A species of Anabaptist, originating in Germany: found mostly in Pennsylvania.
1756. The Dunkers (who are all Doctors) entertain the Indians who are wounded here.—George Washington, ‘Letters’ (1889), i. 354. (N.E.D.)
1774. A letter from a Member of the Society called Dunkards, written from Ephrata, June 30, to a lady of the Penn family was printed in the Columbian Magazine.
1777. [He] may require any person to give account on oath, or affirmation if a Quaker, Menonist, or Dunker.—Maryland Journal, Dec. 2.
1785. The Quakers and Moravians, Dunkers, Mennonites, or other worthy people in Pennsylvania.—J. Q. Adams, ‘Works’ (1854), ix. 533. (N.E.D.)
1786. Not a Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Dunker, Menonist, Nicolite, nor even the peaceable old Quaker can now be prevailed with to contribute a single farthing towards the good design.—Maryland Journal, Feb. 21.
1786. (April 27.) An account of the Society of Dunkards in Pennsylvania was communicated by a British officer to the Edinburgh Magazine, and reprinted in the ‘American Museum,’ vi. 35–40 (1789).
1788. It appears probable that the greater part of the Quakers, Methodists, Dunkers, and Menonists, refused to take the test from scruples of conscience.—Maryland Journal, Sept. 12.
1791. The Menonists and Dunkards skipped like bearded rams.—Gazette of the U.S., Jan. 12.
