Beyond Hope: Freelove

In the 18th century, Freelove did not have its modern connotations of sexual licentiousness. Instead, it was something more akin to Grace — that is, the idea that God gives his love freely. During the colonial era, Freelove was a relatively common name in Rhode Island, where alternative Christian sects (Baptist, Quaker, Methodist) flourished.

Freelove Angel (b. 1749) died in 1788 and is buried in Providence, RI.


Beyond Hope is a recurring feature that highlights unusual virtue names.