Margaret Fell was one of the founders of the Religious Society of Friends, and is sometimes called the “mother of Quakerism.”
Fell was born in 1614 in Lancashire. In 1632 she married Thomas Fell, a barrister, and Margaret became the lady of Swarthmoor Hall. This was a position of influence in English society and proved to be beneficial to the Quaker movement.
In 1652, George Fox visited Swarthmoor Hall. After listening to him, she and many of her household became converts to Fox’s new religion.
Swarthmoor Hall became a hub for Quaker activity. Fell was very active herself, handling correspondence, writing Quaker epistles, and managing funds for mission work.
Her position in English society was an advantage for Friends, who were often persecuted at that time for their beliefs. Swarthmoor Hall was a safe meeting place. And Fell was often asked to intercede on behalf of Friends who were arrested.
Fell herself was arrested in 1664 for failing to take an oath. She remained in prison until 1668. During this time she wrote many epistles, including “Women’s Speaking Justified”, which presented a scripture-based argument for women to be included in ministry, a highly controversial subject at that time. (This epistle can be read today at many websites.)
After her release, Fell married George Fox in 1669. He traveled extensively, but she spent most of her time at Swarthmoor. Fox died in 1691, but Fell continued to take an active part in the affairs of the Society.
Fell died in Fourth Month, 1702, and was buried in an unmarked grave in the Friends’ burial ground at Sunbrick.
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