[63] Mary G. Swift, of Millbrook, N.Y., who has made considerable study of Hooton printed literature, suggests that Elizabeth Hooton and Jane Brocksopp were the “two Friends,” mentioned in a letter from George Rofe to Richard Hubberthorne (quoted in Bowden’s Hist. i. 230), and that they accompanied him a part of the journey from Va. to N. E. in his “small boat,” and on arrival united with him in appointing the first General Meeting in America, at Newport, R.I., in 1661. He writes: “We appointed a general meeting,” etc., the antecedent to we being the writer and his two Friends. In her own account of this visit to New England (see p. [32]), E. Hooton states: “We did come to Rhod Jland where was appointed by freinds a generall meeting for New England.” Bishop tells us of the two women that “the Lord afforded them an opportunity by a Catch, which carried them part of the way” (New England Judged, p. 404). Whiting relates that they “got to Rhode Island, where was a General Meeting” (Truth and Innocency, p. 109). It would be very interesting if it could be stated with certainty that E. Hooton was concerned in the calling of the first Y.M. in America. See [p. 32, n. 2].
[64] Margin gives the name—Wenlock Christison.
[65] This may have been the first General Meeting in America. See [p. 31, n. 1], and the account of the 250th Anniversary of the Beginning of New England Yearly Meeting, 1911.
[66] Margaret Fell (1614-1702) was the wife and widow of Judge Thomas Fell (1598-1658). In 1669 she married George Fox (1624-1691). She was the nursing mother of the early Quaker Church.
[67] Swarth. MSS. i. 75.
[68] Ann Clayton held some position of trust in the Swarthmoor household, but she also travelled in the ministry at home and abroad. It was she, or another of the same name, who became the wife of Nicholas Easton of R.I., prior to 1672. See Camb. Jnl.
[69] Swarth. MSS. i. 76.
[70] MS. in D. (Portfolio iii. 27), close of first portion.
[71] At the end of her Invitation of Love.
[72] In the voluminous records of the cost of many religious journeys taken by the early Friends, there is no record of any money paid to Elizabeth Hooton. It may be that she met the cost of these extensive travels out of her own pocket. Bowden states that “she was in very sufficient circumstances” (Hist. i. 256).