USA > Ohio > Shakers of Ohio; fugitive papers concerning the Shakers of Ohio, with unpublished manuscripts > Part 21
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But the trial was not yet over. The two boys and their cousin, who appeared to be their guardian and the principal in the prosecution, were examined, and then sent to jail. The brethren, with the other believers, fourteen in all, immediately set out for Whitewater, where they arrived at 5 P. M., greatly to the delight of the entire community.
I have been informed by members who had lived at White- water, that there was great distress of mind in all the community during the incarceration of the brethren; that even the hoary head of Elder Archibald was not respected by his tormentors.
Anxious to know what the Cincinnati papers of that period had to say on this outrageous persecution, I wrote to Mr. Eugene H. MacLean to look up the matter. He replied. "I looked up the back files of the Chronicle and Gazette for March 1840, and can find no mention of any such occurrence as you mention, al- · though I went over the papers column by column. Indeed there was no local news at all, save brief mention of ward meetings."
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.I have seen accounts of this in some books relating to Cincinnati, but I am unable to give the titles. I think "Bench and Bar" is one of them.
The Union Village records, in commenting upon the affair adds, "As if to add injury to insult, the greedy cats charged $300 for fees; besides incidental expenses that would of course accrue in the prosecution."
The Whitewater records contain no farther information for 1840, and nothing for 1841, save a few changes in members. The Union Village Records give accounts of visits between the two communities, and also of certain members going to White- water to instruct and assist in making brick.
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN OFFICERS.
The Union Village Ministry, on a visit to Whitewater, August IIth, 1842, announced the following changes: Elder Archibald Meacham should be released from his office and re- turn to Mount Lebanon, and Eunice Sering is also released and to return to Union Village. The eldership and trustees to be reorganized and composed entirely of their own members. Edwin Burnham was appointed first elder and Ebenezer Rice second. Joseph Agnew was released from the care of the South Family and moved to the Center to act as a trustee. Ezra Sher- man was released as a trustee, and moved to the South Family as first Elder, and Allen Agnew as second. Hannah Boggett succeeded as first elder, and Louisa Farnum as second. Polly Champlain as Eldress with Susan Easterbrooks at the South.
The weeding out of all the officers does not in itself im- ply that circumstances demanded it, nevertheless such was sometimes a necessity. Sometimes it was simply expedient, sometimes the abuse of arbitrary power. In the present in- stance it was probably felt that a general change would be in- the best interests of the society. Elder Archibald "did not wish to be removed, but it was thought best, although it was regretted by many."
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CHRONICLES, ~ RESUMED.
In 1842 a shop 40 x 18 feet was built; also a two-story house 24 x 17, with a porch on one side, now called the Nurse House.
In 1843-4 the large dwelling house was built 54 x 44, with an extension 60 x 30 feet, - the first three stories high and the second two stories. On April 1, 1844, twenty-eight of the Un- ion Village brethren arrived to assist in raising the house.
August 22, 1844, Joseph Agnew released as a trustee and moved to South Family as First Elder with Ezra Sherman sec- ond; Edwin Burnham was transferred to Union Village and went November 27th. On December 3d Moses Eastwood arrived from Union Village to become Second Elder at South Family,- Ezra Sherman removing to the Center Family. The Union Village records state that on October 29th Philip F. Antes was established as Elder Brother. This would make him Burn- ham's successor. He continued in office until September II, 1847. March 15, 1845, Ezra Sherman became trustee in place of Philander Banister. A general move in the families took place October Ist. Harvesting lasted forty days,- the acreage for the year was, rye 3, oats 30, grass 80, broom corn 25, pota- toes 5, pumpkins 4, corn not stated. Commenced doctoring by the water cure method which proved a great success. Previous to this the botanic or Thompsonian system was used to great satisfaction. This last was introduced by Calvin Morrell who gave much time to its study.
March 4, 1846 the use of tea, coffee, tobacco and intoxicat- ing liquors were renounced. Built a new saw mill.
SECOND ADVENTISM.
While the doctrine of the second visible, personal coming of Christ is no new doctrine in the Christian Church, yet it re- mained for William Miller to create a wonderful excitement on that subject during the nineteenth century. The earliest date fixed upon for the advent was February 10, 1843, and the next was the 15th, and then April 14th. The disappointment
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CENTER RESIDENCE, WITH GIRL'S RESIDENCE ON LEFT AND BOY'S ON RIGHT
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in not realizing the promised event did not relax the zeal of the preachers engaged in this promulgation. In all parts of the country the cry of warning was raised. Farmers left their crops unharvested, and mechanics forsook their tools .*
A commotion such as that of Miller and his followers would elicit the Shakers' attention. Four Second Adven- tists visited Whitewater in March, 1846, and on the 6th Joseph Agnew went to Cincinnati with them. Their meetings in Cincinnati were attended by Joseph Agnew, Ebenezer Rice and Ezra Sherman, and several were brought to Whitewater by the brethren. Joseph went to Rising Sun, Ind., to see some of the Adventists there. On the 18th, Joseph brought home with him, their principal preacher, Enoch Jacobs. The inter- est manifested by the Shakers brought numbers of the Advent- ists to Whitewater. Meetings were held in union and both sides took an active part. At one time twenty persons came. These sojourners became quite a tax on the Shakers, and it became a question of what to do with the visitors. Among them was Henry B. Bear and his wife, Julia Ann, both having expressed a deter- mination to give up all for God. In 1846, there were 200 of the Adventists gained to the Shakers of Union Village and White- water, most of whom were assigned to the latter place. Eldress 'Julia Ann Bear informed me that she never had seen any of the reputed "white robes" in which to be clothed to receive Christ, nor did she ever hear of such a thing until some time
* During the month of February, 1869, I heard two Second Advent preachers holding forth at East Jaffrey, N. H. They were uncouth looking men, but gave every evidence of sincerity. Their whole burden was to prove that we were living in the last day. One took his argument from Nahum II, The "flaming torches" (v. 3) were the head-lights on loco- motives ; the "chariots" (v. 4) were passenger coaches; "they shall jostle the one against another," refers to cars coming together while trying to stop them; "they shall run like the lightnings," means their great speed; also a train on the N. Y. Central called "the Lightning Express ;" "He shall recount his worthies" (v. 5), means the conductor collecting the tickets; "they shall stumble in their walk," refers to the inability to walk straight in cars when in motion; "they shall make haste to the wall there- of," refers to passengers entering their seats and leaning against the side of the car; "the gates of the rivers shall be opened," means draw- bridges.
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after she had become a Shaker. The new members proved to be zealous workers. A list of the names of those Adventists who became Shakers was made out and placed in the archives, but cannot now be found.
SPIRITUALISM .*
Strict orders had been given out by the Mount Lebanon Ministry that the revelations made during the reign of spirit- ualism should be kept. Nothing is mentioned of these manifes-
*On October 19, 1903, I came into possession of the archives of North Union and Watervliet. Among the loose papers I found a brief record of Whitewater Spiritualism, of which the following is an exact copy, taken from first leaves detached from a book:
"Where as, We have lately received in structions from the Ministry of Union Village that it was the will and in structions of our heavenly Parrents, that all of those Sacred Communications which had been given Through our Heavenly parrents and there Ministering angels, for a few years past, should be carefully recorded and as far as it is is in our power we will labor to it as we had heard By letters from New labanon that there was a powerful Work of God going on among the be- lievers in the Eastern Societys and that the work was very hart touching and a wakening and Many Promises given through Visions and inspired Instruments, that our Heavenly Mother wold thougraly purch and purify her children on Earth and fit and prepare them for the in crease of the gospel. Also that Mother wold Visset every Sosiety of believers both East and West.
"The above information from the East, Caused us to Look and wait with great. anxiety for the fulfilment of those pretious Promises which we firmly believed wold certainly com to pas as Mother had promised, and our earnest prayers was that our Blessed Mother wold pour out her Spirit upon us at White water for we fealt poor and needy and so our prayers cotinnued without much mannifestation, of the fulfilment of the promises which we had received, Until the 16 of August in the- year one thousand Eight hundred and thirty Eight At which time the- power of God was showered down upon the boddy of believers at this. place like a mighty rushing wind, it being Sabbath Day while attending publick Meeting and Many Spekaters present, That remarcable Manne- fest of the power of God Seamed to Seaze the greates part of the as- sembly of believers, Such Mighty Shaking we never will before it wold Seam Sometimes that some individuals wold be Shaken all to peascis, This. Mighty Shaking continued till the Close of the Meeting and with a num- ber much longer, and for this Notice of the power of God we fealt ex- ceeding thankful and that our blessed Mothers hand now began herewith.
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tations until 1847, or after the marked decline had commenced. All of the Western Societies had been favored by the angelic
in every deed, and from this time the good work gradually increased, and there soon began to be chosen Insrements who ware inspired to deliver the Council and instructions of our Hevenly Parrents, through whom we received Many Pretious gifts from the Spiritual world, which to us has fealt to one of the greatest Blessings that was ever given since Man dwelt on Earth. Thease blessings finally became so frequent and in such a bundance, that for Sumtime we kept no correct record of those wonder- ful communications, But we labored to treasure them up in our harts as Much as we was able, and We can truly say that we have from the first commencement of our Blessed Mothers good Work, fealt thankful with all our Souls for the kind notice of the Many blessings which we have re- ceived from our Heavenly parrents, All of which has been calkulated to purge and purify our souls by an honest confesson and bring us dow in to a Spirit of humiliaty and simplicyly and true obedience so that we could larn to fear god and walk humbly and gain true love and union with one another and Larn to set a good examble before all people, and thus this blessed work continued to progress in till the latter part of the year 1839 at which time we began to receive books and litters through Mothers chosen and in Spired instruments, but it was some time before there was any gift for thease books letters to be read and written by Mortal power. But in January in the year 1840 we received a gift from the Ministry at union Village to have those Spiritual Boks and leters written by mortal power. And after we received the gift to have them read, we received a great many written communications from our Heav- enly parrent and others. Ministering Spirits, which we hace Mostly com- mitted to record. Nearly every individual through the Sosiety has been blesst with some written communication to Strengthen and in courrage them to be faithful and truly obedient to their Vissible lead.
"The Lot of Elders at this place have received Many pretious com- munications, in the form of book and litters and a number of theas comunications seamed to be of a publick nature, and a number of others seamed to be to us as individuals, so that we feal at los to now how to make the right Selection, not fealing our Selves to be competent judges in this matter. Therefore we have concluded to coppy all those that appear to be the Most of a publick Naure and such as we have received nearly as we received them, and leave the matter to the judgment and de- sisson of that gift and authority that is apointed in the East for that pur- pose, as we do not wish to hide our one tillant.
"We feal that we have been Noticed and blest by our heavenly parrents for more than we felt that we was worthy of, yet we can testify with thankful harts that the believers at White water have been greatly Blest with Many heavenly Blessings fead our Souls." -
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hosts, before visitations were made at Union Village. There the heavenly messengers were anxiously looked for and when they came it was like a "whirlwind." According to the Church Record there, the break-out commenced on William Moore August 8, 1838. So the influence must have been felt at White- water ere that date. All that I find is under date of Septem- ber 26, 1847, as follows:
"Sabbath was announced by Mother (The Holy Spirit), through two witnesses, Rhoda Hinman and Aletha Percel that four mighty Angels of judgment would make us a visit shortly to help every honest soul to awake and prepare for an increase in the work of God, by putting away all sin, and laboring for an increase in the true fear and love of God and for each other. Every soul in this part of Zion that would not hear and obey would be cut off. 30th. was announced through four witnesses that the Angels of judgment had come according to promise. The instruments were commanded to not sleep until the Angels had made their visit in the different room and done their work. At 12 midnight the Angels and Mother Ann visited every children and all. Ezra Sherman was chosen to speak for the Angel of Light the other three to be witnesses. Stephen Ball, Aletha Percel and Rhoda Hinman witnesses. The same Angels and witnesses went to the North Family and the same testimony was to them to prepare for a great increase in the work of God, by confessing all sin and laboring for love and union, to be prepared to gather in souls who would shortly come. Had a meeting admitting outsiders. As many as 200 came and was present to hear the instruments proclaim from the
Then follow six pages of narratives of Spirit doings, giving a daily record for January, March, April and May 1839. I give some extracts. : "Sabbath evening while Eldress Eunice was sitting in the Room there was a light seen to encircle her around for a number of minutes And in that time, she could not move, a number more lights seen in the Room that evening, and musick heard."
"There was singing heard in the kitchen, it moved from place to place Around the room, it was very heavenly."
January 17. "A good many different operations, and lively exercise. A voice was heard, saying, good spirits dwell with you all the Time. Some lights seen, resting on the people, all manifesting That mother's spirit was with us."
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mighty Angels the same testimony, the meeting lasted over three hours causing many to fear and tremble.
So far as I have pursued any inquiries, I find that Spiritual- ism has a stronger hold,at Whitewater than in Union Village. Still, there may be more of it in the latter place than I conjecture.
JUDICIAL PERSECUTION.
The free exercise of religion is guaranteed by the Constitu- tion of the United States. What the Constitution of Ohio was from 1811 to 1847 I have not taken occasion to examine. But whatever that constitution was, or whatever laws might have been enacted, all must conform to the Constitution of the United States, and the judiciary is sworn to obey the principles of the General Government.
Stephen W. Ball, - still a member at Whitewater - de- sired the possession of his two daughters, - his wife being dead, and children with their maternal grandparents. On October 6, 1847, Judge Moore decided that Stephen could not have his minor children because "the law of Ohio was if a man joined the Shakers, he forfeited all right and title to his children." The case was carried to the full bench, and set for the 9th, then the 23d, and finally November 5th, when the bench was equally di- vided, two for and two against. Case was again assigned for February 4, 1848, and again for the 26th, when Judge Johnson decided that Stephen could not have his children unless he would leave the Shakers. An appeal was taken to the State Supreme Court, where on April 19th, five judges decided "that any person joining the Shakers, deprived them of their natural right to their children." Two judges dissentcd. Comment is unnecessary. The record does not state why the case was not carried into the Federal Courts. In after years one of Stephen W. Ball's daugh- ters joined the Shakers. Fannie became a very successful teacher at Watervliet. While teaching there she consented to marry Ephraim Frost, and on June 12, 1872, both withdrew from the Society. . Later, with their son, they re-united at Whitewater. Ephraim desired again to leave, though Fannie was satisfied to stay, but under threat of having her son taken from her if she
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did not comply, she left the Society once more to accompany her husband. She is now a widow.
GARDEN SEED ENTERPRISE.
It was in 1847 that the Whitewater brethren started on a successful career of raising garden seeds for the markets. Trips for selling the seeds were made in different parts of the country. One trip was called the Northern, another the Missouri River, another the Western Land, another the Kentucky, etc. The greatest amount received for one year - if I correctly notice,- was in 1857, when $5,704 was realized, with a total traveling expense of $416. This enterprise came to an end in 1873, be- cause many firms began to put out garden and flower seeds in fancy colored papers and boxes, also in different size packages. "That our seeds did not take, as they were put up in a brown col- ored paper and a plain stained box. It was conclusive we must - keep up with the times or step down and out, which we did."
CHRONICLES RESUMED.
In 1847 the floods in the Miami and Whitewater were the highest ever known and attended with great damage to property. In consequence, on February Ist, the Shaker's commenced grind- ing breadstuffs for the public, because other mills were either destroyed or damaged. During the year a two-story brick wash house 30 x 60 feet was built. Bought of Michael Shuck 30 acres for $1,000. August 20th, Phillip Antes was released from the First Eldership and Ebenezer Rice was appointed to succeed him. December 25th, it was decided to give up the eating of pork, which has been maintained to the present. However pork is set before visitors. I was favored with it at every meal while at Whitewater.
In 1848 a horse-power shed, a wagon shed and a dye house were built.
In 1849 a two-story wood house, 20 x 60 (for Center Fam- ily), milk house with cellar (North Family), and sheep barn 30 x 120 feet were built. Spinning machines started. Julia Ann Bear, on June 23d, became Eldress in place of Susan Ann Easter- brooks. December 26th, small-pox broke out.
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A farm of 200 acres, containing a brick house and barn was purchased of William Walker for $10,000 on February Ist, 1850. During the high water of March 6th, the stone dam was washed out and fences gone. August 24th, thirty brethren from Union Village came to help rebuild the mill dam. November 19th, George Rubush was appointed first Elder and Lewis Gor- don second at the North Family.
In 1851, burned 140,000 brick, and December 1Ith, for. first time used a circular saw.
DEATH OF AN EASTERN MINISTER.
The only notice I have seen of the death of one of the Mount Lebanon Ministry is that of Rufus Bishop, at Whitewater, August 2, 1852. The Mount Lebanon Ministry, then consisting of Rufus Bishop, Amos Stewart, Eliza A. Taylor and Asenath Clark, arrived at Whitewater, July 30th, from Pleasant Hill and South Union, Ky. "August 3d, at half-past two in the afternoon, the funeral began, attended by this Society generally, and some 20, mostly Elders from Union Village. The meeting continued some two hours, - first by singing some verses composed by Elder Harvey (H. L. Eads), and Elder Oliver Hampton. Elder John Martin (first in the ministry at Union Village), spoke some very appropriate remarks for the occasion, followed by the East- ern Ministry. Two verses given by inspiration was sung of El- der Rufus' welcome into the company of the Redeemed, fol- lowed by testimonies from the Elders of the different families,- first Union Village, then Whitewater. Several messages were given out by inspiration. More verses were read, - other speak- ing. Elder John Martin made the closing remarks. All moved to the grave: Western brethren going before the carriage, four at the sides. Western Ministry followed the carriage containing the corpse; Eastern Ministry followed next; the Elders of Whitewater, then Union Village Elders next, then the elders from the different families ; then all the folks, old and young, fol- lowed, marching four abreast. After the corpse was buried, the singers sang a hymn; a message given by inspiration through
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Elder Oliver Hampton. All returned home in the same order as they went. Several hymns were sung on the return to the house. "The order in the East at this time was to appoint some twelve or more brethren to go before the corpse. These were the persons that performed the duties at the grave. Since that time, . owing to lack of members, that plan has been abandoned." On the following day the Eastern and Western Ministry started for Union Village.
CHRONICLES RESUMED.
During the year 1862, a house for drying fruit, 20 x 28, and a cowbarn 40 x 168, were built. On January Ist, commenced making broom handles, and in February commenced running the saw mill day and night. December 23, Louisa Farnum became Elder Sister at Center Family and Julia Ann Bear, Eldress at the North, with Elizabeth Gass as second. December 24th mill dam and fences carried away.
In 1853, a brick school house 20 x 30, and a two-story brick house 18 x 36 were built. On January 3d, it was decided to aban- don water power at the mill, and introduce steam. The cost of the change was $2,000. Had $87 worth of sheep killed by dogs, for which damages were received. A McCormick reaper was purchased. August 4th, a company of sixteen went to Lawrence- burg, Ind., to see the telegraph and railroad trains.
In 1854, a brick henhouse 17 x 44 and 14 feet high was built. Bought the Mering mill lot of 70 acres for $1,300. Purchased twenty China chickens ranging from $1 to $20 each; also a bull and heifer for $1,000; two cider mills for $80; barn burned by lightning and another unroofed at South Family. .
In 1855 a brick office, front three stories. 45 x 30, kitchen part two-story, 43 x 22, a milk and loom house at South Family 12 x 16, and a frame at the South Family house 18 x 36 were built. The Society now numbered seventy persons. The Gath- ering Order was removed on May 17th, from the North to the South, and the children to the North. Elders and Eldresses at the South, George Rubush, John Hobart, Elizabeth Gass and Polly McClain, and at the North, Matthew Carter, E. Frost, Julia A. Bear and Hester Frost.
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THE OFFICE.
(Elder Charles Sturr on Extreme Left.)
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In 1856 a wood house at the Office, 24 x 18, a house for dyeing cloth, and a one-story frame at North were built. Pur- chased near Cleveland 2,500 evergreen trees at two cents each. The Union Village Ministry arrived on September 17th, and de- cided that a part of Whitewater people should remove to Water- vliet. Those selected were Ebenezer Rice, Matthew B. Carter, Ezra Sherman, Lewis Packer, William Adams, Thomas Streets, Francis Vaun, Charles King, Matthew Traver, Mary, Rebecca and Emily Adams, Adaline Wells, Matilda A. Butler, Mary Ellen Stroud, Sally McBride, Hester Ann ReVoux, Mary J. Lewis and Berthany Williams. All left on the 23d September. The Union Village records add the name of Ramuth G. Bunting. This re- moval necessitated certain changes. Stephen Ball was made first Elder, and with him John S. Hobart second. Josiah Burnham and Frederick Faulhaber, Trustees. On October 12th Frederick Faulhaber, Joseph Agnew, Louisiana Stroud, Lucy Woodward, Susan Rubush and Polly Burnham moved into the Office. On December Ist commenced to weave bonnets.
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