Research topic: Fox sisters

Fox sisters family of American spiritualists including Margaret, 1836-93, Leah, 1814-90, and Catherine, 1841-92. In 1848, Margaret and Catherine claimed to hear mysterious rappings in their Arcadia, N.Y., home. Claiming the sounds to be communication from spirits, the sisters became the founders and most famous seers of 19th-cent, American spiritualism, which claimed about 1 million followers by 1855. They moved to Rochester, N.Y., and the rappings followed them. They organized "performances" in theaters to which they charged admission, attracting attention and skepticism. Since... Read more