Death & Resurrection
While the British "Red Coats" occupied the harbor of Providence, RI in 1776, a minor epidemic of "The Columbus Fever" spread throughout Rhode Island, and Jemima was infected. She was plagued by this debilitating illness which culminated in a fevered state, subsequent to which she was bedridden and near death. When she awoke she claimed that she was sent by God to preach his message. This propelled her to claim that she was a holy vessel of Jesus Christ and God and the Holy Spirit. She became the "Publick Universal Friend", reborn at her eulogy, and never again responded to her original birth name.
Read more about this topic: Jemima Wilkinson
Famous quotes containing the words death and/or resurrection:
“... probably all of the women in this book are working to make part of the same quilt to keep us from freezing to death in a world that grows harsher and bleaker—where male is the norm and the ideal human being is hard, violent and cold: a macho rock. Every woman who makes of her living something strong and good is sharing bread with us.”
—Marge Piercy (b. 1936)
“We therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.”
—Book Of Common Prayer, The. The Burial of the Dead (1662)