The Winterthur Library

 Edward Deming Andrews Memorial Shaker Collection

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Munson, Stephen.                              

Title:               [Letters from various Shaker communities to Deacon Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, N.Y.]

Dates:             1813-1829.

Call No.:         ASC 1039

Acc. No.:        [see detailed description]

Quantity:        14 items

Location:        29 E 4

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Stephen Munson was a deacon in the Shaker community of New Lebanon, New York.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

Contents of these letters to Munson are as varied as the geographical areas from which they come. At the same time, they detail matters that might concern any Shaker community. One of the Enfields sent $400 to help defray the expense of a new meetinghouse at the New Lebanon, N.Y., community. Half the sum came in 1822, and the other half arrived two years later. The Watervliet, N.Y., Shakers asked for a charitable contribution to assist the mother of one of their members. They also related their experiences with land purchases. The community at Harvard, Mass., requested parts for a mill and, later, sent carrot seeds to help the New Lebanon seed industry. South Union, Ky., residents related events that occurred while they traveled from New Lebanon to their home. The Pleasant Hill, Ky., Shakers sent information about their legal problems. And, the Canterbury, N.H., community asked that a publication about a court case be distributed.

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The letters are in chronological order.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

Gift of Mrs. Edward D. Andrews.

 

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

Topics:

            United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing.

Shakers - New York (State) - New Lebanon.

Shakers – Legal status, laws, etc.

            Religious communities - New York (State) - New Lebanon.

           

 

 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

 

Location:  29 E 4

 

 

 

SA 1228.1       short letter, from David, Watervliet, to Stephen [Munson], November 19, 1813.  About purchase of Cheary Valley land from John Bennet. 

 

SA 1226.6       short note, from David, no place [Watervliet], to Stephen and Israel, December 30, 1813.  Requesting a few pounds of white onion seed, to be left at James Clark’s.  Have leather for cards and would like more.  Mentions the Cheary Valley Road.

 

SA 1226.7       letter, Nathaniel Draper and True W. Heath, Enfield, [no state,] to Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, N.Y., September 7, 1822.  Am sending $200 with Otis and Marshal to help defray the cost of the new, larger meeting house

 

SA 1226.8       letter, from the elders, Watervliet, to the ministry, addressed to Ebenezer Bishop, New Lebanon, June 2, 1823.  The brethren are not yet ready to help with the raising, but can be there Saturday.  Timothy’s finger is sore but he thinks he can work by then.  The brethren are ready to leave for Hampshire with the books.  Nathan has written about Noah – the latter has done all the chores he can around Watervliet and can return to New Lebanon, if they want him.  Have not heard anything from Rees since his elopement.

 

SA 1226.9       letter, Nathaniel Draper and Truworthy Heath, Enfield, [no state,] to Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, N.Y., Mary 29, 1824.   Brother Micajah is bringing $200 more for “that invaluable structure” [i.e. the new meetinghouse].

Paper watermarked: S & A Butler, US.

 

SA 1226.11     letter, Phiz[?] D. Nathaniel, Harvard, to Steven Munson, New Lebanon, September 2, 1826.  Please have the cider mill screws made.  If easier, they can be sent by water, directed to Luther Ellis, State Street, Boston.  The elders from Lebanon arrived on Wednesday.

Paper watermarked: D Ames

 

SA 1226.15     letter, Francis, Harvard, to Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, June 28, 1828.  Used the information [about legal matters] brought back by Elder Benjamin to write a pamphlet about the Shaker society.  Samuel Banta dropped his suit against the Shakers.  [He joined and then left the society.]  Ephraim McBride and John Whitby have brought suits seeking compensation for their labor.  [Neither had signed the church covenant, but had covenanted with the young order.]  James Gass is threatening a suit.  Thanks for the ministry’s support of Harvard during their troubles with these law suits.  Elder Eleazar has sent a package of pamphlets.

                        Handle with care; paper is torn.

 

SA 1226.17     letter, Nathl. Robbins, Harvard, to Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, October 7, 1828.  Abel reports you need carrot seed, and Israel reports you need lettuce seed.  Am sending the carrot seed to Jason Clapp, Pittsfield, but have no lettuce seed to spare, except the ice lettuce seed previously sent.  Also sending hammers[?] to Daniel Hawkins.

 

SA 1226.16     letter, Francis Winkley, by Edward Parker, Canterbury, N.H., to Deacon Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, January 21, 1829.  Am enclosing copies of the reports about their suits in General Court of New Hampshire.  Please forward copies to other Shaker societies.  All at Canterbury and Enfield are well.

 

SA 1226.20     short letter, the Ministry, New Lebanon, to Deacons and Deaconesses, addressed to Deacon Stephen [Munson,] New Lebanon, September 3, 1829.  Enclosed with the note are a number of letters, to be distributed to the addressees.  [These letters no longer with this note.]  The ministry is suffering from colds and influenza.

 

SA 1226.17     short letter, Benjamin, South Union, Jasper Valley, to Deacon Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, September 12, 1829.  Receive the “Telescope” regularly and have had some letters printed in it. 

 

SA 1226.18     Letter, Samuel & Frederic, Watervliet, to Deacon Stephen [Munson,] New Lebanon, December 19, 1829.  Esqr. Davis, Col. Yates, and Henry Peek came from Schenectady to solicit support for Martha Youngs, who is mentally deranged and so cannot be admitted to the almshouse but must be placed in a private residence.  Mrs. Youngs is the mother of some of the Shakers.  Watervliet is willing to provide some support, but is referring the request to the ministry of New Lebanon.  Stephen Wells says “he will bear his proportion of the burden….”

 

SA 1228.3       letter, William Reed, no place, to Stephen Munson, New Lebanon, no date; postmark only partially legible: Ch [Chatham?], N.Y., Nov. 14.  Wants to talk to Stephen about borrowing some money.  Will be in Watervliet on the 19th or 20th.  Health is improving.