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: South Union, Ky. Community.

Title: [Letters and true copies of letters to various other Shaker communities, chiefly Pittsfield, Mass.]

Dates: 1814-1844

Call No.: ASC 1047

Acc. No.: SA 1216-1217

Quantity: 25 items

Location: 29 E 4

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

The South Union, Kentucky, Shaker Village was active from 1807 until 1922.

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Writings in this group exemplify how the content of letters can be both trivial and important. Many of these manuscripts contain references to the weather and to the relative health of a community as well as polite passages in which the writer sends his good wishes to others. In contrast to these incidental remarks, lengthy passages in the letters chide other communities for their neglect, supposed or real, of the South Union, Ky., community and report on unseemly relations with “the world.” For example, in 1815 the South Union Shakers felt that they had been cast adrift by the home ministry. Their reply to a letter from the ministry said, in part: “It was indeed great consolation to us to see once more that our names were still held in remembrance by our friends in the East—as it had seemed & sometimes felt to us as if we had been almost entirely forgotten.” In 1828 the South Union community expressed contempt for its sister community, Union Village, Ohio, because the Ohio Shakers did not offer to help with a financial crisis called the “Willie debt.” By the mid-1830s, judging from the tenor of the letters, South Union Shakers’ ill feelings toward other communities had ended. Conversely, the South Union residents could in no way have felt neglected by the world that surrounded them. One of the letters in this group recounts how a mulatto, Juliet Mockaby, was born at the Shaker community and was adopted there to save her from certain death at the hands of her maternal grandparents. Several manuscripts describe Kentucky statutes that threatened the existence of Shakers in the state. The legislation was initiated by persons who had lived in Shaker communities and had left them after becoming dissatisfied with the lifestyle. Also, prominent among court cases affecting the South Union Shakers was one brought by John Boon, which resulted from a disagreement about an overpayment to the Shakers for building a boat. Even though the Shakers won the case, the costs to them from legal fees and lost time at work nearly exceeded what Boon had asked in his suit.

ORGANIZATION

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

People:

Topics:

United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing.

Shakers - Kentucky - South Union.

Shakers – Songs and music.

Religious communities - Kentucky - South Union.

African Americans - Kentucky.

Racially mixed children - Kentucky.

New Year.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Location: 29 E 4

SA 1216.1 letter, Benjamin, Joseph, Molly & Mercy, South Union, Jasper Springs, Kentucky, to Nathaniel, Daniel, Dany, and Sarah, March 21, 1814.

Had a great deal of sickness and death. [describes the symptoms and a cure. Lists the names of the dead.] Have received some new members. [writes about crops.] A little news from Union Village and Pleasant Hill.

SA 1216.2 letter, Benjamin, Molly, Mercy, South Union, Ky,, to “respected parent & those with thee,” November 16, 1815.

[begins with complaint to Mother about not having heard from the eastern Shakers in over a year.] Had some uplifting meetings. Much illness in the fall, leading to several deaths.

SA 1216.3 letter, Benjamin, Joseph, Molly, Mercy, South Union, Kentucky, to Respected Ministry, December 26, 1815.

Endorsed: a copy of a letter from South Union.

Very grateful for recent letter. Feel lost and forgotten when they do not hear from the east. The community had outbreaks of whooping cough and mumps. Trouble with the post office. Had written Hancock to ask for help in clothier business, but never had an answer. Mentions a textile mill, fulling and dressing cloth.

SA 1217a-b letter, Joseph Allen, South Union, to elders, brethren and sisters, November 29, 1816. [one letter, two sheets; written at end: A true copy.]

Glad to get letter and hear all is going well. Have had much sickness in the community in the past years. Writes about the buildings: brick house, grist mill, fulling mill, shops, meeting house. Work was hampered in early years because had few young men to work, mostly children, widows, old people. But now children are growing and able to work. The southern climate weakens people at an earlier age. Discusses crops. Sends greetings.

SA1216.4 copy of a letter, Molly Goodrich, South Union, to Daniel Goodrich, November 30, 1816.

Since she cannot visit in person, she is writing this letter. Recently, Anne Darby, a 77 year old woman, came from North Carolina to join the community. Last December, Juliet Mockaby, a young unmarried pregnant woman, sought refuge in the community, had her mulatto child, and died. The sisters are raising the baby because the child’s grandmother does not want it. Mentions visiting the community’s family of black people. Writes some specific greetings in the form of a little poem.

SA 1216.5 copy of a letter from mother’s children in South Union, to precious mother, April 5, 1818.

Religious expressions of obedience to God and love for mother

SA 1216.6 letter, Benjamin, Molly, and Mercy, South Union, to John Wright, for Nathaniel Deming, Pittsfield, Mass., July 31, 1819.

Glad to hear from them. Would like to hear of the improved rules of common plastering and whether white coating is approved for use among the Believers. Albert Whittemore, who tells them he was asked to leave Enfield, Conn., has come asking to join them. They have hired him to work on the mills, and in the meantime want to hear what they know about him.

SA 1216.7 letter, Benjamin, South Union, to the ministry, Pittsfield, March 16, 1820.

Letter is intended for Joseph Allen and friends at Tyringham. Gives information about the sawmill, dam, and millrace. Still working on gristmill, which is already in operation. Also working on the meetinghouse. The people at Black Lick are moving to South Union, and they are busy preparing places for them to live. The new bridge at Bowling Green has been destroyed, but the people there plan to rebuild it. Lists the death of three Shakers.

SA 1216.8a-c copy of a letter, Benjamin, Molly & Mercy, South Union, to the ministry, April 9, 1821. Endorsement says the letter was sent to Enfield, and gives the date June 2, 1821, but that was probably the date it was received or copied.

Expressions of deep sorrow at news of death of Mother [Lucy Wright]. With a song, beginning “What solemn tidings greet the ear.”

Laid into the letter are two more songs, one beginning “What sorrowful tidings we hear from the East,” and the other “The solemn news has reach’d us.” All these are additional expressions of their sorrow over Mother Lucy’s death.

SA 1216.9 copy of a letter, Molly Goodrich, South Union, to Elder Sister and Sister Olive, April 9, 1821.

Mourning of the South Union community at the news of Mother’s death. Tells how the members were assembled to hear the news of her death. Although many had coughs and colds at the time, no one coughed during this assembly.

At end of letter is a poem or song beginning “O my kind and weeping friends, with you my tears do flow….”

SA 1216.10 letter, Ministry, South Union, to Ministry, Pittsfield, Mass., Dec. 23, 1822.

Had not heard from them in a long time, and hesitated to write too often for fear they did not want to hear from South Union. Only Peggy Shannon and a little girl [not named] have died this year. Much rain, but crops were good. Visited West Union in April-May, and had stopped at the German Society at Harmonie during that visit. Ministries of Union Village and Pleasant Hill came to visit in the summer. Black Lick is now called Watervliet and is settled with older children (8-15 years of age) and “suitable lead & protection.” A young believers’ order has also been established.

SA 1226.14a letter, Benjamin, South Union, Jasper Valley, Ky., to Stephen, Israel, & Philemon, New Lebanon, N.Y., December 10, 1827.

Had a good visit with them. At Utica, purchased a wagon which held all they were bringing back, and stopped at North Union. [gives mileage from New Lebanon to South Union] Brother Eli McLean and others have gone to New Orleans with a box of roots and seeds to send to Brother Garret in New York.

SA 1216.11a-b letter, Ministry, South Union, to Daniel Goodrich, Pittsfield, Mass., Sept. 6, 1828. Includes a note from Molly.

Thanks for letters. How is Eldress Dana? Eli [McLean] and 2 others plan to go to New Orleans again; last year’s trip was financially successful and hopes to do as well this year. “They will take hats, garden seeds, brooms, baskets, &c &c.” Made a final settlement of the Urillie debt in Tennessee. Andrew Thynes of Nashville endorsed the note. Hope they can pay the note without having to sell land. Also talks about the W. W. Jones debt from 1813, most of which has been paid, and the community’s living conditions at that time. Good crops this year. One of the ministry went to Pleasant Hill to help with the publication of their pamphlets. “As to the effect the late law will have on the prosperity of the Believers in this State, we cannot certainly tell….”

Molly’s note: Thanks for letter. Foot is better and “I have spun 20 runs of wollen [sic] yarn on it this summer.”

SA 1216.12 letter, Benjamin, South Union, to Elder Nathaniel, Enfield, Conn., February 28, 1829.

Wish we could visit, and discusses the distance that divides them. The Urillie debt is all paid. Part of the money was to come from the U.S. government as payment for provisions furnished by the community to the U.S. Army in the last war. Discusses how the eastern communities had assisted Union Village in its foundation, but not South Union. Had asked Union Village several times to help with the payment of the debt, and it had finally sent money. Mentions the purchase of other properties and debts owed for them.

SA 1216.13 letter, Eleazar W., South Union, to Elder Nathaniel, Pittsfield, Mass., August 17, 1830.

Says he is “stationary in a little museum at South Union.” Goes into some detail about lawsuits being brought against the Shakers in Pleasant Hill and in South Union because of a particular law in Kentucky, allowing suits to be brought against “Shakers,” without any specific names mentioned. Mostly the suits are being brought by apostates.

Good crops at Pleasant Hill. Sends “gospel respect to the good ministry all & singular, to the elders, trustees, deacons …, also the preachers & singers, nurses & patients, farmers and mechanics, shepherds, herdsmen, ox drivers ….”

Closes with the music and words to a hymn, “O Zion arise like a beautiful morning, & let they fair brightness extend far abroad, &c.”

SA 1216.14 letter, Molly and Mercy, South Union, to Ministry, no place [Pittsfield, Tyringham, and Enfield named in body of letter], February 20, 1831.

Wish for letters from them; part of the wish is expressed in a rhyming couplet. Brothers Benjamin and Eleazar attended a meeting of the Kentucky legislature to explain the unjustness of the new law, and they believe their cause is now understood by the legislators and governor. Praise of Constant Callaway, their physician who died; names others who died. Hard winter. Includes a poem of greeting.

[Note: handle with care as letter is torn. Mended with blue paper along one edge.]

SA 1216.15 copy of a letter, Benjamin Y., South Union, to Ministry, and Elder Nathaniel Deming, [Enfield, Conn.?], February 20, 1831.

Four page letter about a suit brought by John Boon in October 1829 against South Union, using the new law passed in 1828. Under separate cover Benjamin sent copies of pamphlets printed by the Shakers.

SA 1216.16 letter, Isaac N. Y. [Isaac Newton Youngs], South Union, to brother Garret, August 25, 1834.

Pleased to receive letter. Finished visit to Whitewater, then went to Pleasant Hill, where had a good visit. On the way to South Union, they passed a negro boy with a watermelon. A stage hand told the boy he wanted to buy it, so the boy gave it to him, but the driver drove off so the hand didn’t have to pay for it. Saw part of a fight the same day. Were joyfully received at South Union. Plan to stop at Union Village on the way home. All people well at South Union.

AS 1216.17 copy of a letter, Church Society, South Union, to Ministry at New Lebanon, September 5, 1834.

So pleased to have had Rufus and Isaac visit. [much religious expression]

SA 1216.18 letter, Ministry, South Union, to the Ministry, Pittsfield, September 8, 1834.

Thankful for visit of Rufus and Isaac.

SA 1216.19 letter, Benjamin, in behalf of South Union, to the Ministry, [New Lebanon,] October 31, 1835.

Some information about his trip from Union Village back to South Union. Most in good health, despite fevers, chills, and “that destroying cholera” in the area. Some refugees from the cholera epidemic in Russellville had found shelter at South Union. Brethren had made 25 coffins for their neighbors. William Pearce, the tanner, had died, but not of cholera. Eldress Molly quite feeble. “Meetings are in general quite lively, zealous & comforting….” Hervey derived great benefit from his trip east. Crops tolerably good.

SA 1216.20 letter, Molly Goodrich, South Union, to the Ministry, c/o Nathaniel Deming, Pittsfield, Mass., Dec. 8, 1835, with added note by Benjamin, Dec. 23, 1835.

from Molly: great thanks for their letters. Sorrow over death of Deacon Daniel. Am in poor health. Rejoices in messages from Nathaniel, Dana (includes a poem to express her joy), Grove, the sisters, and others. Closes with a poem which begins “Farewell in love I say farewell, Good Mothers children all…” (which seems to be by Sally Eades), and a poem expressing New Year greetings.

Added by Benjamin: before Molly’s letter could be mailed, she died. Enclosing copies of the hymns sung at her funeral [which do not remain with the letter] and an extract of the letter sent to Union Village and Pleasant Hill [which is SA 1215.21, below]. Lists the names of sisters in the ministry and first order. Gives some information about the writing of Molly’s letter.

SA 1216.21 extract of a letter, Benjamin, South Union, to the Ministry, Union Village, December 23, 1835

Announcing the death of Eldress Molly on Dec. 9. Gives names of the other women who live in the meetinghouse.

SA 1216.22 letter, for Elder Benjamin by Hervey, South Union, to the Ministry, c/o Nathaniel Deming, Pittsfield, Mass., March 22, 1836. Postmarked South Union K, March 29, 1836.

Expressions of grief over loss of Eldress Molly. Details of her illness, a congestive fever. Buried sooner than usual [gives reasons]. Benjamin not as well as usual. Had several snows.

SA 1216.23 letter, about The Colored Preacher, Near South Union, Kentucky

“The following is the copy of a note in a letter from the Ministry at South Union to the Ministry at Union Village, dated December 7^th, 1844.”

Relates an incident which occurred in Elkton, abut 30 miles away. They heard the story from a Presbyterian. Stephen, a servant of the clerk of the court, noted for his piety, arrived in Elkton about 10:00 one day, and said he has been sent by a spirit to tell the people “that the time of the end was at hand.”