A religious movement founded by Joanna Southcott, claiming prophetic visions and the anticipation of a divine birth.
The Southcottians originated from the teachings and prophecies of Joanna Southcott, an English woman born on April 25, 1750, in Gittisham, East Devon, who claimed divine revelations starting around 1792. Initially linked to both the Established and Wesleyan churches, Southcott embraced Methodism, allegedly due to divine intervention. Described as a kindly and unpretentious figure, her journey as a religious prophetess began in her early forties when she started hearing voices she believed were divine, foretelling the Second Coming of Christ.
Southcott’s prophetic career saw her dictating her revelations primarily to her secretaries, Ann Underwood and Jane Townley, and publishing around 65 books, with titles like “The Strange Effects of Faith” starting in 1801. Her writings were well-received, and she garnered a substantial following, which initially included followers of the prophet Richard Brothers. Her influence spread widely across Britain, where her followers, known as Southcottians, believed she communicated directly with the spirit world and could foretell future events, including the apocalypse.
A significant turning point in Southcott’s prophetic career came late in her life when, at the age of 64, she announced she was pregnant with a divine child named Shiloh, who would bring about the Second Coming. This claim was supported by over 20 medical practitioners, and her followers prepared enthusiastically for the birth. However, Southcott died on December 27, 1814, and a post-mortem examination revealed no pregnancy but dropsy, which may have mimicked pregnancy symptoms.
After her death, the Southcottian movement continued to evolve, with splinter groups emerging. One notable group, led by George Turner who claimed to be her successor, was later confined to an asylum. The Panacea Society, based in Bedford and active in the early 20th century, was another group that maintained belief in the imminent arrival of Shiloh and preserved Southcott’s writings and prophetic seals, which she had distributed as tokens of her divine mission.
The Southcottians were characterized by their millennial expectations, typological interpretations of the Bible, and a strong sense of communal identity. They were part of a broader millennial tradition that saw numerous new religious movements emerge during the 19th century, each interpreting Christian eschatology in unique ways. The movement’s beliefs were closely linked with the broader political, social, and religious contexts of the time, influencing and being influenced by various social upheavals.
The legacy of the Southcottians, deeply embedded in the religious and social fabric of its time, continues to be evident in historical records and archives, showcasing a movement grappling with issues of authority, gender, and scripture interpretation. This story highlights not only a singular prophetic figure but also the enduring human fascination with millennial hopes and the search for spiritual renewal amid changing societal conditions.
image via William Branham
