USA > Ohio > Shakers of Ohio; fugitive papers concerning the Shakers of Ohio, with unpublished manuscripts > Part 12
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Besides agriculture the Middle Family depended on the sale of brooms, stocking yarn, leather and broom handles. The principal resource was broom making, which was carried on quite extensively, the brush having been bought in Illinois. The sisters manufactured bonnets, stockings, mittens, socks, gloves, etc., besides canning and drying fruit, making apple butter, etc.
The buildings of the East Family practically remain intact, although decay is written over all of them. The family resi- dence is of about the same size and construction as that at the
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
Center. When the buildings were erected and when the family retired to the Center I have no record. It was abandoned since 1879, and probably not long anterior. to the dissolution of the society.
This family was originally the Gathering Order, which con- sisted of four elders, two of each sex, where all were directed to go who desired to join the community, and where strangers.
APPLE ORCHARD
7
35
2
10
14
13
012
ROAD TO
NEWBURGH.
PLOT or BUILDINGS -OF - EAST FAMILY DRAWN BY J. P MACLEAN 9,1900 2-
1. FAMILY HOUSE
S. CHICKEN SHEO
2. WOOD SHED
9. WORK SHOP
3 BLACKSMITH SHOP
10. WASH HOUSE
4. STABLES
11. SMOKE HOUSE
5. BROOM SHOP
12. SITE OF SMALL BUILDING
6. SMED FOR CARRIAGE
13. PRESENT LANE
7. LARGE BARN
14. FORMER LANE
called ,to secure information respecting future membership. Many called in the fall of the year and when spring opened would withdraw. These were called "Winter Shakers." The principal resources of this family were the manufacture and sale of brooms and the selling of milk at the door.
The third and last trip was made with Mr. Ralph Hogan, who accompanied me for the purpose of taking such photo- graphs as I desired, which accompany this work. In the three trips I found the ground muddy and in places almost impas- sable. It is probable that the Shakers improved their own. roads, although the evidence is wanting.
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NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
IV. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.
The arts and sciences have already been indirectly treated and need not be specially pointed out. Their dress was not unlike that of the Quakers. The men wore their hair long be- hind, and the women had their heads enclosed in caps. Their dress was plain, severely so. In this that of the women was more striking and least attractive.
They did not associate with the world, save in the matter of gain. They sought no acquaintances, but lived strictly within themselves; but having frequent visits and communications with the parent Union Village.
The Western Reserve Historical Society possesses three MS. letters, which are here inserted, being of sufficient interest. for preservation. These letters were not enclosed in envelopes,. but endorsed on the back, one having a broken seal. The first is endorsed, Rhoda Watson.
"UNION VILLAGE Dec. 2d 1828.
Kind Sister Rhoda I received your handsome little pres- ent by the hand of the Brethren together with your kind love &c, for which I truly feel thankful for I wish to remember & be remembered every faithful cross-bearer, - I likewise was very much pleased to read your good determinations as ex- pressed in the conclusion of your little letter ; and I can assure you if you abide faithful in the calling whereunto you are called the end of your faith will be the salavation of your soul,-I am glad to hear of any one setting out to save themselves from this untowered generation .-
As to any Kindness or charitable feeling manifested by me while I was there I can make you heartily welcome I re- member very well of paying a visit to your house when James- was on his deathbed .- I felt willing to show kindness but I had but little opportunity that I remember of If I remember right you was unwell yourself when I was there and besides that and attending on James you had a young child, & was obliged to neglect it a little sometimes-perhaps on one of these occasions I might have tried to help a little, but I cannot re-
-
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
member of much, - however it seems that you accepted a willing mind-
It is a time of general health which blessing for one I enjoy and have since you saw me (in general)-So as a token of my well wishes I send you this little present,-I thought I must send you something that would be of use to you as probably you are in the habit of wearing a cap before now .- The chest- nuts are quite a rarity with us, of course taste very good. - I have sent you a hymn noted down. - This may suffice to express my faith and determination-
Be so kind as to accept of my best gospel love and give it to as many as you feel - but in particular to Elder Ashbel - & Bro Rufus-Eldresses Lois & Sister Thankful & Sister Polly, &c,-for I do love them-
ANDREW C. HOUSTON." .
The next is without date, but addressed to Thankful, Union Village. It is on paper that bears greater age than the above. How it was returned to North Union is unknown. "Thankful" is probably Thankful Stewart.
"Kind Sisters Thankful and Polly I cannot express the sensations of love and gratitude I owe you with the rest of my kind Elders for the blessings the kindness & good ministra- tions which I have received from you ever since my first ac- quaintance with you for which may I never cease to be thank- ful though tongue cannot express As we are now to be left destitute for a little season of the kind care and protection of our Elders O remember us in your prayers that we may be enablled to walk agreeable to your desires and not leaving a wound upon so glorious a cause as we are called to obey I feel like one among my Brethren and Sisters that means to be faithful while you are absent from us and through life for I do feel thankful for the privilege which I now enjoy through the blessings of the gospel O may we again have the privilege of seeing all our Elders that we may be the better enabled to make our thankfulness more clearly manifest be so kind as to accept of my best love and give it to all with whome I have had any acquaintance and all that belong to the family of Christ
1
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NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
and Mother for may I ever esteem love and union as the great- est treasure on the earth-In haste.
So kindly Farewell, RHODA WATSON."
The third letter is of a different nature and calls up travel- ing of other days. It had been sealed and on the back was "To Sister Rhoda North Union Center Family."
"SECOND FAMILY UNION VILLAGE, Oct. 6, 1848.
Respected Sister Rhoda .- I now undertake to write a few lines to let you know how we got along on our journey. The Brethren both turned sick soon after we left the shore and could not sit up part of the way. Elderess Sister did not own that she was sick.
The swells were so high and rough that I became sickened though not so much as to vomit. By dinner time we were some better & eat some. after this we were well enough, with the exception of a dizziness in the head. We left Cleveland at 9 o'clock and reached Sandusky half past 2. here we put up at a carr office, took supper and learned that the morning train did not leave until 10 oclock Friday, and at Springfield stay . over night, then reach Dearfield by 8 oclock Saturday morning. Rather than tarry so long by the way, we chose to go along with the train that ran in connection with the boat that we. had left. This train had but two passenger carrs attached to it,. and think there were about 50 people in the one we were in. and not so many in the other. We left Sandusky a little be- fore 6 evening and got to Springfield half past 3 morning.
Our tickets told us that we were 134 miles from the Lake.
This train runs no farther than to this place & back again. therefore we all moved ourselves & baggage out, and into another that runs from this place to Cincinnati. We started I think, about 4, passed through Xenia soon after day break and reached Dearfield* just at 8 oclock Fri morning. No one but ourselves stoped here, and at that moment the Lebanon Hack drove up and took us in. We had no rain on our way,
*Now South Lebanon.
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
and here we found the roads as dusty as they were when we left home, and a great change as far as the eye could behold the leaves on the trees were mostly red or yellow, the earth and grass seemed parched and dry. The Hack landed us safe at our door by 10 Oclock Friday morning. The Brethren and Sisters were not looking for us untill next day. Nothing very especial took place while we were absent, and we found the family in tolerable good health, and glad to see our safe return. The next day after we got home it began to rain and was showery for three days. Since that we have fair weather and a pleas- ant time for our good friends from Pleasant Hill,* a carriage load of them have come to Union Village, and are visiting the Second Family to-day. we have learned some pretty little songs from them. Their names are as follows Elder Brother Joel Shields and Henry Daily Elder Sister Sophia Vooris & Elenor Hatfield.
Brother Timothy wishes to send a pleasant spinner by the Brethren, and he has not sufficient time to make one before they start, therefore he sends one that has been in use long enough to be proved very good.
With much pleasure we will long remember our visit at North Union, and not at this time return our warmest thanks and best love love love.
I would like to have my particular love given to all the Sisters, and especially to the young Sisters. Were it not for being so tedious I would love to name them all, one by one, but I think I have already been tedious enough so
Farewell in love,
JULIA DARROW.
SISTER RHODA."
These letters are written in a clear, legible hand, and prob- ably indicate the general nature of the correspondence between the communities of North Union and Union Village.
It is not to be inferred that their interests were wholly within themselves. The general reputation of the Shakers is that they are kind to the unfortunate and needy and never
* A Shaker Community in Kentucky.
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NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
turn away one empty handed from their door. Unfortunately, however, when one leaves them, even though he or she may have been a faithful follower for years and rendered most ex- cellent service, that one is abandoned and "given over to the world, the flesh and the devil." While this is equally true of all the religious sects it does not redound to their credit. It is not the Spirit of the Great Exemplar.
On the other hand, it must be noted that while the Shaker was capable of driving a sharp bargain, yet in his dealings he was honest. His wares were exactly as represented. Shaker goods have always been synonomous with honest productions. Their fabrics were made of the best material, and always found a ready market.
As may be inferred, the sexes lived apart, although in the same building. In reference to the Middle Family, the brethren lived on the north and the sisters on the south side of the main building. In the days of greatest prosperity those who made brooms lived over the shop and some at the office. At first the children were at the East Family; when removed to the Middle Family the boys had a house not far from the office, and the girls a residence across the street from the church. The chil- dren were under the immediate charge of a keeper. No child under ten was taken into the family unless accompanied by its father or mother, or both.
The separate families had their own dining-rooms attached to the main residence. In 1870 there were two long tables, the brethren served at the one and the sisters at the other. The ministry always was served at a separate table, and the chil- dren had their repast after all the others had finished their meal.
It was the practice for all to kneel before and after eat- ing; no loud talking was permitted during meals, and only such conversation as became necessary for the serving of the food. They had breakfast at six o'clock, dinner at twelve and supper at six. The signal for rising in the morning and for their meals and meetings was given by a bell. All were sup- plied with wholesome food in sufficient quantity. Pork was eschewed, on the grounds that it was not wholesome. Some of the members refused to eat meat in any form. Alcoholic
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
stimulants or ardent spirits was not allowed to be used, save when prescribed by a physician as a medicine, and even that toleration became almost obsolete.
The children were' cared for with great kindness, and the government was strict, and the force usually applied was moral suasion. At the proper age the child was sent to school, under the instruction of one of the community, where the common branches were taught. - The last teacher was Miss Elmina Phil- lips, daughter of Elder Freeman Phillips, of the Mill Family, - who joined the society in 1841. Miss Phillips passed so good an examination before the county board that it was always received without further trial. She left the community in 1875, and now resides in Cleveland. As the Shakers had enough children to form a district under the law they drew money from the public funds, but when the children became few in num- bers the district was divided and assigned to others. The salary for the teacher's services, like that of all others, went into the common funds.
Labor was honorable amongst them. Whatever position one might hold, still he must labor with his hands. But the general spirit was to move slowly. There was not that incentive to energy, push and daring characteristic to the man of success. In the allotment of labor due consideration was allowed to adapt- ability, and when any one displayed an ingenuity in a certain line restrictions were not placed on him. Whatever growth and development that occurred were due to the energy mani- fested by a leader in that line, as already noted.
As the people lived up. to their best ideas of health, there was, in consequence, but little sickness. Among them con- tagious diseases were unknown. In the early stages of the community their mode of practice was Thompsonian more than any other, but in later years they paid more attention to venti- lating their sleeping apartments and dwellings, and by the re- forms instituted sickness became almost unknown, and hence there was but little use for drugs and doctors. Still there were two doctors among them, one of whom was a graduate of Yale College and took lectures under Professor Silliman., In ex- treme cases they were known to take the Water Cure. 'A hospi-
NORTH UNION SOCIETY. 145
tal, called the Nursery, "was provided for the sick, and there all attention demanded was administered with the utmost kind- ness. As already intimated, the hospital was seldom used, but under the laws regulating their manners and customs such a place, when needed, was of the utmost convenience.
Under the regulations adopted it must go unquestioned that the whole tendency was towards longevity. During the first:
SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF HOSPITAL.
forty-eight years of the society's existence, there were ninety- two deaths, fifty males and forty-two females. The average age was over forty-nine. Nine were over eighty, thirteen over seventy, twelve over sixty and ten over fifty years of age. Be- sides these there were three children under two years, and one boy under eight who was killed by an accidental fall from a steep bank below the grist-mill.
10
$
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
·
The funerals were attended with but little ceremony. When a person died among them the body was kept from twenty-four to forty-eight hours, and even longer if circumstnces so re- quired. The friends and relatives of the deceased outside the community living at a reasonable distance were notified of the hour of the funeral. The body was laid out and placed in a plain coffin, having a lid at the head, and was then placed in the lower hall of the dwelling, just before the commencement of the ceremony. The members of the society then assembled in their chapel, usually with those from the other families. The meeting opened with a solemn song, or an appropriate hymn composed for the occasion, after which the elder stepped out - . and addressed those present, in which he endeavored to impress the thought that they too were born to die, and whatever things . were lovely and of good report in the life or character of the deceased, they should be imitated by the living. Short ad- dresses were sometimes made by others, in which the brethren and sisters participated. At the close of this ceremony all' proceeded to the burial. As they passed out of the hall they took the last farewell look at the remains of the departed by passing on either side of the coffin with noiseless tread, until they formed two abreast, brethren with brethren and sisters with sisters, and in this way they moved slowly and silently to the grave. Arriving at the place of interment, the coffin was carefully removed from a vehicle and then lowered into the grave. The brethren then filled the grave, in which all usually bore a part. While this was proceeding there was either sing- ing or speaking. They claimed, in their later history, that the spirit of the departed often attended the obsequies and com- municated, through some inspired instrument, words of cheer and comfort to the living.
The grave having been closed, the one in charge, then dof- fing his' hat, dismissed the attendants in the following words : "Having performed the last kind act to our departed friend, we may all return to our homes." No badge of mourning was worn, but the dress or suit worn on Sunday was donned.
The burial ground is located in the extreme northwestern .corner of the apple orchard connected with the Middle Family.
·
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NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
The space so attached is eighty feet square, surrounded by pine trees. On the east and south exterior is an avenue of thirty- five feet hemmed in by a row of mulberry trees, the leaves of which they used for silk-worms. The burial plat proper is divided into four sections by two avenues, ten feet in width, running north and south and east and west. The females were buried on the north and the males on the south side. The
SOUTH-WEST VIEW OF BURIAL GROUNDS.
burial was in ridge rows. The place, while kept plain, yet was attended with care.
I visited this spot every trip I made. I found the burial ground fully in keeping with the deserted village. The word ruin, or dilapidation, was written everywhere. The tombstones were in all positions, from the erect to the one flat on the sur- face. One grave had been opened, and others bore indications of the same.
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SHAKERS OF OHIO.
They commenced the interments at the extreme west side .. All the graves had the headstones in the first row. There were 21 headstones in the first row, 19 in the second, 17 in the third, 16 in the fourth. Then came the avenue. There were 12 in the fifth, 3 in the sixth and 2 in the seventh. I counted 13 graves without stones in the sixth and 9 in the seventh. There were probably other graves, but I failed to identify them.
4 With but few exceptions the only inscriptions are simply initials of the name. All are made out of sandstone save one. In the extreme northwestern corner, lying flat on the grave is a marble stone, with the following inscription: "Our Mother Lydia Russell consort of Elisha Russell died June 29, 1839, aged 63 yrs. 10 ms. 28 ds. This stone was erected by her daughters in memory of a dear mother."
In the fourth row, eighth stone from the south: "Elisha. Russell died October 15, 1862, aged 83." In the same row, third grave from the north: "O. M. T .* died May 23, 1858, - aged 39 years." In the seventh row, fifth grave from the south : "In memory of Sewel G. Thayer who departed this life Feb. 27, 1881 aged 78 yrs. 7 ino." Same row: "In memory of Rodney E. Russell who departed this life Sept. 3, 1880, aged 84. yrs. 3 mo. 3 ds."
V. GOVERNMENT.
The government is a theocracy, all the various communi- ties in the United States being subservient to that at Mt. Leba- non, New York. The ministry is the highest order in the selec- tion of which the general membership has no choice. The com- munity is under their immediate jurisdiction. Then come the elders. The legal trustee is the one in whom the land is vested that the laws of the state might be complied with. The min- istry was a higher, spiritual state than that of the other elders. To a certain degree it was removed from the others, and such. associations as occurred was formal. While the first ministry in the incipient stage preached openly to the world, it was not true when the organization had become completed. They de- livered discources to the membership, but during the religious
*Olive Melvina Torrey.
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NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
services known as Public Meetings, when non-members were admitted to the worship as spectators, the ministry remained in the second story of their apartments. About six feet above the floor there was in each apartment-men and women-an aperture in the wall through which the ministry could see tlie worshippers below.
Their mode of government, as already intimated, was to combine everything within themselves. They were a law unto themselves. They did not go to law if the same could be avoided, but sometimes were drawn into it by seceding mem- bers. In such cases they defended themselves by employing the ablest counsel that could be obtained. Their standing counsel, on all legal questions, for nearly forty years, was Samuel Stark- weather, of Cleveland. They never lost a case, for the reason that he never undertook one for them unless he was positive that they were in the right.
An extraordinary case occurred in the courts of Cuyahoga county, which was a test one in regard to the validity of their Church Covenant. It originated by a sister, who, after having been a member of and residing in the society for the space of fifteen years, withdrew from it and married a reckless man, and they connived together to sue for the services which she had rendered during her membership. It was admitted that the services had been rendered, but inasmuch as she had signed the covenant, in which she had voluntarily pledged those services to a consecrated purpose, the society was thereby released from all pecuniary obligations.
The interest excited by the trial of this case was very great, as manifested by the crowds attending the hearing, as it pre- sented for the first time for decision, in northern Ohio, a ques- tion which involved a cardinal principle of Shakerism. Emi- · nent counsel was employed on both sides, the defendants having retained Governor Reuben Wood and Judge Starkweather. The plaintiffs attempted to avail themselves of the popular preju- dice which then existed, but their arguments were based on the assumption that the existence of such a society was against public policy, by its alleged opposition to the union of the sexes in matrimony, and by their advocacy of celibacy.
1
150
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
Governor Wood, in' an able argument, overthrew the prop- osition of the opposing counsel by expounding the law, and referring to the decisions of the Supreme Court in the states of Maine and New Hampshire. He was followed by Judge Starkweather, who, in the ablest speech of his life, showed that the tree is known by its fruits, that these people called Shakers, by the simplicity and purity of their lives, by their exemption from the strife of worldly ambition, and by the consecration of themselves and all they possessed to their religious faith, but imitated the example of the Christians in Apostolic days more than any other sect in Christendom, and that their views on the subject of matrimony were in no way variant from the teachings of the Apostle Paul.
The result of this trial was a victory for the Shakers, and settled a question over which they could never again be dis- turbed. It is but a matter of justice to Judge Starkweather to state that for the valuable services he had long rendered them as legal adviser, he never made any charge or received any compensation, save what the society deemed best to bestow upon him.
They never took any part in politics, nor voted at elections, but paid their taxes according to law. They took no oaths in the courts of law, but affirmed to tell the truth of what they knew concerning the case at issue. They bore no arms, nor studied the art of war. During the Civil War two were drafted into their country's service. Although a release could have been procured by the payment of a certain sum, yet this they refused, because, as they claimed, it was contrary to their prin- ciples. One of them maimed himself and thus escaped. The other went into the hospital service and took care of the sick, owing to his scruples about bearing arms.
It would be unreasonable to claim that under a system as practiced by the Shakers all would live up to their ideals. Every community has its weak membership; but those not in harmony with the ideas promulgated sooner or later retired from the . organization.
They were very fortunate in the selection of their legal trustees, for they never suffered materially by defalcations.
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