From 'The Yorkshire Gazette', August 3rd, 1833.

THE FEMALE PROPHET

- We sometime ago noticed the ravings of a young woman, - who pretends, that she laid in a trance at the County Hospital (not at Easingwold, as it was previously stated) about two years ago, - during which time, sundry revelations were made to her; and it was announced, that she should certainly die on Thursday last. Hannah Beedham, who is either an insane enthusiast, or an artful imposter, - has employed, much of her time, lately, in preaching and praying, & has obtained a celebrity in this district, scarcely inferior to that of Joanna Southcote; and the fact that thousands believed in the rhapsodies she uttered, and placed implicit faith in all her predictions, - reflects no great credit upon the boasted intelligence of the age. Hannah has spent the last three months at the house of a Mr.Sturdy, of Kelfield, from whence she has made several preaching excursions; and where she was to have died. The young woman laid in bed the last 9 days, pretending illness; - and as the appointed day of her death (August 1st) drew nigh, the utmost interest and anxiety was evinced, respecting the result; many expecting her death, - others, calculating upon an expose. On Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Kelfield was thronged by the visitants to the suppsoed inspired woman. These persons came, not only from the immediate neighbourhood, but from Ferrybridge, Doncaster, Leeds, &c. They were allowed free access to the damsel, who prayed with them, - and exhortations and singing of hymns, took place on each freshaccesion of visitants. On Thursday, the number that resorted to Kelfield was very great, - probably not less than 1000 persons visiting the place. We are informed that many of the villages in the neighbourhood, where [sic] depopulated. An inquest was holding at Copmanthorpe, in the forenoon; and the wives of the jurors were most urgent for the conclusion of the business, that their husbands might get home to dinner, in order that they may set out for Kelfield - fearing, that "she would dee [sic] before they got there." A great number of persons went from York; and, as the evening approached, groups of persons collected in Pavement, and at Spurriergate corner, - who, after nine o'clock, evinced the utmost anxiety, to learn from any persons who were coming into York, whether the prophetess was departed, - "Is she dead?" - "Is she gone?" - were the inquiries with which the parties were assailed, to the astonishment of many, who could not tell what it all meant. - At Kelfield, - the house of Mr.Sturdy was filled; and a large crowd was collected in the street. - During the week, many persons had imagined that there was a great change in Hannah's appearance; and thought, that she could not live till [sic] nine o'clock on Thursday evening, - the time fixed for her departure. - But those who doubted the reality of her vision, could see nothing indicative of so speedy a dissolution, and were more anxious how she would extricate herself out of her dilemma, then about her death. The awful hour at length arrived, and Mr.Sturdy's family, with many other friends, were in close attendance, watching her departure, and contributing, as they supposed, their kind offices to smooth her passage to the grave, such as moistenign her lips with some liquid, as it customary when people are really dying. During this momentous crisis, all was extreme anxiety, and many reports were circulated. Some said: "She's not spoke since five o'clock;" others, "there's a great change;" others, "she can't live very long;" and others, "she's just a-going!" - At this time, several of her friends joined in prayer, and in singing funeral hymns; - but her "time was not come;" - she still remains an inhabitant of this lower world; and is more likely to live than many who went ten miles, and more, to see her die. About eleven o'clock, many took their departure. Those whose "faith was strong," remained longer; saying "they will give her till twelve o'clock." At length, however,they, too, departed for their homes, - leaving Miss Beedham to make what excuses she can for her conduct, - and being themselves, with their "prophetess", the objects of ridicule of those who always treated her pretensions as the ravings of insanity, or of imposture - Hannah Beedham was formerly a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Society; but at the last Quarterly Visitation, her ticket was withheld, - the society at large not approving of her conduct. She is, therefore, no longer a member.