William Davies

Background

Davies was born in Eglwysfach county of Denbigh, Wales to a Methodist family.

Career

After the 1862 Morrisite War, Davies moved with a number of Morrisites to Deer Lodge County, Montana. While in Montana, Davies had a series of revelations which instructed him to establish the "Kingdom of Heaven" near Walla Walla, Washington. Davies and forty of his followers moved there in 1866 and established a communal society on 80 acres.

Davies held legal title to all property of the Kingdom of Heaven.

He taught his followers that he was the archangel Michael, who had previously lived lives as the biblical Adam, Abraham, and David. After the announcement, the size of Davies"s followers doubled.

Most of the new converts came from San Francisco, California and Portland, Oregon. When Davies"s second son, David, was born in 1869, he was declared to be God the Father.

The Kingdom of Heaven began to collapse in 1880, when both Davies children died of diphtheria.

As a result, Davies was forced to sell the Kingdom"s property, which essentially brought the Kingdom to a close. Davies moved to Mill Creek, Washington and briefly attempted to revive his following, but eventually gave up and moved to San Francisco, California.

Achievements

• Some of Davies"s followers sued him and won a $3200 judgment against him.

Membership

At the time of its break-up, there were 43 members of the group.