Shadrack Ireland

Shadrack (sometimes spelled Shadrach) Ireland arrived in Harvard around 1753. Originally a pipe maker, Ireland soon declared himself as a prophet of a new sect “Perfectionism” and that he was, in fact, immortal. Ireland took his followers and created a small community in Harvard, all living in the “Square house”. In Ireland’s community, he declared that members should be celibate and would even separate already married members. Despite being already married with children and promoting celibacy to his followers, Ireland would go on to marry another woman, Abigail Lougee. Ireland’s sect drew scorn from the neighboring Shaker community, including Mother Ann Lee herself. Ireland’s immortality would be disproved in 1780 when Ireland failed to resurrect, despite the community waiting months after his death. The “Perfectionism” saga finally came to an end with Ireland being buried discreetly under a cornfield.

Source, Walett, Francis G. “Shadrack Ireland and The “Immortals” of Colonial New England.” In Publications of The Colonial Society of Massachusetts, Volume 59. Colonial Society of Massachusetts, 1982. https://www.colonialsociety.org/node/1257.