Friday, August 15, 2014

Her followers fashioned a crib made of wood, gold, and baby blue satin. Toy shops were filled with “Joanna Southcott’s Cradles” draped in pink calico with silver lace trim, holding a tiny doll inside. The devout sent elaborate gifts,  including “laced caps” and “a mohair mantle.” Less affluent members sent a pin cushion, a comb, two roses. Thousands of converts joined the movement in what would become the sect’s final year.