George Lukins

George Lukins
Born1743/1744
NationalityEnglish
Known forDemonic possession and exorcism

George Lukins, also known as the Yatton daemoniac,[1][2][3] was a tailor infamous for his alleged demonic possession and the subsequent exorcism that occurred in 1788 when he was aged 44;[4] his case occasioned great controversy in England.[5][6][7][8]

  1. ^ Authentic anecdotes of George Lukins, the Yatton daemoniac. G. Routh. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  2. ^ An appeal to the public respecting G. Lukins, (called the Yatton Demoniac) containing an account of his affliction and deliverance, etc. Retrieved 31 December 2007.
  3. ^ Patients and Practitioners. Cambridge University Press. 13 February 2003. ISBN 9780521530613. Retrieved 31 December 2007. These two incidents in 1788 probably owed much to the interest aroused earlier in the year by the exorcism of George Lukins, 'the Yatton demoniac', by Joseph Easterbrook, the vicar of Temple, and six Methodist ministers.
  4. ^ Bulletin of the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, Volume 85, Issues 2–3. University of Manchester. 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2007. Under such considerations, then, the case of the Yatton demoniac may be seen in a new light. A tailor by occupation, George Lukins was a forty-four year ...
  5. ^ The Mirror of literature, amusement, and instruction, Volume 4. J. Limbird, 143, Strand. 1824. Retrieved 31 December 2007. His case occasioned great controversy in the western parts of England, and some accused him of imposture.
  6. ^ The Wonders of Nature and Providence, Displayed: Compiled from Authentic Sources, both Ancient and Modern, giving an Account of Various and Strange Phenomena existing in Nature of Travels, Adventures, Singular Providences, etc. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 1825. Retrieved 31 December 2007. And as the most horrible noises usually proceeded from him in his fits, it was suggested that the vestry-room of Temple church, which is bounded by the church-yard, was the most retired place that could be found in Temple parish; and for that reason that situation was preferred to any other, it became our design to conduct this business with as much secrecy as possible. But our design in this respect was rendered abortive ... This letter much attracted the notice of citizens; and it having by some means or other been made known, contrary to our desire, that a prayer meeting on Friday morning was held in the vestry room of Temple church, for the man who was the subject of that letter, a considerable number of the people planted themselves upon the walls of the vestry-room, and heard part of the prayers, the singing, the conversation, and the wonderful sounds which proceeded from Lukins, and carried some account of these circumstances to a printer, who instantly dispatched papers upon the subject, through the streets of Bristol, and its vicinage. Similar papers were shortly cried through the streets of Bath, London, and many other parts of the land. So that contrary to our design the affair was in this manner brought before the public.
  7. ^ Hannah More: the first Victorian. E. and H. Hosford, Printers. 2003. ISBN 9780199274888. Retrieved 31 December 2007. Mrs. Easterbrook was probably the recently widowed mother of the Revd Joseph Easterbrook, vicar of the Temple church in Bristol and one of the most prominent clergymen in the city. In June 1788 he had been controversially involved in an incident which a tailor named George Lukins, from the Mendip village of Yatton, had claimed to be possessed by demons. He and six 'Wesleyan' ministers performed an exorcism in front of a great crowd in the Temple church, after which Lukins was described as calm, happy, and thankful for his deliverance.
  8. ^ The psychological phenomena of Christianity. Charles Scribner's Sons. 1908. Retrieved 31 December 2007. The last case of demoniacal possession of note in England was that of George Lukins of Yattan.