Hi Barbara. At 09:20 AM 8/7/2000 -0400, you wrote: >Hello, Bill - >The discussion on the possible ramifications of Luther Washburn's Quaker leanings stemmed from Dixie's question: "Probably the reason they were warned out was his views on the Quaker religion???" > >The process begins with a logical premise - at least until one finds convincing evidence to the contrary. As non-aggression is a major Quaker tenet, it would be reasonable to first suppose an overtly practicing Quaker - certainly one whose Quakerism might be manifest enough to be considered cause to be warned out - would have likely adhered to the fundamental Quaker practice of pacifism. > >No one says many who were registered as Quakers didn't ever fight in wars. And your own interesting exception proves that point. And Dixie's letter does state that Luther had "imbibed many of the Quaker tenets and doctrines". But, many who are even baptized, and registered, and married, and christen their children, and are buried, all within a singular religious sect wouldn't hold strong enough views to make even a philosophical ripple in their town much less be warned out on that basis. > >My point, and I think Susan's also, was that in all logic - given his military record - it seemed improbable that Luther was warned out solely on the basis of his Quaker beliefs. > >We may never know - but then, that's what keeps many of us searching through files and film and records and letters....seeking that elusive truth. > >My best - >Barbara Dudley Washburn-Lienhard > > You are correct. Being "warned out " of Bennington, Vermont, had nothing at all to do with the question of whether or not he was a Quaker. It was routine for the town selectmen to "warn out" newcomers to their town if they suspected that the newcomers might in the future fall on hard times and be unable to support themselves. Towns were expected to support their inhabitants if they became unable to support themselves, and "warning out" was a way to warn the newcomer that, in effect, the town would not take care of them if they were to become unable to support themselves. They were expected to return to the town they came from to be taken care of. It sounds to me like Luther did not have such a problem. He lived in Bennington a few years, then probably heard of better land available in New York, and moved there. Today, the importance of finding a "warning out" record is that it definately places the family in that town at that point in time, and it also suggests that the family was probably new to the town at that time. John A. Maltby Redwood City, CA jamaltby@creative.net