1631–1690 · Cumberland, England

John Burnyeat

Pioneer minister to the American colonies

“The truth of God hath a witness in every conscience.” — John Burnyeat

Life & Ministry

1653

Heard the Quaker message in Cumberland and was convinced, joining the growing movement in the north of England during its earliest years.

1660s

Traveled extensively as a minister through England and Ireland, establishing meetings and strengthening the young Quaker communities.

1665–66

Crossed the Atlantic to minister among Friends in the American colonies, becoming one of the first Quaker missionaries to the New World.

1671

Accompanied Fox on his landmark American journey, visiting Barbados and the colonies and helping establish Quaker meetings across the Atlantic world.

1690

Died in 1690. His collected writings were published the following year as The Truth Exalted in the Writings of John Burnyeat.

Traveled with Fox on his landmark 1671 American journey, serving as a trusted co-laborer in establishing Quakerism in the colonies.

Both were pioneer ministers to Ireland and America, working in parallel to spread Quakerism across the Atlantic world.

Proposed

Burnyeat's collected writings, published in 1691, documenting the earliest Quaker mission to the American colonies.