Public Universal Friend

Public Universal Friend, born on November twenty-ninth, seventeen fifty-two in Cumberland, Rhode Island, emerged as a significant figure in American religious history. Raised in a Quaker household, the Friend's life took a transformative turn following a severe illness in seventeen seventy-six, during which they claimed to have died and been reanimated as a genderless evangelist. This pivotal experience led the Friend to abandon their birth name and all pronouns, adopting a unique identity that defied traditional gender norms.

Clad in androgynous attire, the Friend traveled extensively throughout the northeastern United States, preaching a message that resonated with many. This outreach culminated in the formation of the Society of Universal Friends, a community that shared the Friend's theological views, which were largely aligned with Quaker beliefs. The Friend emphasized the importance of free will, opposed the institution of slavery, and advocated for sexual abstinence, attracting a diverse following.

Among the most dedicated members of the Society were unmarried women who took on prominent roles within their households and the broader community. In the 1790s, the Society acquired land in Western New York, establishing the town of Jerusalem near Penn Yan. However, by the 1860s, the Society of Universal Friends had ceased to exist, leaving behind a complex legacy.

The Friend's identity has sparked varied interpretations, with some writers portraying them as a woman, either as a manipulative fraudster or a trailblazer for women's rights. Others, including scholar Scott Larson, have recognized the Friend as a transgender or non-binary figure, contributing to the discourse on trans history. Notably, references to the Friend often avoid pronouns altogether, opting instead for the term 'the Friend' to honor their unique identity.