Quakers came from many backgrounds. Many early Friends were small scale farmers owning the land they worked, or husbandmen renting small farms.

Tithes, confiscation of animals or goods, and imprisonment for non-payment made it more difficult to continue with farming with its longer term investment. It was easier to carry on shop trade even if part of your stock was removed. The practice of travelling to other meetings also made it difficult to look after the land. Thus farming was replaced by small crafts and trades.

Because of their consistently honest dealings, people knew that when doing business with a Quaker you would get a good quality product at a fair price and would never be cheated. Quaker businesses therefore tended to flourish.