Abby Hills Price was the most prominent feminist of the Hopedale Community. She left Hopedale in 1853 after the controversy that she wrote about below. More about Price                                                                     INQUIRY AND EXPLANATION                                                              From The Practical Christian, July 2, 1853                                                                                                                                                Providence, June 23, 1853  Dear Friend Price:-     I write to you because I am troubled in spirit. It is reported that you, with two or three others, (Henry Fish is named as one,) are about being, or are excluded from the Hopedale Community. I hear nothing as a reason but that you have adopted what is called by some the "Free Love" principle. What is it? What does it mean? Will you not gratify an earnest and true soul, who desires your welfare and happiness and the welfare and happiness of all the members of your Community, by communicating as soon as it may be practicable, the facts in relation to this story. I dare not say a word to any one until I hear something definite, and not then, unless I am permitted to do so; but for my own gratification, will you not write, or if not, ask Br. Wm. H. Fish to do so; if agreeable to you. You cannot imagine my feelings. Seldom, if ever, has my spirit been troubled as it is now. Do write immediately.     God Bless you and yours. My love to all. Yours, Sam'l W. Wheeler                                                                                           ANSWER Dear Br. Wheeler:    Your letter came duly to hand. The facts in regard to the last sad transgressions are due to your long tried friendship; but I had rather some other hand might give you the painful recital. I had much rather contemplate my untrodden path before me, that the shadowed way behind.     For sometime past suspicion has rested upon the minds of our Community of improper intercourse between brother Henry Fish and sister Seaver, a woman who came among us some two years ago, well recommended. She was a great sufferer from domestic troubles, diseased, bodily and mentally. Br. Fish protested that what he did for her, was as for a sister, that he could not see any one in his family needing assistance without giving such kind offices and sympathy as he thought would be helpful to her. His wife said to me that although she believed Henry's attentions to Mrs. Seaver were pure and well-meant, yet his course made her feel wretchedly, and that she feared her bad feelings in consequence would alienate his love from her. Often my feelings of sympathy would be much aroused for her, but on hearing Henry's version of the same thing, the blame would appear divided -- and while I was earnestly requested by Mrs. Fish to make no public stir abut the matter, with the hope that it would be finally adjusted among themselves, I sometimes felt that they were all to blame. I believed enough was known to incite to investigation should it be deemed advisable, while I had no fear of criminal intercourse, believing that their relation was only fraternal. I often told Br. Fish that any course of conduct that would be disapproved by the Community was wrong, that however good his intentions might be I could not justify it for myself, nor for him-- I also aid to him that no wife could happily consent to such things, and therefore it was wrong to grieve a companion's feelings. I felt sometimes called on for what I deemed Justice's sake to palliate his conduct, feeling that I understood his motives better than many, and did not think so badly of them.     Mrs. Fish finally complained to the Council, and startling facts were brought out that left little or no doubt on the minds of our people, that crime had been committed. Facts from which they inferred crime -- I had only seen hazardous impropriety -- Here let me state that Mrs. Fish has ever affirmed her belief that no crime had been done, but her great trouble was the loss of his affection.     By the report of the Council I was seriously implicated as having known too much to keep still. My course was pronounced by one person deeply reprehensible, and that it was a sad sad night for Hopedale when one of their Teachers was proved to sanction crime.     I called upon the Council to prove that their report was correct. A searching investigation was entered into by them, and I was charged, 1, with knowing too much to keep dark, and 2, with double dealing. Facts to sustain the first charge were abundant, and therefore I had aided and abetted wrong. I confess with great sorrow my want of decision, and that had I seen the end from the beginning I should have acted differently. In regard to the second charge which imputed to me contradictory statements at different times, I confess also that it had some apparent foundation in the changes of opinion through which I passed, and of course expressed, during different stages of the affair, respecting the comparative blame of the parties concerned. But my God knows that I have not intended to sanction or cover crime; that my errors have been of judgment, not of intention. In the panic and dismay of the excitement I found I could not make myself fully understood by the Council, and that injustice has been done me, I am sure time will prove. I therefore quietly withdrew from the Community membership. Should we decide to go to the Raritan Bay Union, I shall be received with a cordial welcome by friends who know me better than do the persons here who so bitterly condemn me. I have no views in regard to "free love" different from the others here.     In relation to the whole matter, my opinion is that in their zeal for principle and purity, our people have been less merciful than their better judgment will incline them to be after mature deliberation.                                                                                                          Yours with a sad heart.                                                                                                                        A.H. Price                                             Hopedale Community Menu                            HOME