George Fox at Flushing and oyster Bay, Long Island, New York

May 1672

R. W. Harrington

Peekskill, New York

May 1992

We have little information about what led Fox to decide to visit America, but his decision was quite in keeping with the spirit that led him to visit virtually all parts of England, after his great openings in 1647. Within ten years of this event, Quaker ministers had spread to many parts of the world. In 1657, Fox visited Scotland and Wales, and in 1668 -- 9 he visited both Ireland and Wales. In August 1671 he departed from London and in October arrived at Barbados. He visited [the island of] Jamaica in January 16's 72 and arrived at Chesapeake Bay Maryland in April 1672. In May he held a general meeting Oyster Bay in New York and visited Flushing. After his return from America, he visited Holland and Germany in 1677 and 1684. The interest of Fox in these overseas settlements of Friends is indicated by an entry in his journal for 1668.

"And I sent papers is over into Ireland by faithful Friends and into Scotland, and Holland and Barbados and America, for Friends to settle their Men's Monthly Meetings in those countries also; for they had their General Quarterly Meetings before." Journal, Nickall p. 527

On this visit to Flushing, Fox remained only for one night's rest at the home of John Bowne. His journal provides an account of his experiences at Oyster Bay.

"And this general meeting began on the 17th day of third month (May), which was a very great service to Friends and to the people of the world, and did not part until the 23rd day of the month, so it was longer than used to be. On the first and second days we had public meetings for worship; on the third day were men's and women's meetings wherein the affairs of the church were taken care of. So the men's and women's meetings being over we had a meeting with some of those discontented people, and the Lord's power brake forth gloriously to confounding the gainsayers. And then some of them began to fawn upon me and cast the matter on others, but the deceitful spirit was judged down and condemned and the glorious Truth was exalted and set over all; and they were all set down and bowed under, which was of great service to Truth and satisfaction and comfort to Friends." Journal, Nickall p. 619-20

"And from thence (Oyster Bay) we went to another meeting and thence through the woods to Flushing where there was a large meeting at John Bowne's house, who was banished by the Dutch into England. And many hundreds of the world were there and were much satisfied and desired to hear again and said that if I came to their town I should have their meeting place, they were so loving. And from thence we came to Oyster Bay again where we do wait for wind to go to Rhode Island. These meetings were in the Duke of York's dominions, and the governor heard of me and was loving and said he had been in my company."

Journal, Nickall p. 620

He left Rhode Island to return to Long Island on July 26. They paused for a night at Fisher's Island but were severely plagued there by mosquitoes. On the 28th they arrived at Shelter Island, at the East End of Long Island, and on the following day which was first day they had meetings with Friends and also Indians and Negroes. On August 5th the left Shelter Island and after a somewhat difficult voyage through Long Island Sound, arrived at Oyster Bay the following day. On August 7 there was a large meeting at Oyster Bay and then Fox & company passed overland about 30 miles to Flushing. Of these days his journal reports,

"From Oyster Bay we passed about 30 miles to Flushing. Christopher Holder and others went to Jamaica, and held in meeting there. And other Friends we left in New England, and some in Rhode Island and some other places in the service of Truth which is very great at many places where there were never meetings are now established meetings

"the 17th of sixth month (August) we had a very large meeting at Flushing with many hundreds of people of the world, some came about 30 miles. And a justice of the peace was there and his family, and many considerable persons were there. The glory is and heavily meeting it was, praised be the God, and the people much satisfied." Journal, Nickall p. 629

[Note: in the quoataions from Fox's Journal, dates are given by "Old Style" calendar, which was in use through the 17th century. Under it, March was First Month, and February was Twelfth Month. RWH]