Abstract
Anyone with more than a passing interest in the Shakers knows the succession of the early leaders of the sect. The popular and widely accepted scenario is that after the death of Mother Ann, the leadership quickly passed to James Whittaker, a man whom Mother had raised. The story continues that after Whittaker’s premature death, Joseph Meacham, much beloved by Mother Ann and the rank and file, became the leader. In his great wisdom, Father Joseph then chose Lucy Wright to stand with him in the female line. This is the actual succession, but is it wholly and totally accurate? Though widely accepted as seamless, the process was hardly so, and at various points, it was far from being “a sure thing.” Accepting the well-known narrative without questioning it, moreover, implies that the Divine will was manifested to the contentment of all. Examining the facts clearly indicates that this was not the case. To better understand the dynamics of the period, it is beneficial to take a closer look at the formative years of Shaker history in America. Not only does a more complete narrative emerge, helpful insights are gained that lead to a deeper understanding of the continuous evolution of the Testimony.
Date
4-1-2024
Volume
18
Number
2
First Page
105
Last Page
146
Journal Title
American Communal Societies Quarterly
ISSN
1939-473X
