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The Real Historical Female Jesus

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windar

Teller of Tales
This story represents a bit of a departure for me in several ways, but it concerns a real historical person that I hope some of you will find as fascinating as I do, so I think it’s a story worth telling. I want to thank Barb for reading it and encouraging me to go forward with it. She has graciously agreed to contribute a chapter, which will appear a bit later. So, here we go…


PROLOGUE:

There are any number of crucifixion stories on this site. Martyrs, slaves, rebels and other assorted women have suffered and died on the cross right here. But none, so far as I know, claimed to be the female Jesus and certainly none were believed to actually be Her by thousands of followers. But history records one such woman. Her name was Ann Lee and this is her story.

Ann Lee was born in Manchester, England in 1736 to a Quaker family. Her father was a blacksmith, and, with the family not having much money, Ann received little in the way of formal education, working in textile factories and as a cook. She resisted marrying until the age of almost 25, rather unusual at the time, at which point her father insisted she be wed. During the marriage, she gave birth to four children, all of whom died in infancy from various diseases. Perhaps understandably in the circumstances, Ann believed that God was punishing her for her carnality. She swore off sexual relations after this and began preaching that celibacy was ordained by God.

It was around this point that Ann joined The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, better known as Shakers for their ecstatic dancing and singing during worship. She quickly became the leader of the sect, which, believing in complete gender equality, had no problem accepting female leadership. The Shakers believed that God was both male and female and that Jesus would return in a female manifestation. Ann and her followers came to believe that Ann, or Mother Ann as her followers called her, was in fact Christ returned as a woman.

Facing persecution in England for these beliefs, Ann and several of her followers departed for America in 1774, on the eve of the outbreak of the American Revolution, eventually settling in Watervliet, New York, just outside of Albany, about 150 miles north along the Hudson River from New York City. There, they farmed, practiced their crafts and preached their beliefs, journeying throughout the area in search of converts to their radical theology. This story takes place in 1780, on one such journey into the Puritan stronghold of Massachusetts, a place with a history of religious intolerance, including the persecution of Quakers and the famous Salem witch trials.
 
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This story represents a bit of a departure for me in several ways, but it concerns a real historical person that I hope some of you will find as fascinating as I do, so I think it’s a story worth telling. I want to thank Barb for reading it and encouraging me to go forward with it. She has graciously agreed to contribute a chapter, which will appear a bit later. So, here we go…


PROLOGUE:

There are any number of crucifixion stories on this site. Martyrs, slaves, rebels and other assorted women have suffered and died on the cross right here. But none, so far as I know, claimed to be the female Jesus and certainly none were believed to actually be Her by thousands of followers. But history records one such woman. Her name was Ann Lee and this is her story.

Ann Lee was born in Manchester, England in 1736 to a Quaker family. Her father was a blacksmith, and, with the family not having much money, Ann received little in the way of formal education, working in textile factories and as a cook. She resisted marrying until the age of almost 25, rather unusual at the time, at which point her father insisted she be wed. During the marriage, she gave birth to four children, all of whom died in infancy from various diseases. Perhaps understandably in the circumstances, Ann believed that God was punishing her for her carnality. She swore off sexual relations after this and began preaching that celibacy was ordained by God.

It was around this point that Ann joined The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, better known as Shakers for their ecstatic dancing and singing during worship. She quickly became the leader of the sect, which, believing in complete gender equality, had no problem accepting female leadership. The Shakers believed that God was both male and female and that Jesus would return in a female manifestation. Ann and her followers came to believe that Ann, or Mother Ann as her followers called her, was in fact Christ returned as a woman.

Facing persecution in England for these beliefs, Ann and several of her followers departed for America in 1774, on the eve of the outbreak of the American Revolution, eventually settling in Watervliet, New York, just outside of Albany, about 150 miles north along the Hudson River from New York City. There, they farmed, practiced their crafts and preached their beliefs, journeying throughout the area in search of converts to their radical theology. This story takes place in 1780, on one such journey into the Puritan stronghold of Massachusetts, a place with a history of religious intolerance, including the persecution of Quakers and the famous Salem witch trials.

This looks good, Windar.... :)
 
This looks good, Windar....

If by good, you mean a good story, I hope it will be, but that isn't for me to judge.

If by good you mean good for Ann, that depends. Good like a spa vacation, I doubt. But if you are looking to found a religion or even a branch of one, you probably would be well advised to experience some suffering. It doesn't have to be crucifixion; it could be wandering in the desert or climbing a Himalayan peak or something, but it usually involves some physical privation to achieve spiritual enlightenment.
 
If by good, you mean a good story, I hope it will be, but that isn't for me to judge. "

If by good you mean good for Ann, that depends. Good like a spa vacation, I doubt. But if you are looking to found a religion or even a branch of one, you probably would be well advised to experience some suffering. It doesn't have to be crucifixion; it could be wandering in the desert or climbing a Himalayan peak or something, but it usually involves some physical privation to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

"Good" as in "Good" Friday, you mean? ;)
 
If by good, you mean a good story, I hope it will be, but that isn't for me to judge.

If by good you mean good for Ann, that depends. Good like a spa vacation, I doubt. But if you are looking to found a religion or even a branch of one, you probably would be well advised to experience some suffering. It doesn't have to be crucifixion; it could be wandering in the desert or climbing a Himalayan peak or something, but it usually involves some physical privation to achieve spiritual enlightenment.

Or like a mother suffering privation by the deaths of all of her children in infancy? Admittedly this wasn't unusual although most mothers bore at least some surviving children. I think you have already described some considerable suffering on Ann's part. Please continue.
 
Chapter 1

God had commanded me to go forth into the world and spread the message of Christ’s Second Coming in female form. In pursuit of this, I ventured from our home in New York east into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, accompanied by two fellow Shakers, Sister Elizabeth and Brother Andrew. The mission had had to wait until the snow had gone from the Berkshire Hills that separated the two domains, but finally, in the middle of April, we set out.

It was an arduous trip of a fortnight, across the mountains and many rivers, but, finally, we reached the town of Shirley, some distance northwest of Boston, where there were a few brave souls willing to house us despite the disapproval of their neighbors. For two days there, I had stood in the town common preaching to all who would listen that I was Christ returned to Earth in female form to save mankind from its sins.

Most mocked us, yelling vile oaths. A few even threw rotten fruits and vegetables at us, the filthy detritus spattering our clothing. Yet, there were those who stood silently listening to me, such that I could imagine that perhaps a few of them would accompany us back to our settlement to join our community.

On the night following the second day, I lay asleep in the bed provided us in the small out building I was sharing with Sister Elizabeth. I was awoken by a loud knocking upon the door and the shouts of men. “Ann Lee,” one of them yelled, “I am the Sheriff of Middlesex County. I need a word with you.” I rose and put a cloak over my nightgown, both because the night was chilly and to protect my modesty.

Upon opening the door, I saw four men, dressed in cloaks, looking rather rough and unkempt. “Are you the one who has been preaching on the town common, telling everyone she is the Second Coming of Our Lord?” the one who had spoken before and was obviously the Sheriff, asked.

“Yes, that is me,” I replied.

“Well then, you will get dressed and come with us. The Magistrate wants to speak with you in the morning. We shall wait outside, but do not tarry.” Seeing little option, I shut the door and began dressing. Sister Elizabeth, who had awakened from the commotion, asked what was happening. I instructed her to return to New York with Brother Andrew at first light, and then stepped outside.

There, along with the four men, were two saddled horses and a small cart pulled by a third horse. One of the men hoisted himself into the cart and then pulled me in after him, none too gently. A second man joined us in the cart, taking the reins, whilst the Sheriff and the fourth man mounted their horses, setting off down the road through the darkness.

After a journey of some distance through field and forest, we arrived at a town that one of the men in the cart told me was Chelmsford, where the Magistrate sat. We pulled up in front of a small building and the men helped me down from the cart and accompanied me inside, into a hall flanked by several cells, each with a heavy iron door. They escorted me into one of the cells, which contained a cot and a chamber pot, and locked me inside. I knelt and prayed for God’s assistance, then laid down on the cot and tried to sleep.
 
The meeting house at the Watervliet Shaker settlement. Built in 1848, well after Ann Lee's time. None of the buildings from Ann Lee's time there remainMeeting house.JPG

Ann Lee pondPond.JPG

Mount Greylock, the highest point of the BerkshiresMount_Greylock_Massive.JPG

Shirley common today. The building on the right is the Meeting House. Not a religious building, like the Shaker meeting house, but one where town meetings are held. It dates from 1773. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a photograph from then1024px-Old_Shirley_Common.jpg
 
Chapter 1

God had commanded me to go forth into the world and spread the message of Christ’s Second Coming in female form. In pursuit of this, I ventured from our home in New York east into the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, accompanied by two fellow Shakers, Sister Elizabeth and Brother Andrew. The mission had had to wait until the snow had gone from the Berkshire Hills that separated the two domains, but finally, in the middle of April, we set out.

It was an arduous trip of a fortnight, across the mountains and many rivers, but, finally, we reached the town of Shirley, some distance northwest of Boston, where there were a few brave souls willing to house us despite the disapproval of their neighbors. For two days there, I had stood in the town common preaching to all who would listen that I was Christ returned to Earth in female form to save mankind from its sins.

Most mocked us, yelling vile oaths. A few even threw rotten fruits and vegetables at us, the filthy detritus spattering our clothing. Yet, there were those who stood silently listening to me, such that I could imagine that perhaps a few of them would accompany us back to our settlement to join our community.

On the night following the second day, I lay asleep in the bed provided us in the small out building I was sharing with Sister Elizabeth. I was awoken by a loud knocking upon the door and the shouts of men. “Ann Lee,” one of them yelled, “I am the Sheriff of Middlesex County. I need a word with you.” I rose and put a cloak over my nightgown, both because the night was chilly and to protect my modesty.

Upon opening the door, I saw four men, dressed in cloaks, looking rather rough and unkempt. “Are you the one who has been preaching on the town common, telling everyone she is the Second Coming of Our Lord?” the one who had spoken before and was obviously the Sheriff, asked.

“Yes, that is me,” I replied.

“Well then, you will get dressed and come with us. The Magistrate wants to speak with you in the morning. We shall wait outside, but do not tarry.” Seeing little option, I shut the door and began dressing. Sister Elizabeth, who had awakened from the commotion, asked what was happening. I instructed her to return to New York with Brother Andrew at first light, and then stepped outside.

There, along with the four men, were two saddled horses and a small cart pulled by a third horse. One of the men hoisted himself into the cart and then pulled me in after him, none too gently. A second man joined us in the cart, taking the reins, whilst the Sheriff and the fourth man mounted their horses, setting off down the road through the darkness.

After a journey of some distance through field and forest, we arrived at a town that one of the men in the cart told me was Chelmsford, where the Magistrate sat. We pulled up in front of a small building and the men helped me down from the cart and accompanied me inside, into a hall flanked by several cells, each with a heavy iron door. They escorted me into one of the cells, which contained a cot and a chamber pot, and locked me inside. I knelt and prayed for God’s assistance, then laid down on the cot and tried to sleep.

A cot and a chamber pot? Luxury! Doesn't that count as en-suite facilities? :doh:
 
Chapter 2

When I awoke, light was streaming through the barred window. One of the guards brought me some bread with fruit preserves and some tea. Soon after I had finished eating, he came back with another one of the men from last night. “Time to go talk to the Magistrate,” he told me as he unlocked the door. With one of the men on each side of me, we walked across the town common into a larger building, the entirety of which was being used as a courtroom. There, on a raised platform behind a large wooden desk, was a stern looking man, around 55 years old, staring down at me through small oval eyeglasses. At the back of the room there was a crowd of perhaps 30 people, some sitting on simple chairs, some standing.

“Are you Ann Lee?” he asked.

“Yes, your honor,” I replied.

“The one who has been preaching the blasphemy that she is the Second Coming of Christ?”

“I have indeed been preaching that, but it is not blasphemy, it is the simple truth.” There were gasps and shouts from the crowd at the back of the room.

“Silence!” the Magistrate roared at the crowd. Then he turned to stare down at me. “You are telling me that you, a simple woman, are Christ returned?”

“Yes, your honor. God is both male and female. So, many years ago, he sent his Son to Earth and now he has sent his Daughter.” There were more roars from the crowd.

“That is sheer, unadulterated blasphemy, contrary to the teaching of our Church and those of all good Christians. And you have brazenly admitted such in front of all present, you sinful woman.”

“Hang her! Hang the evil witch!” several members of the crowd yelled. This was serious. I knew that not far from here, in Salem, many had been hung as witches, not too long ago. I knew also that Quakers, men and women, had been brutally whipped through the streets of many towns in Massachusetts, before being expelled into Rhode Island.

“There is another matter, as well,” the Magistrate continued. “You and your congregation have recently arrived from England. You may be Tories, spies for King George. Will you swear allegiance to the patriot cause of the United States?”

“Your honor,” I replied, “I wish no harm upon the United States. We have taken refuge in New York from persecution in England. But we Shakers are pacifists, as Jesus was. Our allegiance is only to God; we will do violence for no cause, but desire only to live in peace.” I heard cries of “Traitor! Tory! Hang her!” from the crowd at the back of the courtroom.

The Magistrate looked sternly at the crowd until the shouts died down. Then he turned to look at me, seeming a bit perplexed. “Ann Lee,” he said, “I am deeply troubled by your case, both the blasphemy and the treason. I see little recourse but to sentence you to death.” There were loud cheers and shouts of approval from the crowd.

The magistrate continued, “Now, normally, in this Commonwealth, such sentences are carried out by hanging. However, since you style yourself Christ, I am going to order that, like Him, you shall suffer death by crucifixion.” There was a collective gasp from the crowd followed by shouts of “Crucify the witch!”

I was stunned. This was unheard of in this country or any civilized country. But what could this be but a confirmation that I was not mistaken when I heard God’s voice tell me that I was Christ returned as a woman? The fact that I was to suffer the same fate as Him, my Brother, only confirmed that truth.

I looked up at the bench. The Magistrate spoke again. “However, in view of the extraordinary nature of this situation and of the sentence, I am going to offer you an alternative. Recant your blasphemy and swear allegiance to the United States and I will set your sentence aside and let you return to New York in peace. Step no more into our Commonwealth and you will be free. Will you do that, Ann Lee?”

I thought for a moment. Could I bear the immense suffering that I was facing? I wasn’t sure I could, but I knew my Brother Jesus had, and that gave me strength. God’s will would be done. “Your honor,” I replied, “What you ask is impossible. I cannot deny what God has ordained for me.”

“Take her away,” he ordered. “Let her think about this in her cell. I will call her back tomorrow and see what answer she might give then.” The guards grabbed my arms and marched me back to my cell, the roars of the crowd following me the entire way.

Authors Note: Tory was the term used in the United States during and after the War of Independence for those who remained loyal to the King. It didn’t refer, as it does in the UK and Canada, to any specific political party. Once independence was achieved, citizen mobs, often abetted by the authorities, attacked Tories, demanding they pledge allegiance to the new United States. Those who refused had their property seized and their persons roughed up. In the wake of such incidents many left, often for Canada, where they founded the provinces of Upper Canada (now Ontario) and New Brunswick. There they were known as Loyalists.
 
Before you place your money, consider that Barb is writing a chapter:devil:

Good job I havn't placed the bet yet.
Barb does have a habit of losing her clothes.
But the author (you) is the first-person character, so Barb must be a concerned bystander?
So my bet will stand, Ann is clothed on the cross, a bit of decorum in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Barb loses her clothes, and is hanged for lewdness. Settled.
 
Good job I havn't placed the bet yet.
Barb does have a habit of losing her clothes.
But the author (you) is the first-person character, so Barb must be a concerned bystander?
So my bet will stand, Ann is clothed on the cross, a bit of decorum in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Barb loses her clothes, and is hanged for lewdness. Settled.

Damn, the Fifth Amendment came about 10 years after this story, but I'll plead it anyway.
 
Damn, the Fifth Amendment came about 10 years after this story, but I'll plead it anyway.
More crucial, so was the First Amendment too!
The Judge seems a little bit biased concerning religuous matters and seems to be acting more like an inquisitioner. I wonder whether this trial could have taken place under the Bill of Rights.

Good writing, Windar.
 
More crucial, so was the First Amendment too!
The Judge seems a little bit biased concerning religuous matters and seems to be acting more like an inquisitioner. I wonder whether this trial could have taken place under the Bill of Rights.

Good writing, Windar.

I think calling the judge "a bit biased" is a small understatement.:D Although Salem, where the witch trials happened, is only 30 miles away from Chelmsford, they were almost 100 years earlier and things had evolved by 1780, we would hope.

This is a story. While everything in the Prologue is fact, there may be some bending of history in the actual story. Things will be explained by the end, I promise. And the Shakers and many other heretical sects thrived in the 19th century. I will discuss this in the Epilogue.

For now, I hope you can suspend disbelief. I think some other stories on CF may also not be 100% true:D:devil:;)
 
The magistrate continued, “Now, normally, in this Commonwealth, such sentences are carried out by hanging. However, since you style yourself Christ, I am going to order that, like Him, you shall suffer death by crucifixion.” There was a collective gasp from the crowd followed by shouts of “Crucify the witch!”

So unlikely in real life, but always a very attractive fantasy.
You style yourself he who was crucified, so you shall yourself be crucified.
No clean hanging death, but an ordeal of utter agony and humiliation witnessed by your neighbours and peers.
I trust you will approach it with acceptance and dignity.
 
So unlikely in real life, but always a very attractive fantasy.
You style yourself he who was crucified, so you shall yourself be crucified.
No clean hanging death, but an ordeal of utter agony and humiliation witnessed by your neighbours and peers.
I trust you will approach it with acceptance and dignity.

Of course, he offered Ann a quick way out-just renounce her foolish claims, pledge allegiance to the country where she lives and home she goes safe and sound. Sounds like a very good offer, doesn't it? She could probably even renounce her renouncement when she gets back to New York. I wonder what she'll do.
 
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