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