I've only skimmed the recent posts re: Samuel Elam, so I hope I'm not being redundant, but as to his religious preference, the following is found in "Recollections of Olden Times" by Hazard, Thomas R., and Hazard, Willis P., p.88: "The only other tree left standing was the old historic button wood tree that now lies in ruins on the spot where it fell more than twenty years ago, on the Samuel Elam, or Vaucluse, estate. This place was named Vaucluse by the old English Quaker gentleman from his fancying that a bitter disappointment he experienced in a love affair with Miss Redwood, the then reigning beauty and belle of Newport, bore some resemblance to the torments Petrarch endured through his unfortunate passion for Laura." p.90 "Samuel Elam, an English gentleman of fortune, inherited the Vaucluse estate from his uncle, Jarvis Elam, and laid out and commenced the embellishment of the grounds shortly after the British left the Island in 1779. " p. 91 "His cellar was stored with the choicest wines and liquors, which, though a Quaker himself pledged to "temperance in all things," his politeness and good-breeding could not permit him to compel his guests to indulge in without the convivial assistance of their host. Mr. Elam's habit in this respect so grew upon him that Friends of his religious persuasion at last felt required by their book of discipline to deal with him as an offender, because of his lack of sufficient abstinence from the intoxicating fluid. He was, in accordance with the society's usage, notified that on a certain fourth day of the week a committee appointed by the monthly meeting of Newport would call at his house on business deemed of importance, in the way of counsel and reproof." This book devotes 7 pages to Samuel Elam. While I cannot reprint it in its entirety here, if anyone is interested, I will be happy to e-mail them a copy. Cassie