Southcott

Southcott, JOANNA (1750-1814), prophetess, was born in Devonshire, and became a Methodist. She suffered from religious mania, and in her fervour declared she was the woman referred to in Revelation xii., and was to bring forth a new Saviour, the date of her delivery being fixed for October 19th, 1814. Great preparations were made for the event by her numerous followers, but all to no purpose. Her death in December, 1814, was due to dropsy. She was believed in, however, for years after her death by some of her sectaries. She wrote several lucubrations, and issued seals which were passports to heaven and indulged rather largely in prophecy.