USA > Ohio > Shakers of Ohio; fugitive papers concerning the Shakers of Ohio, with unpublished manuscripts > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
In his preaching his favorite theme was the same that de- lighted the ear and heart of every preacher, viz., "A Mother as Well as a Father in the Deity." , From that he became an un- compromising defender in woman's rights, which he did not fail to impress on his auditors.
In stature Elder Root was about six feet in height, fair com- plexion, large blue eyes, high forehead, language easy and flow- ing, veneration large, bald head, tender hearted and an open and frank countenance. He ceased to be presiding elder in July, 1876, and was succeeded by James S. Prescott. Elder Root died in August, 1881, in his 83d year.
James Sullivan Prescott .- It is with more than an ordinary degree of pleasure I turn to the biography of Elder James S. Prescott, for without his zeal in trying to preserve the history of his little colony, it would have sunk into oblivion. The lovers of history owe him a debt of gratitude. He first wrote out his sketches, placed them in the hands of Judge John Barr, of Cleveland, who, over his own signature, caused them to be published in the Cleveland Daily Herald for June 13, 21, 28; . July 5, 11, 18, and 25, 1870. Afterwards Elder Prescott wrote another MS., in which he corrected the typographic errors and discrepancies which occurred in the published account. He wrote that MS. "expressly for the Western Reserve Pioneers' and Early Settlers' Association, in Northern Ohio," The MS.
176
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
is written in a clear, bold hand, in blue and black ink, and covers 121 pages. Great care has been exercised to have it go to the printer and published as written. Unfortunately he failed to separate the history of the community from that of the ruling elder. As he has recorded it, the history is simply a series of biographical successions. Many important features are left out entirely. Although living in sight of the East Family scarcely a record is made. Why this family was overlooked must for- ever be unaccounted for. But, as has been previously intimated, the writer of this owes nearly all his information concerning North Union to the writings of Elder Prescott. His MS. closes with the year 1870. What I have learned of the community since that period was secured after much diligence. That the- recent period is greatly lacking in this record, is admitted, but not the fault of the writer.
Elder James S. Prescott was born in Lancaster, Worcester- county, Massachusetts, January 26, 1803. In the usual accepta- tion of the term his father was not orthodox, but his mother was a pious, devoted woman and belonged to the Congregational Church in Lancaster. She brought up her children under the pastoral care of Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer, Unitarian. She. taught them their Bible and catechism, and that after the strict- est manner of the Puritans. On Sunday her children were not allowed to play until after sundown, on which question her word was law. At the age of ten James went to live with his. uncle, Brigham Prescott, in West Boylston, about ten miles distant. At the age of sixteen he went to live with Charles. Stearns, of Springfield, Massachusets, on the border of the Connecticut River, to learn the mason's trade. After spending one season there, he then went to Hartford, Connecticut, and engaged himself to Danforth Rogers, a practical mason, witlı whom he continued four years, during which time he assisted in the construction of some of the largest buildings in that city.
The winter of 1820 saw him the subject of a religious re- vival, and then connected himself with the close communion Baptists, under the pastoral care of Elisha Cushman. The fol- lowing year he became a teacher in the African Sunday school. and so continued for three years. While still a minor, and
177
NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
serving his apprenticeship, in the winter season he attended the "Literary School and Female Academy," taught by George J. Patten. At the age of twenty-one he entered Westfield Academy, Massachusetts, and there completed his education.
In 1825 he was employed by the executive committee of the Baptist Missionary Convention of New York to teach the missionary school at Oneida, consisting of about forty Indian scholars of both sexes, instructed on the Lancastrian plan.
In July, 1826, he emigrated to Cleveland, Ohio, and there. went to work at his trade. While engaged as a journeyman, Elisha Russel came from North Union to hire a mason to lay the foundation of a dwelling house. James Prescott responded, and leaving his trunks in Cleveland, took his tools under his arms and went out afoot and alone. On arriving at the Shaker settlement he found them living in log cabins, similar to Indian. wigwams, but kept neatly and cleanly. Immediately he set about the work he was to perform and laid out the foundation: and started the corners of the building. The Shakers helped. lay the cellar walls, and in about two weeks they were ready for the framework, and in due course the house for the Center Family was ready for occupation. That house still stands and. is given in the illustration.
While engaged with the Shakers, and looking with great favor upon them, he received a letter from Frederick Collins, an old classmate, requesting him to come to Unionville, about ten miles from St. Louis, Missouri, as a missionary. On that. mission he started to go, but being out of health he stopped !. in Cleveland to work at his trade and recuperate. While thus ; engaged he investigated the doctrines of the Shakers and com- pared the same with the Bible, and found he had no cause to. seek further. When he saw the purity of the lives the Shakers. led, and the power of God attending their meetings, the heavenly inspiration of their singing, and a flaming testimony against the licentiousness of the world, he was satisfied that he had "found ! Him of whom Moses and the prophets did write," and to this. he would hold until he could find something better. As he viewed the various sects of Christendom he could find no people.
12
178
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
on the earth that came so near the Pentecostal Church, in their principles and practices, as the Shakers. Under this convic- tion he did not wait long before he made up his mind to prove the work for himself. On making his determination known he was admitted into the society in the fall of 1826. In 1827 he was appointed second elder in the Cabin Family. The breth- ren, to show their approval and to ratify the appointment, took him on their shoulders and carried him around the meeting- room, exclaiming, "the lot has fallen upon Jonah."
After continuing in the elder's lot for four years he was released in order to take charge of the district school. For a period of about fifty years, when not engaged in teaching school,- he was in the elder's lot in the different families, sometimes first and sometimes second, and for about forty years was one of the legal trustees. He was thus not only one of the early ad- vocates, but continued long as one of the pillars of the com- munity.
The only notice, "The Manifesto," June, 1888, gave of this faithful laborer was as follows: "James S. Prescott died at North Union, Ohio, April 3, 1888, age 85 years, 2 months and 8 days. Brother James has been in the community sixty-two years. He was a faithful laborer in the Gospel field. S. S. M."
In the little graveyard at North Union the body of James S. Prescott rests in an unmarked and an unknown grave. There are none to weep over him or plant a flower to lessen the mo- notony of his surroundings. His friends either lie buried · around him or else- have taken their departure. He saw the colony in its infancy ; he was with it in its strength and decline. Had he lived another year he would have seen its dissolution. He was spared that sorrow, yet he must have realized that the inevitable hour was near at hand. Rest, sweet saint, thy labors are over. The society which thou didst give thy life for its welfare and promotion, like thee, has passed away. But thy life was not a failure, and the course thou didst pursue will be an admonition to generations that must follow.
Return Russell .- One of the important members of the society was Return Russell, born in Windsor, Hartford county, Connecticut, March 1, 1778. He emigrated to Ohio in 1822.
179
NORTH UNION SOCIETY
C
He had a wife and eleven children, six sons and five daughters, viz., Luther, Edward, Samuel, Sanford, Robert, Henry, Hul- dah, Abigail, Mary Ann, Roxana and Lydia, all of whom, save . Luther, were gathered into the Shaker fold, and out of that numerous family only one remained in the society in 1870, and that was Abigail, otherwise called Rachel, was, in above named year, the elder sister in the Middle Family.
[EAST VIEW OF GIRLS' RESIDENCE.
Return had been a Baptist and a highly esteemed member of that church. He did not relinquish his sentiments without a thorough investigation, and when convinced he yielded to the testimony and joined the Shakers in 1823. He purchased a lot in Warrensville, which included the land about the saw-mill, for which he paid one thousand dollars. This land, and that purchased by the trustees of Union Village, on which the cen- ter house still stands, were adjoining the lands of Ralph and Elijah Russell.
180
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
When the church was organized in 1828 Return was ap- pointed first legal trustee, which place he held until 1834. He was a laborious man, and in constructing the dam across the stream at the grist-mill, his zeal to do good work carried him beyond his physical powers of endurance, although of a strong constitution. He was above medium height, broad across the chest, square shouldered, large, open countenance, high fore- head, dark complexion, and black hair. He was of a social and genial disposition, intelligent and agreeable in conversa- tion, possessing faculties by nature superior to the ordinary class of men, and eminently calculated for the position he filled. He departed this life at the Middle Family on October 5, 1834, in the 56th year of his age.
Elisha Russell .- On November 14, 1779, Elisha Russell was born in Windsor, Connecticut. He emigrated to Ohio in 1812, and was one of the first pioneers to settle in Warrensville. He had a wife and five daughters,-Mary, Candace, Abigail, Hannah and Adeline. He was a man of great activity and usefulness. In point of muscular strength he had but few equals. Unfortunately, when a young man, he cut his knee- joint, which made a stiff leg for the rest of his life. For many years he was one of the legal trustees. Although a farmer by occupation, he was useful in repairing wagons, carts, buggies, sleighs, etc. He was industrious, quick and active. He died October 15, 1862, in his 83d year.
Riley Honey .- One of the first, if not the first, child born in the Western Reserve, and one of the first pioneers of War- rensville, was Riley Honey. He was born in Burton, Geauga county, Ohio, December 31, 1798. He could wield an axe among heavy forest timber in cleaning off land, erecting log cabins; he could boil down sugar water, catch raccoons, find wild honey, and further, was the equal of any of his neighbors. · His early training gave him an advantage over those who had not endured the hardships of pioneer life. He was prepared in an eminent degree to become one of the first founders of a community whose principles are based upon sacrifices and daily cross-bearing.
·
181
NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
He entered the society in 1822, while it was still in embryo. He came alone and single-handed, without any family, in the prime of his activity, and devoted a long and useful life in build- ing up the cause of truth and righteousness. He was appointed first legal trustee September 15, 1840, which place he still oc- cupied in 1874, during which time he gave general satis- faction, and at two different periods was, at short intervals, appointed second in the ministry. He was universally known as an honest man.
In 1835 he was taken sick and given up to die. He was emaciated and reduced to a skeleton. The lingering look, the parting word, the silent tear, the last farewell, were reluctantly given. His grave clothes were prepared and the funeral hymn composed. He requested to see the elders of the church. David Spinning, then presiding elder, immediately responded, and ar- riving at the bedside was moved with compassion and tender sympathy. Elder David prayed in spirit, in low humility, in deep supplication and silent yearning. That prayer was heard and answered, not by any outward manifestation, but by a deep, silent, invisible power, and Riley Honey began to recover from that very hour, and soon after was able to take his place in the ranks of the faithful, and resume his labors in all his daily avo- cations. In his old age he began to take a deep interest in bee culture. He died August 7, 1884, aged 85 years, 5 months and 6 days.
Elijah Russell .- Windsor, Connecticut, was also the natal place of Elijah Russell, and was there born July 13, 1773. In 1813 he emigrated from Rodman, Jefferson county, New York, and settled in Warrensville, Ohio, and thus became one of the western pioneers. He purchased a farm heavily timbered, and at once set apart to clear it for cultivation. In 1822 he em- braced the testimony of the Shakers, and the first meeting of that order took place in his cabin. His family consisted of a wife, six daughters and one son, the children named Melinda, Eunice, Esther, Adeline, Caroline, Emeline and Marcus, all of whom were gathered into the Shaker fold. His wife was a member of the Baptist Church, an excellent woman and an ornament to society.
182
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
Elijah was old-fashioned and eccentric, but made himself useful in the cultivation of fruit trees, in which he was success- ful. After the church was organized he devoted his time ex- clusively for many years in planting nurseries, setting out or- chards, pruning and grafting in the proper season, sparing no pains to procure the best varieties of apples, peaches, pears, plums, cherries, etc. When a tree did not bear fruit to suit him, or was of an inferior quality, he would cut off the limbs. near the body with a fine saw, smooth the top with a sharp. knife, put in one or two scions of some choice variety, and within. a few years that tree was seen bearing different kinds of fruit of a superior quality, size, color and flavor. All of the old or- chards, of which there were two quite extensive ones, at all. the three families, owed their origin and subsequent cultivation chiefly to the labors of Elijah Russell. In times of drouth he was often seen carrying water from a distance to moisten the roots of the young trees. His time for pruning was in the spring, after the sap began to flow, and from that time on. until the fruit became too large to admit of any further en- croachments. Although he pruned sparingly and cautiously, yet he believed in pruning to some extent. By close observa- tion he learned that the best way to set out an orchard was to place the trees on top the soil, and then bank up around them, instead of setting them down on the clay, as he had formerly done. In winter he was frequently seen stamping the snow down around the trees to prevent the mice from gnawing the roots, and in summer he would remove the turf from around the trees.
Elijah Russell was a practical man, and contributed more towards furnishing the community with good, wholesome fruit, both for the table and the market, than any other man who be- longed to the society. He departed this life February 26, 1857, in the 84th year of his age.
Chester Risley .- The next after Ralph Russell who started in the work of the faith at North Union was Chester Risley, who was born in East Hartford, Connecticut, December 6, 1794. He embraced the faith March 30, 1822, and set out to obey it. He had a wife and a daughter Lucina, both of whom subse-
.
183
NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
quently became adherents of the same faith. When the Sha- kers found Chester he owned a small farm adjoining that of Elisha Russell on the east, and lived in a log cabin.
Chester Risley was a practical man,-a man of deeds and not of words. He had no faith in being saved by grace through faith, without having corresponding good works. Hence he was often heard to say, "We must work out our salvation. We cannot talk it out, nor sing it out. An apostle hath said, 'Faith without works is dead: it being alone.'" He believed in being saved by the blood of Christ, i. e., by living his life- "the blood is the life thereof."
After the church was organized Chester Risley was called to be an elder, which place he occupied for many years in the different families, and was highly esteemed for his works, for his devotedness to the cause, and for his pious and godly ex- ample. By occupation he was a farmer and shoemaker. He departed this life May 6, 1855, in the 61st year of his age.
William Andrews .- In the formation of the society the founders filled some important station. Such was the case also with William Andrews, who was born January 16, 1776, in Little Hoosett, or Stephentown, Renssellaer county, New York.
In July, 1825, he was admitted into the community. He had a wife and four children,-Phoebe, Harriet, Louisa and Watson-who were subsequently gathered into the society. He had been brought up at Mount Lebanon, New York, and con- sequently was indoctrinated into the principles of the commu- nity. As he had that faith implanted in him when young he never got rid of it, and thereby found no true peace and com- fort until he was brought under its obedience. So he put away a wife, and she a husband that they might live according to the principles they accepted.
By occupation William Andrews was a tanner and currier, and for many years was useful in this line. He departed this life March 22, 1850, in his 75th year. In 1870 the entire family was dead, with the exception of Watson, who was still living at the time the society was dissolved.
Oliver Wheeler .- Although not a member at the beginning, yet Oliver Wheeler might be classed as one of the founders of
184
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
North Union Society. He was born in Preston, Connecticut, August 14, 1790. He had been an exhorter in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Deeply imbued with the religious element, and not finding Methodism that which he sought, he became a member of the United Society of Believers, January 22, 1825. His three children, William, Sally and Hester Ann, then living in Aurora, a few miles distant, chose to come with him, but his wife decided to remain where she was. A mutual separa- tion took place.
Oliver was a pious, devoted man. He made himself use- ful, first as a caretaker of children, then as an elder, and finally as second in the ministry. He died from the effects of a sur- gical operation for hernia, September 12, 1848, in his 59th year.
Rodney Russell .- The youngest son of Jacob Russell was Rodney, who was born in Windsor, Connecticut, May 15, 1796. In 1870 he was the only surviving male member of the Russell family at North Union. He was a single man, and owned a farm a little distance south from the settlement, which he ex- changed for land lying north and adjoining land owned by the community.
He entered the society with his four brothers and conse- crated his property, his time and his talents and all he possessed to build up and support his religious faith. To that cause he devoted a long and useful life and blessed many an orphan and poor widow, who had been brought into the community and permitted to partake of the fruits of his labor. By occu- pation he was a farmer and shoemaker. He died at North Union, September 3, 1880, aged 84 years, 3 months and 7 days.
Daniel N. Baird .- No Shaker was better known in Cleve- land than Uncle Daniel, as Daniel W. Baird was usually called. He was born in Grandville, Jefferson county, New York, No- vember, 7, 1801, and was admitted into the society in October, 1823. By occupation he was a wheelmaker, was of an inventive turn of mind, and took out several patents, among which were a brace and bit ; but none yielded him much profit. As soon as the society began to use machinery he found some soft metal, supposed to be composed of tin, pewter or lead. He found that
185
NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
this composition was excellent for gudgeons of the wheel to his turning lathe to run in without heating by friction, and sub- sequently became quite extensively used at North Union.
Some years afterwards a man by the name of Babbitt in- vented a box for this same kind of metal to run in, and then commenced a suit against Ward & Co., of Detroit, for infringe- ment of his patent. The defense summoned Daniel as a wit- ness, who appeared in court with his box and soft metal, and testified that he had invented that box and composition and used it for years prior to Mr. Babbitt's patent. He turned the scale for the defendants, who, feeling under great obligations to him, offered to reward him handsomely, but he would take only his expenses in attending court. However, he did accept a free pass which they gave him over all the railroads and steamboats in their jurisdiction and as far as their influence over other companies and conveyances extended. This privilege he was not slow to improve; he visited some of the principal cities both east and west and was in Washington a short time before his death.
Daniel never enjoyed good health, and was dyspeptic from the day he entered the society to the time of his death. He was a very useful man, and for several years was acting trustee for the society. In buying and in selling and peddling their home manufactures, in most things he exercised good judgment and gave general satisfaction. A short time before his death he started to go to Cleveland on foot, and got as far as the Mill Family, when taking sick, in a day or two he expired. He died June 2, 1867, being in his 66th year.
Sisters .- Among the first founders of North Union were some pious, devoted, active and intelligent sisters, whose serv- ices were eminently successful in the cause espoused. These sisters, should have found a biographer and sketches of their lives, would have been just as useful and entertaining as those of the brethren. The Prescott MS. states that the data was not at hand for such a purpose. Such data as exists is here given. Those who were most prominent in the inception and who lived at Union Village were:
186
SHAKERS OF OHIO.
Anna Boyd, Betsey Dunlavy, Charlotte Morrell, Susannah Stout, Melinda Watts, Lucy Faith, Lois Spinning, Thankful Stewart.
Anna Boyd, Thankful Stewart and Lucy Faith were re- markably gifted in song. They seemed to "sing with the spirit and the understanding." There was an inspiration about their singing that would inspire a whole assembly. The rich melody of their voices, at a little distance, could hardly be distinguished from a well-tuned instrument. Those who heard them were extravagant in their praise.
There were other noble souls who subsequently were called into the work, who may be justly ranked among the founders. of the community, but have long since passed away. They were :
Lydia Russell, Betsey Russell, Jerusha Russell, Eunice Rus- sell, Esther Russell, Caroline Russell, Roxana Russell, Harriet Andrews, Melinda Torrey, Polly Torrey, Cynthia Bevin, Clarissa Risley, Susannah Sawyer, Permelia Torrey, Polly Sawyer, Hul- dah Russell.
Among those living in the society in 1870, may be named :
Lucy Cooper, aged 97; Arabella Shepard, Phila Copley, Mariah Pilot, Hannah Addison, Laura Russell, Ruth Butson, Melinda Russell, Rhoda Watson, Jane Bearse, Harriet Shepard, Margaret Swayer, Harriet Snooks, Elizabeth Deree, Laura Houghton, Sylva Tyler, Elmina Phillips, Henrietta Wallace, Harriet Snyder.
Those occupying places of care and trust were :
Rachel Russell, Abigail Russell, Candace Russell, Pru- dence Sawyer, Lezette Walker, Clymena Miner, Temperance Devan, Lydia Ann Cramer, Mary Pilot, Charlotte Pilot.
Hannah Addison was the mother of H. M. Addison, one of Cleveland's most devoted and influential philanthropists, and universally called Father Addison.
Brethren .- Among the brethren whose biographies are not given and who have long since passed away, are the following: Jeremiah Ingalls, Hugh McQuead, Christian Stade, William Johnson, Ambrose Bragg, Benjamin Sawyer, Hiram Young, William Devan.
,
187
NORTH UNION SOCIETY.
Those living in 1870 and holding positions of care and trust were :
Freeman Phillips, Samuel S. Miner, Charles Sweet, Jo- seph Montgomery, Charles Taylor, George Hunt, Henry Sum- merfield, Sewell G. Thayer, Jacob Walker, Jacob Kimbal, Cur- tis Cramer, Cornelius Bush, Christian Lyntz, Thomas Giles.
At the time of the dissolution of the society the elders at
SOUTH-EAST VIEW OF WASHHOUSE OF MIDDLE FAMILY.
the Middle Family were Samuel S. Miner and Clymena Miner, and those at the Mill Family were Watson W. Andrews and Temperance Devan.
The members of the community had their choice whether they should be transferred to Watervleit, near Dayton, Ohio, or to Union Village, near Lebanon, Ohio. Those transferred to Watervleit were:
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.