Catherine Payton Phillips facts for kids
Catherine Phillips (born Payton) was an important Quaker Minister. She was born on March 16, 1727, and passed away on August 16, 1794. Catherine traveled a lot, sharing her beliefs in England, Wales, Scotland, Holland, and the American colonies. Sometimes, her first name is spelled "Catharine."
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Early Life and Learning
Catherine Payton was born in Dudley, Worcestershire, England. Her father was Henry Payton, and her mother was Ann. Catherine did not go to a regular school until she was older, in her late teens. Instead, she learned a lot by reading books at home. She studied many subjects like poetry, philosophy, and history. However, she later felt that these subjects were taking her attention away from religion. She also spent a lot of time reading to her father, who was paralysed.
Becoming a Minister
Around 1748, Catherine was recognized as a Minister at the Dudley Quaker Meeting. This meant she could officially share her religious messages. She traveled to Ireland with another Quaker, Mary Peisley, in 1751. During these travels, she helped Samuel Neale become a Quaker. He later became an important Quaker minister himself and married Mary Peisley.
Catherine believed strongly that women should have a bigger role in the Quaker church. She wanted the church to change its rules to allow this. At a big annual meeting in London, Catherine, Mary Peisley, and four other women suggested creating a separate group just for women within the Quakers. This idea was accepted, but it took a long time, finally happening in 1784.
Journeys Across America
From 1753 to 1756, Catherine traveled across the Thirteen Colonies in America with Mary Peisley. They rode about 8,000 miles! Their journeys were often through wild areas. They faced dangers like tricky creeks, muddy swamps, and wild animals. They visited many places, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, New England, and Pennsylvania.
During their trip, Mary Peisley noticed that Quakers in America were not always following their rules very strictly. She felt they needed to improve their ways. Her letters and notes from this journey were later seen as predictions of big changes that happened within the Quaker community in 1827 and 1828.
Marriage and Later Years
Mary Peisley married Samuel Neale on March 17, 1757, but sadly, she passed away just three days later. Catherine Payton had met William Phillips, a widower who worked with copper, in 1749. She married him in 1772. After their marriage, she moved to his home in Redruth, Cornwall, England.
Death and Legacy
Catherine Phillips passed away on August 16, 1794. She was buried at the Quaker Burial Ground in Come-to-Good, near Truro. After her death, her stepson, James Phillips, who was a Quaker printer, published her Memoirs and some of her other writings. James's sons, Richard Phillips and William Phillips, both became important scientists and were Fellows of the Royal Society.
