Joanna Southcott

[athel_cb]

Joanna Southcott (née Hankford), who died in 1546 in Bovey Tracey, was one of my many great^11 grandmothers.

Joanna Southcott (1750 – 1814) was a religious prophetess, also from Devon, near Exeter, and still has followers today.

It's not impossible, of course, that two people with the same name living fairly close to one another should have no connection with one another, the similarity of name and place being just a coincidence. Nonetheless, it is suggestive.

I'm not particularly anxious to find that I'm related to a prophetess, but I haven't found a connection. Does anyone know of the origins of the prophetess?

[maddys52]

Joanna SOUTHCOTT was born in Gettisham and baptised at Ottery St Mary 6 June 1750. Her parents were William and Hannah.

A boigraphy published in 1814 says her father was "in the farming line".

Modified to add:
A possible marriage for her parents - William SOUTHCOTT married Hannah GODFREY 6 Feb 1739 at Ottery St Mary.

[maddys52]

The Dictionary of National Biography says William SOUTHCOTT died 12 Jan 1802.

In one of her writings Joanna says her great grandfather was William SOUTHCOTT who lived on his own estate in Hertfordshire, called Wotton. He had 4 children, son John inherited (her grandfather). Quite a complicated and detailed account of the family as told to Joanna by her parents - if it is true?
"The Second Book of Wonders, More Marvelous than the First"
Publication Date 1813

[athel_cb]

Thanks maddys52. Athel.