'And there appeared a great wonder in heaven: a woman clothed with the
sun...' - Revelation 12, 1. Press advertisements over several decades
calling for the opening of 'Joanna Southcott's Box' have made her name
familiar to the public, but little more is widely known about her. This
new biography of the Devon-born visionary and prophet uses previously
unidentified sources to give the definitive account of her life, her
writings and her influence. Born in 1750 to a Devon farmer, and growing
through a rural childhood unexceptional for the time, Joanna Southcott's
life was changed in 1792 when she heard the 'still, small Voice' that
was to inform and guide her for the next 20 years. Her claims that it
was the word of God speaking through her were rejected by church
leaders, yet her prophesies of the Second Coming and her 'sealing' of
believers against harm gave her many followers. Some of her writings,
she was told by her inner voice, were to be kept secret and only
revealed when requested by the 24 Church of England Bishops at a time of
great danger - hence the existence of the famous Box. Frances Brown has
researched not only in Joanna's 65 published works and unpublished
manuscripts, but also among letters, newspapers, guildhall and parish
records, local histories and genealogies, and even trade directories.
She identifies many of the previously elusive people, places and events
associated with Joanna's life. Central to Joanna Southcott's writings is
the fight between good and evil in the world which, as in the Revelation
of St. John, is to culminate in a terrible battle leading to a great
victory for Christ over the Devil. Interest in such prophesies has
increased with heightened fears of expanded potential for disasters in
the new Millennium. This book will serve a need felt by many to know
more about the woman who is numbered among the most influential of
modern English visionaries. Among other illustrations is the first
photograph of Joanna Southcott's box to be published in 140 years.
