Who was John Woolman?
John Woolman was an 18th century Quaker from Mount Holly, West Jersey. He is best known for his Journal, and for his life-long work to end slavery. Both were sources of inspiration to the emerging abolitionists of his day, and continue to inspire readers today. In his journal, Woolman guides his reader on an inward journey to discover the firm foundation for outward action to end oppression of all kinds, using his own life as an example. Born in 1720, John became a recorded minister at age 21, and traveled in the ministry throughout the American colonies and eventually to England. After marriage, parenthood and success in business, John decided in 1756 to give up his growing retail dry goods store on Mill Street in Mount Holly, and make a more modest living as a tailor. Of tailoring he wrote: I saw that a humble man with the blessing of the Lord might live on a little, and that where the heart was set on greatness, success in business did not satisfy the craving, but that in common wit
