Ann Lee

Who was Ann Lee?

Mother Ann Lee was the leader of the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, or Shakers.

In 1774 she and a small group of her followers emigrated from England to New York. After several years, they gathered at Niskayuna, renting land from the Manor of Rensselaerswyck, Albany County, New York. They worshiped by ecstatic dancing or "shaking", which dubbed them as the Shaking Quakers, or Shakers. Ann Lee preached to the public and led the Shaker church at a time when few women did either.