The legal processes required several days, and during this time Epsey decided to raise again the long-dormant subject of their religious life. Since the first day of their marriage she had honored her commitment to study the Holy Scriptures each day. Ethan would listen quietly as she read aloud, but never took the initiative in either prayer or Bible reading. She remembered that one of her major hopes in moving to a frontier area was to minister to the heathen Indians, and she thought that now was a good time to pursue the same goal that had been the life’s work of her father. She had planned her argument carefully and suggested to Ethan that, since they were surrounded by Quakers, they might attend some of the weekly meetings with the other families in Wrightsborough. If these sessions should go well, they might consider a religious affiliation.

Ethan listened respectfully, thought for a few moments, and then responded with finality: “Epsey, I believe in God, but there is no way that I could become a Quaker. I agree with their opposition to violence and to slavery, and I like their wanting to keep the government out of their personal business. But I can’t abide their controlling each other. I’ve seen them punish both men and women for gossiping, having too much debt, or marrying too soon after a spouse died. I won’t be a part of it.”

This was an extraordinary speech for Ethan; obviously he had given the subject a lot of thought. Epsey looked directly at Ethan and responded, “I thought it might be good for us to be part of a group, but I agree with much of what you say and will let the matter rest.”

•  •  •

Ethan and Epsey left Wrightsborough as soon as possible and followed the designated trail and landmarks that took them to their own land. They found the site without any trouble, made a small camp that afternoon, and spent most of the next day searching for the corner markers and boundaries of their property. They became increasingly pleased, soon realizing that the soil was rich, more than half the land was gently rolling and suitable for cultivation, water was plentiful, and—perhaps a mixed blessing—there were no settlers on land adjoining theirs. North and west was Indian territory, south was the broad swamp of Briar Creek, and the plot to the east had been earlier assigned to a Quaker family who decided to leave Georgia and move back to Pennsylvania.