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سداد رسوم
Gc 977.1 M22s 1359790
M. L.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02405 4790
SHAKERS OF OHIO
Fugitive Papers Concerning the Shakers of Ohio, With Unpublished Manuscripts
BY
J. P. MacLean, Ph. D.
Life Member Gaelic Society of Glasgow, and Clan Maclean Association of Glasgow; Corresponding Member Davenport Academy of Sciences, and Western Reserve Historical Society; Author of History of Clan MacLean, Scotch Highlanders in America, Antiquity of Man, The Mound Builders, Mastodon, Mammoth and Man, Norse Discovery of America, Fingal's Cave, Introduction Study St. John's Gospel, Jewish Nature Worship, Life of Richard McNemar, Bibliography of Shaker Literature, Etc.
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ILLUSTRATED
COLUMBUS, O. The F. J. Heer Printing Co. 1907
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COPYRIGHT 1907 BY F. J. HEER.
1359790
THE SHAKERS.
BY RICHARD MCNEMAR.
Go search the whole creation, and trace the world around, See if in any nation, a people can be found, Whose doctrine and behavior is honest, just and true, Who live like Christ the Savior; who are the faithful few.
To draw the perfect likeness of God's beloved few, With justice and exactness, is more than I can do: But give me leave to mention those virtues which excel, Which grace the new creation, where God delights to dwell.
Upright in all their dealing, and just in ev'ry case - A friendly, tender feeling for all the human race : They follow Christ's example with all their heart and mind, Like children mild and simple, long suff'ring, meek and kind.
In love they are united - They serve the Lord with zeal ; While others are invited to share the bliss they feel : Their love cannot be mixed with that which leads to sin, Nor is it solely fixed on self's beloved kin.
An int'rest they inherit, that strangers do not find. A watchful pray'rful spirit, a peaceful humble mind ; A thankful heart possessing, to crosses reconcil'd, And this ensures a blessing to ev'ry gospel child.
These are the heirs of heaven, and thither they are bound : The likeness here is given, the people can be found ; With Christ they are partakers, tho' form'd of flesh and blood, And you may call them Shakers, these people are of God.
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230 12.50 5-3 66 II. m-1221 - PO. 2206
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PREFACE.
The publication of the collected papers on Shakerism in Ohio, contained in this volume, is due partly to the assistance of The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, in the volumes of which some of the papers previously appeared. The Society not only willingly consented to the reprinting of these papers but also contributed to the expense of the same in recognition of the past services of the author to the Society. The author is also indebted in large measure to the enterprise of Mr. Fred J. Heer, one of the leading publishers in Ohio. The sug- gestion of this publication came from him. The author has no financial or other interest in the issuing of this volume, save only for the success of this undertaking and the hope that the in- formation herein contained may add to the preservation of Ohio history and the correct understanding of the sect thus described.
The articles were written, the one independent of the other, just as the matter fell into the author's hands or the subject favor- ably impressed him. In all things he has tried to be just, and in no sense wrote with the idea of trying to please. It is a matter of pride, here to record, that his efforts for the most part, have met with the approval of the Shakers. Elder Daniel Offord, of the North Family, Mt. Lebanon, New York, stated, that of all who had written about the Shakers, the author had been the fairest, and the only one who had a thorough knowledge of the subject. Coming from such a source, it can but make these pages of value. To this might be added the fact that the writer has- been made a member of four different communities.
This is not a history of Shakerism, for the purpose has been to confine the attention to Ohio, though necessarily touching on other communities outside this commonwealth. The Shakers, during their history, have changed very much, adapting them- selves to conditions. In all probability this effort will be the last I shall put forth on the subject.
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CONTENTS.
PAGE
Introduction
9
. The Kentucky Revival and its Influence on the Miami Valley
. 19
The Shaker Community of Warren County
59
Rise, Progress and Extinction of the Society at Cleveland, Ohio.
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112
Watervleit, Ohio, Shaker Community
190
Origin, Rise, Progress and Decline of the Whitewater Community of Shakers Located in Hamilton County, Ohio. 227
Shakers of Eagle and Straight Creeks
270
Shaker Mission to the Shawnee Indians
347
Mobbing the Shakers of Union Village.
362
Spiritualism Among the Shakers of Union Village, Ohio
388
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Center Family Residence · PAGE. .
203
North Family Residence 210
Group of North Union Shakers, Removed to Watervleit. 221
Eldress Clymena Miner
222
Moore S. Mason. 224
Eldress Naomi Legier 277
Susannah Cole Liddell 397
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INTRODUCTION.
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The first paper I prepared on Shakerism related to the ex- tinct community once located near Cleveland, Ohio. I had no thought of pursuing my investigations any farther, until after I had accidentally come across a small pamphlet relating to the mob, which in 1810, assembled at Union Village, Ohio. Having written the accounts concerning Union village, the Mob of 1810, the Mission to the Shawnee Indians, and Spiritualism at Union Village. I abandoned all idea of writing anything further con- cerning the subject. Even after the MS. journals of Issachar Bates. and Samuel P. McClelland were placed in my hands, I had no intention of pursuing the subject. An examination of the two last named MSS. aroused me to the fact that if anything was done pertaining to the history of Shakerism in Ohio, now was the time. The Shakers were few in number; many of their MSS. had been lost or destroyed; I had gained the confidence of those in authority, and what was to be done should no longer be delayed. As soon as possible I wrote a sketch of the life of Issachar Bates, an account of the extinct Society at West Union, Indiana, and the history of the Whitewater communiy, near Harrison, Ohio. The Church Record of the Watervleit Society had been mislaid; and was not recovered until March, 1905. though in the meantime, I wrote out a sketch of the society from such material as . I could command. On the recovery of said record I proceeded to rewrite the account.
The "Life of Richard McNemar" and the "Bibliography of Shaker Literature," though intimately connected with Shakerism in Ohio, were published in separate form. To have included the same in this volume would have made the book too bulky.
In the composition of the various papers I have written, I have studiously avoided the discussion of doctrinal theories, be- cause it would have been superfluous and no tangible results would have been derived therefrom. However, I take this
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
occasion to correct a prevalent error. The Shakers do not and never did worship Ann Lee. They call her "Mother Ann" purely as a matter of veneration and respect for her memory. The same title was bestowed on Lucy Wright, Ruth Farrington and others. At the present time the belief is that Ann Lee was a highly gifted, spiritually minded woman, and by revelation the second appearing of Christ was manifested through her; but she was not so exalted in the spiritual realm as to be beyond the at- tainment of others.
Those desiring to enter into the dogmas of Shakerism will best promote their intentions by communicating directly with Believers, or else consulting their standard publications.
RISE OF SHAKERISM.
There were three religious upheavals that assisted in the promotion of the growth of Shakerism. The first of these was in 1779, or five years after the arrival of Ann Lee in America, which broke out at New Lebanon, Columbia County. New York. Of the origin and nature of this occurrence I am so little in- formed as not to pretend to give an intelligent answer. I do know, however, basing my judgment on Shaker documents, that out of it came a host of converts to Ann Lee.
The second upheaval was the Kentucky Revival of 1799- 1805, of which I have treated at some length.
The last commotion was the Miller excitement of 1846, which rapidly increased the number of Shakers. All these up- heavals had much of the millennium,* or second appearing of
* The doctrine of the Millenium, or visible reign of the Messiah, originated in the Messianic expectation of the Jews, and - even more remotely in the Zoroastrian doctrine of the final triumph of Ormuzd over Ahriman, and by the Christians connected with Christ's second coming. This reign was to be preceded by great calamities. It was a wide spread belief during the first century; the fourth century saw the same doctrine, and in the fifth there were certain fanatics that in- dulged in the hope; but every now and then the doctrine made its ap- pearance in the most sudden and obstinate manner; and by many the year 1000 A. D. was thought to be the Last Day. The Reformation gave a partial revival, and the pope became Anti-christ. - a belief still ad- hered to by many. The "Fifth Monarchy Men," of Cromwell's time were
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INTRODUCTION.
Christ. As the millennium did not follow in the wake of the revival, the converts saw they had been duped. The Shakers appeared on the scene, and pointed out that the desired event had already appeared. It came as a healing balm to many a wound.
So long as the world looks forward to a millennial reign, so long will there be prophecies of its consummation being near at hand. Before speculating on the subject it would be well to listen to what Jesus himself declared on the subject : "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom," Matt. xvi, 28. There is a class, who, seeing the force of this and other passages of Scrip- ture, maintain a third appearing.
IMPEDIMENTS TO SHAKERISM.
The Shakers admit that during the past fifty years their Communities have been on the decline. In September, 1805, there were 126 Believers in Ohio. On April 30, 1811, at Union Vil- lage there were 300 members. At the present writing (1903), there are in Ohio, all told, 90, in the two existing communities. Some of the reasons for this decline may here be pointed out : The existence of all communistic societies depends on leadership. This leadership requires a peculiar combination of faculties. Of all those placed in the lead, at Union Village, David Darrow alone possessed the requisite. qualifications. The supreme pontiff of Shakerism is an autocrat. To choose proper persons for lead is a rare gift, and the pontiff himself has not always been wise- in making his selections. Nor is this all, nor the worst part, for the selection of a supreme pontiff has not always been a wise choice. The placing of the wrong man at the head of affairs, in the very nature of things, had a tendency to drive out strong men, and to keep strong men out. The early Shakers frowned upon a broad education, although there were some learned men
millenarians of an exaggerated type. The Thirty Years' War caused the doctrine to flourish. There have been many attempts to fix the date of the beginning of the millenium. Bengel fixed it at 1836, which be- came popular, especially in Germany. Swedenborg held that the judg- ment took place in 1757. Cumming fixed the time at 1866 or 1867.
3 1833 02405 4790
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
in the ranks. Newspapers were not allowed to be generally circu- lated, and, for the most part, only Shaker books were read. This did cause trouble at Union Village, as the records amply testify. The younger Shakers saw the neighboring youth reap- ing advantages to which they were denied, which caused them to become unsettled and discontented. Social intercourse with those of other sects was not permitted, which could only breed irritations. The rules or government were unnecessarily severe, in so much so that only certain temperaments could submit to them.
In the closing chapter of "Shakerism: Its Meaning and Message," Eldress Anna White gives a masterly presentation of some of the 'difficulties with which the sect has been beset. She also sets forth the progressive nature of the aims or designs.
There has, however, been a marked reformation in the order, and many a fiction has been laid aside, so that, at the present time, there is no more discipline exerted than is found to be absolutely necessary. Still, existence, to a greater or less extent, depends upon the leader. When that leader is gifted, the spirit of liberty abounds, and an uplifting influence reigns.
TIIE SHAKERS AS A PEOPLE.
If the Shakers are not a happy people, it certainly is their own fault; for they are surrounded by all the comforts of life, and no restraint is placed on their opinions. They have no creed and the widest latitude is given for religious belief. Mr. Moore S. Mason, a Believer, volunteered to conduct me through all the buildings at Union Village. From garret to cellar, I was all through the dwellings. Everywhere there was cleanliness and order. The cellar was filled with useful stores. The gardens surpassed all those I had ever entered before. So far as I could ·see the members were happy and contented. By invitation of Eldress Clymena Miner I sat down with the family to a bounti- ful repast. No conversation, save that which was necessary, was indulged in. Each retired quietly when sufficed, without any ceremony. On retiring I asked my guide: "Do you live that well all the time?" He replied, "That is a sample of our usual meals." When I see the distress and hardship endured by so
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INTRODUCTION.
many deserving people who are and have been unfortunate, I can but wonder why they do not seek a retreat that presents so many advantages as afforded by the Shakers. Do not think the Shak- ers always wear somber faces. I have heard them roar with laughter, and I have engaged in the most lively conversation with them. They are of the same flesh and blood as other people, - only their discipline is of a different stamp. Nor must it be surmised that communism keeps down all ambition, or dwarfs the intellect. The Shakers have published quite a list of inventions. made by their membership. Among these Elder John Martin, of Union Village, in 1847, invented a machine to knead dough. Of the invention of Daniel Baird I have mentioned in the article on North Union. The journal, under various names, published from 1871 to 1899, shows the Shakers of Ohio to have been pos- sessed of literary taste and a poetic genius of no mean ability.
SHAKER HOMES.
Of the homes of the Shakers much has been written. Their buildings are large and strong, - constructed with a view to permanency. All resident houses in Ohio and Kentucky are built solid, and mostly of brick, and in the form of the letter T. Such houses in the Eastern States are of barn-like structure, save in a few instances. The Western houses have large hallways, with, stairsteps on either side, - the one side for the sisters and the other for the brethren. Formerly the sexes were divided in re- spect to the side of the home occupied, but this is no longer observed.
The buildings show most excellent workmanship. The lands, orchards, and gardens, and all kinds of chattels exhibit thrift, plenty, and care. Of all the farms I have ever seen those of the Shakers are pre-eminent.
Of the management of the homes, the people had devised the most complete system. Every department had its head or lead. The elder and eldress presided over the family; the trustees looked after the finances of the estate; the deaconesses provided the provisions; there was a deacon for the yard, another for the orchard, etc., etc., so that everything received the utmost care. A system so complete kept everything in the highest pos-
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
sible state. The same spirit still continues, though lacking i.1 numbers prevents the glory of the ancient order.
EASTERN ENCOURAGEMENT.
The early leaders in the West were sent out from Mt. Leb- anon, with a few from the Watervleit Society near Albany, in New York. The parent society ( Mount Lebanon) encouraged the Western missions financially, as well as in actual members sent. In a letter from Alonzo G. Hollister to Elder Andrew Barrett, dated May 31, 1903, I find that in 1805, the first three delegations of Shakers to the West, set out with $5.467; in 1812 the sum of $750 was contributed; in 1814, $1,335, and $150 in 1818. This does not cover the entire amount, for the archives of the Mt. Lebanon Ministry exhibit that the Mt. Lebanon com- munity contributed $18,793; Hancock, Mass., and Enfield, Conn., $3,009 ; Canterbury, N. H., $3,750, and Enfield, N. H., $1.375, or a total of $26,927. A large percentage of this amount helped defray the personal expenses of the first missionaries and the rovings of the Central or Mt. Lebanon Ministry. Of the $5.467, sent in 1805, $1.640 was used to purchase land, or what was termed the Ministry's Lot, at Union Village; and as there were sixteen sent in the three companies, that would leave on an average of $238, which would be a moderate sum for traveling expenses and first year's support. None of this money was wasted, for the early Shakers were frugal and every investment made judicious. All this money was afterwards returned to Mt. · Lebanon. The $1,640. used to purchase the Ministry's Lot, was the - last refunded, which was in 1841 or 1842. At that time Ithamar. Johnson was one of the trustees, and he refused per- mission to build the present residence (completed in 1844) until the debt was paid. When Benjamin Seth Youngs was recalled in 1835, South Union, Ky., sent $500 by him to cancel an old donation.
LEGAL PERSECUTIONS. .
It is more than probable that persecutions and legal obstruc- tions helped to swell the ranks of early Believers. The legisla- tures of New Hampshire, New York and Kentucky caused much
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INTRODUCTION.
perplexity and vexation to such societies as were under their respective jurisdictions. It remained, however, to the legislature of Ohio to enact a law, sufficient to make the state a hissing and a by-word through all time. This oppressive law was enacted January II, 18II .* When William Henry Harrison became a
* "An act providing for the relief and support of women who may be abandoned by their husbands, and for other purposes.
"WHEREAS, it is represented to the general assembly, that a sect of people in this state, called and known by the name of Shakers, inculcate and enjoin upon all who become attached to them, that they must lead a life of celibacy, in consequence of which women have been abandoned by their husbands, robbed of their children, and left destitute of the means of support. - Therefore
"Sect. 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That, if any man being joined in marriage relation, shall renounce the marriage covenant, or refuse to live with his wife in the conjugal relation, by joining himself to any sect, whose rules and doctrines re- quire a renunciation of the marriage covenant, or forbid a man and woman to dwell and cohabit together in the conjugal relation, accord- ing to the true interest and meaning of the institution of marriage, it shall and may be lawful for the wife in such case, to file her petition in the office of the clerk of the court, at least two months before the time of the sitting of said court, and shall also serve the adverse party with a copy of said petition, within one month from the time of filing the, same, which petition shall state the true cause of complaint. And in case he shall not reside in her county, she shall publish such notice in some newspaper published in said county, or in next adjacent county in which a newspaper is published.
"Sect. 2. Be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the clerk of such court, where the petition is filed, to issue a summons re- quiring the person complained of, to appear before the said court to answer the allegation of said petition; and, if the party complained of shall not appear, or appearing shall deny the facts stated in the petition. the court shall proceed to hear and determine the same.
"Sect. 3. Be it further enacted, That if it shall appear to the said court. that the woman complaining has been lawfully married to the man of whom complaint is made, and that he hath renounced or violated the marriage covenant by joining such sect as above described, the court shall take such measures as to them shall seem right, to ascertain the amount of the property real and personal of such husband, and shall decree such part thereof to the woman as shall appear just and equitable.
"Sect. 4. Be it further enacted, That if the said husband and wife shall have a child or children (yet being in a state of minority), the husband so violating the marriage covenant shall be considered as having
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
member of the legislature, in 1821, he caused an enactment to be made relieving the Shakers from militiat duty, by working out an equivalent on the public highway, a remedy meeting their ap- proval.
If trouble does not manifest itself along one line, it is very likely to present itself in another. Unfortunately some men had been placed in authority who were deficient in financial ability. Sharks have taken advantage of this and have not scrupled to plunge societies into debt. Once lawyers looked upon the Sha- kers as beings who were sincere and doing the work of the Lord.
renounced and divested himself of all the authority he could have other- wise exercised over his children, and the court shall decree such part (or the whole) of the remainder of his property, real and personal, as to them shall seem right, to the use and support of the child or children aforesaid; and such child or children shall be, and remain under the care and direction of the mother : - Provided, that the court shall have power, if they shall deem it necessary, to appoint a guardian or guardians for such child or children, agreeably to the provisions of the thirty-fourtli and thirty-fifth sections of the act, entitled "an act for the proving and re- cording wills and codicils, defining the duties of executors and ad- ministrators, the appointment of guardians, and the distribution of insol- vent estates, passed February tenth, one thousand eight hundred and ten: And provided, also, that if the court shall deem it necessary, they may direct such child or children to be bound to apprenticeship, agreeably to the sixth section of the act, entitled 'an act for the relief of the poor,' passed February nineteenth, one thousand eight hundred and ten.
"Sect. 5. Be it further enacted, That all gifts, grants, or devises of money or property, real or personal, which may be made by any man as aforesaid, violating the marriage covenant, to such sect as before described, or any members of such sect, which may tend to deprive his wife or children of that support to which they are entitled. according to the true intent and meaning of this act, shall be utterly void; and all money or property so given, granted or devised, may be recovered at the snit of the party injured.
"Sect. 6. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall; with an intent of causing any married man or woman, to renounce the mar- riage covenant, or abandon their wives, husbands, or children, entice or persuade such person to join any sect, or denomination of persons whatever, whose principles and practice inculcate a renunciation of the n atrimonial contract, or the abandonment of wives and children, or either of them, contrary to the true intent and meaning of the marriage institution, shall, on conviction thereof be fined in any sum not exceed- 1 g five hundred dollars, at the discretion of the court having by law
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INTRODUCTION.
jurisdiction; and that all fines incurred under this section, shall be paid into the treasury of the proper county for the use of the same: Provided, that nothing in this section contained shall be construed or understood to extend to any person for delivery any public sermon, ex- hortation or address."
"This act shall take effect and be in force from the passage thereof.
EDWARD TIFFIN, Speaker of the House of Representatives. THOS. KIRKER, Speaker of the Senate."
Janary 11, 1811.
Laws of Ohio, Vol. IX, pp. 13-16, 1811.
To-day they look upon the Shakers as legal prey, whatever might be the nature of their distress. It might be well to notice that this people were fleeced out of $12,000 in defense of North Union ; another case for legal services was $5,000 and afterwards $5,000 more; but a strong case was that of an Eastern sister having been invited by a lawyer to spend an evenng at his home. During the conversation, at his residence, she asked him, for the sake of information, some questions pertaining to law. Soon after he sent to the society a bill of $250 for legal advice.
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