The Battle Axes

In Futhey and Cope's History of Chester County, a short article appears that attracted my attention the first time I saw it. It reads as follows:

"There existed in Chester County in 1840, and perhaps a few years earlier, a most strange sect, bearing the equally strange title of 'Battle Axes'. They had a number of followers in the northern part of the county in 1840, at which time they seem first to have attracted attention. In 1844, a number of them were arrested; some of whom were tried and convicted, the others being subsequently discharged. William Stubblebine seems to have died in this faith, and in the case of (Snyder vs. Stubblebine) regarding the validity of his will there is a mention of this sect. Its principles were essentially those known as 'free love', the leading ideas being that all connecton between husband and wife were severed, and to possess all things in common, in the fullest sense of the words. The leader of the society was Theophilus R. Gates, then a resident of Philadelphia, 1 and the chief female votary one Hannah Williamson, a single woman. 2 It is unnecessary to add that this peculiar sect has now no existence here." Gates, Theophilus Ransom (1787-1846). B. Hartland, Connecticut; early experienced strange, disturbing visions; in Philadelphia 1810-35; criticized existing religions; pub. the monthly Reformer; unhappy home life led him to adopt perfectionism*; influenced by J. H. Noyes*; launched 'Battle-Axe Experiment' 1837, advocating free love based on a 'principle of holiness' leading to union of 'soul mates'; his colony in 'Free Love Valley'; near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, disappeared after he left in reaction against excesses." 3

Apparently, the 'Free Love Valley' was situated in North Coventry township and was even labeled as such on some old Chester County maps. Photos.  Anne Broomall Wiegle, a local Chester County researcher, gave the following information about the sect in a message sent to the PACHESTE-L list on Rootsweb a number of years ago:

"About 1840-45 there was a strange religious sect called the Battle Axes of the Lord. The ladies of the sect would feel "called upon by the lord" to leave their husbands and move in with another man; whereupon the wife of that man would be called upon to move on. They also had a practice of skinny dipping in a local lake for some religious reason. The matter culminated when the Battle Axes were said to run naked up and down the aisle of Shenkel Church. About 1845 they were rounded up and jailed for various offenses such as indecent behaviour, and the cult died out. It is said that Temple Methodist Church, about a half mile away, was founded to bring some religion to that wild area. A local historian, W. Edmund Claussen, did some research on them. If you are interested, look for his books."

It appears that the sect attracted some of the local Pennsylvania Dutch to its beliefs as well. An interesting article about some rather curious local sects had the following to say:

"Most extraordinary of the nineteenth century enthusiasts were the followers of a New England prophet, Theophilus R. Gates. Preaching views on sex far from orthodox, Gates gained some adherents among the Dutch farmers in the country back of Pottstown. No wife, he declared, should lack a husband brisk in bed; no husband should lack an "attentive" wife. The emphasis was on sexual satisfaction rather than marriage, for if a woman came upon a man unhappily married it was her right to offer herself to him to console him. This was a religion suited to strongly sexed people with inhibited spouses. Tied in with this was "planned parenthood," no doubt a wise precaution in a religion in which sex relations were so free. In addition there was a measure of communism in that all worldly goods were to be shared. A colony called Free Love Valley, where both free love and nudism could be' practiced, was established not far from Pottstown. As soon as the local authorities discovered what was up, they arrested Gates and his followers, charging them with adultery. Apparently religious fanaticism could be carried too far, even in Pennsylvania." 4

1. In 1837 several numbers of a pamphlet entitled 'Battle-Axe and Weapns of War', and devoted to the new faith, were printed, being edited by T. R. Gates, 290 North Third Street, Philadelphia.

2. West Chester Local News, Feb 12, 1874