by | Jul 8, 2024 | Karen's Korner
Caroline (Carrie) Edna Skinner was born in 1844 to Solomon and Candice Skinner of Sherman, Chautauqua County, New York. Solomon died in 1846 when Carrie and her sister were young girls, and their mother remained a widow. Carrie received a common school education before she began teaching in the district schools when only seventeen years old. Afterward she attended the Westfield Academy and taught during the summers.
In 1871, Carrie married Herbert S. Twing, a bookkeeper turned vineyardist. They had a son Edward from his first marriage, and Carrie had a daughter, Candice who was born in 1875 and died young. Carrie identified with the spiritualistic movement early in life. It’s unclear how involved Herbert was with Spiritualism, but he was the business secretary at Camp Cassadaga in Florida in 1900.
In1876, Carrie was mentioned in the Boston Globe as a mechanical writing medium. She attended Lake Pleasant Camp in Greenfield, Massachusetts the following year, working as a medium. By 1879 she was called a “celebrated test medium” at an event in Buffalo, New York.
During the 1880s she appeared at many northeastern locations, working as a test medium and giving private readings. The Cleveland Leader and Morning Herald, 6 April 1888, wrote “About one hundred persons paid twenty-five cents each to attend the public séance given by Mrs. Carrie E. S. Twing at Memorial Hall last evening. They enjoyed a privilege then which few could be more esteemed by a Cleveland audience—that of holding direct communication with Artemus Ward.” He was a humorist in the Cleveland area who wrote for the newspaper.
By the 1890s, Carrie regularly attended Lily Dale as a medium and speaker. She also authored several books, including A Thrilling Account of the Late President Garfield’s Reception in the Spirit World. Written through the hand of Carrie E. S. Twing, (1881), JIM, The Touch of an Angel Mother. A psychic story (1905), ‘Lisbeth, A Story of Two Worlds, Henry Drummond in Spirit Life, and Golden Gleams from Heavenly Light.
Carrie garnered a wide reputation as a lecturer and traveled extensively through the country. During the early 1900s, she attended Camp Cassadaga, lived for a time in Portland, Oregon, attended Temple Heights and Lake Pleasant as well as Pine Grove Spiritualist Camps. In 1902 she was Vice President of the New York State Association of Spiritualists.
Carrie died in 1910, two years after her husband. The Buffalo Courier, 26 August 1910, wrote: “Mrs. Carrie E. S. Twing, the well-known lecturer, died at her home, a few miles southeast of this place today, after an illness of three weeks, from apoplexy. Mrs. Twing was taken ill in Boston while on a lecturing tour and was brought to her home here August 5th, lingering until now. Mrs. Twing frequently spoke at meetings of the granges.”
“She was a speaker of much force, and had been heard throughout the middle, eastern and southern states. She was an authority on spiritualistic matters and a medium of acknowledged ability. “
by | Jul 1, 2024 | Karen's Korner
Abigail E. Sheets was born in 1848 to carpenter/farmer Martin B. and Eliza Ann Sheets in Madison, Ohio, being one of their three children. She married Albert Cogswell in 1863 and they had a son Henry by 1865. They were living in Otsego, Michigan in 1870, but the marriage did not last. Albert and Abigail divorced by 1875 and Albert married Mary Ann Perry.
In 1880, Abigail was a dressmaker living in Lansing, Michigan. Both she and her family were involved with Spiritualism. In 1881, her father, Martin, was known as a professor of clairvoyance and magnetism in town. Abigail worked at camp Onset in the late 1880s. In1895, her father, Mr. M. B. Sheets of Grand Ledge, judged an essay writing contest entitled: “What Good Has Spiritualism Done,” which was published in the Progressive Thinker.
By 1891, the Sheets and family were living in Grand Ledge, a well-known Spiritualist camp. Abigail was listed as Mrs. Abbie E. Sheets, medium, for the 1893 First National Delegate Convention of Spiritualists of the United States in Chicago. She was also a trustee at Haslett Park Camp. In 1895 and 1896 she was vice president of the Michigan State Spiritualist Association and president of the Grand Ledge Spiritualist Camp association from 1894 until 1904.
The Banner of Light, 14 November 1896, published a summary of her talk at the Boston Spiritual Temple entitled: “What can you tell of reincarnation?” During her talk, she said, “In this sense we may feel that we have lived before. But though we passed to spirit-life many centuries ago from the far-away land of the Orient, in all our journeyings through the higher realms we have never met a spirit that proved to our satisfaction that he ever lived in a human body upon the earth-plane but once in his march from the lower to the higher kingdom. If other spirits have lived upon the earth-plane many times we have not learned of the fact to our satisfaction.”
The late 1890s were a busy time for Abigail. She lectured and gave public addresses at Grand Ledge; Lake Helen, Florida; and the Michigan state convention in 1897. She was a state delegate at the convention the following year.
Abigail’s father died in1898 at Grand Ledge, but she and her mother remained there. Her lectures continued with engagements at the Owosso, Michigan Spiritualist Society and at Sturgis, Michigan at the Free or Spiritualist Church. In 1903, she spoke in Indianapolis. When she attended the 1908 Grand Ledge Spiritualist Camp, the following was published: “The opening week Mrs. Abbie Sheets filled the entire week’s engagements giving her highly Spiritual addresses to the entire satisfaction of her listeners.”
Abigail spoke to the Lansing First Society of Spiritualists, and officiated funeral services. By 1910 she was living alone at Grand Ledge and eventually moved to California to be near her son. She died in 1915 in Glendale, California and was buried near her ex-husband, Albert, who died in 1914 and eventually her son, Henry, who died in 1925. A Michigan obituary said, “Mrs. Abbie Sheets for 30 years a resident of this city, until she went to California, last August, passed away Saturday at the home of her son, Henry Cogswell.”
by | Jul 1, 2024 | Karen's Korner
Althea (Elithea) Clarissa Blood was born in 1829 to Jonas and Hopey Blood in New Hampshire. She married Benjamin F. Smith, and they had a son, Charles, in 1847. By 1870, Althea and Benjamin were living in Lawrence, Massachusetts where Benjamin worked in a wool mill.
In the Banner of Light, 29 September 1888, the publication announced that they reopened their séance room with Althea being one of their mediums. “On Friday afternoon this circle-room will be open, as formerly, for the presentation of spirit messages through the organism of Mrs. B.F. Smith. The spiritual intelligences interested in this work are gathered here in perfect harmony, ready to give forth the best of their power and labor for the dissemination of truth and the assistance of spirits who desire to reach their mortal friends.”
Althea had a column of her readings in the Banner of Light under her married name, Mrs. B. F. Smith, from about 1888-1896. At that time, she lived at Vernon Cottage, Crescent Beach, Revere, Massachusetts. Readings were transcribed during the circles held Friday afternoons and about a half-dozen were published in each issue.
The Banner of Light, 26 October 1889, published the following announcement. “Free Spiritual meeting. These highly interesting meetings, to which the public is cordially invited, are held at the Hall at the Banner of Light Establishment. On Tuesdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm. Mrs. B.F. Smith, the excellent test medium, will on Friday afternoons, under the influence of her guides give decarnated individuals an opportunity to send words of love to their earthly friends—which messages are reported at considerable expense and published each week in The Banner.”
Althea was listed as a medium in 1890 in Spiritualist publications and gave private readings at her home. In 1891 she advertised in the Banner of Light. “Mrs. B. F. Smith, Trance Medium sittings at Vernon Cottage, Crescent Beach Revere Mass. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 9-6.”
Her husband, Benjamin, had severe illness that began in December of 1891. He died the following year. Althea continued with her work as a medium and by giving inspirational talks and addresses at funerals. In 1894 gave an inspirational address at the funeral of Dr. Charles Main.
In the 8 September 1894 issue of the Banner of Light, they published some of the “thank you” letters sent to Althea. The Banner wrote, “The good words corroborative of the reliability of spirit-communications in The Banner, and high praise for the excellent mediumship of Mrs. B.F. Smith, continue to pour in upon us.”
In the Boston Post, 4 February 1894, they featured Spiritualism and republished four messages given by Mrs. B.F. Smith that had been listed in the Banner of Light. Althea continued giving messages for the Banner until 1896. She died in 1911 at her house on Beach Street in Revere at the age of 82.
by | Jun 17, 2024 | Karen's Korner
Joseph D. Stiles was born in 1828 to Joseph and Lucy Stiles in Concord, Massachusetts. He was the only son of six children and raised in the Universalist church. In 1850, his sister Harriet discovered she was a table-tipping medium. While other members of the family became mediums, Joseph worked in the printing business at a Universalist newspaper. In 1853, he quit his job as type setter and attended several circles in Boston to develop his abilities which had suddenly come upon him.
Initially, Joseph began by acting as a conduit for the spirit of John Quincy Adams for Josiah Brigham in June of 1854 through spirit writing. Brigham recognized Adams’ handwriting in the first letter, which was dated 9 July 1854. From then on, Stiles began to produce messages in notebooks from Adams. The messages ended in March 1857, and they produced a publication of all the messages entitled Twelve Messages.
Joseph moved to Weymouth, Massachusetts where he became a platform medium by falling into trances under the guidance of a Native American spirit named Swift Arrow. He filled halls in various New England towns with large audiences. He also attended camps, seances and conventions. In 1867 he spent several months in Vermont delivering messages by spirts named Hosea Ballou, Theodore Parker, and war heroes Colonel Elmer Ellsworth and General Nathaniel Lyon.
In a biographical sketch published 7 July 1886 in Facts the editor wrote, “Mr. Stiles is an inspirational speaker, never attempting to prepare his lectures, and being naturally unassuming and retiring in nature, and as he has expressed himself to us, always fearful lest some time he might not succeed, he dreads to appear as a lecturer; but we have listened to some purely inspirational lectures given by him which, in matter and diction, we have seldom heard equaled or excelled.”
At an 1884 conference at Lake Sunapee Spiritualist Camp, one hundred eighty-nine spirits identified themselves through Joseph in an hour and fifteen minutes. In Medium and Daybreak, 14 May 1886, J. J. Morse wrote, “Mr. Stiles is simply indescribable: names in full, Christian and sur, dates and incidents, localities and definite particulars, and long lists of family relationships, literally pour from him when entranced. On one occasion we heard him give 265 names, 263 of which, by actual count, were unhesitatingly identified.”
The editor of Spirit Voices, 9 September 1885, wrote: “Swift Arrow, through his medium, Joseph D. Stiles, has given about nine tests of spirit-presence.” At the National Development Circle, he gave 175 names of spirits that were recognized by the audience.
Joseph was a lifelong bachelor and died at his mother’s home in Weymouth, Massachusetts in 1897 at the age of 68. His obituary in The Boston Globe wrote that he was “one of the most prominent Spiritualist test mediums and lecturers in the state….” For more information, J. B. Buescher published The Notebooks of Joseph D. Stiles in 2015, IAPSOP Ephemera, which is available on-line.
by | Jun 3, 2024 | Karen's Korner
Jonathan M. Roberts was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania in 1821 to Jonathan and Eliza Roberts. His father was elected to the state senate and then went on to the United States Congress from 1811-1814. Unfortunately, Jonathan’s father died in 1854, six months before Jonathan married Mary Abbot. They went on to have six daughters over the next twenty years after moving to New Jersey.
Because of his father’s success, Jonathan received a fine education and then studied law. Prior to the Civil War he was an active Abolitionist and became one of the leaders of the Republican party. He was frequently referred to as “General” or “Colonel.” He may have played some role in the Civil War and made his fortune as a manufacturer of cast-iron stoves.
Jonathan became a believer of Spiritualism about 1873 when he was put in contact with the spirit of his father. That belief was solidified when James A. Bliss brought forth his deceased daughter. By 1878 he started publishing and editing Mind and Matter with C.C. Wilson and James A Bliss as a weekly journal that delved to the interests of Spiritualism.
Jonathan may have been too enthralled with Spiritualists and mediums to hold them under critical analysis. His journal became a place to attack the Religio-Philosophical Journal (which tended to publish criticisms of mediums’ frauds), and featured accounts of mediums who had shown themselves to be frauds. He also used his law background to sue others for defaming him or criticizing his proteges – even suing on behalf of Alfred James after James had signed an affidavit that he had been cheating. He also defended mediums such as Madame Blavatsky and the Holmes materializing mediums, suing a Philadelphia newspaper for defamation.
Jonathan’s interest in free thought led him to oppose “Christian spiritualism.” He argued that Christ was really Apollonius and Christianity really Buddhism, and that both had been delivered by the spirits and then perverted by the priests of the early church. His publications included, Antiquity Unveiled: Ancient Voices from the Spirit Realms Proving Christianity to be of Heathen Origin and Apollonius of Tyana, Identified as the Christian Jesus.
Jonathan died in 1888 at his home in Burlington, New Jersey at the age of 67 after being stricken with paralysis for several weeks. An article in The Philadelphia Times, 1 March 1888, stated that “He defended the faith of his adoption with great energy, which led him into many legal difficulties and, it is said, was the indirect cause of his death.”
by | May 28, 2024 | Karen's Korner
Anna Dutter was born to Peter and Lucinda Dotter in Portage County, Ohio about 1855. Her father passed away in 1860. Anna married Rosco Manchester in 1872 and they had two sons before moving to Deerfield, Michigan where Rosco oversaw a livery stable. Ann was a housewife.
The couple ended their relationship during the 1880s. By 1890, Ann was going by the name Mrs. Anna L. Robinson. She was very active as a lecturer and medium in the Spiritualism community, attending the Mantua Springs and Haslett Park summer camps. Her 1893 Hazlett Park Camp meeting address was entitled: “Concentration of Thought and Forces and Spiritual Development.”
Anna moved to Port Huron, Michigan in 1893 where she became pastor of the United Progressive Club. The Port Huron Times Herald, 22 November 1893, published United Progressive Club resolutions in her honor. One being, “That we will ever cherish with suspect, love and affection, the memory of Mrs. Anna L. Robinson, who has brought joy to so many sorrowing hearts, with loving, tender messages from spirit friends, and who has so long and so faithfully labored for the cause of humanity and truth, and the upbuilding of all those principles which elevate and beautify our lives, bringing us nearer to the Angel-world, and enlarging our sphere of usefulness among our fellows.”
In the 24 February 1894, Progressive Thinker, Stuart L Rogers wrote: “I wish to inform the Spiritualists that my opinion of Sister Anna. L Robinson, of Port Huron, Mich., is that she is a superior instrument in the hands of the angels. I have had some demonstrations through her that are very correct. I am an old investigator of the spiritual philosophy, and my opportunities have been very good.” Mrs. Robinsons spirit contact was named Alice. Others commented on her elegance and ability to attract large audiences.
Anna’s popularity increased. She established a Band of Mercy with 60 members and attended the state association in 1894. She lectured and was a test medium at Catalpa Camp in Liberal, Missouri in 1894 and became Vice President of the camp the following year. In the 18 May 1895, edition of Light of Truth, a personal story about one of her readings was published in detail.
Anna married Jerimiah S. Gillespie in Port Huron in 1899 and attended Camp Chesterfield in Indiana and Lily Dale the same year. The Muncie Morning News, 28 July 1899 quoted part of her lecture, “I believe we often make mistakes in our prayers. We most always pray for a happy time in the spirit world. Would it not be better to pray: ‘Oh, guiding Spirit, help us to know how to make ourselves happy here and now?’ Do not ask God to forgive our sins, but let us learn how not to commit them, for cause is always followed by its legitimate effect. Let us not cry, ‘Warehouse man what of the night?’ but what of the day, of this day, of every day.” She continued, “Yes, Spiritualism is the truth, investigate and enjoy it, but always hold your own spirit intact. Get all you can from your spirit teachers and then sift through your own mental sieve.”
By1900, Anna and Jeremiah Gillespie were living in Oakland, California with her two sons and an adopted daughter. Gillespie was secretary of the Philosophical Journal published in San Francisco and president of the California State Spiritualists Association. Anna was pastor of the People’s Church in San Francisco and continued to attend Spiritualist camps across the country, including Camp Brady and Camp Chesterfield.
Later in her life, Anna returned to Michigan and became pastor First Spiritualist Church in Battle Creek. Her 1926 obituary stated that she was one of the “best known workers among spiritualistic circles in the United States and Canada.” She was “actively associated with the Lily Dale spiritualistic camp in New York State and National Superintendent of the Lyceums of the United States and Canada.”
