Jemima Wilkinson
Encyclopedia
Jemima Wilkinson was a charismatic
American evangelist
who preached total sexual abstinence
and the Ten Commandments
to her congregation of "Universal Friends." Her family were strict Quakers, most of her views were from her upbringing in the Quaker religion.
As a young woman, she was plagued by a debilitating illness which culminated in a fevered state, subsequent to which she was bedridden and near death. When she awoke she claimed that she was sent by God to preach his message. This propelled her to claim that she was a holy vessel of Jesus
Christ
and God
and the Holy Spirit
. She became the "Publick Universal Friend", reborn at her eulogy, and never again responded to her original birth name.
Wilkinson was one of the first female visionaries of religion and Women's rights
in the United States. She pioneered the settlement of Watkins Glen, NY, erecting the Mill at the South End of Seneca Lake. She also established Jerusalem, NY, which became renamed as Penn Yan, NY. Her Legacy predates Joseph Smith
, the Seneca Falls Convention
, and Robert G. Ingersoll
, all of whom stem from Her Presence within the History of the Finger Lakes.
Wilkinson preached a regimen of strict abstinence, and to be friends with everyone. Many people came to visit her and her followers and were taken in with open arms. Many who came to visit were given all the comforts of home and were only asked to leave if they had done something against the Friends.
Wilkinson preached to residents of Rhode Island
, Pennsylvania
, and Massachusetts
. Finally she settled with her congregation in the state of New York
in the Finger Lakes
area near Penn Yan. She and her followers were the first white people that the Native Americans
in this region ever saw and traded with.
The Jemima Wilkinson House
is still standing in the Jerusalem, New York
, on a List of Registered Historic Places in Yates County, New York.
The Universal Society of Friends that Jemima Wilkinson led to upstate New York believe that the soul of a human personality finds an eternal continuance. Thus, when the person is departed, the Society used the term, "to leave time" instead of "to die". Jemima Wilkinson left time on the first of July, 1819, exactly ten years before Local Man Joseph Smith completed his translation of the Book of Mormon.
Charismatic Christianity
Charismatic Christianity is a Christian doctrine that maintains that modern-day believers experience miracles, prophecy, speaking in tongues, and other spiritual gifts as described in of the Bible...
American evangelist
Evangelism
Evangelism refers to the practice of relaying information about a particular set of beliefs to others who do not hold those beliefs. The term is often used in reference to Christianity....
who preached total sexual abstinence
Abstinence
Abstinence is a voluntary restraint from indulging in bodily activities that are widely experienced as giving pleasure. Most frequently, the term refers to sexual abstinence, or abstention from alcohol or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical...
and the Ten Commandments
Ten Commandments
The Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue , are a set of biblical principles relating to ethics and worship, which play a fundamental role in Judaism and most forms of Christianity. They include instructions to worship only God and to keep the Sabbath, and prohibitions against idolatry,...
to her congregation of "Universal Friends." Her family were strict Quakers, most of her views were from her upbringing in the Quaker religion.
As a young woman, she was plagued by a debilitating illness which culminated in a fevered state, subsequent to which she was bedridden and near death. When she awoke she claimed that she was sent by God to preach his message. This propelled her to claim that she was a holy vessel of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
Christ
Christ
Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach...
and God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
and the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of the Hebrew Bible, but understood differently in the main Abrahamic religions.While the general concept of a "Spirit" that permeates the cosmos has been used in various religions Holy Spirit is a term introduced in English translations of...
. She became the "Publick Universal Friend", reborn at her eulogy, and never again responded to her original birth name.
Wilkinson was one of the first female visionaries of religion and Women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
in the United States. She pioneered the settlement of Watkins Glen, NY, erecting the Mill at the South End of Seneca Lake. She also established Jerusalem, NY, which became renamed as Penn Yan, NY. Her Legacy predates Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith
Joseph Smith was founder of what later became known as the Latter Day Saint movement or Mormons.Joseph Smith may also refer to:-Latter Day Saints:* Joseph Smith, Sr. , father of Joseph Smith...
, the Seneca Falls Convention
Seneca Falls Convention
The Seneca Falls Convention was an early and influential women's rights convention held in Seneca Falls, New York, July 19–20, 1848. It was organized by local New York women upon the occasion of a visit by Boston-based Lucretia Mott, a Quaker famous for her speaking ability, a skill rarely...
, and Robert G. Ingersoll
Robert G. Ingersoll
Robert Green "Bob" Ingersoll was a Civil War veteran, American political leader, and orator during the Golden Age of Freethought, noted for his broad range of culture and his defense of agnosticism. He was nicknamed "The Great Agnostic."-Life and career:Robert Ingersoll was born in Dresden, New York...
, all of whom stem from Her Presence within the History of the Finger Lakes.
Wilkinson preached a regimen of strict abstinence, and to be friends with everyone. Many people came to visit her and her followers and were taken in with open arms. Many who came to visit were given all the comforts of home and were only asked to leave if they had done something against the Friends.
Wilkinson preached to residents of Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, and Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Finally she settled with her congregation in the state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes
The Finger Lakes are a pattern of lakes in the west-central section of Upstate New York in the United States. They are a popular tourist destination. The lakes are long and thin , each oriented roughly on a north-south axis. The two longest, Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, are among the deepest in...
area near Penn Yan. She and her followers were the first white people that the Native Americans
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
in this region ever saw and traded with.
The Jemima Wilkinson House
Jemima Wilkinson House
Jemima Wilkinson House, also known as Friend's House, is a historic home located at Jerusalem in Yates County, New York. It is a five-bay, -story Federal-style residence built about 1809–1815.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994....
is still standing in the Jerusalem, New York
Jerusalem, New York
Jerusalem is a town in Yates County, New York in the United States. The population was 4,525 at the 2000 census. The town is named after the ancient city of Jerusalem in the Middle East....
, on a List of Registered Historic Places in Yates County, New York.
The Universal Society of Friends that Jemima Wilkinson led to upstate New York believe that the soul of a human personality finds an eternal continuance. Thus, when the person is departed, the Society used the term, "to leave time" instead of "to die". Jemima Wilkinson left time on the first of July, 1819, exactly ten years before Local Man Joseph Smith completed his translation of the Book of Mormon.
External links
- The Friend's Society Index
- Jemima Wilkinson: Celibacy and the Communal Life, The Re-Incarnation of the Divine in Female Form, 1758-1819
- Matriarchies Amid the Finger Lakes
- The Beddoe Tract Jemima Wilkinson purchased a section of this tract for her community. Contains photo of Jemima Wilkinson's house.
- Social roots of the Mormon United Order
- PBS History Detectives episode looks at Incorporation papers for Universal Friends