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__ ** Shakers (Mother Ann Lee) ** __

__**Objectives:**__ I, Mother Lee Ann, as leader and founder of the Shakers, hope that, as a group, we may acquire perfection. In order to achieve the level of perfection we desire, we must live together, remain unmarried and childless, confess our sins, and isolate ourselves from the outside world. Moreover, everyone included in the Shaker community enjoys equality, regardless of race, gender, or religion. Additonally, the Shakers work together and are self-reliant by making and growing excellent quality goods and crops. We wish to be considered as leaders and help guide others to a life of Shakerism.

__**Accomplishments/Work Experience:**__ Starting in my teens, I worked for a cotton factory in Manchester, England. This continued until my early 20's when I was hired for a job as a cook in a hospital. After the death of my fourth child, I had a vision from God which led me to believe in the act of celibacy. Because of this, I formed the Shakers based on my vision. Then, in 1772, I had another vision informing me that there was a place in America for my followers and me. Once we got to America, we began raising money until we had enough to buy a section of land in western New York which we called Niskeyuna. This community was the start of all the other Shaker communities in America.

Since girls were considered a lower stance than boys in England, I never received a proper education and was therefore illiterate. Despite this, my followers still regarded me as a strong leader of the Shakers.
 * __Education: __**

**//Joseph Mecham//**- He heard of the Shakers and our ideals, so he sent Calvin Harlow to investigate the truthfulness of the source. When Harlow told him what he had heard was true, Joseph came to see for himself. After one day of talking to us and asking questions, he decided to join the Shakers. From that day forward, he was loyal to both me and the Shaker cause.
 * __References: __**

//**William Lee**//- He is my brother and one of the original Shakers who made the trip across the Atlantic Ocean from England with me. He is very faithful to the Shakers and has made many contributions of his own. He even remained loyal when I led him to possible persecution.


 * __Works Cited __**

"The Enfield Shaker Community." //Welcome to the Enfield Historical Society//. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. .

"Essay on Shaker History -- Shaker Historic Trail -- National Register of Historic Places ." //U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America//. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. .

"The Shakers." //American Studies at The University of Virginia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2010. .