Elizabeth: the Disinherited Daughter: By E. Ben Ez-er

In Short

This biography traces the life of Elizabeth Ward, a young woman in 18th-century New England who is disinherited by her father after embracing Methodist doctrine. Forced to leave her home, she finds a new life of rigorous devotion, itinerant evangelism, and domestic industry alongside her husband, Joshua Arnold. Written by her son, the book serves as both a personal tribute and a defense of Methodist theology against the "horrible decrees" of predestination. It remains a valuable, firsthand historical record of the domestic and spiritual lives of early American frontier believers.

The Story

Elizabeth Ward begins her life as the eldest daughter of a prosperous, proud, and headstrong New England farmer. Raised with the best education and social opportunities her father could provide, she is a talented horsewoman and a pillar of the local community until a profound, instantaneous religious conversion transforms her worldview. When she adopts the plain dress and ardent piety of the Methodist movement, her father’s pride turns to cold fury. He demands she abandon her new faith, and when she refuses, he casts her out, effectively disinheriting her from the family wealth.

Elizabeth does not falter in her convictions, though she soon faces a "fiery furnace" of doubt. Influenced by lingering Calvinist teachings, she suffers a dark period of despair, fearing she is a "reprobate" destined for eternal ruin. She eventually emerges from this mental anguish with a deeper, more resilient faith. In the final year of the 18th century, at age twenty-one, she marries Joshua Arnold, a like-minded Methodist teacher. Together, they establish a home characterized by "double diligence"—a life defined by intense labor, extreme hospitality, and constant devotion.

The couple settles in New York, where their home becomes a "cottage chapel," serving as the center for religious gatherings and local circuit meetings. Elizabeth’s life becomes a tapestry of missionary fervor and domestic management. She rides out to visit scattered settlers, assists in the revival meetings of other denominations, and maintains a rigorous schedule of prayer and work. Despite the demands of rearing children and managing a farm, she never wavers in her commitment to her church.

As they age, the couple retires from their active life in the new country, settling in a town where they can be near their church and old companions. Her father, nearing death, eventually reaches out to her, seeking her prayers, but he never formally repents for his past cruelty or restores her inheritance. Elizabeth remains steadfast, serving as a matriarch whose influence leads her own children toward the ministry. She dies in 1865, seventy years after her conversion, leaving behind a legacy of endurance. Her siblings, while acknowledging the injustice done to her, never rectify the financial wrong, yet they eventually follow her into the faith, albeit within different denominations. Her story concludes not with wealth or worldly vindication, but with the quiet, triumphant peace of a life lived entirely for her chosen cause.

How It Unfolds

The alienation begins Elizabeth’s conversion to Methodism causes an immediate rift with her father, whose pride is wounded by her rejection of his worldly ambitions and established religious traditions. Her refusal to compromise leads to her sudden, painful departure from her childhood home.

The fiery furnace Plagued by the lingering influence of deterministic theology, Elizabeth descends into a period of acute, soul-crushing despair. She eventually finds liberation through the Methodist doctrine of free grace and begins her life anew.

A marriage of purpose Elizabeth and Joshua Arnold marry, bonding over their shared faith and mutual disdain for the rigid doctrines of their upbringing. They move to the frontier, determined to build both a farm and a community for their fellow believers.

The cottage chapel The couple opens their home as a center for religious life, hosting meetings and visitors with boundless hospitality. Elizabeth transitions into a role as an active evangelist and mentor to the young ministers who pass through their doors.

A life of service For over four decades, the Arnolds balance the demands of the farm with their "double diligence" in church work. They spend their later years in retirement, surrounded by friends and their faith, until Elizabeth’s death marks the end of her seven-decade journey.

The People

Elizabeth Ward is the central figure, possessing a keen, independent mind and a spirit that refuses to be suppressed by social pressure. Her journey from a pampered daughter to a disciplined, self-sacrificing itinerant laborer is the driving force of the narrative. Joshua Arnold, her husband, is a steadying, intellectual presence. He shares her theological convictions and supports her work with quiet, honest industry, acting as her partner in both the farm and the "cottage chapel." Samuel Ward, Elizabeth’s father, represents the rigid, exclusionary forces of his time. He is a man of pride and earthly ambition who sees his daughter’s faith as a personal insult, ultimately choosing his own "horrible decrees" over a relationship with his child. Together, they illustrate the sharp tension between the emerging, democratic fervor of Methodism and the established, hierarchical traditions of New England society.

In Its Own Voice

Elizabeth’s commitment to her faith is absolute, even when it demands the sacrifice of her own earthly belongings and family status.

"Determined that it should never prove a snare to any other poor soul as it had to her," she passed it all under the hammer until there was nothing left but unseemly lumps of gold and silver; the precious stones were utterly demolished.

Her daily routine as a mother was built upon the belief that every action, from dressing her children to putting them to sleep, was an act of worship.

"When I fed them I prayed the Lord to give them the bread and the water of eternal life."

The narrative emphasizes that her work, while deeply spiritual, was grounded in the practical, tireless labor required of early settlers.

Her motions were quick and efficient, and her sleep could not have averaged over six hours in twenty-four.

What It's Really About

The book is a theological and historical argument against the deterministic doctrine of the "horrible decrees"—the idea that some souls are predestined for damnation. It posits that the "free grace" of Methodism is the more compassionate, empowering, and ultimately effective path for human life. Beyond this, it explores the cost of conviction in a society that valued conformity and the patriarchal control of women. It asks how one maintains a life of genuine spiritual vitality when faced with familial rejection and the grueling physical realities of the frontier. The work serves as a testament to the power of a "called" life, suggesting that true wealth lies in the service of one’s neighbor and the "peace that passeth understanding."

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate the gritty, intimate history of American pioneer life will find much to value here. The writing is deeply felt and clear, offering a window into the mind of a 19th-century woman who navigated her life with a level of agency that feels remarkably modern. However, the reader should be prepared for the earnest, often didactic tone typical of late-Victorian biography. The book is dense with theological debate, and the constant, high-intensity religious fervor might feel distant to some. There are also period attitudes toward duty and obedience that may challenge contemporary sensibilities. Yet, the warmth of the prose—particularly in the descriptions of the "cottage chapel" and the simple, hard-won joys of the frontier—creates a compelling portrait of a life lived with singular focus. What stays with you is the image of Elizabeth as a woman who, despite being stripped of her inheritance, built a life of such substantial grace that she looked back on her sacrifices not as losses, but as the foundation of her true, eternal fortune. It is a quiet, steady read, perfect for those interested in the social history of American religion.