The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (USBCSA), or the Shakers, originated from the Wardley Society whose members branched off from the Quakers in 1747. Their religion included the practice of receiving messages from the spirit of God during religious revivals. When they experienced messages during silent meditations they began shaking, which led to their name.

The Shakers believed that the end of the world was near. They practiced celibacy and adopted children from poorhouses and other asylums to replace their ranks. Like the Quakers, they were pacifists and believed in gender and racial equality. They also appreciated intellectual and artistic development within the Society.

The Shaker community of Tyringham, Massachusetts was established in 1792. The community had mill buildings, workshops, and even a furnace. They owned more than two thousand acres and numbered about 100 at their largest in 1830. It was at this time that Julia Johnson and Michael McCue accepted positions to mentor and guide the youngsters.

The mentors were in the community during the Era of Manifestations from 1839 – 1844. Shakers were known for recording events, biographies, and testimonies, so it is not surprising to find that Julia recorded her experiences during this time.

She wrote, “For seven years there was an uninterrupted flow, then a decided cessation which felt as a barren, and almost despondent, condition of the mind.”

Hundreds of messages were received during this time, both public and private. Manifestations took place in the form of clairvoyance, trance mediumship, inspirational speaking, singing, writing, talking in tongues, prophesy and even adopting the personality of a spirit for several days.

Some in the trance state were “carried to their homes by carriage, laid upon a bed where they would be like one dead, save for breathing.” They described heaven, or the spirit world, as populated by angels and good spirits as well as spirits trapped in darkness who suffered great distress. There were mansions, and places of worship, learning, and discourse. Beings were dressed in colorful fabrics and music abounded.

Gifts also materialized while mediums were in trance state. These included items such as flowers, fruit, gold cups, pearls, musical instruments, and robes. Native American spirits presented them with beads, blankets, and belts.

No one knows why the manifestations ended, but the Tyringham lost members after that time, either to death or emigration. It appears that Julia and Michael became romantically attached and Julia was sent away to the Hancock settlement as a “love cure.” The community closed in 1874.

Additional reading:

Johnson, Julia (1899) “Tyringham, Massachusetts” in Henry Blinn ed. Manifestations of Spiritualism among the Shakers. 1837-1847. East Canterbury, NH

Wergland, Glendyne R. (2014) Shaker Autobiographies, Biographies and Testimonies 1806-1907 Vol 3. Routledge, London.

Peterwic, Stephen. (2013) “Mysteries of the Tyringham Shakers Unmasked: A New Examination of People, Facts and Figures.” In American Communal Societies Quarterly. Vol 7 No. 2, April 2013.