Exerpted from page 301 of History of Chester County Pennsylvania by J. Smith Furthey and Gilbert Cope:

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 (Snyder vs. Stubblebine) regarding the validity of his will there is a mention of this sect. Its principles were essential those known as "free love" the leading ideas being that all connection 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 here was Theophilus R. Gates, then a resident of Philadlephia,* and the chief female votary one Hanna Williamson, a single woman.** It is unnecessary to add that this perculiar sect has now no existance here.

* In 1837 several numbers of a pamphlet entitled "Battle-Axes and Weapons of War," and devoted to the new faith, were printed, being edited by T.R. Gates, 290 North Third Street, Philadlephia.

** West Chester Local News, Febuary 12, 1874