ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the social stigmas faced by the early Quakers, including popular accusations of amoral and disorderly behaviour, which contributed in part to the more pragmatic reasons for the early Quaker development of a strict courtship and marriage approbation discipline. The early Quaker wedding ceremony be considered, followed by concluding remarks on the gradual development of the Women's Meetings and their unique responsibilities in the marriage discipline. Courtship and marriage were major preoccupation for the early Quakers, and were painstakingly regulated within early Quaker meetings, thought and practice. Endogamous marriages were a necessary component to sustain and propagate the Quaker community, God's True Church. William Penn wrote of the Quakers' way of marriage which is peculiar to them' including their rejection of heathenish' and vain' customs. Quakers John Benson and Issabell Fforest sought approbation for marriage, Isabel was subsequently visited by Friends appointed to investigate their clearness for marriage.
