Pioneer Prophetess: Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend

by Herbert A. Wisbey Jr.

At the age of twenty-four, the Rhode Island Quaker Jemima Wilkinson (1752-1819) recovered from a bout of fever with the pronouncement that she had been directed by a vision to preach to a "dying and sinful world." Announcing that Jemima had died and that her body now housed a new spirit, the Publick Universal Friend, this remarkably charismatic-and notably scandal-plagued-woman gathered several hundred followers and settled to the west of Seneca Lake. Although the religious community she founded on a framework of abstinence and friendship did not long survive her, Wilkinson remains a figure of fascination and mystery to this day. Herbert A. Wisbey Jr.'s 1964 biography is the authoritative account of her life, times, and ideals.

Genres: Religion, History, Biography, Nonfiction

252 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1965

Reviews

[Clair]

"Pioneer Prophetess: Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend" is a well written biography of Jemima Wilkinson, the first female preacher / prophetess / religious reformer to emerge from the newly formed United States that had a significant following. After a severe sickness, she claims she rose from the dead with a new spirit inhabiting her body called the "Public Universal Friend." The old Jemima no longer existed.

Her message was simple -- repent and prepare for the 2nd coming. Many of her followers considered her semi-divine, although she never publicly made such allusions. Her statements about herself were mysterious, but not concrete, fueling speculation.

Wisbey's biography contextualizes the sensational stories surrounding her, describes her move to the wilds of Western New York state to escape persecution. There, she established a communal society, a New Jerusalem, where celibacy was promoted (but not enforced). There, women were primarily the leaders of the society, and traditional gender roles were skewed. The movement floundered after her death in 1816 due to infighting over property, a lack of a clear theology, and a lack of strong leadership.

[Bill]

Jemima Wilkinson is from my home town of Cumberland, RI. She woke up from fever one day and touched by God became a prophet preaching in RI at the time of the American revolution and eventually starting a utopian colony in Western NY. The book is scholarly and fair. Because what is known of her life is a bit scanty the book tends to be a little thin on facts about Jemima. The author does the best job he can with the material he has to work with. If you are interested in Rhode Island history, western NY history, Utopian colonies or home grown American religion you shoulld read this book.

[Stephen Sela]

Jemima Wilkinson had a near-death experience, and her soul journeyed close to the universal father, so as to hear His Voice. When the soul of Jemima Wilkinson returned, it had been consecrated and commissioned by God to "preach to a lost and dying world". This is what I think.

[Rhiannon Grant]

Overall, a calm biography which seeks to distinguish fact from fiction. It does use she/her pronouns, without discussion, and moves between the names "Public Universal Friend" and "Jemima Wilkinson" apparently unreflectively even when this is an active issue in the discussion.

[Kurt]

Good history.