Dorothy Ripley facts for kids

Dorothy Ripley (1767–1831) was an amazing British woman who traveled a lot to share her Christian beliefs. She was a Methodist when she was young, but later became a Quaker. Dorothy moved to America in 1801 and passed away in Virginia in 1831.

She traveled thousands of miles across the United States and Britain. She was a very good speaker and helped many people who were often ignored. This included the Oneida people, people in prisons, and enslaved Africans in the Southern United States. Dorothy also wrote and published six books herself. Three of her books were so popular they were printed a second time. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean at least nine times, usually by herself! When she died, a newspaper called her "perhaps the most extraordinary woman in the world."

Dorothy Ripley's Early Life

Dorothy Ripley was born in Whitby, a town on the coast of Yorkshire, England. Her father, William, was a close friend of John Wesley, who started the Methodist movement. William wanted his child to be a preacher, even before Dorothy was born. He encouraged her to preach throughout his life.

Dorothy's father died when she was a teenager. This left her family facing money problems. They also went through other tough times, like losing family members early and their home being destroyed by a landslide. These events deeply affected Dorothy. She decided not to marry, believing she was meant to focus on her Christian work.

Her Work as a Traveling Preacher

Dorothy Ripley traveled a lot, preaching in different places across the United States. She spent much time in New York, South Carolina, and Georgia. She faced many challenges, as some people did not like women preachers.

Dorothy did not have a regular income. In her first years as a missionary, people who believed in her work gave her money. This is why her second book was called The Bank of Faith and Works United. Dorothy kept going, and her powerful speeches often won over people who disagreed with her.

Helping Enslaved People

From a young age, Dorothy felt great sympathy for enslaved people in America. When she first arrived in 1801, she met with President Thomas Jefferson. She asked for his permission to preach to enslaved people and their owners. She also wanted to start a school for freed enslaved people. During their meeting, she even told the President that owning slaves was wrong. She was especially worried about African women who were being mistreated. President Jefferson approved of her work. When she was in the South, she spoke directly to enslaved Africans and told slave owners to free their slaves.

Dorothy also preached in many African-American churches. She spoke at Reverend Absalom Jones's church and Reverend Richard Allen's church. Reverend Allen was unsure about letting her preach in 1802, but his church members convinced him. Later, in 1818, Dorothy was one of the speakers alongside Reverend Allen and other male preachers. It's thought that Dorothy's example might have helped Reverend Allen feel comfortable allowing Jarena Lee to become a preacher in 1819.

Preaching at the U.S. Capitol

In January 1806, Dorothy Ripley preached at a church service inside the United States Capitol building. She was the first woman ever to do this! Only one other woman, (Harriet Livermore), received this honor later. President Jefferson was there to listen.

Working with Other Methodists

Dorothy helped Hugh Bourne start Primitive Methodism in the early 1800s. She traveled and preached in England with Lorenzo Dow and Bourne. Their revival services helped many people join the Primitive Methodist church. In 1830, Dorothy led a revival with three other female preachers: Ruth Watkins, Nancy Towle, and Ann Rexford.

Her Connection with Quakers

Dorothy was drawn to the Quakers and started attending their meetings. She liked their belief in an "inner light" that guides people. Dorothy loved the Society of Friends (Quakers), but they didn't always feel the same way about her. She tried to join them three times, but they always said no. However, some Quakers privately supported Dorothy financially. They believed God had truly called her to preach. David Sands and Priscilla Hanna Gurney were two Quakers who gave Dorothy a lot of personal help.

Her Connection with Methodists

Dorothy was raised as a Methodist, and most of her religious ideas came from that background. She met many famous Methodists when she was young. Her father hosted John Wesley at their house several times. Wesley often traveled with women preachers like Sarah Crosby and Mary Bosanquet, whom Dorothy also met.

Dorothy also met Bishop Francis Asbury, who greatly encouraged her preaching. She knew many other famous Methodists, including Bishop Whatcoat, Ruth Watkins, and Hugh Bourne. Dorothy also traveled a lot with Lorenzo Dow during a preaching tour in Britain with Bourne. During that tour, she and the unusual Dow were even arrested and spent a night in prison!

Dorothy Ripley's Books

Dorothy Ripley published five books. These included The Extraordinary Conversion and Religious Experience of Dorothy Ripley (1810), The Bank of Faith and Works United (1819), and An Account of Rose Butler (1819). She also published Letters Addressed to Dorothy Ripley (1807), which had a book of poems called An Address to All Difficulties. Her last book was a memoir and notes from her father.

She paid for all these books to be published herself. The first three books were so popular that they were printed a second time. Dorothy used the money she earned from her books to pay for her continued travels and preaching.

See also

• Harriet Livermore
• Absalom Jones
• Thomas Jefferson
• Aaron Burr