Samantha Among the Brethren — Volume 3

Samantha Among the Brethren, published in 1890 by Marietta Holley under the pseudonym Josiah Allen's Wife, is a humorous novel that satirizes the religious practices of the Shaker community in the late 19th century. The story follows Samantha Allen, a middle-aged woman from New York, as she navigates her experiences living among the Shakers in Zoar, Ohio, providing insightful commentary on women's roles in religion and society. Through her interactions and observations, Holley critiques the limitations placed on women within church structures, blending humor with social commentary on gender expectations and community dynamics.