In the late 1600s, the tall, conical hat (which was fashionable at the time) became associated with Quaker women.

Quakers were a new and suspicious religious tradition, that were known for being disruptors. Quakers were identified with the same characteristics that scared people about witches, including breaking gender norms, rebuking traditional social hierarchies, being heretics, and more.

Half a century later, Quakers became closely identified with witchcraft and devil worship. For example, founder George Fox was accused of being a sorcerer and magically turning people into Quakers.

Because quaker worship was not held in a traditional worship space, they were accused of conducting witchcraft instead of engaging in worship.

Propaganda – like the photo above – was popular in depicting quaker women speaking publicly as devil worshipers and later witches.