Thomas Ellwood facts for kids

Thomas Ellwood (born October 1639 – died March 1, 1714) was an English writer who focused on religious topics. He is remembered for his friendship with the famous poet John Milton. Some of Ellwood's own writings are still read today.

Who Was Thomas Ellwood?

Early Life and Education

Thomas Ellwood was born in a village called Crowell, Oxfordshire. His father, Walter Ellwood, was a country gentleman. From 1642 to 1646, Thomas's family lived in London. He went to school at Lord Williams's School in Thame.

Becoming a Quaker

Thomas became a Quaker after visiting Isaac Penington and his family. The Peningtons lived in Chalfont St. Peter in Buckinghamshire. Thomas's family had known Mrs. Penington when they lived in London.

In December 1659, Thomas went to a Quaker meeting at a nearby farmhouse. There, he met Edward Burrough and James Nayler. Burrough's speeches really impressed Thomas. After going to another meeting, Thomas decided to join the Quakers. He started dressing and speaking like them.

His father did not like this change. He even hit Thomas for wearing his hat indoors. His father kept him at home during the winter of 1660. But Thomas would not give up his new beliefs. He refused to take off his hat to his parents. He also used "thou" and "thee" when speaking to them, as Quakers did.

Later, the Peningtons helped Thomas move to their home. He stayed there for a while and went to Quaker meetings often.

Facing Challenges for His Beliefs

In 1660, Thomas felt inspired to write a book. It was called An Alarm to the Priests. It was a criticism of the official church. He later visited London and met George Fox the younger.

Around November 1660, Thomas invited a Quaker named Thomas Loe to a meeting. Loe was in prison at Oxford Castle at the time. Thomas Ellwood's letter was found by Lord Falkland. Lord Falkland was an important official. Soldiers were sent to arrest Thomas. He was taken before two judges. He refused to take loyalty oaths, which Quakers would not do. So, he was put in prison in Oxford for several months. His father helped him get released. But his father still tried to stop him from going to Quaker meetings.

In April 1661, Thomas's father and sisters moved to London. Thomas sold the farm animals and let the servants go. For a time, he lived alone. He often visited the prison in Aylesbury. Many of his Quaker friends were held there.

Thomas was arrested again at a Quaker meeting at Penington's house. But he was soon let go. Right after that, he was arrested again in Beaconsfield. He was walking home and was seen as a homeless person. He was released after one night.

Helping John Milton

In early 1662, Thomas got smallpox. After he recovered, he went to London to study. His friend Penington helped him. Penington arranged for Thomas to read with the poet John Milton. Milton was completely blind by then. Thomas lived near Milton's house and read Latin books to him.

After six weeks, Thomas got sick again. He went to High Wycombe to get better. He returned in October 1662. That month, he was arrested again. In December, he was sent to Newgate Prison. He argued that his arrest was illegal, but it did not work. He was moved to Bridewell prison and released in January.

From then until 1669, Thomas lived with the Peningtons. He taught Latin to their young children. He also helped manage their properties. He agreed when his father sold their family home. This gave him some money.

In June 1665, Thomas found a small house for Milton in Chalfont St. Giles. Milton lived there during the terrible Great Plague. On July 1, Thomas was arrested at a funeral. He spent a month in Aylesbury prison. After he was released, he visited Milton. Milton let him read the manuscript of his famous poem, Paradise Lost. Thomas asked Milton, "What do you have to say about Paradise Found?" When Thomas visited Milton again later, Milton showed him Paradise Regained.

Mr. Penington was in prison for nine months in 1665 and 1666. His family had to split up. Thomas stayed with his students in different towns. From March to June 1685-1686, Thomas was imprisoned again. This was for attending a meeting in Hedgerley.

Later Life and Influence

Thomas Ellwood married Mary Ellis in 1669. They lived in Coleshill, Hertfordshire. He became good friends with William Penn and George Fox. These friendships made him an important person in the Quaker movement. William Penn even married Thomas's friend, Gulielma Penington.

In 1668, Thomas helped George Fox deal with John Perrot. Perrot was a Quaker who insisted on wearing his hat during worship. Thomas also traveled with Fox to help organize Quaker groups. In 1670, he was at a debate between William Penn and a Baptist leader.

When a law called the Conventicle Act was passed in July 1670, Quakers faced problems. People could get paid for reporting Quakers. Thomas Ellwood took two of these reporters to court for lying. In 1674, he argued with Thomas Hicks, a Baptist who wrote against Quakers. Thomas also wrote a lot against tithes (church taxes) starting in 1678. He also disagreed with William Rogers. Rogers did not respect the leadership of Penn and Fox in the Quaker community.

Thomas Ellwood's own story of his life ends in July 1683. At that time, he was speaking out against treating Quaker meetings as riots. He had warned police officers about people who were falsely reporting Quakers. This was after a political plot, and his writing had drawn attention to him.

His father died around 1684. Thomas's enemies accused him of not attending the funeral. But Thomas wrote that he had always been a good son. He spent most of his later years quietly in Amersham. He kept writing against disagreements within the Quaker group. In 1684, he spoke out against the ideas of George Keith.

In 1690, Thomas edited the journal of his friend, George Fox. He also worked for a long time on a history of the Old Testament. In 1707 and 1708, his property was taken because he refused to pay tithes. His wife died in April 1708. Thomas himself died on March 1, 1714, at his home. Both he and his wife were buried in the Quaker burial ground.

What Did Thomas Ellwood Write?

Thomas Ellwood wrote several books defending the Quaker faith. Some important ones include Forgery no Christianity (1674) and The Foundation of Tithes Shaken (1678). He also wrote two books against Thomas Hicks. His books about the Old and New Testaments came out in 1705 and 1709.

He also published some poetry books. His most famous poem is Davideis (1712). This long poem is about the life of King David.

His autobiography, The History of the Life of Thomas Ellwood: written by his own hand, was published after he died. It is a very important historical document. People have been printing it almost continuously since 1714.