THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 From the collection of 
 Julius Doerner, Chicago 
 Purchased, 1918. 
 

 

 
 
A SKETCH 
 
 OF THE 
 
 EARLY LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE 
 
 WHO DIED IN IRELAND, THE 16tH OF THE 
 FIFTH MONTH, 1755. 
 
 OTritteit lig 
 
 BRIGHTON : 
 
 ARTHUR WALLIS, 5, BARTHOLOMEWS; 
 
 LONDON, CHARLES GILPIN, BISHOPSGATE STREET 
 MANCHESTER, W. IRWIN; BIRMINGHAM, H. NEWMAN 
 YORK, J. L. LINNEY; SUDBURY, J. WRIGHT. 
 
 1846. 
 
^ 6 
 
 The following very striking and interesting narrative having 
 been for some years out of print, it has been thought desirable 
 
 to issue a new edition, evincing, as it does, in no ordinary 
 degree, the dealings of a merciful and long-sutfering God. 
 

 EARLY LIFE 
 
 OF 
 
 ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 My life being attended with many uncommon 
 occurrences, some of which I, through diso- 
 bedience, brought upon myself, and others I 
 believe were for my good, I have thought 
 proper to make some remarks on the dealings 
 of divine goodness with me, having often had 
 cause, with David, to say, ‘‘ It is good for me 
 that I have been afflicted/’ And most earnestly 
 I desire, that whoever reads the following 
 lines, may take warning, and shun the evils 
 that I have, through the deceitfulness of Satan, 
 been drawn into. 
 
 I was born at Middlewich, in Cheshire, in 
 the year 1713, of honest parents; my father’s 
 
6 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 name was Thomas Sampson, he was m surgeon, 
 my mother’s name was Mary ; my father was a 
 man that bore a good character, but not so 
 strictly religious as my mother, who was a 
 pattern of virtue to me. I was the only child 
 of my father, but not of my mother, she being 
 a widow when my father married her, and had 
 two children. Soon after my birth, my father 
 took to the sea, and followed his profession, in 
 many long voyages, till I was twelve years old, 
 about which time he settled at home ; so that 
 my education lay mostly on my mother, in 
 which she discharged her duty, by endeavouring 
 to instil into me the principles of virtue during 
 my tender age, for which I have since had 
 cause to be thankful to the Lord, that he blessed 
 me with such a parent, whose good advice and 
 counsel to me have been as “ Bread cast upon 
 -the waters.” In short, she was a good example 
 to all about her and beloved by most that knew 
 her, though not of the same religious persuasion 
 I am now of. But alas for me ! when the time 
 came that she might reasonably have expected 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 7 
 
 the benefit of her labour, and to have had 
 comfort in me, I left her; of which I shall 
 speak in its proper place. 
 
 In my very infancy I had an awful regard 
 for religion, and a great love for religious 
 people, particularly the ministers, and some- 
 times grieved at my not being a boy, that I 
 might have been one ; believing them all to be 
 good men, and therefore beloved of God. I 
 also had a great love for the poor, remembering 
 I had read that they were blessed of the Lord ; 
 this I took to mean such as were poor in this 
 world. I often went to their cottages to see 
 them, and used to think they were better off 
 than I ; and if I had any money, or any thing 
 else, I would give it to them, remembering that 
 those who gave to such, lent to the Lord. I 
 had, when very young, earnest desires to be 
 beloved by him, and used to make remarks on 
 those that pretended to religion ; and when I 
 have heard the gentlemen swear, it made me 
 sorry, for my mother told me, if I used any 
 naughty words, God would not love me. 
 
8 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 As I grew up, I took notice that there were 
 several different religious societies, wherefore 
 I often went alone and wept, desiring that I 
 might be directed to the right. Thus my early 
 years were attended with these and such-like 
 tender desires ; though T was sometimes guilty 
 of faults incident to children, but I always found 
 something in me that made me sorry for what I 
 did amiss. Until I arrived at the age of four- 
 teen years, I was as innocent as most children, 
 about which time my sorrows began, and have 
 continued for the most part of my life, through 
 giving way to a foolish passion, in setting my 
 affections on a young man, who became a suitor 
 to me, without my parents’ consent ; till I 
 suffered myself (I may say with sorrow of heait) 
 to be carried off in the night ; and before my 
 parents found me, I was married, although as 
 soon as they missed me, all possible search was 
 made after me, but all in vain, until too late to 
 recover me. 
 
 This precipitate act plunged me into a vast 
 scene of sorrow. I was soon smitten with 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 9 
 
 remorse for thus leaving my parents, whose 
 right it was to have disposed of me to their 
 content, or at least their approbation ought to 
 have been consulted in the affair, and I was 
 chastised for my disobedience. Divine Provi- 
 dence let me see my error, and m five months 
 I was stripped of the darling of my soul, and 
 left a young and disconsolate widow. 
 
 I had then no home to fly to ; my husband 
 was poor, having nothing but his trade, which 
 was a stocking-weaver, and my father was so 
 displeased that he would do nothing for me ; 
 but my dear mother had compassion towards 
 me, and kept me amongst the neighbours for 
 some time, till by her advice I went to Dublin, 
 to a relation of her’s in hopes that absence 
 would help to regain my father’s affection ; but 
 he continued inflexible and would not send for 
 me, and 1 dared not to return without his per- 
 mission. This relation was one of the people 
 called Quakers ; his conduct was so different 
 from the manner of my education, which was 
 in the way of the Church of England, that it 
 
10 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 proved very disagreeable to me ; for though, as 
 T said, I had a religious education, yet I was 
 allowed to sing and dance, which my cousin 
 disallowed of, and I, having a great vivacity in 
 my natural disposition, could not bear to give 
 way to the gloomy sense of sorrow and con- 
 viction ; therefore let it have the wrong effect, 
 and gave up to be more wild and airy than 
 before, for which my relative often reproved 
 me ; but t then thought, as many now do of 
 this society, that it was the effect of singularity, 
 and therefore would not bear it, nor be con- 
 trolled ; and having a distant relation in the 
 west of Ireland, I left Dublin 'and went thither. 
 Here I might take my swing, for what ren- 
 dered me disagreeable to the former, was quite 
 pleasing to the latter. Between these two 
 relations I spent three years and three months. 
 
 While I was in Ireland, I contracted an 
 intimate acquaintance with a widow and her 
 daughter, who were Papists, with whom I used 
 to discourse about religion, they in defence of 
 their faith, and I of mine ; and, although I was 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 11 
 
 then very wild, it made me very thoughtful ; the 
 old woman Would tell me of such mighty miracles 
 done by their priests, that 1 began to be dis- 
 turbed in my mind, and thought that if these 
 things were so, they must be the apostles’ suc- 
 cessors. The old woman perceiving it one day, 
 said in a rapture, “ If I, under God, can be 
 instrumental to convert you to the holy Catho- 
 lic faith, all the sins that ever I committed will 
 be forgiven me.” In a while it got so far, 
 that the priest came to converse with me, and 
 I, being young and my judgment weak, was 
 ready to believe what they said ; although wild 
 as I was, it cost me many a tear, with desires 
 that I might be rightly directed. For some 
 time I frequented their place of worship, but 
 none of my relations knew that I had any inten- 
 tion of going with them ; at length I concluded 
 never to be led darkly into their belief, for I 
 thought, if their articles of faith are good, they 
 will never be against my knowing them ; the 
 next time I had an opportunity with the priest, 
 I told him I had some thoughts of becoming one 
 
12 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 of his flock, but I did not like to join them, till 
 T knew all that I was to agree to, and therefore 
 desired to see their principles ; he answered, I 
 must confess my sins to him ; and gave me till 
 the next day to consider of them. I was not 
 much against that, having done nothing that any 
 person could hurt me for ; and if, thought I, 
 what the man says be true, it will be for my 
 good. So when he came again, I told him all I 
 could remember, which for my part I thought 
 bad enough, but he thought me, as he said, the 
 most innocent creature that ever made con- 
 fession to him. When I had done, he took out a 
 book and read it, all which I was to swear to, if 
 I joined with them. 
 
 Though I was but young, I made my remarks 
 as he went on, but I do not think it worth my 
 writing, nor the reader’s hearing ; it was a 
 great deal of ridiculous stuff ; but what made 
 me sick of my new intention was, (I believe I 
 should have swallowed the rest,) I was to swear, 
 I believed the Pretender to be the true heir to 
 the crown of England, and that he was King 
 
ELIZABETH ASH BRIDGE. 
 
 13 
 
 James's son ; and also, that whosoever died out 
 of the pale of the church were damned. As to 
 the first, I did not think it essential to salvation 
 whether I believed it or not, and to take an 
 oath to any such thing would be very unsafe ; 
 and the second, 1 saw, struck directly against 
 charity, which the apostle preferred before all 
 other graces ; and besides, I had a religious 
 mother who was not of that opinion; I therefore 
 thought it would be barbarous in me to believe 
 she should be damned ; yet concluded to take 
 what he said into consideration, but before I 
 saw him again a sudden turn took hold of me, 
 which put a final end to it. 
 
 My father still keeping me at such a distance, 
 I thought myself quite shut out of his afiections, 
 and therefore concluded, since my absence was 
 most agreeable, he should have it ; and getting 
 acquainted with a gentlewoman lately come from 
 Pennsylvania, who was going back again, where 
 I had an uncle, my mother's brother, I agreed 
 with her for my passage, and being ignorant of 
 the nature of an indenture, suffered myself to be 
 
14 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 bound, though in a private manner, for fear I 
 I should be found out, a proceeding which was 
 repugnant to law. As soon as this was eflfected, 
 she invited me to go and see the vessel we were 
 to sail in, which I readily consented to do, not 
 knowing what would follow. When I came on 
 board I found a young woman, who I afterwards 
 understood was of a good family, and had been 
 deluded away by this creature. I was extremely 
 glad to think I should have such an agreeable 
 companion, but while we were in discourse, our 
 kidnapper left us, and went ashore, and when I 
 wanted to follow her, I was not permitted. I 
 was kept here near three weeks, at the end 
 whereof, the friends of the other young woman 
 found her out and took her ashore, by which 
 means mine found me, and sent the water bailiff, 
 who brought me also on shore, and our gentle- 
 woman was obliged to conceal herself, or she 
 would have been secured. My friends kept me 
 close for two weeks, but at last I found means 
 to get away ; for I was so filled with the thoughts 
 of going to America, that I was determined to 
 proceed with my intention ; and one day meeting 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 15 
 
 with the captain, I enquired of him when they 
 sailed ? he told me : I got on board, and came 
 in the same ship ; and have had cause to believe 
 there was a providential hand in it. 
 
 There were sixty Irish servants on board, and 
 several English passengers ; but none of the 
 latter understood the Irish language but myself: 
 I had taken no small pains to learn it, and could 
 understand so much as to discover any thing 
 they discoursed upon, which was of great ser- 
 vice to us all. There was also on board, the 
 gentlewoman before mentioned and a young 
 man her husband’s brother ; twenty of these 
 servants belonged to her. While we were on 
 the coast of Ireland, (for the wind kept us 
 there some weeks,) I overheard those creatures 
 contriving how they should be free when they 
 came to America ; to accomplish the design, 
 they concluded to rise and kill the ship’s crew, 
 and all the English, and the above-mentioned 
 young man was to navigate the vessel. I took 
 a private opportunity of acquainting the captain 
 with their wicked intention, and he let the 
 
16 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 English know of it ; the next day they bore for 
 the shore, and at a small distance from the Cove 
 of Cork lowered sail and cast anchor, under 
 pretence of the wind not being fair to stand 
 their course ; then hoisted out their boat, and 
 invited the passengers to go on shore to divert 
 themselves, and among the rest went this young 
 man, who was to have been the captain ; by 
 which our end was answered, and as soon as 
 he was on shore the rest left him and came on 
 board. Our captain immediately ordered to 
 weigh anchor and hoist sail ; at this there was 
 a great outcry for the young man on shore, but 
 the captain told them the wind was fresh up, 
 and he would not stay if it was for his own son. 
 So their treachery was betrayed in good time, 
 and in a manner they did not mistrust, for it was 
 thought most advisable to keep it private, lest 
 any of them should do me mischief ; but at 
 length they found out that I understood Irish, 
 by my smiling at a story they were telling in 
 that language, and from that time they devised 
 many ways to do me hurt, for which several of 
 them were put in irons. 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 17 
 
 In nine weeks from the time we left Dublin, 
 we arrived at New York, viz. on the fifteenth of 
 the seventh month, 1732; and then those to 
 whom, under Providence,! had been instrumental 
 to preserve life, proved treacherous to me. I 
 was a stranger ; the captain got an indenture 
 written and demanded me to sign it, at the same 
 time threatening me with a gaol if I refused. I 
 told him I could find means to satisfy him for 
 my passage without becoming bound, but he re- 
 plied, I might take my choice, either to sign that 
 or have the other in force which I signed in 
 Ireland. By this time I had learned the character 
 of the before-mentioned woman, by which she 
 appeared to be a vile person, and I feared if ever 
 I should be in her power, she would use me ill 
 on her brother’s account ; I therefore in a fright 
 signed the latter, and though there was no ma- 
 gistrate present, it proved sufficient to make me 
 a servant four years. In two weeks time I was 
 sold, and were it possible to convey in characters 
 a sense of the sufferings of my servitude, it would 
 affect the most stony heart with pity, for a young 
 
18 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 creature who had been so tenderly brought up ; 
 for though my father had no estate, yet he lived 
 well, and I had been used to little but school, 
 though it had been better for me now, if I had 
 been brought up to greater hardships. 
 
 For a while at first I was pretty well used, 
 but in a little time the scale turned, which was 
 occasioned by a difference between my master 
 and me, wherein I was innocent ; but from that 
 time he set himself against me, and was so 
 inhuman, that he would not let me have clothes 
 to be decent in, making me go barefoot in the 
 snowy weather, and to be employed in the 
 meanest drudgery, wherein I suffered the ut- 
 most hardships that my body was able to bear, 
 and which, with the rest of my troubles, had 
 like to have been my ruin to all eternity, had 
 not Almighty God interposed. 
 
 My master would seem to be- a religious man, 
 often taking the sacrament, (so called), and 
 used to pray e\rery night in his family, except 
 when his prayer book was lost, for he never 
 prayed without it, as I remember. The afore- 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 19 
 
 said difference was of such a kind, it made me 
 sick of his religion, for though I had but little 
 myself, I had an idea what sort of people they 
 should be who professed much. At length the 
 enemy, by his insinuations, made me believe 
 there was no such thing as religion, and that 
 the convictions I had felt from my youth, were 
 nothing more than the prejudice of education, 
 though these convictions were at times "so strong 
 that I have gone alone, and fallen with my face 
 on the ground, and cried for mercy ; but now I 
 began to be hardened, and for some months do 
 not remember that I felt any such thing, so that 
 I was ready to conclude there was no God — 
 that such thoughts were foolish, and all but 
 priestcraft. And though I had a great veneration 
 for that order of men in my infancy, I now 
 beheld them in another manner ; and what 
 strengthened me in my atheistical opinion was 
 this : — my master’s house used to be a place of 
 great resort for the clergy, which gave me an 
 opportunity of making my remarks on themj 
 sometimes those that came out of the country 
 
 B 
 
20 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 lodged there, and their evening diversions used 
 to be playing at cards and singing, and in a few 
 minutes after, they would play and sing psalms 
 to Almighty God. I thought, if there be a God, 
 he must be a pure being, and will not hear the 
 prayers of polluted lips ; — but he that hath in 
 an abundant manner shewn mercy to me, as 
 will appear in the sequel, did not long suffer me 
 to doubt in this manner, but in a moment, when 
 my feet were near the bottomless pit, he plucked 
 me back. 
 
 To one woman, and no other, I told the 
 occasion of the difference, and the nature of it, 
 which two years before had happened between 
 my master and me ; by this means he heard of 
 it, and though he knew it to be true, he sent 
 for the town-whipper to correct me for it, and 
 upon his appearing, I was called in and ordered 
 to strip, without asking whether I had told any 
 such thing or not. At this my heart was ready 
 to burst, for I could as freely have given up my 
 life as suffer such ignominy, and I said, “If there 
 be a God, be graciously pleased to look down 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 21 
 
 on one of the most unhappy creatures, and plead 
 my cause, for thou knowest what I have said is 
 the truth and had it not been from a principle 
 more noble than he was capable of, I would 
 have told it before his wife. Then fixing my 
 eyes on the barbarous man, in a flood of tears, 
 I said to him, “ Sir, if you have no pity on me, 
 yet for my father’s sake, spare me this shame, 
 (for before this, he had heard of my father 
 several ways), and if you think I deserve such 
 punishment, do it yourself.” He then took a 
 turn about the room, and bid the whipper go 
 about his business ; so I came off without a 
 blow, which I thought a little remarkable. 
 
 I now began to think my credit was gone, 
 for they said many things of me, which (I bless 
 God) were not true ; and here I suffered so 
 much cruelty, that I knew not how to bear it, 
 and the enemy immediately came in to put me 
 in a way how to get rid of it all, tempting me 
 to end my miserable life, which I joined with, 
 and for that purpose went into the garret to 
 hang myself. Now it was that I was convinced 
 
22 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 there was a God, for as my feet entered the 
 place, horror seized me to that degree that I 
 trembled much, and while I stood in amazement, 
 it seemed as though I heard a voice say, “There 
 is a hell beyond the grave,’’ at which I was 
 greatly astonished. And now, convinced that 
 there was an Almighty Power, I prayed, saying, 
 “ God be merciful, and enable me to bear what- 
 soever thou, in thy providence shall bring or 
 suffer to come upon me for ray disobedience.” 
 I then went down stairs, but let none know 
 what I had been about. 
 
 Soon after this I had a dream, and though 
 some may ridicule dreams, yet this seemed so 
 significant to me, that I shall mention it. I 
 thought that somebody knocked at the door, by 
 which, when I had opened it, there stood a 
 grave woman, holding in her right hand an oil- 
 . lamp burning, who with a solid countenance 
 fixed her eyes on me, and said, “ I am sent to 
 tell thee, that if thou wilt return to the Lord 
 thy God, who hath created thee, he will have 
 mercy on thee, and thy lamp shall not be put 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 23 
 
 out in obscure darkness/’ Upon which the 
 light flamed from the lamp in a very radiant 
 manner, and the vision left me. But alas ! I 
 did not give up nor join with the heavenly 
 vision, as I think I may call it, for after this, 
 I had like to have been caught in another snare, 
 which if I had, would probably have been 
 my ruin, but from which also I was preserved. 
 
 I was accounted a fine singer and dancer, in 
 which amusements I took great delight, and 
 once falling in company with some of the players, 
 who were then in New York, they took a great 
 fancy to me, as they said, and persuaded me to 
 become an actress amongst them, and they 
 would find means to get me from my servitude 
 and that I should live like a lady. The proposal 
 took with me, and I used much pains to qualify 
 myself for the stage by reading plays, even 
 when I should have slept ; but after all this I 
 found a stop in my mind, when I came to con- 
 sider what my father would think when he heard 
 of it, who had not only forgiven my disobedience 
 in marriage, but earnestly desired to see me again. 
 
24 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 and had sent for me home, though my proud 
 heart would not suffer me to return in so mean 
 a condition, but rather chose a state of bondage. 
 
 When I had served three years, I bought the 
 remainder of my time, and then set to my needle 
 by which I maintained myself handsomely. But 
 alas ! I was not yet sufficiently punished : I had 
 got released from one cruel servitude, and then, 
 not content, got into another for life. A few 
 months after, I married a young man, who fell 
 in love with me for my dancing. A poor motive 
 for a man to choose a wife, or a woman a husband! 
 But for my part, T fell in love with nothing I 
 saw in him ; and it seems unaccountable that I, 
 who had refused several offers both in this 
 country and Ireland, should at last marry a man 
 I had no value for. 
 
 In a week after we were married, my husband, 
 who was a schoolmaster, removed from New 
 York, and took me along with him to New 
 England, and settled at a place called Wisterley, 
 in Rhode-Island government. With respect to 
 religion, he was much like myself without any ; and 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 25 
 
 when in drink would use the worst of oaths. I 
 do not mention this to expose my husband, but 
 to shew the effect it had upon me, for I now 
 saw myself ruined, as I thought, being joined 
 to a man I had no love for, and who was a 
 pattern of no good to me ; I therefore began to 
 think what a couple we were, like two joining 
 hands and going to destruction, which made 
 me conclude, if I was not forsaken of God, to 
 alter my course of life. But to love the Divine 
 Being, and not to love my husband I saw was 
 an inconsistency, and seemed impossible ; I 
 therefore daily desired, with tears, that my 
 affections might be in a right manner set on 
 my husband, and I can^say in truth, that in a 
 little timq,»my love was sincere to him. 
 
 I now resolved to do my duty to God, and 
 expecting I must come to the knowledge of it 
 by the Scriptures, I took to reading them, with 
 a strong resolution of following their directions, 
 but the more I read, the more uneasy I grew, 
 especially about baptism; for although I had 
 reason to believe I was sprinkled in my infancy. 
 
26 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 because at the age of thirteen T was confirmed 
 by the bishop, yet I could find no precedent for 
 the practice ; and upon reading where it is said 
 ‘'He that believes and is baptized,’’ &c. I 
 observed that bc?lief went before baptism, which 
 I was not capable of when I was sprinkled ; 
 hence I grew very uneasy, and living in a neigh- 
 bourhood where were mostly seventh-day bap- 
 tists, I conversed with them, and at length, 
 thinking it to be really my duty, was baptized 
 in the winter by one of their teachers ; but did 
 not join strictly with them, though I began 
 to think the seventh- day was the true sabbath, 
 and for some time kept it as such. My husband 
 did not oppose me, for he saw I grew more 
 afiectionate to him, and did not leave singing 
 and dancing so much, but that I could divert 
 him whenever he required it. 
 
 Soon after this, we concluded to go for 
 England, and for that purpose went to Boston, 
 where we found a ship bound for Liverpool, 
 and agreed for our passage, expecting to sail 
 in two weeks. But my time was not yet come ; 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 27 
 
 for there came a gentleman who hired the whole 
 ship to carry him and his attendants to Phila- 
 delphia ; and there being no other ship near 
 sailing, we, for that time, gave it up. 
 
 We stayed several weeks at Boston, and I 
 continued still dissatisfied as to religion, though 
 I had reformed my conduct so as to be accounted 
 by those that knew me, a sober woman ; but 
 that was not sufficient, for even then I expected 
 to find the sweets of such a change, and though 
 several thought me religious, I dared not to 
 think myself so ; and what to do to be so I 
 seemed still an utter stranger to. I used to 
 converse with people of all societies, as oppor- 
 tunity offered, and, like many others, had got a 
 deal of head knowledge, and several societies 
 thought me of their opinion, but I joined strictly 
 to none, resolving never to leave searching until 
 I found the truth. This was in the twenty- 
 second year of my age. 
 
 While we were at Boston I went one day to 
 the Quaker’s meeting, not expecting to find 
 what I wanted, but from a motive of curiosity. 
 
28 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 At this meeting a woman spoke, at which I was 
 a little surprised; for though I had heard of 
 women preaching I had never heard one before. 
 I looked on her with pity for her ignorance, and 
 in contempt of her practice said to myself, '' I 
 am sure you are a fool, for if ever T should turn 
 Quaker, which will never be, I would not be a 
 preacher/' In these and such-like thoughts I 
 sat while she was speaking. After she had 
 done, there stood up a man, which I could 
 more easily bear; he spoke well, and I thought, 
 raised sound doctrine from good Joshua's reso- 
 lution, — “ As for me and my house, we will 
 serve the Lord." After a time of silence he 
 went to prayer, which was attended with some- 
 thing so awful and affecting, that I was reduced 
 to tears, yet a stranger to the cause. 
 
 Soon after this we left Boston, for my husband 
 was given to ramble, which was very disagree- 
 able to me, but I must submit. We went to 
 Rhode Island by water, thence to the east end 
 of Long-Island, where he hired to keep a school. 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 29 
 
 This place was mostly inhabited by Presbyterians. 
 I soon got acquainted with some of the most 
 religious amongst them, for though I was poor, 
 I was favoured with respect amongst people of 
 the best credit, and had frequent discourses with 
 them ; but the more I was acquainted with their 
 principles, the worse I liked them, so that I 
 remained dissatisfied. 
 
 Now the old enemy of my happiness, knowing 
 I was resolved to abfindon him, assaulted me 
 afresh, and laid a bait with which I had like 
 to have been caught. One day, having been 
 abroad, at my return home, I found the people, 
 at whose house we had taken a room, had left 
 some flax in an apartment through which I 
 passed to my own, at sight whereof I was 
 immediately tempted to steal some, to make 
 some thread. I went to it, and took a small 
 bunch in my hand, at which I was smitten 
 with remorse, and immediately laid it down^ 
 saying, “ Lord keep me from such a vile act as 
 this.’’ But the twisting serpent did not yet 
 leave me, but assaulted me again so strong and 
 
30 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 prevalent, that I took it into my room. When I 
 came there horror siezed me, and, bursting into 
 tears, I cried, ‘‘ O God of mercy, enable me to 
 resist this temptation which he in his mercy 
 did, and gave me power to say, “ Get thee 
 behind me Satan, I will resist until I die, before 
 I yield.’’ I then carried it back, and returning 
 to my room, was so filled with thanksgiving to 
 God, and wrapt into such a frame as I have not 
 words to express, neither can any conceive, but 
 those who have resisted temptation, and tasted 
 of the same sweet peace by experience. 
 
 Soon after this, m_y husband hired to a place 
 further up the Island, where we were nearer a 
 Church of England meeting, to which place I used 
 to go, for though I disliked some of their ways, 
 yet I approved of them the best. 
 
 But now a fresh exercise fell upon me, and of 
 such a sort as I had never heard of before, and 
 while I was under it, I thought myself alone. 
 It was in the second month of the year, I was 
 sitting by a fire in company with several persons, 
 amongst whom my husband was one; there arose 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 31 
 
 a violent thunder gust, and with the noise that 
 struck my ear, a voice attending, even as the 
 sound of a mighty trumpet, piercing through 
 me with these words, “ Oh, eternity ! eternity I 
 the endless term of long eternity ! At this I 
 was exceedingly surprised, and sat speechless 
 as in a trance, and in a moment saw myself in 
 such a state as made me despair of ever being 
 happy ; I seemed to behold a long roll, written 
 in black characters, at sight whereof I heard a 
 voice say,. “ These are thy sins and imme- 
 diately followed another voice, saying, ‘'And 
 the blood of Christ is not sufficient to, wash them 
 away ; and this is shown thee that thou mayest 
 confess thy damnation is just, and not in order 
 that they should be forgiven/’ 
 
 All this time I sat speechless; at last I got up 
 trembling, and threw myself on the bed ; the 
 company thought my indisposition proceeded 
 only from the cause of the thunder, but alas ! 
 it was of another kind, and from that time, for 
 several months, I was in the utmost despair; 
 and if at any time I would endeavour to hope. 
 
32 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 or lay hold of a gracious promise, the old accuser 
 would come in, telling me it was now too late, 
 that I had withstood the day pf mercy, and that 
 1 should only add to my sins by praying for 
 pardon, and provoke the divine vengeance to 
 make a monument of wrath of me. 
 
 I was now like one already in torment ; my 
 sleep departed from me, I eat little, became 
 extremely melancholy, and took no delight in 
 any thing. Had all the world been mine, and 
 the glory of it, I would gladly have given it for 
 one glimpse of hope. My husband was shocked 
 to see me so changed ; I that could once divert 
 him with a song, in which he greatly delighted, 
 nay, even after I grew religious, as to the out- 
 ward form, now could do it no longer. My 
 singing was turned into mourning, and my 
 dancing into lamentations, for my nights and 
 days were one continued scene of sorrow. T let 
 none know my desperate condition. My hus- 
 band used all means in his power to divert my 
 melancholy, but in vain — the wound was too 
 deep to be healed with any thing short of the 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 33 
 
 true Balm of Gilead. I durst not go much 
 alone, fearing evil spirits ; but when I was 
 inclined to do so, my husband would not suffer 
 it, and if I took the Bible, he would take it from 
 me, saying, ‘‘How you are altered; you used 
 to be agreeable company, but now I have no 
 comfort in you.’' I endeavoured to bear all 
 with patience, expecting soon to bear more than 
 man could inflict upon me. 
 
 At length I went to a priest, to see if he could 
 relieve me ; but he was a stranger to my con- 
 dition. He advised me to take the sacrament, 
 and to use some innocent diversions, and lent 
 me a book of prayers, which, he said, was fit for 
 my condition ; but all was in vain. As to the 
 sacrament, I thought myself in a very unfit state 
 to receive it worthily ; and I would not use the 
 prayers, for I thought, if ever my prayers would 
 be acceptable, t should be enabled to pray with- 
 out a book. Diversions were burdensome, for, 
 as I said, my husband used all means tending 
 that way, to no purpose; yet he, with some 
 others, once persuaded me to the raising of a 
 
34 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 building, where much people were collected, in 
 expectation of alleviating my grief ; but, con- 
 trariwise, it added to my sorrow, for to this 
 place came an officer to summon a jury, to 
 enquire concerning a man who had hanged him- 
 self, which, as soon as I understood, it seemed 
 to be attended with a voice, saying, “ Thou 
 shalt be the next monument of wrath, for thou 
 art not worthy to die a natural death/' 
 
 For two months after this, I was daily 
 tempted to destroy myself ; sometimes the 
 temptation was so strong, I could hardly resist, 
 through fear of which, when I went alone, I 
 used to throw off my apron and garters, and if 
 I had a knife, to cast it from me, crying, Lord 
 keep me from taking away that life thou gave 
 me, and which thou wouldst have made happy, 
 if I, on my part, had joined with the offers of 
 thy grace, and had regarded the convictions I 
 -have had from my youth : — the fault is my own, 
 thou, O Lord, art clear." And yet, so great 
 was my agony, that I desired death, that I 
 might know the worst of my torments. All this 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 35 
 
 while I could not shed a tear — my heart was as 
 hard as a stone, and my life miserable ; but 
 God, who is full of mercy and long-forgiveness, 
 in his own good time, delivered my soul out of 
 this thraldom. 
 
 For one night as I lay in my bed, (my 
 husband by me asleep), bemoaning my misera- 
 ble condition, I had strength to cry, “O my 
 God, hast thou no mercy left } Look down, I 
 beseech thee, for Christ's sake, who has pro- 
 mised that all manner of sin and blasphemy 
 shall be forgiven ; therefore. Lord, if thou wilt 
 graciously please to extend this promise to me, 
 an unworthy creature, trembling before thee, 
 there is nothing, thou shalt command, but I 
 will obey." In an instant my heart was tender, 
 and T burst into a flood of tears, abhorring 
 my past offences, and admiring the mercies of 
 God, for I was now made to hope in Christ my 
 Redeemer, and enabled to look upon him with 
 an eye of faith, and saw fulfilled, what I believed 
 when the priest lent me his book, that if ever 
 my prayers would he acceptable to God, I 
 
36 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 should be enabled to pray without form, and so 
 used it no more. Nevertheless, I thought I 
 ought to join with some religious society, but 
 met with none that I liked in every thing, yet 
 the Church of England seeming nearest, I 
 joined with them, and received the sacrament, 
 so called, and can say in truth that I did it with 
 reverence and fear. 
 
 Being thus released from deep distress, I 
 seemed like another creature, and went often 
 alone without fear, and tears flowed abundantly 
 from my eyes. Once, as I was abhorring my- 
 self, in great humility of mind, I heard a 
 gracious voice say, full of love, I will never 
 leave thee nor forsake thee, only obey what I 
 shall make known unto thee.'’ I then entered 
 into covenant, saying, My soul doth magnify 
 thee, the God of mercy. If thou wilt vouchsafe 
 thy grace, the rest of my days shall be devoted 
 to thee ; and if it be thy will that I beg my 
 bread, I will be content, and submit to thy 
 providence." 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 37 
 
 I now began to think of my relations in 
 Pennsylvania, whom I had not yet seen, and 
 having a great desire that way, got leave of my 
 husband to go, and, also, a certificate from the 
 priest, in order that if I made any stay, I might 
 be received as a member of the church wherever 
 I came. On setting out, my husband bore me 
 company to the Blazing Star Ferry, saw me safe 
 over, and then returned. In the way, near a 
 place called Maidenhead, I fell from my horse, 
 aid was disabled from travelling for some time, 
 and abode at the house of an honest Dutchman, 
 who, with his wife, was very kind to me, and 
 though they had much trouble in going to the 
 doctor, and waiting upon me, for I was several 
 days unable to help myself, yet would have 
 nothing for it, which I thought very kind, but 
 charged me, if ever I came that way again, to 
 call and lodge there. 
 
 I arrived next at Trent - Town Ferry, 
 where I met with no small mortification, upon 
 hearing that my relations were Quakers, and, 
 what was worst of all, my aunt a preacher. I 
 c 
 
38 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 was sorry to hear it, for I was exceedingly 
 prejudiced against this people, and have often 
 wondered with what face they could call them- 
 selves Christians. I repented my coming, and 
 had a mind to return back without seeing them ; 
 at last I concluded to go and see them, since I 
 was so far on my journey, though I expected 
 little comfort from my visit. But see how God 
 brings unforeseen things to pass, for by my 
 going there I was brought to the knowledge of 
 his truth. 
 
 I went from Trent-Town to Philadelphia by 
 water, and thence to my uncle’s on horseback, 
 where I met with a very kind reception. For 
 though my own uncle was dead, and my aunt 
 married again, yet both she and her husband 
 received me in a very kind manner. I had not 
 been there three hours before I met with a 
 shock, and my opinion began to alter with 
 respect to these people, for, seeing a book lay 
 on the table, and being much given to reading, 
 I took it up, which my aunt observing, said, 
 ** Cousin, that is a Quaker’s book, ' Samuel 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 39 
 
 Crisp’s two Letters/ ’’ I suppose she thought I 
 should not like it. I made her no answer, 
 but thought to myself, — what can these people 
 write about, for I have heard that they deny the 
 scripture, and have no other bible than George 
 Fox’s Journal, and that they deny all the holy 
 ordinances } so I resolved to read a little, and 
 had not read two pages, before my very heart 
 burned within me, and tears came into my eyes, 
 which I was afraid would be seen, I therefore 
 walked with the book into the garden, sat down, 
 and the piece being small, read it through before 
 I went in, though sometimes forced to stop and 
 give vent to my tears; my heart, as it were, 
 uttering these involuntary expressions, My 
 God, if ever I come to a knowledge of the truth, 
 must I be of this man’s opinion, who hath 
 sought thee as I have done, and join with these 
 people, that I peferred the Papists to, but a few 
 hours ago ? O thou, the God of my salvation 
 and of my life, who hast in an abundant manner 
 manifested thy long- suffering and tender mercy 
 in redeeming me as from the lowest hell, a 
 
40 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 monument of thy grace. Lord, my soul be- 
 seeches thee to direct me in the right way, and 
 keep me from error ; and then, according to my 
 covenant, I will think nothing too near to part 
 with for thy name’s sake. If these things be 
 80, oh ! happy people, thus beloved of God.” 
 
 After I came a little to myself, I washed my 
 face, lest any in the house should perceive I 
 had been weeping. At night 1 got very little 
 sleep, for the old enemy began to suggest that 
 I was one of those that wavered, and was not 
 steadfast in the faith, advancing several texts of 
 scripture against me and them — In the latter 
 days there shall be those that shall deceive the 
 very elect,” and these people were they, and 
 that I was in danger of being deluded. Here 
 the subtle serpent transformed himself so hid- 
 denly, that I verily thought this to be a timely 
 caution from a good angel, so resolved to be- 
 ware of these deceivers, and for some weeks did 
 not touch any of their books. 
 
 The next day, being the first of the week, I 
 wanted to have gone to church, which was 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGB. 
 
 41 
 
 distant about four miles, but being a stranger, 
 and having nobody to go with me, was forced 
 to give it up, and as most of the family were 
 going to meeting, I went with them, but with 
 this conclusion, not to like them ; and so it was, 
 for as they sat in silence, I looked over the 
 meeting, thinking within myself, how like fools 
 these people sit, how much better were it to 
 stay at home and read the Bible, or some good 
 book, than to come here and go to sleep. In- 
 deed at length I fell asleep, and had like to have 
 fallen down, but this was the last time I ever 
 fell asleep in a meeting, though often assaulted 
 with it. 
 
 I now began to be lifted up with spiritual 
 pride, and thought myself better than they, but 
 through mercy, this did not last long, for in a 
 little time I was brought low, and saw these were 
 the people to whom I must join. It may seem 
 strange that I, who had lived so long with one 
 of this society in Dublin, should yet be so great 
 a stranger to them. In answer let it be con- 
 sidered, that during the time I was there, I 
 
42 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 never read one of their books, or went to one 
 meeting ; and besides, I had heard such 
 ridiculous stories of them, as made me think 
 they were the worst of any society of people. 
 But God, that knew the sincerity of my heart, 
 looked with pity on my weakness, and soon let 
 me see my error, for, in a few weeks, there was 
 an afternoon meeting held at my uncle’s, to 
 which came that servant of the Lord, William 
 Hammons, who was then made instrumental in 
 convincing me of the truth more perfectly, and 
 helping me over some great doubts, though I 
 believe no one did ever sit in greater opposition 
 than I did, when he first stood up ; but I was 
 soon brought down, for he preached the gospel 
 with such power, that I was forced to give up, 
 and confess if was the truth. 
 
 As soon as meeting ended, I endeavoured to 
 get alone, for I was not fit to be seen, being so 
 broken ; yet afterwards the restless adversary 
 assaulted me again in the following manner. 
 The morning before this meeting, I had been 
 disputing with my uncle about baptism, which 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 43 
 
 was the subject this good man was upon, and 
 which he handled so clearly, as to answer all my 
 scruples beyond objection ; yet the crooked 
 serpent farther alleged, that the sermon I had 
 heard, did not proceed from divine revelation, 
 but that my uncle and aunt had acquainted the 
 Friend of me. Which being strongly suggested, 
 I fell to accuse them with it, and of which they 
 both cleared themselves, saying they had not 
 seen him since my coming to these parts, until 
 he came to the meeting. 
 
 I then concluded he was a messenger of God 
 to me, and with fervent cries desired I might be 
 directed aright ; and now I laid aside all pre- 
 judice, and set my heart open to receive the 
 truth in the love of it ; and the Lord in his good 
 time revealed to my soul, not only the beauty 
 there is in it, and how those should shine who 
 continue faithful to it, but also the emptiness of 
 all shadows, which in their day were glorious, 
 but now he, the Son of Glory, was come to put 
 an end to them all, and establish everlasting 
 righteousness in the room thereof, which is a 
 
44 
 
 MEMOIR OP 
 
 work in the soul. He likewise let me see that 
 all I had gone through was to prepare me for 
 this day, and that the time was near that he 
 would require me to go forth and to declare to 
 others what the God of mercy had done for my 
 soul ; at which I was much surprised, and 
 desired I might be excused, for fear I should 
 bring dishonour to the truth, and cause his holy 
 name to be evil spoken of. 
 
 All this while I did not let any know the 
 condition I was in, nor did I appear like a 
 Friend, and feared a discovery. I now began 
 to think of returning to my husband, but found 
 a restraint to stay were I was. I then hired to 
 keep a school, and hearing of a place for him, 
 wrote desiring him to come to me, but let him 
 know nothing how it was with me. 
 
 I loved to go to meetings, but did not like to 
 he seen to go on week-days, and therefore to 
 shun it use to go from my school, through the 
 woods to them; but notwithstanding all my 
 care, the neighbours, that were not Friends, 
 soon began to revile, calling me Quaker, saying, 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGB. 
 
 45 
 
 They supposed I intended to be a fool, and turn 
 preacher;*' I then received the same censure, 
 that I, a little above a year before, had passed 
 on one of the handmaids of the Lord, at Boston, 
 and so weak was I, alas, I could not bear the 
 reproach, and in order to change their opinions, 
 got into greater excess of apparel than I had 
 freedom to wear for some time before I became 
 acquainted with Friends. In this condition I 
 continued till my husband came, and then began 
 trial of my faith; before he reached me, he 
 heard I was turned Quaker, at which he stamped, 
 saying, I had rather have heard she had 
 been dead, well as I love her, for if so, all my 
 comfort is gone." He then came to me, and 
 had not seen me before for four months ; I got 
 up and met him, saying, My dear, I am glad 
 to see thee," at which he fell into a great pas- 
 sion, and said, The devil Thee thee, don’t 
 Thee me." I used all the mild means I could 
 to pacify him, and at length got him fit to go 
 and speak to my relations, but he was alarmed, 
 and as soon as we got alone, he said, “ So I see 
 
46 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 your Quaker relations have made you one.** I 
 told him they had not, which was true, nor had 
 I ever told them how it was with me ; but he 
 would have it that I was one, and therefore 
 should not stay amongst them, and having 
 found a place to his mind, hired, and came 
 directly back to fetch me, and in one afternoon, 
 walked near thirty miles to keep me from 
 meeting, the next day being first-day, and on 
 the morrow took me to the aforesaid place, 
 hired lodgings at a church-man’s house, who 
 was one of the wardens, and a bitter enemy to 
 Friends. He used to do all he could to irritate 
 my husband against them, and would tell me a 
 great deal of ridiculous stufi^, but my judgment 
 was too clearly convinced to believe him; I 
 still did not appear as a Friend, but they all 
 believed I was one. When my husband and he 
 used to be making their diversion and reviling, 
 I used to sit in silence, but now and then an 
 involuntary sigh would break from me, at which 
 he would say to my husband, ” There, did not 
 I tell you your wife was a Quaker, and she will 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 47 
 
 be a preacher soon upon which my husband 
 once, in a great rage, came up to me, and 
 shaking his hand over me, said, ‘'You had better 
 be hanged on that day/’ I then, Peter-like, in 
 a panic denied my being a Quaker, at which 
 great horror seized upon me, which continued 
 for near three months, so that I again feared, 
 that by denying the Lord who bought me, the 
 heavens were shut against me ; for great dark- 
 ness surrounded me, and I was again plunged 
 into despair. 
 
 I used to walk much alone in the woods, 
 where no eye saw, or ear heard me, and there 
 lamented my miserable condition, and have often 
 gone from morning till night without breaking 
 my fast; thus I was brought so low that my 
 life was a burthen to me. The devil seemed to 
 vaunt that though the sins of my youth were 
 forgiven, yet now he was sure of me, for that 
 I had committed the unpardonable sin, and hell 
 would inevitably be my portion, and my tor- 
 ments would be greater than if I had hanged 
 myself at the first. 
 
STBTMOIK OF 
 
 In this doleful condition I had now to bewail 
 my misery, and even in the night, when I could 
 not sleep, under the painful distress of my mind, 
 if my husband perceived me weeping, he would 
 revile me for it. At last, when he and his friends 
 thought themselves too weak to overset me, 
 though I feared it was already done, he went to 
 the priest at Chester, to advise what to do with 
 me ; this man knew I was a member of the 
 church, for I had shown him my certificate. 
 His advice was, to take me out of Pennsylvania, 
 and find some other place where there were no 
 Quakers, and then it would wear off ; to this 
 my husband agreed, saying he did not care 
 where he went, if he could but restore me to 
 that liveliness of temper I was naturally of, and 
 to that church of which I was a member. I, 
 on my part, had no spirit to oppose their pro- 
 posal, neither much cared where I was, for I 
 seemed to have nothing to hope for, but daily 
 expected to be made a spectacle of divine wrath, 
 and was persuaded that it would be by thunder 
 ere long. 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 49 
 
 The time of removal came, and I was not 
 suffered to bid my relations farewell ; my hus- 
 band was poor and kept no horse, so I must 
 travel on foot. We came to Wilmington, 
 fifteen miles thence to Philadelphia by water; 
 here he took me to a tavern, where I soon be- 
 came a spectacle and diversion to the company ; 
 my husband telling them that his wife was 
 turned Quaker, and that he designed, if possible, 
 to find out a place where there was none. Oh, 
 thought T, I was once in a condition of deserv- 
 ing that name, but now it is over with me. Oh, 
 that I might, from a true hope, once more have 
 an opportunity to confess the truth, though I 
 was sure of all manner of cruelties, yet I would 
 not regard them. These were my concerns, 
 while he was entertaining the company with my 
 story, in which he told them that I had been a 
 good dancer, but now he could neither get me to 
 dance or sing; upon which one of the party started 
 up, saying, “ I’ll go and fetch my fiddle, and 
 we’ll have a dance,” at which my husband was 
 much pleased. The fiddle came, the sight of 
 
50 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 which put me in a sad condition, for fear, if 
 I refused, my husband would be in a great 
 passion ; however I took up this resolution, not 
 to comply, whatever might be the consequence. 
 He came to me and took me by the hand, saying 
 Come, my dear, shake off that gloom, let us 
 have a civil dance, you would, now and then, 
 when you were a good church- woman, and that 
 is better than a stiff Quaker.’' I, trembling, 
 desired to be excused, but he insisted on it, and 
 knowing his temper to he exceeding choleric, 
 I durst not say much, but would not consent ; 
 he then pulled me round the room till tears 
 affected my eyes, at sight whereof the musician 
 stopped, and said, I’ll play no more, let your 
 wife alone of which I was glad. There was 
 also a man in company who came from Freehold, 
 in East Jersey, who said, I see your wife is 
 a Quaker, but if you’ll take my advice, you need 
 not go so far, (for my husband designed to go 
 to Staten Island) come and live amongst us, 
 and we’ll soon cure her from her Quakerism, 
 for we want a schoolmaster and mistress too 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 51 
 
 to which he agreed, and a happy turn it was 
 for me, as will be seen by and bye, and the won- 
 derful turn of Providence, who had not yet 
 abandoned me, but raised a glimmering hope, 
 and afforded the answer of peace, in refusing to 
 dance, for which I was more rejoiced than if I 
 were made mistress of much riches, and in a 
 flood of tears, said, Lord, T dread to ask, and 
 yet without thy gracious pardon I am miserable ; 
 I therefore fall down before thy throne, implor- 
 ing mercy at thy hand. O Lord, once more I 
 beseech thee, try my obedience, and then what- 
 soever thou commands, I will obey, and not 
 fear to confess thee before men.*' Thus was 
 my soul engaged before God in sincerity, and 
 he of his tender mercy heard my cries, and in 
 me hath shewn that he delights not in the death 
 of a sinner, for he again set my soul at liberty 
 and I could praise him. 
 
 I now again longed for an opportunity to 
 confess to his truth, which he showed me should 
 come, though in what manner T did not see, 
 but believed the word I had heard, which in a 
 
 y* OF ILL UB. 
 
52 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 little time was fulfilled to me. My husband, as 
 aforesaid, agreed to go to Freehold, and in our 
 way thither came to Maidenhead, where I went 
 to see the kind Dutchman before-mentioned, 
 who made us welcome, and invited us to stay a 
 few days ; while we were there, there was held a 
 great meeting of the Presbyterians, not only for 
 worship, but for business also ; for one of their 
 preachers being charged with drunkenness was 
 this day to have his trial before a great number 
 of their priests, and we went to it, of which I 
 was afterwards glad ; for here I perceived great 
 division amongst the people about who should 
 be their shepherd. I greatly pitied their con- 
 dition, for I now saw beyond the men-made 
 ministers, and what they preached for ; and 
 which all those at this meeting might have done 
 had not the prejudice of education, which is 
 very prevalent, blinded their eyes. Some insisted 
 to have the old otfender restored, some to have 
 a young man they had on trial some weeks, a 
 third party was for sending for one from New- 
 England; at length one stood up, and addressing 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 53 
 
 himself to the chief speaker, said, "‘Sir, when 
 we have been at the expense, which will be no 
 small matter, of fetching this gentleman from 
 New-England, perhaps he will not stay with us/' 
 Don't you know how to make him ?" '' No, 
 
 Sir." ‘‘ I'll tell you then, (said he), give him a 
 good salary, and I'll engage he will stay." O, 
 thought I, these mercenary creatures, they are 
 all actuated by one and the same thing, even 
 the love of money, and not the regard of souls. 
 This, called reverend, gentleman, whom these 
 poor people almost adored, to my knowledge, 
 had left his flock on Long Island, and moved 
 to Philadelphia, where he could get more money. 
 I myself had heard some of them on the Island 
 say, “ That they had almost impoverished them- 
 selves to keep him, but not being able to equal 
 Philadelphia invitation, he left them without a 
 shepherd. This man, therefore, knowing their 
 ministry all proceed from one cause, might be 
 purchased by the same thing. Surely these, 
 and such like, are the shepherds that regard 
 the fleece more than the flock, and in whose 
 
54 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 mouth are lies, saying the Lord hath sent them, 
 and that they are Christ’s ambassadors, whose 
 command to those he sent, was “ Freely ye 
 have received, freely give,” and, blessed be his 
 holy name, so they do to this day. I durst not 
 say any thing to my husband of the remarks I 
 had made, but laid them up in my heart, and 
 they helped to strengthen me in my resolutions. 
 
 Hence we set forward for Freehold, and 
 coming through Stoney - Brook, my husband, 
 turning towards me, tauntingly said, “ Here’s 
 one of Satan’s synagogues, don’t you want to 
 be in it ? O, I hope I shall see you carried off 
 this new religion.” I made no answer, but 
 went on ; in a little time we came to a large 
 run of water, over which was no bridge, and 
 we being strangers, knew no way to get over, 
 but through we were obliged to go. My husband 
 carried our clothes, which we had in bundles, 
 and I pulled off my shoes and waded through 
 in my stockings, which served somewhat to 
 keep the chill of the water from me, it being 
 very cold and a fall of snow, in the twelfth 
 
ELIZABETH A^H BRIDGE. 
 
 55 
 
 month. My heart was concerned in prayer, 
 that the Lord would sanctify ail my afflictions 
 to me, and give me patience to bear whatsoever 
 should be suffered to come upon me. 
 
 We walked the most part of a mile before 
 we came to a house, which proved to be a sort 
 of tavern ; my husband called for some spirit- 
 uous liquors, but I got some cider mulled, 
 which, when I had drank of, the cold having 
 struck to my heart, made me extremely sick, 
 insomuch, that when we were a little past the 
 house, I expected I should have fainted, and 
 not being able to stand, fell down under a 
 fence ; which my husband observing, tauntingly 
 said, “ What’s the matter now, what, are you 
 drunk ? where’s your religion now ?” He knew 
 better, and at that time I believe he pitied me, 
 yet was suffered grievously to afflict me. In 
 a little time 1 grew better, and going on came 
 to another tavern where we lodged. The next 
 day I was not very well, and as we proceeded 
 on our journey, a young man with an empty 
 cart overtook us, and I desired my husband to 
 
 D 
 
56 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 ask the young man to let us ride, which he did, 
 and it was readily granted; I now thought 
 myself well off, and took it as a great favour, 
 for my proud heart was humbled, and I did not 
 regard the look of it, though the time had been 
 that 1 would not have been seen in a cart. 
 This cart belonged to a man at Shrewsbury, 
 and was to go through the place that we were 
 going to, so we rode on ; but soon had the care 
 of the team to ourselves, (from a failure in the 
 driver,) to the place where I was intended to 
 have been made a prey of. But see how un- 
 foreseen things are brought to pass by a provi- 
 dential hand. It is said and answered, “ shall 
 we do evil that good may come ? — God forbid 
 yet, hence good came to me. Here my husband 
 would have had me stay, while he went to see 
 the team safe at home, but I told him, “ No, 
 since he had led me through the country like a 
 vagabond, I would not stay behind him;’’ so 
 we went on, and lodged that night at the man’s 
 house who owned the cart. Next day on our 
 return to Freehold, we met a man riding full 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 57 
 
 speed, who stopped, and said to my husband. 
 
 Sir, are you a school-master ?’* and was an- 
 swered, “ Yes/' “ I came to tell you," replied 
 the stranger, of two new school houses, and 
 we want a master in each, and are two miles 
 apart." How this stranger came to hear of us, 
 who came but the night before, I never knew, 
 but I was glad he was not called a Quaker, 
 lest my husband might have thought it had 
 been a plot. I said to my husband, My dear, 
 look on me with pity, if thou hast any affection 
 left for me, which I hope thou hast, for I am 
 not conscious of having done anything to alien- 
 ate it ; here is, (continued I,) an opportunity 
 to settle us both, for I am willing to do all in 
 my power towards an honest livelihood." 
 
 My expressions took place, and after a little 
 pause, he consented, took the young man's 
 directions, and made towards the place ; and in 
 our way, we came to the house of a worthy 
 Friend, whose wife was a preacher, though we 
 did not know it. I was surprised to see the 
 people so kind to us who were strangers ; we 
 
58 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 had not been long in the house, before we were 
 invited to lodge there that night, it being the 
 last of the week . I said nothing, but waited to 
 hear my master speak ; he soon consented, say- 
 ing, “My wife has had a tedious travel, and I 
 pity her at which kind expression I was 
 greatly affected, for they were now very seldom 
 used to me. 
 
 The Friend’s kindness could not have pro- 
 ceeded from my appearing in the garb of a 
 Quaker, for I had not yet altered my dress ; 
 but the woman of the house, after we had 
 concluded to stay, fixed her eyes on me and 
 said, “ I believe thou hast met with a great 
 deal of trouble,” to which I made but little 
 answer. My husband observing they were of 
 that sort of people he had so much endeavoured 
 to shun, would give us no opportunity for any 
 discourse that night, but the next morning I let 
 the Friend know a little how it was with me. 
 Meeting time came, to which I longed to go, 
 but durst not ask my husband’s leave, for fear 
 of disturbing him, till we were settled, and 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 59 
 
 then thought I, if ever I am favoured to be 
 in this place, come life or death, T’ll fight 
 through, for my salvation is at stake. The 
 Friends getting ready for meeting, asked my 
 husband if he would go, saying they knew who 
 were to he his employers, and if they were at 
 meeting, they would speak to them. He then 
 consented to go ; then said the woman Friend, 
 And wilt thou let thy wife go;” which he 
 refused, making several objections, all which 
 she answered so prudently, that he could not be 
 angry, and at last consented ; with joy I went, 
 for I had not been at one for near four months, 
 and a heavenly meeting it was to me. I now 
 renewed my covenant, and saw. the word of the 
 Lord made good, that I should have another 
 opportunity to confess to his name, for which, 
 “ My soul did magnify the Lord, and my spirit 
 did rejoice in the God of my salvation,^' v/ho 
 had brought strange things to pass — may I ever 
 he preserved in humility, never forgetting his 
 tender mercies to me. 
 
60 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Here, according to my desire, we settled, my 
 husband got one school and I the other; we 
 took a room at a Friend’s house, a mile from 
 each school, and eight miles from the meeting- 
 house. Before the next first-day we were got 
 to our new settlement, and now I concluded to 
 let my husband see that I was determined to 
 join with Friends. When first-day came, I di- 
 rected myself to him in this manner, My dear, 
 art thou willing to let me go to meeting ?” at 
 which he flew into a rage, saying, ‘'No, you 
 shall not.” I then drew up resolution and told 
 him, " that as a dutiful wife ought, so was I 
 ready to obey all his lawful commands ; but 
 where they imposed on my conscience, I no 
 longer durst, for I had already done it too long, 
 and wronged myself by it ; and though he was 
 near, and I loved him as a wife ought, yet God 
 was nearer than all the world to me, and had 
 made me sensible this was the way I ought to 
 go, the which T assured him was no small cross 
 to my own will, yet I had given up my heart, 
 and hoped he that had called for it, would 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 61 
 
 enable me, the residue of my life, to keep it 
 steadily devoted to him whatever I suffered, 
 adding, I hoped not to make him any worse 
 wife for it.” But all I could say was in vain, 
 but I had now put my hand to the plough, and 
 resolved not to look back, so went without leave, 
 but expected immediately to be followed and 
 forced back ; but he did not. I went to one of 
 the neighbour’s and got a girl to shew me the 
 way ; and then went on rejoicing and praising 
 God in my heart, who had thus far given gne 
 power, and another opportunity to confess to 
 his truth. 
 
 Thus for some time I had to go eight miles 
 on foot to meeting, which 1 never thought hard. 
 My husband soon bought a horse, but would 
 not let me ride, neither when my shoes were 
 worn out, would he let me have a new pair, 
 thinking by that means to keep me from meet- 
 ings ; but this did not hinder me, for I have 
 taken strings and tied round to keep them on. 
 He now finding no hard usage could alter my 
 resolution, neither threatening to beat me, nor 
 
62 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 doing it, for he several times struck me with 
 sore blows, which I endeavoured to bear with 
 patience, believing the time would come when 
 he would see I was in the right, which he 
 accordingly did. He once came up to me and 
 took out his penknife, saying, If you offer to 
 go to meeting to-morrow, with this knife I will 
 cripple you, for you shall not be a Quaker.'’ I 
 made him no answer, but when morning came, 
 set out as usual, and he was not suffered to 
 hurt me. 
 
 In despair of recovering me himself, he now 
 fled to the priest for help, and told him, that I 
 had been a very religious woman in the way of 
 the Church of England, was a member of it, and 
 had a good certificate from Long Island, but 
 now was bewitched and turned Quaker, which 
 almost broke his heart ; he therefore desired, as 
 he was one who had the care of souls, he would 
 come and pay me a visit, and use his best 
 endeavours to reclaim me, and he hoped, by the 
 blessing of God, it would be done. 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGB, 
 
 63 
 
 The priest consented to come, and the time 
 was fixed, which was to be that day two weeks, 
 for he said he could not come sooner; my 
 husband came home extremely well pleased, and 
 told me of it, at which I smiled and said, I 
 hope to be enabled to give a reason for the hope 
 that is in me at the same time believing the 
 priest would never trouble me, nor did he, nor 
 ever did. Before this appointed time came, it 
 was required of me, in a more public manner, 
 to confess to the world what I was, and to give 
 up in prayer in meeting, the sight of which, and 
 the power that attended it, made me tremble, 
 and I could not hold myself still. I now again 
 desired death, and could have freely given up 
 my natural life a ransom, and what made it 
 harder to me, I was not yet taken under the 
 care of Friends ; and what kept me from re- 
 questing it was, for fear I should be overcome, 
 and bring a scandal on the society. I begged to 
 be excused till I was joined to Friends, and 
 then I would give up freely, to which I received 
 this answer, as though I had heard a distinct voiced 
 
64 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 “ J am a covenant-keeping God, and the words 
 that I spoke to thee when I found thee in dis- 
 tress, even that I would never leave thee, nor 
 forsake thee, if thou wouldst be obedient to 
 what I should make known to thee, I will 
 assuredly make good ; but if thou refuse, my 
 spirit shall not always strive ; fear not, I will 
 make way for thee through all thy difficulties, 
 which shall be many, for my name’s sake, but 
 be faithful, and I will give thee a crown of life.” 
 1 then being sure it was God that spoke, said. 
 Thy will, O God, be done, — T am in thy hand, 
 do with me according to thy word,” and I gave 
 up, but after it was over, the enemy came in 
 like a flood, telling me, I had done what I ought 
 not, and should now bring dishonour to this 
 people ; but this shock did not last long. 
 
 This day, as usual, 1 had gone on foot ; my 
 husband, as he afterwards told me, lying on the 
 bed, these words ran through him, ''Lord, 
 where shall I fly to shun thee,” at which he 
 arose, and seeing it rain, got the horse and 
 came to fetch me, and coming just as the 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 65 
 
 meeting broke up, I got on horseback as quickly 
 as possible, lest he should hear what had 
 happened, neveitheless he heard it, and as soon 
 as we were got into the woods he began, saying, 
 What do you mean thus to make my life 
 unhappy ? could you not be a Quaker, without 
 turning fool after this manner }” I answered in 
 tears, saying, My dear, look on me with pity, 
 if thou hast any, — canst thou think that I, in 
 the bloom of my days, would bear all that 
 thou knowest of, and a great deal which thou 
 knowest not of, if I did not believe it to be my 
 duty This took hold of him, and taking my 
 hand, he said, Well, Fll even give you up, for 
 I see it don’t avail to strive, — if it be of God, 
 I cannot overthrow it, and if it be of yourself, 
 it will fall and I saw the tears stand in his 
 eyes, at which my heart was overcome with joy, 
 and I would not have changed conditions with a 
 queen. I already began to reap the fruit of my 
 obedience, but my trials did not end here : the 
 time being up that the priest was to come, but 
 no priest appeared, my husband went to fetch 
 him, but he would not come, saying he was 
 
66 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 busy, and could not/' which so displeased ray 
 husband, that he never would go to hear him 
 any more, and for some time went to no place of 
 worship. 
 
 Now the unwearied adversary found out 
 another scheme, and with it assaulted me so 
 strong, that I thought all I had gone through, 
 was but little to this, it came upon me in such 
 an unexpected manner. T, hearing a woman 
 relate a book she had read, in which it was 
 asserted, that Christ was not the Son of God ; 
 as soon as she had spoke the words, if a man 
 had spoke, I could hot more distinctly have 
 heard these words, No more he is, it's all a 
 fancy, and the contrivance of man," and a 
 horror of great darkness fell upon me, which 
 continued for three weeks ; the exercise I was 
 in, I am not able to express, neither durst I let 
 any one know how it was with me. I again 
 sought desolate places, where I might make my 
 moan, and have lain whole nights, and do not 
 know that my eyes have been shut to sleep ; t 
 again thought myself alone, but would never let 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGB. 
 
 67 
 
 go my faith in him, often saying in my heart, 
 “ I will believe till I die and kept a hope, 
 that he who delivered me out of the paw of the 
 bear, and from the jaws of the devouring lion, 
 would, in his own good time, deliver me out of 
 this temptation also ; which he of his mercy did, 
 and let me see this was for my good, in order 
 to prepare me for further service, which he had 
 for me to do, and that it was necessary that 
 his ministers should be dipped into all states, 
 that thereby they might be more able to speak to * 
 all ; for which my soul was thankful to him, the 
 God of mercies, who had at several times redeemed 
 me out of great distress, and I found the truth 
 of his words, that all things should work for 
 good to those that loved and feared him* which 
 I did with my whole heart, and I hope ever shall 
 while 1 have a being. 
 
 This happened, soon after my first appearance 
 as a minister, and Friends had not been to talk 
 with me, nor did they know what to do till I 
 appeared again, which was not for some time ; 
 when the monthly meeting appointed four 
 
68 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Friends to pay me a visit, which I was glad of, 
 and gave them such satisfaction that they left 
 me well satisfied. I then joined with Friends — 
 my husband still went to no place of worship. 
 One day he said, Fd go to meeting, only 1 am 
 afraid I shall hear your clack, which I cannot 
 bear.*' I used no persuasions, yet when meet- 
 ing time came he got the horse, and took me 
 behind him and went to meeting ; but for 
 several months, if he saw me offer to rise, he 
 would go out, till one time I got up before he 
 was aware, and then, as he afterwards said, he 
 was ashamed to do it ; and from that time never 
 did, nor hindered me from going to meeting, 
 and though he, poor man, could not take up the 
 cross, yet his judgment was convinced, and 
 sometimes in a flood of tears, he would say. 
 My dear, I have seen the beauty there is in 
 the truth, and that thou art in the right, and I 
 pray God preserve thee in it ; but as for me the 
 cross is too heavy, T cannot bear it.’' I told 
 him, I hoped he that had given me strength, 
 would also favour him. “Oh!” said he, “ I 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGB. 
 
 69 
 
 cannot bear the reproach thou dost, to be called 
 turn- coat, and become a laughing stock to the 
 world, but ril no longer hinder thee from it 
 which I looked on as a great favour that my 
 way was thus far made easy, and a little hope 
 remained that my prayers would be heard on 
 his account. 
 
 In this place he had got linked in with some 
 that he was afraid would make game of him, 
 which indeed they already did, asking him when 
 he designed to commence preacher, for that 
 they saw he intended to turn Quaker, and 
 seemed to love his wife better, since she did, 
 than before. We were now got into a little 
 house by ourselves, which though mean, and 
 little to put into it, (our bed being no better 
 than chaff,) yet I was truly content, and did pot 
 envy the rich their riches ; the only desires I 
 now had were my own preservation, and to be 
 blessed with the reformation of my husband. 
 These men used to come to our house and there 
 provoke my husband to set up and drink, some- 
 times till near day, while I have been sorrowing 
 
70 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 in a stable ; as I once sat in this condition, I 
 heard my husband say to his company, “ I can- 
 not bear any longer to afflict my poor wife in 
 this manner, for whatever you may think of her, 
 I do believe she is a good woman upon which 
 he came to me, and said, Come in, my dear, 
 God has given thee a deal of patience. Til put 
 an end lo this practice \ ^ and so he did, for this 
 was the last time they sat up at nights. 
 
 My husband now thought if he was in any 
 place where it was not known he was so bitter 
 against Friends, he could do better than here, 
 but I was much against his moving, fearing it 
 would tend to his hurt, having been for some 
 months much altered for the better, and would 
 often, in a broken manner, condemn his bad 
 usage to me ; I told him, I hoped it had been 
 for my good, even to the better establishing me 
 in the truth, and therefore would not have him 
 be afflicted about that ; and according to the 
 measure of grace received, did what I could, 
 both by example and advice, for his good ; and 
 my advice was for him to fight through here. 
 
BLIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 71 
 
 fearing he would grow weaker, and the enemy 
 gain advantage over him, if he thus fled ; but all 
 I could say did not prevail against his moving, 
 and hearing of a place at Burdontown, went 
 there, but that did not suit ; he then moved to 
 Mountholey, and there we settled. He got a 
 school, and so did I, and here we might have 
 done well : we soon got our house pretty well 
 furnished for poor folks. I now began to think 
 I wanted but one thing to complete my happi- 
 ness, viz. the reformation of my husband, the 
 which, alas, I had too much reason to doubt, 
 for it fell out according to my fears, and he 
 grew worse here, and took to much drinking, 
 so that it seemed as though my life was to be a 
 continual scene of sorrow ; and most earnestly 
 I prayed to Almighty God, to endue me with 
 patience to bear my afflictions, and submit to 
 his providence, which I can say in truth, I did 
 without murmuring, or ever uttering an unsa- 
 vory expression, to the best of my knowledge, 
 except once, when my husband coming home a 
 little in drink, in which frame he was very hasty. 
 
n 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 and finding me at work by a candle, came to 
 me, put it out, and giving me a box on the ear, 
 said, You don’t earn your light which 
 unkind usage, for he had not struck me for 
 two years before, went hard with me, and I 
 uttered this rash expression, Thou art a vile 
 man.” I was a little angry, but soon recovered 
 and was sorry for it ; he struck me again, which 
 I received without so much as a word in return, 
 and that likewise displeased him, so that he 
 went on in a distracted manner, uttering several 
 rash expressions that bespoke despair, as that 
 he now believed that he was predestinated to 
 damnation, and he did not care how soon God 
 would strike him dead and the like. I durst 
 say but little, yet at length, in the bitterness of 
 my soul, I broke out in these words, Lbrd, 
 look down on my afflictions, and deliver me by 
 some means or other I was answered I should 
 soon be ; and so I was, but in such a manner as 
 I verily thought would have killed me. 
 
 In a little time he went to Burlington, where 
 he got in drink, and enlisted for a common 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 73 
 
 soldier, to go to Cuba, in the year 1740. I had 
 drank many bitter cups, but this seemed to ex- 
 ceed them all, for indeed my very senses seemed 
 shaken. I now a thousand times blamed myself 
 for making such an unadvised request, fearing I 
 had displeased God by it, and though he had 
 granted it, it was in displeasure, and suffered to 
 be in this manner to punish me ; but I can say, 
 I never desired his death more than my own, 
 nay not so much. I have since had cause to 
 believe his mind was benefited by the under- 
 taking, which hope makes up for all I have 
 suffered from him, being informed that he did in 
 the army, what he could not do at home, viz. — 
 suffer for the testimony of truth. When they 
 came to prepare for an engagement, he refused 
 to fight, for which he was whipped, and brought 
 before the General, who asked why he enlisted 
 if he would not fight ? “ I did it,’’ said he, in 
 a drunken frolic, when the devil had the better 
 of me, but my judgment is convinced, that I 
 ought not, neither will I, whatever I suffer; I 
 have but one life, and you may take that if you 
 
 E 
 
74 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 please, but Til never take up arms/’ Thev used 
 him with much cruelty to make him yield, but 
 could not, by means whereof, he was so dis- 
 abled, that the General sent him to the hospital 
 at Chelsea, near London, where, in nine months, 
 he died, and T hope, made a good end, for which 
 I prayed, both night and day, till I heard of his 
 death. 
 
 Thus I thought it my duty to say what I 
 could in his favour, as I have been obliged to 
 say so much of his hard usage to me, all which 
 I hope did me good ; and although he was so 
 bad, yet he had several good qualities, and I 
 never thought him the worst of men ; he was 
 one I loved, and had he let religion have its 
 perfect work, I should have thought myself 
 happy in the lowest state of life ; and I have 
 cause to bless God, who enabled me, in the 
 station of a wife, to do my duty, and now a 
 widow, to submit to his will; always believing 
 every thing he doth to he right, may he in all 
 stations of life, so preserve me by the arm of 
 divine power, that I may never forget his tender 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 75 
 
 mercies to me, the remembrance whereof doth 
 often bow down my soul in humility before his 
 throne, saying, “ Lord, what was I, that thou 
 shouldest have revealed to my soul, the know- 
 ledge of thy truth, and done so much for me, 
 who rather deserved thy displeasure ? but in 
 me thou hast shewn thy long suffering and 
 tender mercy ; may thou, O God, be glorified, 
 and I abased, for it is thy own works that praise 
 thee, and of a truth to the humble soul thou 
 makest every bitter thing sweet.” 
 
 The foregoing was E. Ashbridge's own 
 account ; what follows, was written by her last 
 husband, and sent over therewith. 
 
 Her husband had been gone some two or 
 three years, before she heard of his death; he left 
 her near eighty pounds in debt, which, by law, 
 she was not obliged to answer, for want of 
 effects, yet, as there were many creditors who 
 complained, saying they would not have trusted 
 
76 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 him, if it had not been for his wife's sake, she, 
 therefore, that truth might not suffer, engaged 
 her word to pay them all as fast as she could ; 
 and settled steadily to the business of school- 
 keeping, and with that and her needle, main- 
 tained herself handsomely, and by degrees paid 
 off near all the said debts, in the time of her 
 widowhood, in which time, she also travelled 
 considerably in the service of truth. 
 
 In the ninth month, 1746, we were married 
 at Burlington, West Jersey, in endeared affec- 
 tion, and the power of truth greatly prevailed 
 at the time, which blessing, through mercy 
 continuing, made the company of each other 
 dear and delightful to a wish. Yet, we must 
 part — sufficiently convinced that her Lord and 
 Master called for her service abroad : my heart 
 was prepared and made willing to resign a 
 darling object of my love and delight; and 
 though it has pleased the divine will to remove 
 her, without indulging my longing desire, of 
 once more rejoicing with her, yet being fully 
 satisfied that she is taken from the troubles of 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 77 
 
 time., to a happy eternity, I enjoy a comfortable 
 composure of mind, with resignation to the 
 divine will ; believing, as she did, that all things 
 He doth are right, never having once repented 
 my giving her up to the service of truth, in 
 which she died in Ireland, the 16th of the fifth 
 month, 1755. She left home the 11th of the 
 fifth month, 1753. 
 
 AARON ASHBRIDGE. 
 

 ./<, ■ 
 
 
A 
 
 TESTIMONY 
 
 FROM THE 
 
 NATIONAL MEETING OE IRELAND, 
 HELD IN DUBLIN, 
 CONCERNING 
 
 ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 In the year 1753, apprehending it required of 
 her to visit the meetings of Friends in England 
 and Ireland, she left her habitation with the 
 consent of her husband, and the unity and 
 approbation of Friends, as appears by her certi- 
 ficate, and performed a religious visit to many 
 meetings in this nation, to the general satisfac- 
 tion of Friends ; wherein she endured so much 
 bodily hardship in travelling, and underwent so 
 much spiritual exercise in mind, that she fell 
 
80 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 dangerously ill at the city of Cork ; and to 
 those two causes she always imputed her 
 disease. 
 
 After recovering so much strength as to be 
 able to proceed on her journey, she left Cork 
 and came to Waterford, to the house of our 
 Friend, John Hutchinson, where she remained 
 very much indisposed for the most part of 
 fourteen weeks ; and, in that interval, was at 
 the Province-meeting at Clonmel, where she had 
 extraordinary service. From thence she went to 
 the county of Carlow, and to the house of our 
 Friend Robert Leckey. Whilst there, some 
 expressions, which she uttered in an affecting 
 manner, were taken down in writing, and are 
 as follow. 
 
 The 7th of the 5th month, 1755, Elizabeth 
 Ashbridge, being sorely afflicted with pain of 
 body, expressed her fear of not being patient 
 enough under it, but several times desired it, 
 saying, “ O dearest goodness, grant me patience 
 till my change come, and then enable me, and 
 do not forsake me, Lord of my life.’" And, 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 81 
 
 speaking of what she had suffered, said, words 
 could not express, nor thoughts conceive, what 
 she had gone through these seven months ; 
 for what cause the Lord only knew. Although 
 it had been so with her, yet she would not have 
 any be discouraged, for her Master, she said, 
 was a good master, and she did not grudge 
 suffering for him. Though he chastises his 
 children, it is for some good end; sometimes 
 for their own, and sometimes for the good of 
 others; and said, she did not repent coming 
 into this nation, though she was so tried, being 
 satisfied she was in her place, and that it was 
 the requirings of him who had supported her to 
 a miracle ; and now it looked as if two poor 
 weak women were sent to lay down their lives 
 in the cause of truth : or to this purpose, her 
 companion, Sarah Worral, having departed this 
 life at Cork, a short time before, — and as many 
 faithful servants had been sufferers in this land, 
 as they were not the first, she thought they 
 would not be the last. She mentioned some- 
 thing of its lying heavy on the inhabitants 
 
82 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 thereof, if there was not an amendment. But 
 for those that had put their hands to the plough, 
 she desired such might go on with courage, and 
 said, God was on their side ; and that it was 
 happy for those who had remembered their 
 Creator in the days of their youth. 
 
 Another time when in extreme pain, she cried 
 out, '' Lord, look down upon me,” and begged 
 that patience, her old companion, might not 
 leave her, and said, although pain of body was 
 her portion at present, through the mercies of 
 a gracious God, her mind was pretty easy. 
 Though sometimes she feared she was not 
 quite fitted for that glorious mansion which 
 she aimed at, and into which nothing that is 
 unholy can enter ; yet she had a hope it was not 
 in wrath she was chastised, for she had to 
 acknowledge she felt the touches of divine love 
 to her soul ; and said she loved the truth, and 
 those that loved it were precious to her life, 
 whether relations or others ; and that she had 
 sought it from her youth, and was thankful for 
 being preserved so as not to bring a blemish 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 83 
 
 on it, since she made profession thereof, but 
 had done what she could for it. 
 
 A Friend taking leave of her, she told him, 
 whether he heard of her life or death, she hoped 
 it would be well. Some Friends being with her, 
 she said something of the singularity of her 
 trials, but that the hand that permitted them, 
 had an indisputable right ; to which she seemed 
 resigned, whether in life or death, hoping it 
 would be well. She said, she loved the truth, 
 and it had been her support, and desired those 
 that had begun to walk in it, to keep close to it, 
 and it would never leave them. 
 
 She seemed thankful that the beauty of this 
 world, and the enjoyments of it, were stained in 
 her view, and that she was made willing to give 
 up all; the hardest was her dear husband, being 
 so far from him ; but even this was made easier 
 than she could expect. Being wished a good 
 night’s rest, she said, she did not expect to be 
 free from pain, but that every night that the Lord 
 sent, was good; and, though uneasy, hoped 
 they would be all good nights ; and when once 
 the gulf was shot, she should have rest. 
 
84 
 
 MEMOIR OF 
 
 Speaking to a Friend, she said, she endea- 
 voured to live without a will ; and that she 
 hoped she had borne her afflictions with a degree 
 of Christian fortitude. Being in great pain, 
 and asked, whether she would be settled } she 
 said, none could settle her but one ; and in his 
 own time, she hoped he would : she then cried 
 out, Dearest Lord, though thou slay me, I 
 will die at thy feet ; for I have loved thee more 
 than life.*' She spoke affectionately to a Friend 
 that visited her, gratefully acknowledging the 
 care and tenderness shown to her, and counted 
 it a high favour, that the hearts of her friends 
 Were opened to receive and sympathise with her. 
 She spoke something of the exercises of mind 
 she went through, before her convincement, and 
 the time she got relief out of great distress, and 
 was enabled to make covenant with the Lord; 
 which time she still remembered, and hoped she 
 should never forget, being desirous often to 
 return to Bethel, and to remember the time of 
 her espousals. She acknowledged the advan- 
 tage there was in being deeply tried, and that 
 
ELIZABETH ASHBRIDGE. 
 
 85 
 
 it was the way to be enabled to speak comfort- 
 ably to others. 
 
 Having grown weaker for several days, she 
 departed this life, in a quiet frame, the 16th of 
 the 5th month, 1755, and on the 19th her 
 corpse, accompanied by many Friends, was 
 conveyed in a solemn manner from our friend 
 Robert Leckey’s, to Friends’ burying ground, 
 at Ballybrumhill, where several testimonies 
 were borne to the truth. 
 
 Thus our dear Friend finished her course. 
 It remains briefiy to add our testimony con- 
 cerning her. 
 
 She was a woman of an excellent natural 
 understanding; in her conversation, cheerful, 
 yet grave and instructive; she felt the afflictions 
 of others with a tender sympathy, and bore her 
 own with patience and resignation. 
 
 As a minister, she was deep in travail, clear 
 in her openings, plain and pertinent in her 
 expressions, solid and awful in her deportment, 
 and attended with that baptizing power, which 
 is the evidence of a hving ministry, and which 
 
86 
 
 MEMOIR, &C. 
 
 SO evidently attended her in the last testimony 
 she bore in a public meeting, in great bodily 
 weakness, that most or all present were reached 
 and deeply affected thereby, and a young man 
 was, at that time, convinced of the truth : which 
 was as a seal to the finishing of her service in 
 the work of the ministry ; and, in which, being 
 so owned to the last, we have no doubt but she 
 now receives the reward of the faithful servant, 
 and is entered into the joy of her Lord. 
 
 Brighton ; Printed by Arthur Wallis, 5, Bartholomews. 
 

 
 
 
 
 ►i