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Mother Ann Lee (1736-1784) Most Important Time Period (1758-1784)

At the age of 22 in the year 1758, I joined a sect known as the Shaking Quakers or Shakers in England. In 1762 I married unhappily which contributed to my decision to become celibate. In 1770, while people who were of the Shaker faith were persecuted by the English, I was imprisoned.

In 1774, I convinced my family to immigrate to America, where we could seek religious tolerance and start our own settlement. My followers and I founded a settlement near Albany and the Shaker movement spread throughout New England and included thousands who believe I embody the female half of God's dual nature.

In 1780, I was imprisoned for treason because of my firm views and doctrines against war and violence and my refusal to sign an oath of allegiance. From 1781 to 1783 I toured New England, performing miracles and healing the sick through touch.

I am well known for my strong beliefs and religious ideas. I believed sexual lust impeded Christ's work and that only through celibacy could men and women further His Kingdom on Earth. Also, I am against war and violence and am known for being a pacifist. I helped improve the lives of others in America by performing miracles and healing the sick by touch.

The federal government could advance the goals of the Shaker movement by preventing harassment caused by our strong religious beliefs and by passing legislature that provides religious tolerance to the people of the Shaker movement, so we can live and coexist peacefully with other religions in one area.

I succeeded in promoting the Shaker movement because I helped it spread throughout New England and accumulate thousands of followers. This success was not made easily however because of all the opposition my followers and I faced such as persecution in both England and in America.

1758 - joined sect known as Shaking Quakers or Shakers 1762 - married unhappily and insisted on celibacy 1770 - imprisoned during a time of religious persecution in England 1774 - convinced my family to immigrate to America 1780 - imprisoned for treason because of my pacifist doctrines and refusal to sign oath of allegiance 1781-1783 - toured New England and performed miracles and healed the sick 1784 - died in Waterviliet, New York

Bibliography

"Ann Lee Biography." //Biography.com//. Web. 06 Oct. 2010. .