Brewer's: Shakers

Certain agamists founded in North America by Ann Lee, called “Mother Ann,” daughter of a poor blacksmith born in Toad Lane (Todd Street), Manchester. She married a smith named Stanley, and had four children, who died in infancy, after which she joined the sect of Jane Wardlaw, a tailoress, but was thrown into prison as a brawler. While there she said that Jesus Christ stood before her, and became one with her in form and spirit. When she came out and told her story six or seven persons joined her, and called her “the Lamb's bride.” Soon after this she went to America and settled at Water Vliet, in New York. Other settlements were established in Hancock and Mount Lebanon.

“The Shakers never marry, form no earthly ties, believe in no future resurrection.” —W Hepworth Dixon: New America, vii. 12.

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