church · card D

Disowned

Disowned in Quaker records means a monthly meeting ended a person's membership for breaking the discipline and refusing to acknowledge the fault.

An offender was first visited by overseers or a committee. If they would not condemn their conduct in writing, the meeting testified against them and disowned them. Recorded reasons include marrying a non-Quaker, drinking to excess, joining the military, bankruptcy and joining another religious group.

Disownment ended membership, and a disowned Friend could still appeal or later condemn the misconduct and be reinstated.

As seen in a recordQuaker monthly meeting minutes or a published abstract, 1700s to 1800s
Jacob Pusey dis for mou and for training with the militia
How to cite this page

Daily Ancestor. "Disowned." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/church/disowned. Last checked 2026-10-03.

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