Ep. 175: The Fox Sisters

In 1848 two young sisters, Maggie and Kate Fox, began talking to a mysterious presence that had been making rapping sounds in their Hydesville, NY home, much to their parents' and neighbors' amazement. They couldn't have known that they were setting into motion a religious and social movement that would span centuries, captivate millions, and give a voice to the voiceless. This week, Hannah tells Katy about the Fox Sisters and their "rapping" phenomenon that took upstate NY by storm in the mid 19th century. The girls discuss the ins and outs of Spiritualism vs. science, how the water table works, why being a medium was a great career choice for women, and so much more! 

Pour your wine and gather your friends for this spooky tale of science and spirits! 

For more information on David's search for a kidney, please see the following links:
Article written by Rebecca: https://byrslf.co/a-surprisingly-simple-way-to-save-a-life-78954e14aea4
Renewal: https://www.renewal.org/  Direct email (specific to David): R25663@renewal.org 718-431-9831, ext. 209
Questionnaire with Mt. Sinai: https://www.mountsinailivingdonation.org/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3390150567981252
Contact info for Rebecca and David: david.slakter@gmail.com rebecca.sealfon@gmail.com

Sources:
https://www.theparisreview.org/blog/2016/11/04/in-the-joints-of-their-toes/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-fox-sisters-and-the-rap-on-spiritualism-99663697/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Margaret-Fox-and-Catherine-Fox
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Mesmer
https://www.historynet.com/the-fox-sisters-spiritualisms-unlikely-founders/
https://www.history.com/news/ghost-hoax-spiritualism-fox-sisters
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emanuel_Swedenborg
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1848?amount=1
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elisha_Kent_Kane#Death_and_legacy
https://msmagazine.com/2019/10/29/waking-the-witch-the-feminist-history-of-spiritualism/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore%E2%80%93Washington_telegraph_line