Joshua Evans (Quaker minister) facts for kids

Joshua Evans (born September 23, 1731 – died July 6, 1798) was an American Quaker minister, writer, and a strong supporter of ending slavery. He lived a simple life and worked hard to share his beliefs.

Early Life and Family

Joshua Evans was born in Evesham Township, New Jersey in Burlington County, New Jersey. His parents were Thomas Evans and Rebecca Owen. On November 2, 1753, Joshua married Priscilla Collins in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Priscilla was the daughter of John Collins and Elizabeth Moore.

His Religious Journey

Around 1754, Joshua Evans had a deep religious experience. After this, he decided to dedicate his life to sharing his understanding of the Christian message. He believed in a very simple way of life and ministry. He was also a vegetarian. In 1759, the Haddonfield Monthly Meeting, which is a local Quaker group, officially recognized him as a minister.

Fighting for What's Right

Joshua Evans was a passionate abolitionist. This means he strongly believed that slavery should be ended. He traveled through the Southern states and spoke out against slavery. He also supported important Quaker ideas like plainness, which means living simply and avoiding fancy things. He also believed in the Peace Testimony, which is the Quaker belief that all war is wrong. Because of this, he practiced war tax resistance, meaning he refused to pay taxes that would support war.

Later Life and Legacy

Joshua Evans passed away in 1798 after returning to New Jersey from his journey through the South. His writings and papers are very important to historians. The Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College has been working to put his papers online. This helps people learn more about his life and his fight against slavery.