Ruth Follows facts for kids

Ruth Follows (1718–1809) was an English Quaker woman. Quakers are a religious group known for their simple lifestyle and peaceful beliefs. Ruth Follows became an important Quaker minister, traveling and speaking to many people across the United Kingdom.

Early Life and Family

Ruth Follows was born in 1718 in a place called Weston in Nottinghamshire, England. Her parents, Richard and Ruth Alcock, were also Quakers and did not have much money.

When Ruth was 23 years old, she married George Follows, who was also a Quaker. He was from Castle Donington in Leicestershire. They were married for 60 years and had two children together.

Becoming a Minister

Around the age of 30, Ruth Follows received a special permission, called a certificate, to travel and preach as a Quaker minister. This meant she could share her religious messages with other Quaker groups.

Her first sermon, or speech, was given in 1748 in Castle Donington. After that, she traveled to London, visiting more than 80 Quaker meetings on her journey. She stayed in London until the middle of 1749. For the next few years, until 1758, she mostly attended meetings close to her home, as well as in Atherstone and Matlock.

Travels and Ministry

Ruth Follows traveled a lot to share her Quaker beliefs. In 1758, she visited Yorkshire and Lancashire. In 1760, she went on a long trip, visiting many Quaker meetings in the western and central parts of England, as well as London and Norfolk.

The next year, in 1761, she traveled to Ireland and stayed there for several months. She worked very hard, which made her health suffer. At that time, the Quaker community in Ireland was facing difficulties, and her letters showed she felt sad about it.

In 1764, she worked in Wales. Between 1764 and 1788, she visited almost every part of England and Wales. She also made several trips into Scotland. From 1782 to 1783, she spent many months working as a minister in Ireland again.

Later Life and Legacy

After 1788, Ruth Follows became very old and found it hard to travel. However, she still managed to make some journeys. Her last trip was in 1795, when she was 77 years old.

Ruth Follows passed away on April 3, 1809. She was buried seven days later in the Quaker burial ground in Castle Donington. She was known for living a very simple life and for her strong religious faith. Her speeches were valued because they were simple and heartfelt.