Warren County
Local History by Dallas Bogan |
Contributor: |
Dallas Bogan on 29 September 2004 |
Source: |
The following is taken from Dallas Bogan's book, "The Pioneer Writings of Josiah Morrow." |
Return to Index to see a list of other articles by Dallas Bogan |
The articles recently printed on the early history of the Shakers
at Union Village were read with interest by the members of the society, and
through the politeness of Mr. James H. Fennessy, trustee of
the society, the Star has been given the temporary possession of the most valuable
and interesting of the records of Union Village, with permission to make such
use of them as may be deemed proper. These records are contained in a large
manuscript volume of 490 pages. So highly prized is this volume that a promise
was exacted that it should be locked in a fireproof safe every night that it
was kept in Lebanon. The title of the volume is "Records of the Church
at Union Village, Ohio: Being an accurate transcript from the original journals
and records kept in the church in conformity with the provision in Article III,
Section 4, of the Covenant of the Church: Commencing in the year 1805."
These records cover the period from the beginning of the society in 1805 up
to April, 30, 1861, but those from 1805 to the close of 1842 were transcribed
from the originals into this volume in 1842. While the transcript bears evidence
that it is not literally copied from any journal or record, having explanatory
observations that must have been added by later hand, no doubt can be entertained
of the intention to make a truthful record both on the part of the original
writers and the transcriber. Taken altogether, this volume, I think, is the
most interesting and valuable manuscript record ever kept in Warren county.
I can here give only a few of the important events in the early history of Union
Village. The record begins as follows:
Beginnings of Shakerism in West.
"The United Society of Believers (called Shakers)
took its rise in the western country in the year 1805 under the ministration
of John Meacham, Issachar Bates and Benjamin
S. Youngs, who were commissioned and sent to the western states by
the mother church at New Lebanon, New York. They set out on their mission to
the west on January 1, 1805, and on Friday, the 22nd of March following, they
arrived at this place now called Union Village. On the ensuing Sabbath, Issachar
and Benjamin attended the public meeting of the Revivalists
or New Lights, as they were called, and at the close of the meeting, read the
following letter date of December 30, 1804."
The letter is too long to be here given. It began: "The church of Christ
unto a people in Kentucky and the adjacent states, sendeth greeting. We have
heard of a work of God among you," etc.
After the letter the record proceeds to give the dates of the first converts
of the new faith at Union Village in March and April
in 1805, as follows: Malcolm Worley, March 27; Ann
Middleton, March 29; Cornelius Campbell, March 31,
and about the same time Joseph Stout and soon after Francis
and Polly Bedle, and on April 24, Richard and Jenny McNemar.
On May 23 the first meeting of the believers was held at the house of David
Hill, about a mile from Union Village, south by west.
On July 29, 1805, Elder David Darrow, Daniel Moseley
and Solomon King arrived at M. Worley's. Elder
David was ordained and sent by the leading authority of the
parent church at New Lebanon to take the first spiritual charge of the forming
churches in the west. Those with him came as assistants.
The following is a list of the families or heads of families that set out to
obey the gospel in 1805 and soon after, though all did not then live in the
immediate vicinity of the society: Francis Bedle, Samuel
Sering, Samuel Holloway, Elijah Davis,
Jonathon Davis, Stephen Spinning, David
Spinning, John Dennis, Abner Bornell,
Stephen Williams, Benjamin Howard, Amos
Valentine, John Miller, Joseph Stout,
James Bedle, Richard McNemar, Malcolm
Worley, David Hill, Calvin Morrell,
Joseph Patterson, John Wallace, John
Able, Samuel Rollins, Thos. Junt,
Charles West, Allen Woodruff, Moses
Easton, David Corey, Daniel Boyd,
Cornelius Campbell, Lorenzo Belcher, John
Gee, David Johnson, Jno. Sharp, Matthew
Houston, Andrew Brown, John Naylor,
John Carson, Belteshazzar Draggoo, John
Houston, Robert Baxter, James Dickson,
Joseph Irwin, Nathan Pegg, John Woods,
James Smith, Garner McNemar, William
Davis, Sr., Abigail Kitchel, Malinda
Watts, Jenny Byrne, Rachael Seward,
Betsy Anderson, Reuben Morris, Jacob
Holloway, Caleb Pegg, John Slater,
Jonathon Gandy, Joseph Lockwood, Thomas
N. Naylor, William Runyan, Anne Middleton
and some others.
"Most of them, if not all, set out in what might be called the first opening
of the gospel, a few families, however, named above were a few years later,
but all gathered into the church at an early period. Besides many children in
the families, there were, say 25 or 30 unmarried adults. (It is estimated that
in what might be called the first gathering of this society, before its organization
into a church order in 1812, there were, old and young, 370 souls.)"
1806--May 31, Eldress Ruth Farrington accompanied by nine
brethren and sisters arrived from New Lebanon, N.Y. Before leaving New Lebanon,
Eldress Ruth was appointed the first in care in the west on
the sisters' side. Peter Pease, who was one of the party from
New Lebanon, began this year to keep the journal of events at Union Village.
On June 5, Elder David Darrow and all the brethren who had
from time to time come from the east, removed from Malcolm Worley's
house, which had been their headquarters, to their own premises they had purchased
from Timothy Sewell, and which then had only small log cabins
on it. This was afterward called the South House. On August 11, a log blacksmith
shop was put up for David Mosely, and on September 1, a new
frame house was raised. This year the farm of Abram LaRue was
purchased for the Shakers.
1807--This year some of the elders made visits to the Shawnee Indians at Greenville
to witness the reported revival of religion among them. On May 30 a party of
23 Indians visited Union Village and attended public worship on Sunday, drawing
to the meeting a vast multitude of spectators. The Indians returned on June
4. Again on August 29, about 50 Indians visited the Shakers and remained a few
days. The journal says:
"We are threatened with being put to the sword's point for showing charity
to the poor Indians. This threat is from Samuel Tronsdale,
a militia officer."
October 10, elders occupy the upper part of their new house. This is the first
house of importance built by the believers at this place. November 6, sisters
husk corn today; cold weather. November 8, Ashbel Kitchel at
meeting today, and united in the worship (perhaps for the first time). November
29, the barn of the elders family took fire soon after dark and almost everything
in it was consumed.
1808--January 23, Many young believers here from Eagle and Beaver Creeks, 16
in all. February 16. First sawmill, started. June 15, John McLean
of Lebanon, O., commences printing the first edition of the book entitled "Christ's
Second Appearing." October 9, A Baptist preacher by the name of Thompson
held meeting today in the highway opposite our place of worship. There was a
great gathering of the people supposed to be about 2,500. Soon after he commenced,
our worship began and the multitude rushed to our meeting and left poor Mr.
Thompson on a stump. He presently followed the crowd and mingled with
the spectators. November 10, our first school commences; male teacher, John
Woods; female teacher, Malinda Watts.
1809--January 8, hold meeting in the meeting house for the first time. August
20, great concourse of spectators at meeting today.
1810--January 23, hauling logs from a contemplated building near the meeting
house. February 3, ten teams hauling cherry logs. April 23, a horse died today,
supposed to have been poisoned yesterday. April 24, another horse died, supposed
from the same cause as both were in the same stable. August 27, a great gathering
of people here today for the avowed purpose of driving the "Old
Shakers" out of the country. The number was supposed to be
a thousand or more! 400 or 500 of whom were under arms. They found the society
attending to their duties, neither dismayed, nor enraged. October 15 (Note--the
continual concourse of visitors to and from this place to various points is
almost incredible. Many of the distant trips are mentioned in this journal,
but the still more frequent ad numerous visitors nearer home, such as to and
from Eagle and Straight Creeks, Beaulah and Beaver Creek and Mad River, etc.,
are seldom noticed in this record).
1811--Two entries in the journal this year indicate that the Shakers early in
the spring drove their cattle a great distance to graze during the summer and
brought them back in the fall. If "the Whitewater country" mentioned
was that on which the Whitewater Shaker Community in the northwest corner of
Hamilton County was established years later, it was some 30 miles distant from
Union Village. No entries of a similar character are
found in any other year. They are as follows: April 15, Believers sent their
cattle to the Whitewater country to range till the return of fall October 17,
our cattle brought home from range. Troublesome plan.
In 1811 when the society was in its sixth year the building of mills was com-menced.
On December 7, a fulling mill was started; on September 10, 1812, a clothier's
shop commenced operating; in 1813 a carding house was put up and gearing for
a carding machine constructed; in 1814 a grist mill was built, and on December
31 a pair of Laurel Hill mill stones were brought from Cincinnati for this mill,
which was started on January 19, 1815; and in 1816 an oil mill was started.
1817--August 23, quit making cheese for the season; have made 3,310 pounds.
September 1, five barrels of cider made, the first ever made on the premises.
On December 29, 1817, is this entry; 50 odd bushels of hickory nuts taken to
Cincinnati and sold at 50 cents per bushel to help us along in our meeting house
expenses, providing materials, etc.
The Shakers would neither volunteer as soldiers or
go to war when drafted except by force. At the beginning of the war of 1812,
Lebanon was a rendezvous for troops raised in four counties. The following entries
are found in the record:
1812--June 1, Richard McNemar and Samuel Rollins
go to Dayton to see the Governor concerning military matters that concern believers.
September 8--Soldiers march into Lebanon today. Wars and rumors.
1813--January 10, a number of officers and soldiers attending the meeting today--house
crowded full.
January 17, great many spectators at meeting again today, mostly soldiers.
About September 7th and 8th we have military troubles. Seven of the brethren
are drafted to join the Northwestern army, and were required to go to Lebanon
and join the detachment of Major Frye.
September 11--Brethren furloughed until called upon to march.
September 18-- They are marched under guard to Dayton. September 22--Brethren
return home from Dayton; arrive after night; much joy among the people.
October 1--Our drafted brethren are taken again to Lebanon under pretense of
being deserters.
October 3--They are marched off from thence to Xenia, thence to Franklinton;
thence to Sandusky, etc. It is supposed they will be kept in the army six months.
November 24--Our brethren arrive home from the military department, viz., Samuel
Rollins, David Spinning, Robert Baxter,
William Davis, Jr., Rufus E. Davis, Adam
Gallaher and Samuel McClelland, the two latter Buseron
Brethren. (Buseron was a Shaker community on the Wabash commenced about 1808.)
1817--February 13, purchased about 1500 bushels of wheat for merchant work.
Stop taking for want of room. February 25, brethren making flour barrels at
the rate of 10 or 15 per day.
March 29, having purchased and loaded a boat on the Great Miami with flour it
started down today about 10 o'clock for the Ohio. Went on pretty well until
the boat ran afoul of a sawyer or log in what is called New River above Hamilton;
by this she sprung a leak and had nearly sunk by the time she reached Hamilton.
March 30, news arrived from Hamilton that the boat has sunk and wet all the
flour. The flour, however, was got out and repacked with moderate loss except
the labor.
April 29, the brethren return home from Hamilton after the flour is packed and
the boat and load to the mouth of the Great Miami and there disposed of it the
best he could.
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This page created 29 September 2004 and last updated
28 September, 2008
© 2004 Arne H Trelvik
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