Among the spectators, this fine was considered both unjustified and excessive, equal to the total value of a Quaker’s farm and equipment. Nevertheless, within an hour the assembled Friends had collected enough money among themselves to pay it, and Maddock was released by the bailiff. As he left the courthouse, he passed by Fanning and several of the local officials. Fanning called out, “Maddock, you haven’t heard the end of this.”

•  •  •

As the months passed, Ethan heard from the Quakers that they were being harassed by the governor’s agents and by county officials. Almost all his neighbors’ farms were visited repeatedly by the sheriff’s deputies and the tax collectors, and on each occasion livestock and feedstuff were inventoried, land and property value assessments were raised, and demands were made for immediate payment of current and back taxes—all in cash money. Assessors raised the value of Maddock’s mill to an exorbitant level.

When Ethan carried some of his corn over to the mill, he found the miller alone, grinding meal and weighing it carefully in half-bushel bags. He greeted Ethan with a warm handshake and said, “I want to thank thee for offering to be a witness on my behalf. That was a neighborly thing for thee to do, and I hope it has not caused thee any trouble with the governor’s men.”

“No, I’ve not been bothered, but I hear that the Friends have been having a problem with the tax assessors.”

“Yes, two of the farmers have already had their places condemned, and they will be sold after three weeks of public notification. A goodly number of others are in danger of the same action, and it has only been my ability to sell reserve supplies of grain that has let me pay what they have demanded on the mill.”

“What can be done?”

“Governor Tryon has made it clear that he despises the Society of Friends and considers us a threat to political stability in North Carolina. Also, our opposition to slavery has caused the wealthier landowners to be concerned. Our pacifism makes us appear weak, and subject to abuse, so we tend to support each other as a group. I’m convinced that the governor and his associates have their eyes on our land, and see an opportunity to get it cheap through public sale.”

Ethan was surprised to hear Maddock speak so frankly, and to be so openly critical of the officials. It was something of a compliment to be trusted in this way.