United States -- Social life and customs -- To 1775; Women -- United States
We saw Jemima and attended her meeting, which is held in her own
house. Jemima stood at the door of her bed chamber on a carpet,
with an armchair behind her. She had on a white morning gown and a
waistcoat such as men wear and a petticoat of the same color. Her
black hair was cut short, carefully combed and divided behind into
three ringlets; she wore a stock and a white silk cravat, which was
tied about her neck with affected negligence. In point of delivery
she preached with more ease than any other Quaker I have ever heard,
but the subject matter of her discourse was an eternal repetition of
the same subjects--death, sin and repentance. She is said to be about
forty years of age but did not appear more than thirty. She is of
middle stature, well made, of florid countenance, and has fine teeth
and beautiful eyes. Her action is studied. She aims at simplicity but
is pedantic in her manner. Her hypocrisy may be traced in all her
discourse, actions and conduct and even in the very manner which she
manages her countenance.
He speaks with much asperity of her pretence of condemning earthly
enjoyment while her whole manner of living showed much personal luxury
and gratification.
This description of her was given by one who saw her:--
She was higher than a middle stature, of fine form, fair complexion
with florid cheeks, dark and brilliant eyes, and beautiful white
teeth. Her hair dark auburn or black, combed from the seam of the
head and fell on her shoulders in three full ringlets. In her public
addresses she would rise up and stand perfectly still for a minute or
more, than proceed with a slow and distinct enunciation. She spoke
with great ease and increased fluency; her voice clear and harmonious,
and manner persuasive and emphatic. Her dress rich but plain and in a
style entirely her own; a broad brimmed beaver hat with a low crown,
and the sides when she rode turned down and tied under her chin; a
full light drab cloak or mantle and a unique underdress; and a cravat
round the neck with square ends that fell down to the waist forward.
The square cravat or band gave her a semi-clerical look. The rich
glossy smoothness and simplicity of dressing her hair is commented on
by nearly all who left accounts of her personal appearance; and was
doubtless more marked in her day because the feminine headdress of that
time was elaborate to a degree that was even fantastic, and was at the
opposite extreme from simple curls.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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