USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Shirley > Shirley uplands and intervales; annals of a border town of Middlesex, with some genealogical sketches > Part 10
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In 1873, the members of the church had an expe- rience meeting at which there were three present who had been present at the dedication of the church in 1818. These three were Mr. Samuel Hazen, seventy-two, Mrs. Lucy Crossman, daughter of Captain William McIntosh, and Mrs. Sally T. Gardner, who as Sally Tarbell had sung in the choir on that occasion. They said that the church was built in 1815 and 1816, before the land was bought of James Parker for thirty dollars .* The timber was given by different members of the congregation,
*January 10, 1817. Middlesex Deeds, Vol. 504, p. 431.
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SHIRLEY
and the work was done on contract by David Kilburn of Lunenburg, and Emery Barnard of Holliston. The cost was met by the sale of pews and there was no debt. Mrs. Edward Staples gave a very beautiful damask curtain for the pulpit window, a cushion and tassel-trimming for the pulpit. On the day of dedica- tion Captain William McIntosh played the bass viol and led the choir.
The church doctrine appealed to many, and the feebleness of Mr. Whitney added to the strength of the new church, which quickly gathered a most prosperous congregation from Shirley and the nearby towns. The early list of members has never been printed:
Samuel Hazen
John Henry Silvanus Holden
John Edgarton
Israel Willard
Elnathan Polley
Theophilus Willard
Aaron Lyon
Elnathan Polley, Jr.
Luther Willard
Sherman Willard
David Parker
Clavin Floid
James Page Amasa Hartwell
Aaron Wheeler
Benjamin Hastings
Jeremiah Stuart
Jeremiah Richardson
John Kelsey, Jr.
Luther Holden
Edward Staples
Thomas Hazen
Jonathan Smith Wm McIntosh
Edmund Page
Silas Blood
Thomas Ritter
Daniel Willard
Eleazer Lain
William Willard
Gideon Ray
James Lawson . Peter Washburn
Joseph Edgarton
Stephen Hildreth John Davis
Leonard Edgarton Caleb Willard Luther Lyon
John Kelsey
Lemuel Willard
John Coolidge
Jonas Livermore Merick Rice
John Gibson
Aaron Gardner
Jonas Page
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THINGS RELIGIOUS
Ephraim Robbins Aaron Davis J. L. Whitney Caleb Stiles John Rea Sampson Gould Thomas Gould, Jr. Reuben Bathrick Wm Harris James Bennett
Art& Whitney John Phelps Levi Farnsworth
Thomas Orr
Abijah Leonard Levi Sherwin
John Phelps
Ashlan T. Bennett
Joel Travis
Ezra Cowdrey
Eben" Dinsmore
Dea. John Pierce
Eben' Dinsmore, Jr.
Capt. Peter H. Newhall
Elijah Dodge
Ira Holman
Abraham Pierce
Charles Gilchrist
Israel Longley
Jacob Sanderson
William Longley
Joseph Turner
Moses Collins
Samuel Messer
Phinehas Ames
Joel Emery
Daniel Kelsey
Abijah Lawrence
Daniel Newhall
Zach Whitney
Thomas Damon
Joseph Morse
Alvah Wetherbee, April 5, 1823
Rufus Houghton, Jr., April 8, 1823
Aaron Walker, April 3, 1824 George Whitcomb, April 3, 1824 Nath1 Farnsworth, April 3, 1824
The prosperous beginning was a prophecy of its suc- cess for many years. The society did not always have a settled minister. For some years the Rev. Russell Streeter lived in the brick house on Centre Road that John Egerton had built, and during his tenancy he min- istered to the church.
In 1845, while Mr. Streeter was in town, a Ladies' Aid Society was gathered, which has continued to the present time. The names of those who were the founders of the society in that year were:
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SHIRLEY
Mehitable Edgarton (wife of Major Joseph)
Mary Edgarton (daughter of Major Joseph)
Sarah C. Edgarton, secretary (daughter of Major Joseph, later Mrs. Mayo)
Lucy M. Crossman, director (Lucy McIntosh, wife of Wm Crossman)
Susan H. Edgarton
Abigail Hastings (dau. Benj.) m. Samuel Fuller.
Martha Hastings
Keziah J. Crossman (wife of Abishai)
Lucy Longley (daughter of Joseph and Mary, b. 1800)
Lydia Emery, director (wife of Darius, sister of Lucy Longley)
Sarah P. Longley (wife of Major Israel)
Lorena C. Davis (wife of George)
Rebecca Davis
Charlotte E. Sanderson (wife of George)
Sally Hazen (Sally Hartwell, wife of Thomas Hazen)
Abigail Travis (wife of Granville)
Cynthia A. Edgarton
M. E. Willard
Ann M. Hazen
Martha Hazen (wife of Thomas Clark)
Nancy Longley (daughter of Ivory)
Miranda Butler (sister of Albert)
Mrs. Celinda Holden (Mrs. Sylvanus Holden)
Caroline Bennett (Mrs. John Smith)
Malvina L. Longley (m. Albert Butler)
Jane A. Longley, treasurer (Mrs. C. A. Edgarton) Lucy Holden
N. D. Butler
Mary J. Butler
Elizabeth Sawtell (dau. David)
Ruth Whitney (Mrs. Wm)
Mrs. T. H. Parker (Nancy Crossman)
Mary H. Willard, vice president (Mrs. Sherman)
Almira Walker
Elizabeth Foster (wife of Captain Foster) Sophia Barrett
N. E. Sawtell (Mrs. William)
Sarah Alley, director (Mrs. Joel)
Mary Ann Parker (Mrs. Augustus G.)
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THINGS RELIGIOUS
L. E. Munson (Mrs. N. C.)
Pamelia Powers
Mercy Foster Rebecca Holden
Eliza Holden (daughter of Nathaniel, m. Jonas Holden) Anne Longley Hazen, president (Mrs. Joseph)
Lucy C. Longley, director (Mrs. James P.)
Elizabeth B. Edgarton (Mrs. William)
Julia F. Streeter (Mrs. Russell)
In later years the old church was either primitive or inadequate, and so in 1870, assisted again by Mr. Mun- son, a new church was built on the site of the old. The church was redecorated inside a few years ago, by the Edgartons who have been faithful adherents from the beginning.
In 1828 Jane Little gave an indenture to the Orthodox Society of land at the Centre with a church already built upon it. * The Orthodox Society was represented by Trustees Joseph Brown, Willard Porter, Imla Wright, Samuel S. Walker, Zenas Brown, Jacob Harrington, Jabez Harlow and Jonas Holden. This piece of land was described as lying on "the Great County Road from Groton to Worcester." The deed represents the schism in Shirley, between the Unitarian and the Ortho- dox wings of the church. The Unitarian branch stayed in the old edifice. The new group, under the leader- ship of Jane Little, the wealthiest woman at the Centre, was incorporated, and built the lovely arched brick church on Parker Road. The early members of the church were sixteen in number:
* 1828. Sept. 20. Raised the Brick meeting house.
Dec. 17. I at home Dedication of the Brick meeting house. Number people.
Dec. 21. Preaching at the new meeting .- James Parker's Diary.
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SHIRLEY
Joseph Brown, died July 15, 1843 Samuel S. Walker, dismissed April 12, 1834
Imla Wright, dismissed Feb. 3, 1833 Jacob Harrington, died March 2, 1863 Esther Brown, died Feb. 22, 183-(?) Rhoda Brown, dismissed to Townsend Harriet Walker, dismissed to Sarah B. Harrington, died May 18, 1869
Esther R. Gefts, excommunicated Sarah Meriam, dismissed to Leominster August 2, 184I Amelia Shepley, died at Fitchburg Jenny Little, died July 1, 1845 Nancy Holden, dismissed to Fitchburg
Lucy Porter, dismissed to Townsend May 25, 1839 Elizabeth Harlow, dismissed to Lunenburg
Abigail Livermore, dismissed to Lunenburg Feb., 1843
The Rev. Hope Brown came in 1830 to take charge of the little flock; he lived in the parsonage next the church, now owned by Mrs. Steele Mackaye. His ministration lasted for fourteen years, broken but once in its harmony and peace, and that by the scandal whose history is given elsewhere. Before Mr. Brown came the church lost one member, Esther Gefts. We of the present day are perhaps not quite so ready to sit in public judgment upon our fellows as our grandfathers were, but it may be that their way was kinder, in that they gave the condemned at least a chance to justify his conduct. Esther Gefts was brought to trial before the committee of the Orthodox Society, condemned and excommunicated on September 27, 1829. Her story is not unique, and her treatment followed the custom in vogue then and before that time.
Miss Esther Gefts,
Your conduct for some time past has occasioned grief to the Church of which you are a member; your neglect of public worship, misspending the Sabbath and falsehood.
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THINGS RELIGIOUS
Individuals have warned you of the reproach you would bring upon yourself and the cause of Christ, and inticated that you might reform and give Christian satisfaction. This you have neglected to do as yet, the cause is now before the church, they are in duty bound to notic it. You will doubt- less remember how we solemnly entered into covenant with God, before angels and men and promised to watch over each other in love. I now in behalf of the Church, notify and request you to meet with the Church at the meeting house on Thursday next at 3 o'clock P. M. and make your defence before the Church against the above mentioned charges.
Sept. 14th, 1829.
IMLA WRIGHT - Committee of the Orthodox Cong'l Church - Shirley.
SAMUEL S. WALKER, Scribe
After Mr. Brown left, the church had many ministers and was moved to the Village. There it has done splendid work all through its long life, existing in great harmony with its Universalist and Baptist brethren.
I insert here, because I think it has not been printed before, a list of its early members. It has been most painstakingly kept up, and should aid some searchers after information about their ancestors.
MEMBERS ADDED TO ORTHODOX CHURCH
1830 April 25. Mrs. Lucy Porter, died 20th March, 1847, at Clintonville
Mrs. Abigail Hartwill, died October, 1869 Mrs. Hepsibeth Davis Miss Sophronia Davis
Miss Mary Fletcher
dismissed to Lowell, Novem- ber 4, 183 -? died June II, 1839, aged 28 letter returned not having been presented
13
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SHIRLEY
1831
Aug. 15. Mrs. Sylvia Cook, dismissed to Lunenburg March 31, 1850
Mr. Henry Lane
Jan. 2. Miss Hannah Pierce, dead
Miss Nancy Damon, died 19 September, 1847
July
3. Mrs. Sybil Hartshorn, died January 29, 1844
Mrs. Patty Adams, dismissed to Lunenburg March 31,1850
Mr. I. H. Spaulding, dismissed to Townsend May 26, 1839
Mr. S. J. Cook, dismissed to Lunenburg March 31, 1850 Mr. Asaph Goodridge, died February, 1843
Sept.
4. Mr. Jonas Holden, dismissed to Fitchburg
Nov.
6. Mr. Willard Porter, dismissed to Lunenburg Feb- ruary 28, 1850
Mr. Alvin Holden, baptized, dismissed 5th March, 1818, to Cambridge Port
1832
Jan. I. Mrs. Eliza Boynton Miss Elizabeth French, baptized, died July, 1841
May 6. Mrs. Sarah Page, died February, 1862 Miss Lydia Nutting (Olivers), died 1849, Fitch- burg
1833
Jan. 6. Mrs. Sarah Cook, died June 24, 1834 Miss Mary L. Andrews, dismissed to Lunenburg, baptized Miss Sarah Trumbull, dismissed to Leominster
Mar.
IO. Mr. Joel Eaton, died March 29, 1843 Mr. Willard Worcester, baptized, died September 9, 1860
Mrs. Mary (Eaton) or Hutchinson, letter to Fitch- burg August 10, 1854 (?)
Mrs. Elvira Worcester
Mrs. Mary P. F. Brown, dismissed
Miss Lydia S. Eaton, diss to Mason
Miss Mary W. Eaton, dismissed to New Ipswich
5. Mr. Daniel G. Waters, baptized, excom.
May July
7. Mrs. Martha Phelps
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THINGS RELIGIOUS
1834 Jan. 5. Lydia Augusta Davis (Batson), baptized, dis- missed to Lunenburg, September 4, 1864
1835
Jan. 4. Sampson Worcester, dismissed to Lancaster Octo- ber, 1844
Isaac Harrington, dismissed
Relief Harrington, dismissed
Frances Gibson, dismissed November, 1837, to chh in Cambridgeport
Nancy Boynton Ashby, dead
Maria Jennerson, Lunenburg
May
3.
Jonas Meriam, dismissed to Leominster August 22, 1841
1836
Jan. 17. William Eaton, dismissed to Lancaster David Porter
Martha D. Andrews, Alias Waters, diss to Town- send
Lucy Ann Hartwell, diss to Townsend
Hannah Page, diss to Lancaster November 1844 Ivis B. L. Eaton, diss, baptized
Susan Eaton [ dismissed to the church in
Louisa E. Eaton Lancaster
Nancy E. Holden dismissed to the church Harriet K. Holden in Fitchburg under the
Mary F. Holden care of Rev. E. Bullard Sarah Ann Porter (Hyatt), dismissed October, 1852, lives in Lunenburg
Sarah W. Harrington, baptized, excommunicated 28th February, 1850
Harriet Bennet, dismissed to Leominster August 22, 1841
July Sept.
3. Clarissa Longley, died 1849
4. Ivis Bartlett Minnie Flagg dismissed to
Nancy Flagg Lunenburg 1840
1837 Jan. I. Nathaniel Boynton, Jr., baptized William C. Wallis, died May 8, 1842, at Berlin
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SHIRLEY
1838 Sept.
2. George Hildreth dismissed to chh in Lunenburg Lucy W. Hildreth 5th January, 1849 Henry W. Spaulding § dismissed to Lunenburg Mrs. Spaulding 1 3th June, 1848
Nov. 4. Harriet E. Porter, dismissed to Harvard 9th April, 1848
Julia Ann Worcester (or Park) Eunice Davis, 1840, baptized Sylvia Adams (Mrs. David Porter), Do Eliza Ann Bathrick (Farrar), Do
1839 July
4. Avery Reed Charlotte Reed - August 22, 184I
dismissed to Leominster
1840 Nov. I. Lucretia Going (Philadelphia)
1841
Jan. 3. Rebecca S. Longley (Burrell)
1842
Nov. 6. Abigail Aadams, baptized, dismissed to Mason, N. H., 5 December, 1847
Elizabeth Balcom, died January 5, 1864 Jackson Cook, dis to Lunenburg March 31, 1850, died 1862
James M. Wright, baptized
Lydia Adams, dis to Lunenburg March 31, 1850 Jane Augusta Porter, died August 16, 1843
1843 May 6. John Park Henrietta Park
Mary B. Worcester, dismissed to Lancaster Octo- ber, 1844 Robert Thompson, baptized, dismissed to Albert Barnes Church (Ist Pres) in Philadelphia 11th June, 1848 Abram Wallis Wright, Boylston
Almira Frances Worcester, dismissed to Lancaster October, 1844
July 2. Imla Wright, dismissed to Antrim, N. H., 9th April, 1848 Samuel B. Clark
18I
THINGS RELIGIOUS
Nov. 5. Mary Longley (Mrs. Hughes) Elisha Boynton, baptized Pamelia D. Longley, died 1868 Betsey Kelsey, diss to Townsend Elvira L. Park, letter to Philadelphia Mary A. Boynton, baptized Eliza A. Boynton, letter to Honolulu April, 1855 James Cook, dis to Lunenburg March 31, 1850
XII THE "SHAKING QUAKERS"
ON APRIL 28, 1779, "the church was desired to stop after the Lecture being notified the Sabbath before that there were matters of importance to lay before them. It was motioned that a Committee should be chosen to converse with several Delinquent members of ye Chh accordingly Cap" Sam11 Walker, Mr. John Heald & Cap" Harris were chosen as a Committee to joy" with the Pastor to converse with Elijah Wildes Jur & Eunice his wife and Anna Wheelock members of this Chh & to Enquire of them the Reasons of their-absenting them- selves from the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, for some time past-also to converse with Stephen Holden upon the same subject-The Pastor accordingly with part of the committee took the first opportunity & conversed with each of ye aforesª delinquent members But could obtain no satisfaction."
The first three of these delinquent members never again returned to the church, but persisted in their re- volt for two years, until, in 1781, Mother Ann Lee came to Harvard. Up to the time of her coming it seems to have been merely a revolt, but upon her arrival it crystalized into definite form. Mother Ann Lee at Harvard took over the followers of Shadrach Ireland, who had died, leaving his sect without a head, and in Shirley she made the three delinquents her nucleus. Almost immediately it seems the sect leaped into noto-
ELIJAH WILDES, JR.'S HOUSE
185
THE "SHAKING QUAKERS"
riety, and Parker rode over to Harvard in company with Pratt, Egerton, Winslow Parker & John Ivory. He calls them the "Shakeing Quakers." This was in October, 1781, just a little while before he heard of Cornwallis's surrender. On November 9, "Lemuel Pat- terson had my horse to go to see the Shakeing Quakers." The novelty was great, and again Parker went to see them, this time at "Wildses." Mother Ann Lee had many picturesque adventures both in Harvard and Shirley while founding her sect of the United Believers, always known to the world as the "Shakers," since they "shook before the Lord" in their services.
Just how the Wildeses met her we cannot tell, but her religious light appealed to them, and they welcomed her with open arms and hearts. It was a singularly well adapted spot for her particular tenets, for beside celibacy, which was the foundation stone, she taught community of goods. The Wildes farms, which were some two hundred and fifty acres of woods and fine flat intervale, were an ideal place in which to start community life. The two settlers, Ephraim and Elijah * Wildes, were brothers, and their farms extended northward from the Lancaster line. Later Elijah's two sons, Elijah, Jr., and Ivory, inherited the two farms, Elijah's being nearer Lancaster. Ivory's house, which had previously been his father Elijah's, was on the west side of the road where the North Family buildings are now. It was moved, early in the society's development, across the road, where a great lilac bush now stands to mark its later site. It was a small, one-story house, like many others
*1791, April 6, "Old Elijah Wildes cut his throat; I went to see him at evening." James Parker's Diary.
I86
SHIRLEY
in the town. Elijah Wildes, Jr., built himself a more pretentious house in 1771. It was a two-story frame building of the type that was so common in those days, with the chimney at the right end and the door in front at the left. It was really half a house, built with the hope that later the second half, to the left of the front door, might be added when the family prospered, but only the rear end of the second half was ever added. The house had the long lean-to roof in the rear. In front of this old house stood two enormous elms, in one of which was an iron ring. The dear old Shaker ladies always showed this ring with pride, as that to which Mother Ann always tied her horse when she came from Harvard to visit them. The house stood until 1901, when it was torn down because it was "not worth patching any more," and, as the society was much reduced, had no usefulness. In the house was a low door in the southeast chamber, and behind was a half closet, in which they once hid their beloved prophetess from the seething mob outside. The door they covered with a bureau, and she was very effectually hidden. The people of Shirley and Harvard looked upon Mother Ann as a disciple of the evil one and tried to stone her to death. She escaped, but two of her elders were abominable treated. All this they en- dured, in humbleness of spirit as martyrs have endured for their belief, since the beginning of religion itself.
Elijah and Eunice, and Anna Wheelock, became her devoted disciples, soon followed by Ivory Wildes and his family, Oliver Burt and his family. The census for 1790 discloses the fact that the society during its first nine years grew with great rapidity, considering the small community from which it could hope to draw.
187
THE "SHAKING QUAKERS"
In 1790 there were sixteen men, nine boys under sixteen years, and thirty-eight women and girls. Elijah's house became the nucleus of the "Church Family," and Ivory's of the "North Family"; the "South Family" was on land of the Willards, and was over the line in Lancaster. The persecuted and downtrodden have always many followers and so the congregation of the Shakers grew.
After Mother Ann's death in 1784, the various con- gregations organized and a covenant was duly signed. As this covenant is interesting and has, I think, never been printed, it is inserted here .* Verbose as it is it shows an earnestness of purpose, which was amply ful- filled by the later history of the settlement.
The following is the Covenant of the Church of the Reli- gious Society of Christians, commonly called and known in the World by the Name of Shakers, in the Town of Shirley, in Relation to the possession and Improvement of a Joint Interest, In the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hun- dred and ninety-three, the year in which most of the Members were gathered, the following Order and Covenant was then, and from time to time afterwards, made known and under- stood, Received and Entered into by us, as members of the Church, According to our Understanding in Gospel order, this being our Faith, and Confirmed by Experience, that there could be no Church in Compleat order according to the Law of Christ, without being gathered into one Joint Union and Inter- est, wherein all the members Might have an Equal Right and privilege, according to their Calling, Both in things Spirit- ual and temporal; wherein we might have A Greater privilege of doing good to Each other, and the Rest of Mankind, and Receiving according to our need, Jointly and Equally one with another agreeable to the following articles of Covenant:
Ily. the Conditions on which we were Received were as Follows: all of us, that were of age, offered ourselves to do it freely and Voluntarily believing it to be our Duty and Privi- lege.
* I am indebted to D. Chester Parsons, Esq., for this text.
188
SHIRLEY
2ly. All that are Received as members, being of age, that have any Substance or property of their own, being free from any Just or Lawful Claim or Demand in their knowledge, may, and have a Right, to bring it in, and Consecrate it as part of the Joint Interest of the Church, agreeable to their own Faith and Desire, to be Improved for the Use and Support of the Church, and any Other Use that the Gospel Requires, according to the Understanding, Discretion, and Direction of Nathan Willard and Oliver Burt, who are appointed as Dea- cons, and to Such Others as may be appointed to that office, as their Successors in Said Church.
3ly. All the members that are, or Shall be Received into the Church, Shall possess one Joint Interest as a Religious Right, i. e. all Shall have Just and Equal Right and privilege according to their Needs, in Sickness and in Health, in the Use of all things in the Church, without any Difference being made on account of what any one Brought in, Whether more or Less, So Long as they Remain in obedience to the order and Government of the Church, and are holden in Re- lation.
4ly. Each individual Shall Consider Them Selves under obligation, according to their Strength and Ability, to improve their time and Talents for the prosperity and welfare of the whole; and the whole Shall Consider Themselves under Equal obligation in Relation to the Welfare of Each Individual, in Conformity to the order and Government of the Church.
5ly. as it is not our Purpose in Uniting into Church order to gain an Earthly Treasure, But what we obtain by Honest Industry, More than for our own Support, Should be bestowed for the Relief of the poor, the Widows, and Fatherless, and other Charitable Uses according to the Requirement of the Gospel; therefore we Each of us Individually, for ourselves, Do Solemnly Covenant to gether that we will not bring the Church, as a Body, nor Each other, as Individuals, into Debt nor Blame on account of any Interest or Labour we have or Shall bestow to the Joint Interest of the Church. But Sol- emnly Engage freely to Give and consecrate our time and Talents as Brethren and Sisters, for the Mutual good and welfare of Each other, and for other Charitable Uses, accord- ing to the order and Government of the Church.
The foregoing is the true Sense of the Covenant of the Church of Christ, according to our Understanding in Relation
189
THE "SHAKING QUAKERS"
to the order and Manner of the Possession, Use and Improve- ment of a Joint Interest: Which we feel Determined to Sup- port in a Solemn manner, and, as we have Received the Grace of God in Christ by the Gospel, and are Called to follow him in the Regeneration, We believe Ourselves Debtors to God, not only in Relation to Each other, but also in Relation to all men, to Improve our time and talents in this Life in that man- ner in which we might be most Useful as being what God doth Require & accept. Youth and Children under age are not to be Received under the immediate Care and Government of the Church, but by the Request or free Consent of both their Parents if Living, Except they were left by one of their parents to the Care of the other; then by the Request or free Consent of that parent; and If the Child have no parents, then by Request or free Consent of Such person or persons as may have Just and Lawful Right in Care of the Child, to- gether with the Child's own Desire.
In testimony whereof we have with both Brethren and Sis- ters hereunto subscribed our Names in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety seven.
Sarah Safford
Sarah Blood
Sarah Longley
Olive Wheelock
Eunice Wildes
Betty Reed
Abigail Longley
Sarah Burt
Susanna Kinney
Marey Buttrick
Ruth Whittemore
Susanna Wildes
Ruth Robbins
Susanna Warner
Susannah Whittemore
Rebeckah Whittemore
Abigail Wildes
Susanna Edson
Susanna Holt Abigail Warner
Oliver Burt
Lucy Warner
Elijah Wildes
Mary Lyon
Peter Perham
Relief Coollidge
Jonathan Kinney
Anna Wildes
Ruth Robbins
John Temple David Melven
Hannah Knight
John Coollidge
Marther Draper
Amos Buttrick
Elizabeth Warner
Asa Brocklebank
Dorithy Mirrill
Daniel Clarke
Prudence Warner Sarah Burt
Flavil Coollidge
Abil Beekwith
Nathan Willard
190
SHIRLEY
At first the settlement of Shakers consisted of the three Wildes houses, and perhaps the Willard house in Lancaster, but as they grew their number forced them to build others. The church was built about 1798, and the shingles on it lasted nearly a hundred years, as the Shakers told us with pride. Also the inner woodwork had been painted but once in all its long history. What the original color had been I could never de- termine, but when I saw it at the end of the last century it was an iridescent peacock green. You had the feeling that once it had been neither blue nor green, but that some alchemy had given it this strange tint. The queer straight benches of wood which lined the walls under the windows were all of this color, as were also the great timbers overhead, with their plain three- cornered brackets at the end. The walls and ceiling were white. Over this were two stories of bedrooms where the elders and ministers slept. The stairway could be shut to the outside world by a trapdoor, thus ensuring rest and quiet for meditation and study. In later years they built, just south, a brick building which was called the "Ministers shop," and there the leaders performed manual labor.
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