The term Fighting or Wet Quaker is applied to those who retain the Quaker faith, but adopt the manners and costume, of other denominations. The celebrated Nathaniel Greene was one of this character, as were many of the people of Rhode Island, where religious liberty first erected its standard in America.

"When the British army had possession of Philadelphia, a committee of three of the leading men of the society of Friends had permission to go to the head-quarters of General Washington, relative to some matters of inconvenience of some of their brethren, within Washington's command. The general listened to them with his usual courtesy and wisdom, but could not determine the business till the next day. In the mean time, he told them he would put them under the protection of an officer of their own society, and thereupon sent for General Nathaniel Greene; and when he arrived, in full uniform, he introduced 'the Friends' to each other. After a little silence, Friend James Pemberton turned slowly to General Greene, and said, 'Dost thou profess to be one of our persuasion?' 'O, yes,' said the general; 'I was so educated.' The committee looked at each other, and upon the general's sword, when one of them said, 'May I ask General Greene what part of our land thou wast born and brought up in?' 'O, yes, yes,' replied Greene; 'I'm from RHODE ISLAND.' 'Oho,' rejoined more than one of them, 'yes, yes, a RHODE ISLAND QUAKER! Yes, Friend Greene, we are satisfied with thy explanation, and will accept of thy kind offer.' Greene betrayed a momentary flush of disconcertion, at which, it was said, Washington's countenance half smiled at the Rhode Island Quaker!"