Lee, Ann

Lee, Ann (1736-1784) Religious Leader: Lee brought the "Shaking Quaker" or "Shaker" movement to America. Moving from England to the American colonies in 1774, she established 11 communities, the first of which was in Watervliet, New York. Called "Mother Anne" by the few Quakers who remain today, she considered herself the second incarnation of God. Thus, she taught strict equality between genders. Since her unhappy marriage and family experiences convinced her that carnal lust was the root of all evil, both personal and public, strict celibacy was another requirement of the sect. In addition, all violence and taking up of arms was forbidden, which attracted negative attention to the sect during the Revolutionary War.