John Pennyman (14 August 1628 – 2 July 1706) was an English schismatic or pseudo-Quaker.
Origins
John Pennyman was the fourth son of Sir James Pennyman (died 1655) of Ormesby, Yorkshire, by his second wife, Joan Smith (died 1657) of London. His half-brother, Sir James Pennyman (1609–1679), was knighted by Charles I at Durham in 1642, raised a troop of horse for the King's service in the Civil War at his own expense, and was created a baronet by Charles II on 22 February 1664.
Early beliefs
John was born at Ormesby on 14 August 1628. He entered the King's service at fifteen as ensign in the foot regiment of which Sir James was colonel. Upon the defeat of the Royalist army, John and two brothers took refuge abroad until their father and eldest brother had made their composition with the Parliament. John was apprenticed on 8 February 1647 to a Mr. Fabian, a wool-draper in London, also a zealous Royalist. In 1651 he attended the Fifth-Monarchy services of Christopher Feake at Christ Church, Newgate Street, but about 1658, after Feake's committal to Windsor Castle, he joined the Quakers. He was one of the 164 who, in 1659, offered 'to lie body for body' for those in prison. Within some two years he grew dissatisfied with them, and held meetings on his own account in the fields and woods two or three miles from London, although still attending the business meetings of the Quakers, and 'standing by them in their sufferings'. He was successful in business, and owned houses and shops 'at the west end of St. Pauls', which he congratulated himself on having demolished shortly before the Great Fire. His wife and family resided at Kentish Town. On 1 September 1666 he saw the fire break out, and removed 'almost all his goods and some of his neighbours'.
Separation from the Friends
Pennyman's religious opinions took a very mystical turn, and caused George Fox and his saner followers much anxiety. He claimed a special portion of 'the inner light' which directed the smallest details of his life. He saw visions, fasted for days together, and more than once went to meeting to experience a kind of euthanasia—standing on a form with 'his breath and sences taken from him for about half or quarter of an hour'. He printed and distributed protests against the Friends, at Devonshire House, Wheeler Street, Horselydown, Bull and Mouth, Ratcliff, and other meetings. His eccentricities reached a climax on 28 July 1670, when the Quaker books which he had collected 'began to be an oppression'. Carrying them to the Royal Exchange, he set them on fire, and a constable thereupon carried him before Sir Thomas Bludworth (Lord Mayor in 1666). He was committed to Bishopsgate Prison, and later to Newgate. The next day, 29 July, George Whitehead wrote to him that 'by his mad and wicked action he had brought a great reproach upon Friends, the devil having instigated him to burn their books'. He defended himself in a letter to his brother, which was printed and given away at the Exchange. On 10 August the Quakers issued a paper declaring that they had no longer union or fellowship with Pennyman, whom they considered 'in a measure broken and discomposed in his mind and understanding'. This Pennyman caused to be reprinted in red with a broad black border, and he distributed it widely. Through the influence of his brother and nephew he was soon released.