USA > Ohio > Shakers of Ohio; fugitive papers concerning the Shakers of Ohio, with unpublished manuscripts > Part 22
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In 1857, built a two-story addition of brick to the nurse house. Bought 944 acres of land for $15,000, in Clinton County, Ohio, adjoining that purchased by Union Village. In April, Jo- siah Burnham and Marion Moss took cattle there to pasture.
April 3, 1858, grain barn was burned by an incendiary, losing threshing machine and 120 bushels barley. On 17th, a robber entered the office, threatened one of the sisters and Joseph Agnew, broke open the desk, scattered the contents on the floor, and escaped, securing but little booty. October Ist, Henry Bear trans- ferred to the Center as Elder and Stephen Ball to the South as Elder.
March 3, 1859, Louisa Farnum was released as first Eldress at Center and Lucy Woodward took her place. Lewis Gordon moved from the North to the South and Stephen Ball from the South to the North, changing places as Elders.
April 14, 1860, John S. Hobart became crazy and on 28th was taken by sheriff. June 4th, he entered suit against the So- ciety, for $10,000 damages, alleging that he was injured by being dragged through the streets of Cincinnati, and also for false imprisonment. June 25th, had Henry Bear and Stephen Ball
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arrested by the U. S. Marshall and taken before the U. S. Com- missioner at Cincinnati on the accusation of opening and detain- ing his letters, but being unable to prove his charges, the case was dismissed. The suit for damages was heard November 16th, and decided in favor of the Shakers. During March, set out 165 apple and 200 pear trees. .
December 21, 1861, "Stephen Ball released from Elder at the North, George Rubush first. Josiah Burnham at the North, Ebenezer Rice as second at Center with Elder, H. B. Bear."
NAMES OF MEMBERS IN 1862.
The Ministry from Union Village arrived October 16, 1862,. and changed the three families into two; the South, Gathering Order, changed to the North, and the South to be a part of the Center. George Rubush, Ezra Sherman, Elizabeth Gass and Amanda Rubush, Elders at the North; Stephen Ball and Man- ley Sherman, Polly Burnham, Mary Middleton, Lucy Devolve, Margaret Nickles, Molly Dupler and Eliza Cook to live with the boys at the South.
At Center with the South - Elders Henry Bear, Ebenezer Rice: John Easterbrooks, Joseph Agnew, Lewis Gordon, John Clark, George King, John Atcheson, John Wisenborn, Charles Wortman, Charles Faraday, Josiah Burnham, Frederick Faul- haber, Elmer Butler, Washington Rubush, Oliver Atchison, Isa- iah King, William Burnet, Edward McBride.
Brethren and boys at South : Elder Stephen Ball and Manley Sherman, with following boys, Elijah, Ora and Daniel Starkey, Thomas Andrews, Charles Brock, Charles Almon and George Merrick. 'Boys under Ann Vann at Center near Office: Charles Sturr, Robert Morrison, Edward Donaldson, Lafayette Packer and Alfred Doyle. Sisters: Eldress Lucy Woodward, Nancy McKee, Susanna Farnum, Minerva McGuire, Susan and Polly Champlain, Lucy and Susan A. Eastabrooks, Susan and Martha Rubush, Elizabeth Sharp, Ann Vann, Louisianna Stroud, Eliza McGuire, May A. Wheeler, Rachel Hall, Julia A. Bear, Julia Middleton, Harriet Thompson, Lucinda Packer, Jane Starkey, Matilda Butler, Susanna and Marietta Faraday, Emily Flagg,
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Sarah E. and Hannah J. Bryant, Fanny Ball, Amelia Dobson, Josephine Deming, Polly McClain, Lottie Wheeler, Sisters at South, seven, previously given. Girls at Center: Caty Walker, Ovanda Brock, Arecia Columbia, Olive Flagg, Lamora Brooks, Betsey Allman, Luella Carpenter, Aurilla Lacy, Antonette King. These two families were under one interest of the Center.
Of the North Family, - Elder George Rubush and Elder Ezra Sherman, John S. Hobart, Dennis and William McBride, Alexander Butler, Wilson Davis, John Freeman, James Starkey, William Merrick, Nelson Atchison. Eldress Elizabeth Gass and Eldress Amanda Rubush. Eliza Carter, Mary Faraday, Pris- cilla Rubush, Isabella and Mary E. Merrick, Mary Donaldson, Rebecca Clark, Melissa and Catherine Carpenter, Lydia Brock, Albina Kilgore, Jane Allman, Mary Gass, Rosetta .Worts, Rhoda Gray, Catherine Sturr, Emaline Brooks, Eliza Hobart, Marinda and Lotta Sirk, and Adelia Doyle. The total population at this time embraced 118. persons.
THE MORGAN RAID.
On July 13, 1863, "one of the boys was at the mill at Harri- son and saw Morgan's raiders coming down the hill west of town. He came home and reported the news. Frederick Faulhaber, on a fleet horse, rode out until he came in sight of them, and then hurried back as fast as he could, -receiving the fire of the enemy, but was soon out of sight. He spread the alarm, warn- ing the neighbors to hide their horses. Several heeded the warn- ing and took their horses above the North Family and there hid them. They took from the South Family two horses, but this was the extent of their damage to us, save a few meals and hindering us in the harvest. The main army encamped on the main road between Harrison and New Haven (Preston, P. O.), but extending their pickets and horse thieves for several miles each way, searching the cornfields and thickets for horses, rob- bing private residences of such things as they wanted, and if any refused they were roughly treated. At Harrison they entered all kinds of shops and stores, taking whatever they chose. At Leon- ard's store they took $4,200 in money besides $6,000 worth of
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goods. At Davison's about $6,000 all told. The loss in Harrison was about $50,000. At New Haven they cleaned out both the stores. At Frost's $300 and Thompson's some $500, and in the vicinity 100 horses. They treated our folks very respectfully, and did not enter our buildings. They departed towards New Baltimore, and burned the big covered bridge across the Miami. "After the aiders had departed we supposed our troubles had come to an end. But the next day the Union Army, some 500 or 600 on horses,-Home Guards of Indianapolis-headed by John S. Hobart, claiming to be authorized by the Government, to take all the horses he could find. John threatened to burn and kill if we did not bring in our horses from where we had hid them. Elder George Rubush ordered his horses brought to the house, where John and his companions selected the two best, as he agreed only to take two, if they were brought in.
"This time of excitement continued for days, owing to false reports being received that more of Morgan's men were coming, - then it was the Union men."
CHRONICLES RESUMED.
February 29, 1864, Henry B. Bear, Ezra Sherman and Fred- erick Faulhaber were appointed trustees.
In 1865 sold brooms at $6 and $7 per dozen, and 200 bushels of strawberries ranging between $6 and $7.50 per bushel.
December 31, 1868, Ezra Sherman became Elder at Gath- ering Order and Stephen Ball succeeded him as trustee.
February 7, 1870, Stephen Ball was removed to Watervliet, and Matthew B. Carter removed from Watervliet to Whitewater to take first charge as trustee. In 1871 steam laundry was put in at both the Center and North. Families.
In April, 1872, Ebenezer Rice was released from second Eldership, and George B. Amery appointed in his place to live with Henry Bear. Alexander Butler from the South moved into Office to act with Matthew B. Carter.
December 23, 1873, Eliza McGuire was appointed Eldress at South Family in place of Polly Burnham.
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March 23, 1874, George King appointed Elder at South in place of George Rubush. October 29, Matthew Carter trans- ferred to Union Village to act as trustee there. November 4th, George Amery removed to Office to act as trustee; Alexander Butler becomes first Elder at North; Ezra Sherman removes to Center, and Charles H. Sturr becomes deacon.
In 1875, bank grain barns were built, both at the Center and North. March 6th, donated $1,000 to Mount Lebanon to assist them in the great loss the Society there had sustained by fire. June Ist, Amanda Rubush becomes second Eldress at South and Amelia Dobson becomes second at Center. November 16th, suit instituted against George B. Amery for selling onion seed not as guaranteed. On the 22d, suit against Society by Harrison Turn- pike Company. Action on account of George King using a road along and by the side of the turnpike and toll gate, and striking the toll-road beyond the gate. The claim was for $40, for passing the gate eight times. As nothing further appears, it is probable these suits were settled.
In 1876 a shop for making brooms and carpenter work was set up. September 6th, Frederick Faulhaber becomes Elder at the North and Charles Faraday the same at the South.
March 25, 1878, George Amery released as trustee and ap- pointed second Elder; Wilson Saffin becomes first Elder at the North in place of Alexander Butler, and the latter removes to the Office as trustee, and Charles H. Sturr to live with him. Au- gust 22, George Amery removes to the South, and succeeded by Charles Faraday at the Center. October 8, on account of the secession of Eldress Lucy Woodward, Amanda Rubush and Su- sanna Faraday become first and second Eldress, respectively at the Center ; Julia Ann Bear becomes first Eldress at North, and Eliza McGuire moves into the Office; George Amery having left the Society, Joseph Usher moves from the North to the South.
March 25, 1879, Louisa Farnham moved to Union Village to become first in the Ministry in the Sister's Lot. Ezra Sher- man becomes first and Wilson Saffin second Elder at the North. December 29th, Stephen Ball returns from Watervliet to be- come first Elder at the Center, with Henry Bear second. The
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latter also becomes a trustee. As the Shakers had been schooling their own children besides paying taxes they attempted to get a special school district, but failed. It was not until April 20, 1891, that the school board established a school at the Shaker school house.
January 27th, 1880, Wilson Saffin removed from the second Elder at the North and goes to the Center. July 2, Nancy McKee second Eldress at Center in place of Susanna Faraday, and Kate Dennis becomes second at the North. November 2d, Henry Bear is released as trustee and moves to the North as first Elder; Ezra Sherman removes to the Office as trustee; Charles Faraday be- comes second Elder at Center, and Charles Sturr, bookkeeper at Office.
In December, 1881, the sorghum house was removed to the Boggett farm to be used as a dwelling.
January Ist, 1882, the Union Village Ministry arrived and made the following changes: Henry Bear becomes first Elder at Center and trustee; Stephen Ball becomes second, and Charles Faraday first Elder at the North. May 13th, Julia A. Bear is released from first Eldress at the North and moves to Office in place of Eliza McGuire. Susan Faraday as first with Carrie Burk as second at the North.
February 4, 1884, Charles Sturr succeeded Henry Bear as deacon and trustee. May 21st, commenced roofing cow barn. It took three men twenty-nine days to put on the 65,000 shingles. Put up wagon scales. Made two fish ponds. Dried 54 Barrels of sweet corn. Began to ship first by express for stock purposes.
October 24, 1885, raised a new sheep barn on same spot where previous one stood. August 19th, Matthew B. Carter and Julia Ann Bear appointed trustees for the Society. A strange freak of lightning occurred June 13th, during a heavy storm. It struck the wash house, going in at the door on the west side ; thence up through the floors to the attic, tearing a hole through the roof by both chimneys; then down the south end to the cistern, and on its course it took off most of the ceiling in the ironing room, doing damage all the way. In the upper room were 20,000 silk worms about ready to spin. The children had just left the ironing room.
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November, 1886, Eliza McGuire became second Eldress at Center. In August hot air furnaces were put in at both the Office and Center dwelling.
During April, 1887, an orchard containing 400 apple trees and 200 peach trees was set out north of the Office. In Septem- ber a stone walk was placed around the Office and another con- necting it with the residence of the Center family.
June 25, 1889, Louisa Farnham returns from Union Village, where she had lived in the Ministry, and became second Eldress at Center. The South Family was broken up and moved to the North. This is the first acknowledgement (though indirect) of the visible decay of the community found in the Sturr MS.
July 1, 1890, Lafayette Parker becomes first Elder at the North, in the room of Charles Faraday. August 19th, the Mount Lebanon Ministry arrives and appoints Mary Gass, Eldress at the North in place of Elizabeth Sharp, -the latter moving to the Center.
In 1891, a new engine house of corrugated iron was built. A new boiler and engine for the wash house at North Family. March 14th, purchased threshing machine and traction engine.
In 1893, a new threshing machine and a traction engine of 15 horse power were purchased. Threshing was done in the vicinity. This was carried on for some years.
June 25th, 1894, another thresher was purchased, and later a clover huller, and during the season threshed 33,461 bushels of wheat, 9,731 of oats and barley and 355 of clover. The house on the Williamson farm having been destroyed by fire, within forty days a new two-story with kitchen, was constructed, for the renter. This is the first indication of lands rented out. Doubt- less, owing to age and the paucity of numbers, the Shakers had. commenced renting out their lands ere this year.
The Sturr MS. is utterly silent on the subject of manners, customs and dress, save two items in the year 1895 ; one of which (January 6th), states "began to kneel once after meals, after eating," and the other (July 14th), "change made of worship, first stand singing a hymn, then sit down, speak, sing or read." As all the manners, customs, etc., are prescribed by the Mount Lebanon Ministry, the edict goes out to all the Societies at the
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same time, and hence Shaker Zion is supposed to be blessed with a general uniformity in all things. During the year, at the Center a 40-foot steel tank tower, holding 75 barrels, was put up to supply house and stock.
February 15, 1896, Lafayette Parker was released from the Eldership at the North, and soon after withdrew, taking his chil- dren with him. The temporal affairs of the entire estate were now assumed by Charles H. Sturr. The year was one of tribu- lation, presenting great trouble with the Ludwig family; all the boys leaving; all the work and affairs to be looked after by Charles Sturr; could not run threshing machines because none at home to call on for assistance; sold one of the machines.
In 1897, steam heating at Center Family and hot water at Office were introduced.
September 25, 1898, Charles H. Sturr was appointed sceond Elder at Center, Henry B. Bear being first.
March 21, 1899, the Shakers' suit against the Birdsell Huller Company was decided in favor of the former. Particulars not given. Under one roof was constructed a wagon shed and corn crib. This is the last item of building.
July 5, 1900, John Tyler removes from Watervliet to live at the North to take charge of affairs there. July 8th, Charles H. Sturr succeeded Henry Bear as first Elder, and moved 'into the building of the Center Family, having lived in the Office since March 25, 1878. This closes the Sturr MS.
The Sturr papers inform us that the telephone was in use at the Center Family in 1901, and the windows of the dwelling were enlarged in 1902.
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS.
The Elders of the Center Family take rank over the North Family -the South Family extinct. Charles H. Sturr is first Elder at Center, likewise Amanda Rubush first Eldress, with none standing second. John O. Tyler is first Elder at .North ; Adaline Wells, first Eldress and Sarah Smith second. The trus- tces are Henry B. Bear, Charles H. Sturr, Amanda Rubush and Matilda A. Butler. Besides the above, the Covenant members are Frederick Faulhaber, Lewis Robbins, Stephen Ball, Julia A. Bear,
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Elizabeth Sharp, Mary Middleton, Lucinda Parker, Catherine Sturr, Emaline Brooks, Rebecca Clark, Eliza Cook, Carrie Burk, Susanna Rooney, Louisa Gass and Cora Stevens.
CONCLUSION.
In all the documents I have examined I have seen no evi- dence of any defalcations in the community. The affairs appear to have been well managed, and the Society has moved along in harmony. I asked Elder Sturr how the Society es- caped the financial troubles in which Joseph Slingerland in- volved Union Village. In reply I was informed that he had a premonition and immediately saw every Covenant member, and all expressed themselves as being satisfied with the present board of trustees. When Elder Slingerland came to remove Elders Bear and Sturr, he was informed that the present board was satisfactory to all those concerned. The matter was not pressed. Nearly all the lands are rented. Harmony prevails in this com- munity.
NOTE .- In 1907 the Mount Lebanon Ministry ordered the dissolu- tion of this Society.
SHAKERS OF EAGLE AND STRAIGHT CREEKS.
PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.
All reforms, whether in the cause of religion or efforts in- tended for the betterment of humanity, have been more or less opposed by those for whom the labors have been put forth. The cause of religion has ever called for its martyrs. Nearly every sect has been persecuted, and in the tempest, choice spirits are born, destined to become honored and revered by those who reaped the fruits of their toils. In the building up of the walls of Zion, self-sacrifice has been displayed to such an extent as to call forth the admiration of the just and all lovers of the progress of mankind.
The attempt will not here be made to pay tribute to a band of Shakers who once lived among the beautiful hills of Adams County, Ohio. They made sacrifices and suffered for what they believed to be the true expression of the teachings of Christ. Their own chronicler has portrayed their sufferings, disappoint- ments and disasters. An impartial observer cannot help being aroused to feelings of sympathy by the recital of the unfortunate experiences of this devoted band of sincere followers of the teachings of Ann Lee. The fortitude, patience and hope under the most trying difficulties must appeal to the better parts of our nature, and call forth unstinted praise and approval. The record of the Shakers of Adams County is a part of the history of Ohio, although their sufferings were imposed upon them in other com- monwealths.
, SOURCES OF INFORMATION.
The official records, of what was known as the Shakers of West Union, have been lost or destroyed. In 1827 these records were in possession of the Shaker Community at South Union, Logan County, Ky., but after diligent inquiry among the Western communities I have failed to obtain even a trace of them. For-
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tunately the journal has been practically preserved by Samuel S. McClelland, who made excerpts from the original document for a member of the Society at Union Village. This MS. was placed in my hands by Mr. Moore S. Mason, of Union Village, with per- mission to make such use of it as I might determine. As the MS. is very defective, I set about accumulating such information as would make the narrative more complete. In this I was sec- onded by all in authority in the Western communities. Eldress Jane Cowan, of South Union, placed the record of that Society in my possession. The early part of these records is made up from the private diary of Benjamin Seth Youngs, a member of the first Shaker propaganda to the West. It is rich in dates and the principles that form the basis of history. Elder Charles H. Sturr placed in my possession the records of the Whitewater Community, located in Hamilton County, Ohio. With the rec- ords of Union Village I was already familiar. I had the histories of Knox and Sullivan Counties, Indiana, searched in the same behalf. Having seemingly exhausted every corner, and presum- ing nothing had ever been published relating to the West Union Society, I was most agreeably surprised on June 6, 1903, by re- ceiving a present of a complete set of "The Manifesto" (1871- 1899) from Alonzo G. Hollister, Mt. Lebanon, N. Y., which con- tains two separate accounts of the people with whom we are now concerned. The first is in the form of five articles, purporting to be written by Samuel S. McClelland, placed in a readable form, prepared at the Shaker Society at Pleasant Hill, Ky., and appears in "The Manifesto" for May-September, 1885. The second is a short account in "The Manifesto" for January, 1890, written by Louis Basting, of West Pittsfield, Mass. The MS. autobiography of Issachar Bates I find to be very valuable. Before receiving the published accounts I had transcribed the McClelland MS. preparatory for editing and was engaged in selecting and arrang- ing my notes. In the notes and the Introduction i have freely drawn on such sources of information as I have been able to obtain.
EAGLE CREEK AND STRAIGHT CREEK BELIEVERS.
Our history opens in Adams County, Ohio, in the year 1805. That region was sparsely inhabited, the people having mostly
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come from Virginia, Kentucky and the north of Ireland. On Eagle Creek, some ten miles from the Ohio River and three miles from West Union, Rev. John Dunlavy lived and settled over a parish there and another on Straight Creek, now Georgetown, Brown County. Dunlavy was a man of liberal education, had be- longed to the Presbyterian Church, and was a pronounced par- ticipant in the Kentucky revival. Whether or not he had pre- viously held views at variance to the Confession of Faith, I am unable to determine, but in all probability he was "not sound in the faith." He joined the reform movement with enthusiasm, and the opening of the year 1805 found him with the Christians (New Light) working to upbuild the new order of things. That he was skilled as a theologian may be seen in his "Manifesto," a book of 520 pp., first published in 1818, at Pleasant Hill, Ky., where he remained as preacher until his death. This book was reprinted in New York in 1847, and is one of the standards of Shaker theology.
ADVENT OF SHAKERISM.
The Shaker propaganda which set out for the West from Mount Lebanon, N. Y., on January Ist, 1805, took advantage of every camp-meeting that came under its notice. Where a camp- meeting was advertised, a Shaker missionary promptly made his appearance, and lost no opportunity to instill his doctrines. Some of the reformed preachers looked upon this attitude as in har- mony with the spirit of freedom to worship; while others re- garded it with great disfavor, and even descended to hostile pro- ceedings. When the pulpit or the platform was closed against them, then private conversation was resorted to and homes vis- ited. It was also deemed expedient to visit such neighborhoods. as had accepted the faith of the revivalists, and these places appear to have been made stations or resting places during the longer journeys.
The first Shakers to visit Eagle Creek were Benjamin Seth Youngs and David Spinning, who left Union Village June 27, 1805, for Kentucky via Eagle Creek. In company with Issachar Bates and Richard McNemar, on their return, they were again at Eagle Creek July 26th. On the 29th, Rev. John Dunlavy became a convert. The vicinity was again visited by Bates, McNemar
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and Malcolm Worley on their way to Kentucky, having left Union Village August 8. By this time the principal people at Eagle Creek had embraced the Shaker faith. From September IIth to 16th Youngs was with the Believers propagating the faith. From October Ioth to 13th, Youngs and John Meacham were at Eagle Creek, and the 14th at Straight Creek, where they must have remained several days, for they did not reach Cabin Creek, Lewis Co., Ky., until the 24th; and on November 30th were again at Eagle Creek. Youngs, Bates and McNemar reached the same place December 31, and on January 1, 1806, were stopping at the residence of John Knox, from whence they visited the families of Dunlavy, Joseph Painter and William Knox. On the 2nd, Bates and Youngs visited the homes of Nai- lor and Judge Edie. On the 4th to Jonas Shrizes and Daniel Redmon. On Sunday at John Knox's the three elders, together with John Dunlavy, addressed an audience of 60, of whom 30 were Believers. At the evening worship, A. Dunlavy was taken with shaking, jerking. and dancing, while Redmon and Sally Moore fell. Though the weather was very cold, visits were made to McCawley's, Painter's, Shrizes', Straw's and Edie's. Services night of 8th when Peggy Pangburn confessed. Meeting the 12th at Knox's, whence confessions from S. Redmon, A. and S. Moore. On the 13th converts were William and Nancy Clark and Wil- liam Moore. The missionaries proceeded to Kentucky and re- turned March 5th. During their absence the following confessed to John Dunlavy: William Gallagher and Adam, his son, Garner McNemar, Elizabeth and Eliza Sharp, Jenny Boyles, William Sharp, Hary Hall and F. E. Knox. At Cabin Creek, while on a visit, Alexander and Sally McGehan confessed. Owing to the conversion of his wife (Nancy) and daughter, James Duncan left for Kentucky. On the 7th a large meeting was held at Knox's, when Betsy McNemar, Rebecca Gallagher, Fielding Mar- tin and Polly Sharp opened their minds. On the Ioth Betsy Gal- lagher and Joseph Cospey confessed. July 30, Bates and McNe- mar set out for Eagle Creek and returned to Union Village Au- gust 9th. They found the people "under great weakness and loss for the want of nothing but a privilege- numbers are going back, and the wicked taking great power over them - they un-
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