

 and the carriage roads few and poor. They often rode 

 on horseback, visiting the settlers in their log-cabins, 

 in the spirit of love and self-sacrifice, carrying the gospel 

 message freely to all without fee or hope of reward, 

 and paying their own expenses, though they gratefully 

 accepted and appreciated the kindness shown them 

 wherever their lot was cast. One of their number 

 visited England and Ireland * on a religious visit, in 

 company with a Friend from New York. 



" Foremost among the men of business and intelli- 



* Presumably Elizabeth Barker. 



