So far, we don't have any examples of a birthright Quaker with the first name of "Friend." I think we are safe to say that it wasn't a Quaker practice to use "Friend" as a name. Quakers did, and often still do, use "Friend" in addressing other Quakers and non-Quakers. The use of "Friend" rather than Mr. and Mrs. in the form of address is a good indication that the writer is a Quaker, though the person being addressed is not necessarily a Quaker. Jean Leeper wrote: > > Do not know if he was ever a Quaker member himself but his wife and > children were. > Friend Gibbs died 25 August 1864 75 Yrs. 5 Mos. 10 Dys. - buried in > Salem South Cemetery (Quaker) Salem, Iowa] Friend Gibbs was briefly a member of the Religious Society of Friends. He was received into membership by LeRay Monthly Meeting in New York State in 1819 and disowned 1823. While he has the first name of "Friend" he was already named such before he joined the Religious Society of Friends. He was not a birthright member. > > Gleaned for HEQG for Iowa, Salem MM Vol. VII page 108 > He does not appear to be a member of the Salem Friends Meeting in > Salem, Iowa but his wife Lucinda and minor child Julie, James and > Elisha, request membership on 1-18-1845. On 11-29-1845 Lucinda and > dt. Lucinda rocf Coeyman?* sp MM dated 9-24-1845. Sons Demis R and > Moses, are recived on certifcte from Beymons ?* spelling N. Y. MM on > the same date with a certificate dated 7-24-1845. The usual spelling is Coeymans. "Beymons" is in error. Chris Densmore