John Wroe's virgins.

 

I have walked through the Moravian Settlement in Droylsden many a time. The Moravians also had a community in Dukinfield.

Religious dissenters came to this area of East Manchester, because it was known for religious toleration. Another dissenting faction, were the Christian Israelites or 'Joanna's' who were led by Joanna Southcott, a prophetess from Devon and locally, by the charlatan, John Wroe, from Bradford, who travelled about on the back of a donkey. Wroe, a hunchback, is said to have circumcised himself in public and had retained a menagerie of young virgins. He publicly claimed that he was commanded by heaven to take seven young virgins to "comfort and cherish" him. He faced trials, beatings, and rejection in various towns due to a public backlash against his behaviour.

Wroe's leadership was marked by severe financial and sexual scandals. He died in Australia in 1863.