Lead, Jane Ward (1623–1704)

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Lead, Jane Ward (1623–1704)

British mystic. Name variations: Jane Ward Leade. Born Jane Ward, Mar 1623 (some sources cite 1624), in Norfolk, England; died Aug 19, 1704, in London; dau. of Schildknap Ward of Norfolk; m. William Lead or Leade, c. 1644 (died 1670).

After husband's death met Dr John Pordage, follower of Jakob Boehme; began to have visions and receive divine messages; with Dr. Francis Lee, established Philadelphian Society (1694); works, which are record of her visions and mystical teachings, include The Heavenly Cloud Now Breaking. The Lord Christ's Ascension-Ladder sent down (1681), The Revelation of Revelations (1683), The Laws of Paradise Given Forth by Wisdom to a Translated Spirit (1695), A Revelation of the Everlasting Gospel Message (1697) and The First Resurrection in Christ (1704).