Tillie (1922)

Tillie, daughter of a stern Pennsylvania Dutch farmer, Jake Getz, is treated as a farm chattel by her father, the trustee of the will of Sarah Oberholtzer, who leaves an inheritance to Tillie on the condition that she become a Mennonite before her 18th birthday. Doc Weaver takes an oath never to tell Tillie of this bequest, but the lawyer who draws up the will accepts a promissory note from young Absalom, whom he informs of the contents of the will. Absalom asks Jake for the hand of Tillie, promising him a stake in her inheritance. Frightened at the prospect of marrying Absalom, Tillie attempts suicide but is saved by Doc and Jack Fairchild, a stranger who learns about the will. Tillie then becomes a Mennonite, and to escape her father's tyranny she runs away. Tillie and Jack are married, and although she is turned from the church, Jack, who is Sarah Oberholtzer's nephew, assures her of her rights.