Step into the eerie world of Patience Worth, a literary mystery that continues to haunt the history of American literature and spiritualism alike. Garnering praises and accolades, this mysterious author was named one of the outstanding writers of 1918 by the esteemed Joint Committee of Literary Arts of New York. The New York Times even lauded her first book as “a feat of literary composition.” Her poetry earned a coveted spot alongside the literary greats of her time. What’s the catch? Patience Worth claimed to have been dead since 1694.
The origin of this ghostwriter’s tale is as fascinating as it is chilling. Enter Pearl Lenore Curran, a self-proclaimed undereducated and unimaginative housewife who dabbled in Ouija board sessions back in 1912. Initially skeptical, Pearl was coaxed into joining her friends in these supernatural endeavors. Little did she know, her life would take a spine-tingling turn on June 22nd, 1913. A mysterious spirit named “Pat-C” began to communicate, paving the way for Patience Worth to seize control of the board on July 8th, 1913.
What was the role of Spiritualism in the story of Patience Worth?
We can’t delve deeper into the story of Pearl Curran and Patience Worth without touching on Spiritualism. Spiritualism, with its ethereal allure and cultural significance, was deeply interwoven into the narrative of Patience Worth and Pearl Curran. The late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the United States and Britain, were marked by a surge in the popularity of Spiritualism. This movement was grounded in the belief that communication with the spirits of the deceased was not only possible but also regularly achievable, typically through mediums. Within this cultural tapestry, the enigmatic relationship between Pearl Curran and the spirit of Patience Worth emerged.
A significant facet of this tale is the medium of communication: the Ouija board. Gaining widespread attention during the Spiritualist era, the board was believed to facilitate dialogues with the spirit realm. For Pearl Curran, this board was the initial gateway to her alleged interactions with Patience Worth. Over time, however, she claimed that their connection grew so strong that the board became redundant, replaced by direct mental communication.
But the atmosphere of the era did more than just provide a context; it influenced societal reception. The prevailing zeitgeist, ripe with stories of seances and spectral visitations, meant that Pearl’s extraordinary claims were met with a mixture of awe, belief, and skepticism. To some, the idea of a St. Louis woman channeling a spirit from the 17th century wasn’t as far-fetched as it might appear outside the Spiritualist milieu.
An often overlooked aspect of Spiritualism is its inadvertent role in women’s empowerment. At a time when societal norms were decidedly restrictive, many women found a unique voice and platform as mediums. Pearl Curran’s transformation from an ordinary housewife to a noted figure in the literary realm, all through her association with Patience Worth, is a testament to this. The mediumship offered her not just personal empowerment, but also broader recognition.
However, like the broader Spiritualist movement, the claims of Pearl Curran weren’t without detractors. The story of Patience Worth elicited a range of reactions, from staunch belief in the spiritual origin of the communications to skeptical attributions to Pearl’s subconscious. These debates mirrored the larger conversations and controversies surrounding Spiritualism itself.
In conclusion, the era of Spiritualism provided both the stage and the spotlight for the unfolding drama of Patience Worth and Pearl Curran. Their story is a captivating chapter in a period marked by a blend of mysticism, hope, and the quest for understanding beyond the tangible.
BUT WHO WAS PEARL CURRAN BEFORE PATIENCE WORTH?
Before the perplexing figure of Patience Worth entered her life, Pearl Curran was essentially an unremarkable woman, living in a context far removed from the literary stardom she would later experience. Born Pearl Lenore Pollard in Mound City, Illinois, on February 15th, 1883, she was the daughter of a sawmill operator. The family moved frequently during her childhood due to her father’s work.
Pearl received a relatively modest education, attending public schools but not proceeding to higher education. She did, however, have some musical training, showing a propensity for singing. Pearl married John Howard Curran, a former clerk, in 1907, and the couple eventually settled in St. Louis, Missouri. By most accounts, she led the life of a typical early 20th-century housewife, occupied with domestic duties and largely constrained by the social norms of the time.
She was described as unassuming and claimed to be neither highly educated nor particularly imaginative. There’s little in her early life to suggest that she would go on to produce an array of literary works spanning poetry, prose, and plays, let alone captivate the nation as a figure of intrigue and debate.
Yet it’s precisely this ordinariness that adds another layer of mystique to the story of Pearl Curran and Patience Worth. Her life before her alleged interactions with the spirit world shows no indication of the literary talent or imaginative prowess that would characterize her later years. This has led many to question the origins of the works attributed to Patience Worth: Were they the product of an undisclosed talent lurking within Pearl all along, or was something more inexplicable at play?
In essence, the Pearl Curran before Patience Worth serves as a puzzling prelude to a life that would later defy easy explanation, a life that would blur the lines between the ordinary and the extraordinary, between this world and the one beyond.
WORDS OF PATIENCE WORTH
“Many moons ago, I lived. Again, I come. Patience Worth my name. Wait, I would speak with thee,”
She declared and thus began a literary career like no other. Filling in her backstory, Patience said she lived between 1649-1694, likely near Portesham in Dorsetshire, England. She painted a picture of her life, mentioning her parents, John and Anne, and revealing her end in an indigenous raid on Nantucket Island, where she was purportedly buried beneath a tree.
Partnering with Pearl, Patience produced an astonishing array of literary works. From 1913 to 1937, nearly four million words were recorded—spanning seven books, volumes of poetry, intriguing short stories, and riveting plays. Once a restless housewife, Pearl transformed into a national sensation, touring the country and leaving audiences—including scholars, politicians, and noted authors—completely baffled.
Patience claimed she had been searching for the perfect “crannie” (cranium) to achieve her literary aspirations. In a time when spiritualism empowered women’s voices against a backdrop of science-driven skepticism, Pearl and Patience became a groundbreaking pair.
Pearl experienced vivid visions of Patience, who she described as a 30-year-old woman with long, wavy red hair and captivating brown eyes. Eventually, the Ouija board was abandoned; a mere touch on her forehead was a signal that Patience had arrived.
THE CRITICS
The story of Pearl Curran and her literary alter-ego, Patience Worth, has long been the subject of fascination and debate, both within academic circles and among the general public. Critics and scholars of the early 20th century were divided in their opinions about Curran and the authenticity of her channeling experiences.
Some were highly skeptical of her claims, attributing the works to Curran’s own subconscious or even suggesting that it was an elaborate hoax. Skeptics pointed to inconsistencies in the archaic language used in Patience Worth’s writings, arguing that it didn’t accurately reflect the period from which she claimed to originate. Some even posited that Curran may have had a form of dissociative identity disorder or that she was intentionally crafting a clever persona for fame or financial gain.
On the other end of the spectrum, many were utterly captivated by Curran’s story and the works she produced as Patience Worth. The writings were often praised for their literary quality, earning accolades and positive reviews from notable organizations and publications. Some critics were so impressed that they were willing to entertain the idea that Curran was indeed channeling a spirit, given the depth, complexity, and sheer volume of the material she produced. This was particularly surprising given her own claims of being undereducated and unimaginative—claims that seemed at odds with the rich, complex narratives and poetry attributed to Patience Worth.
In spiritualist circles, Pearl Curran was often hailed as a genuine medium. Her story resonated with the spiritual and metaphysical ideas of the time, and many believed that she offered tangible proof of an afterlife and spirit communication.
Today, modern perspectives often view Pearl Curran as a mysterious figure whose life and works still pose more questions than answers. Whether one views her as a masterful storyteller, a psychological anomaly, or a genuine medium, her ability to captivate and perplex remains undiminished. The criticisms and praises levied at her during her lifetime add layers of complexity to an already compelling narrative, making the mystery of Pearl Curran and Patience Worth a story that continues to intrigue.
THE MORAL OF THE STORY
The story of Pearl Curran and Patience Worth offers a fascinating lens through which to explore a variety of complex themes that still resonate today. One of the most striking aspects of this tale is its focus on the dynamics of gender and social limitations. In an era when women’s voices were often stifled, the emergence of Patience Worth provided Pearl Curran with an unparalleled platform. For modern audiences, this serves as both a vivid historical snapshot and a poignant reminder that the fight for gender equality has deep roots and remains an ongoing struggle.
Additionally, the tale captivates those interested in the boundaries of human consciousness and the unknown. Whether you interpret the events as psychological anomalies or entertain the possibility of supernatural phenomena, the story challenges our understanding of what’s possible and what remains unexplained. It’s an enduring mystery that taps into our contemporary fascination with the arcane and the inexplicable.
The story of Pearl Curran and Patience Worth continues to draw interest because it exists at the intersection of history, gender studies, and the mysterious. It pushes us to think critically about societal norms and the limits of human experience, offering a compelling narrative that has not lost its power to provoke thought and inspire debate.
If you’d like to hear about the story’s implications on creativity and crafting personas, join me on Patreon for Beyond the Episode, a short addition to episodes where I share my thoughts on the episodes and how they are relevant to us all.
CONCLUSION
Pearl and Patience’s mysterious collaboration ended abruptly on November 25th, 1937, when Patience cryptically informed Pearl of her impending death. Despite appearing healthy, Pearl succumbed to pneumonia just nine days later at the age of 54. Adding another layer to the puzzle, Pearl published a story in the Saturday Evening Post, wherein a woman adopts an alter-ego to spice up her life. Could this be a subtle nod to the true nature of Patience Worth?
Was Patience Worth a figment of Pearl Curran’s imagination, or an alter-ego perhaps? Could it be a case of dissociative identity disorder or even a past-life connection? The enduring mystery of Patience Worth remains one of the most captivating tales in history. And the chilling thought persists—might Patience Worth still be out there searching for a new writer? If so, would you dare to be her next muse? I would.
Fabled is produced by me, Vanessa K. Eccles, with music by Kevin MacLeod. If you’d like to support the show, consider becoming a patron. The link is in the show notes.
Wishing you a wonderful first weekend of fall. Until next time, thank you for listening.
Promo: History Goes Bump
Additional Sources:
The Sorry Tale: A Story of the Time of Christ by Patience Worth (Pearl Curran)
Singer in the Shadows: The Strange Story of Patience Worth by Irving Litvag
Music:
- Music: Peace of Mind by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4199-peace-of-mind
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
- Music: Clean Soul by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/3514-clean-soul
Licensed under CC BY 4.0: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
- Ghostpocalypse – 6 Crossing the Threshold by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
