“Twin-souls”: The Roots of Equalitarianism in the Marriage of John and Mary Fletcher

This paper examines the marriage of eighteenth-century Methodists John and Mary (née Bosanquet) Fletcher, arguing that it had roots of equalitarianism. John and Mary’s relationship showed a mutual respect that Charles Wesley noticed. Wesley wrote to Mary Fletcher, “Yours I believe is one of the few marriages that are made in heaven . . . I sincerely rejoice that he [John Fletcher] has at last found out his Twin-soul, and trust you will be happier, by your meeting thro’ all eternity.” This research, supported by the Manchester Wesley Research Centre and the John Rylands Library draws on the Fletcher Tooth Collection in Methodist Archives of the John Rylands Library (University of Manchester). The paper argues that John and Mary Fletcher’s marriage provides an example for future equalitarian marriages.