James Whittaker (February 28, 1751 – July 20, 1787) was the second leader of the

Shakers The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, more commonly known as the Shakers, are a Millenarianism, millenarian Restorationism, restorationist Christianity, Christian sect founded in England and then organized in the Unit ...

. Whittaker was born in

Oldham, England Oldham is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amongst the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of Manchester. It is the administrative centre of the Metropolitan B ...

and became a weaver and a member of the artisan and merchant class. He came to colonial America with Mother

Ann Lee Ann Lee (29 February 1736 – 8 September 1784), commonly known as Mother Ann Lee, was the founding leader of the Shakers, later changed to United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing following her death. She was born during ...

,James Matthew Morris; Andrea L. Kross.
Historical Dictionary of Utopianism
'. Scarecrow Press; 1 January 2004. . p. 327. who was one of his relatives and raised him. Father James Whittaker, Father William Lee (Ann's brother), and Mother Ann Lee had lived in Manchester, England and were known as the First Parents of the Shaker sect. Whittaker was a powerful orator who drew many people to the Shaker sect.Stephen J. Paterwic.
Historical Dictionary of the Shakers
'. Scarecrow Press; 11 August 2008. . p. 244. He became leader following the death of Mother

in September 1784. Under Whittaker's lead, Shaker communities were formed in New England and the meetinghouse was built at

Mount Lebanon Mount Lebanon (, ; , ; ) is a mountain range in Lebanon. It is about long and averages above in elevation, with its peak at . The range provides a typical alpine climate year-round. Mount Lebanon is well-known for its snow-covered mountains, ...

in 1785. Mount Lebanon would go on to become the center for all other Shaker communities, from Maine to Kentucky.James Matthew Morris; Andrea L. Kross.
Historical Dictionary of Utopianism
'. Scarecrow Press; 1 January 2004. . p. 211. Whittaker had suffered from physical abuse and traveled a great deal for the sect. Having a premonition of his death, he chose to die at Enfield, Connecticut Shaker community. After James Whittaker's death in 1787, the American Joseph Meacham, with whom he had a power struggle, became the next leader of the Shakers.

References

1751 births 1787 deaths American Christian religious leaders English Shaker missionaries {{US-reli-bio-stub