Public Universal Friend
A radical 18th-century evangelist who rejected a name and gender after a near-death experience, founding a utopian religious society.
1752–1819 (age 67)·American preacher·Birthday: November 29
Biography
In the fervor of post-revolutionary America, one of the most striking religious figures emerged not from a pulpit, but from a sickbed. Born Jemima Wilkinson to a Quaker family in Rhode Island, they fell gravely ill in 1776. Upon recovery, they declared that Jemima had died and their body was now inhabited by a genderless spirit called the Public Universal Friend. Rejecting both their birth name and all gendered pronouns, the Friend adopted androgynous clothing—a blend of masculine and feminine styles—and began to preach. Their message combined Quaker-influenced pacifism with Methodist-style fervor, emphasizing repentance and the imminent second coming. The Friend attracted a devoted, often wealthy following known as the Society of Universal Friends. Seeking a New Jerusalem, they led their community to the wilderness of the Finger Lakes region in New York, founding the settlement of Jerusalem. There, they faced persecution but built a self-sufficient, celibate community that held property in common. The Friend's radical rejection of social categories of name, gender, and personal ownership presented a profound challenge to the norms of the early American republic.
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Public's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1752Born
1757Started school
1765Became a teenager
1768Could drive
1770Could vote
1773Turned 21
1782Turned 30
1792Turned 40
1802Turned 50
1812Turned 60
1819Died at 67
Key Achievements
- Founded and led the Society of Universal Friends, a significant early American religious sect that practiced communal living and pacifism.
- Successfully established the utopian settlement of Jerusalem, New York, in the late 18th century, guiding followers to the frontier.
- Preached a message of repentance and equality across the northeastern United States, drawing converts from various social classes.
- Lived openly as a genderless evangelist for over 40 years, challenging contemporary societal norms with their dress and pronoun refusal.
Did You Know?
The Friend's signature attire included a man's waistcoat and a woman's skirt, along with a wide-brimmed hat.
They never married and advocated for celibacy among their closest followers, though it was not a universal requirement for the sect.
A wealthy follower, Sarah Richards, deeded a large estate to the Friend, which became a center for the community.
After their death, the Friend's body was displayed to followers for several days to prove they had not ascended bodily to heaven as some expected.
“All are equal before God, and I am sent to declare this truth.”
