Dr. Michelle Chresfield

And Getney, we know from these archival records, was prosecuted for kidnapping and only returned Peter to avoid indictment. And the records also allow us to understand that the young Peter was returned to his mother badly beaten and abused. And so it's definitely a story of celebration, but also there's hardship.

And Getney, we know from these archival records, was prosecuted for kidnapping and only returned Peter to avoid indictment. And the records also allow us to understand that the young Peter was returned to his mother badly beaten and abused. And so it's definitely a story of celebration, but also there's hardship.

But I'm really excited about what people might be able to glean now that we have these records.

But I'm really excited about what people might be able to glean now that we have these records.

Not that I know of. I'm not sure. But, you know, she's a multilingual woman. So who knows?

Not that I know of. I'm not sure. But, you know, she's a multilingual woman. So who knows?

Yes, that's absolutely right. So the La Tourette's are as religious as they are wealthy, we could say. And they're followers of a religion that would come to be known as perfectionism.

Yes, that's absolutely right. So the La Tourette's are as religious as they are wealthy, we could say. And they're followers of a religion that would come to be known as perfectionism.

That's why I never get anything done. And so perfectionism is closely tied to the Pentecostal tradition, which I think, Desiree, some of this is going to resonate with you. So it's about spreading the gospel, living plainly, speaking in tongues, singing hymns, seeking miracles, fasting. washing each other's feet.

That's why I never get anything done. And so perfectionism is closely tied to the Pentecostal tradition, which I think, Desiree, some of this is going to resonate with you. So it's about spreading the gospel, living plainly, speaking in tongues, singing hymns, seeking miracles, fasting. washing each other's feet.

And so the Lattarets began this holy club, which is essentially a church that they hold in their home. And they also minister in the community amongst some of the most downtrodden, prisoners, prostitutes. And Isabella begins to preach with this club as well. And she also works in the field. She begins to really craft her oratory style and

And so the Lattarets began this holy club, which is essentially a church that they hold in their home. And they also minister in the community amongst some of the most downtrodden, prisoners, prostitutes. And Isabella begins to preach with this club as well. And she also works in the field. She begins to really craft her oratory style and

her spiritual conviction at this moment in a really amazing way. She becomes a housekeeper for Elijah Pearson, who is a successful businessman who would become a leading religious reformer.

her spiritual conviction at this moment in a really amazing way. She becomes a housekeeper for Elijah Pearson, who is a successful businessman who would become a leading religious reformer.

And Pearson would claim to be a prophet, and he believed that he could cure illness and prevent death, so much so that when his wife Sarah died, likely the result of the extreme fasting that the community had been engaged in, he attempted to pray her back to life, right? So Isabella, yes, is enmeshed in a society of deep religious devotion.

And Pearson would claim to be a prophet, and he believed that he could cure illness and prevent death, so much so that when his wife Sarah died, likely the result of the extreme fasting that the community had been engaged in, he attempted to pray her back to life, right? So Isabella, yes, is enmeshed in a society of deep religious devotion.

Not at all. She is so convinced that she wept for joy and kissed his feet. Okay.

Not at all. She is so convinced that she wept for joy and kissed his feet. Okay.

Oh, man. It didn't hurt that he styles his hair and clothing to look like those chromatic images of Jesus that were circulating at the time. So he's very much trying to play the part.

Oh, man. It didn't hurt that he styles his hair and clothing to look like those chromatic images of Jesus that were circulating at the time. So he's very much trying to play the part.