Jemima Wilkinson: Publick Universal Friend

Jemima was born on November 29, 1752, in Cumberland, Rhode Island, She was the eighth of twelve children in a big, devout Quaker family. Her dad, Jeremiah Wilkinson, was super active in their local meeting house. Her mom, Amy's presence in Jemima’s life was cut tragically short—she died in 1764 when Jemima was about 12 or 13.

According to accounts, Jemima was always a pretty girl, but after her mother passed away, she became lazy and combative. She would find anyway she could to get out of working, she would feign illnesses, argue and so on. She was just generally considered pretty but kind of mean and very entitled. 

Then at some point in 1776, she starts acting sick, she stays in her room and won’t talk to anyone. Her family calls the doctor, who says she’s not physically ill, but clearly has mental issues. This goes on for months, until she confines herself to her bed. While later accounts say she had typhus, contemporary accounts say there was never a physical illness. But one day she emerged from her bedroom, talking in a deeper voice, and proclaiming: 

That Jemima Wilkinson was dead. Their soul had left their body, and in its place was a new entity: the Publick Universal Friend, a genderless spirit sent by God to deliver a divine message to humanity.

Visit us: Illreputepodcast.com

support us: Parteon.com/illrepute

Script by: Soveriegn Syre

this weeks episode hosted by: Sovereign Syre and Josh Anderson

Produced by: Josh Anderson

Sources: 

• Hudson, David. Memoir of Jemima Wilkinson: A Preacheress of the Eighteenth Century. London: Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy, 1821.

• A detailed early biography of Jemima Wilkinson, focusing on their transformation and the Society of Universal Friends.

• Wisbey, Herbert A., Jr. Pioneer Prophetess: Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend. Cornell University Press, 1964.

• A comprehensive modern analysis of the Friend’s life, teachings, and the community they founded.

• Brekus, Catherine A. Strangers and Pilgrims: Female Preaching in America, 1740–1845. University of North Carolina Press, 1998.

• Context on female religious leaders in early America and the challenges they faced.

• Schmidt, Leigh Eric. Hearing Things: Religion, Illusion, and the American Enlightenment. Harvard University Press, 2000.

• Examines religious movements like the Society of Universal Friends in the context of broader spiritual trends in 18th-century America.

• Butler, Jon. Awash in a Sea of Faith: Christianizing the American People. Harvard University Press, 1990.

• Provides context on religious diversity and dissent in colonial America.

• “Publick Universal Friend.” Wikipedia. Accessed [Insert Date].

• Overview of the Friend’s life, teachings, and the Society of Universal Friends.

• Foster, Lawrence. Religion and Sexuality: The Shakers, the Mormons, and the Oneida Community. University of Illinois Press, 1984.

• Comparative analysis of celibate religious communities, including the Society of Universal Friends.

• Newspapers.com

• Quaker Faith and Practice. Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

• A source for understanding Quaker principles and their influence on the Friend’s early life.