The
Edward Deming Andrews Memorial Shaker
Collection
Henry Francis du Pont
5105 Kennett Pike,
302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF
THE COLLECTION
Creator: Roberts, Florence.
Title: [Collection of letters written by Shakers and
notes on the Canaan, N.Y., Shaker community].
Dates: 1932-[ca. 1945].
Call No.: ASC 1142, ASC 1148
Acc. No.: SA 1708.1-.28, .58-.59, .69-.70
Quantity: 1 folder (32 items)
Location: 29 E 2
BIOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
John S. And Florence Roberts lived in Brooklyn, New
York, and had a summer home at the former Shaker farm in Canaan, N.Y. Possibly,
they owned the farm once owned by Laura Holloway Langford.
SCOPE AND
CONTENT
Letters in this group are addressed to Florence and
John S. Roberts. Most were written by
either Sarah Collins or Martha Wetherell and have to do with chair making and
with news of the residents of the New Lebanon, N.Y., community. Although not overly informative, one does
learn about the ageing of the Shaker population and the necessity for selling
property in order to raise money for expenses. Many of the letters are on stationery from the
firm R.M. Wagan and Company.
Notes are about who was a member of the Canaan,
N.Y., Shaker families. One note has been
described as a diagram of the Canaan Shaker cemetery. Also in the group are a 19th
century photograph of a group of Shakers riding in a wagon and a postcard (with
no message) of the Sabbathday Lake Shaker community.
ORGANIZATION
The letters are divided by correspondent: Sarah
Collins, Frances Hall, Martha Wetherell, Lillian Barlow, and then
chronologically with each correspondent.
Some miscellaneous notes and cards are at the end.
LANGUAGE OF
MATERIALS
The materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS
ON ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
RELATED
MATERIALS
See also ASC 1089 at this repository. This group also contains letters from Eldress
Sarah Collins written during the same time period as the letters in this group.
PROVENANCE
Gift of Mrs. Edward D. Andrews.
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Barlow, Lillian.
Collins, Sarah, Eldress.
Hall, Frances.
Wetherell, Martha, d.1944.
Roberts, John S.
Topics:
Shakers - New York (State) –
New Lebanon.
Shakers - New York (State) – Canaan.
Shakers - Maine
- Sabbathday Lake - Pictorial works.
Shakers - Hymns.
Shakers -
Members.
Shakers -
Photographs.
Shakers - Industries - New York (State) - New Lebanon.
Religious
communities - New York (State) – New Lebanon.
Shaker chairs.
Shaker
furniture.
Cemeteries - New
York (State) – Canaan.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location: 29 E 2
ASC 1142
Bills for
furniture:
SA 1708.1 bill, J. S. Roberts, Canaan, N.Y., bought
of R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount Lebanon, N.Y., July 21, 1932; no. 3 chair, old
kind, with new seat;
on printed
billhead, with picture of Shaker rocking chair
SA 1708.2 receipted bill, Mrs. Roberts, Brooklyn,
N.Y., bought of R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount Lebanon, N.Y., Dec. 18, 1932; stool,
braided rug, old chairs, 2 with rush seats, one with tape seat. Marked paid, S.C. With note about giving Mr. Plant $5.
on printed
billhead, with picture of Shaker rocking chair
SA 1708.3 receipted bill, Mrs. John Roberts, bought
of R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount Lebanon, N.Y., March 15, 1933; double decker
stove, wooden sink, chip box, a bureau, round basket;
on printed
billhead, with picture of Shaker rocking chair
SA 1708.4a-b receipted
bill, Mrs. J. S. Roberts, Brooklyn, bought of R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount Lebanon,
N.Y., July 1, 1933; bedstead, high chest, mortar and pestle, long basket;
marked paid, Sarah Collins, Aug. 30, ’33;
on printed
billhead, with picture of Shaker rocking chair;
with envelope,
printed with return address of the company and picture of Shaker rocking
chair; a note on the envelope reads
“Save these bills, they are history.”
Letters from Sister Sarah Collins:
SA 1708.5a-b letter,
Sarah Collins, Mount Lebanon, N.Y., to “My dear Friend” [Mrs. John S. Roberts],
Brooklyn, Jan. [31,] 1933. Check
received. William Perkins not doing any
better. She is doing stock work. Visited the Neale sisters this morning at the
Ann Lee Cottage. Men are sawing
wood. Other odds and ends of news. “I forget about what I write from one letter
to another friend.”
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Feb. 3, 1933.
SA 1708.6a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. Roberts, Brooklyn, no date. Check most welcomed – “saved them from taking
our auto.” Mentions deaths of Elder
Walter and Genieve[?] and illness of Brother Perkins. Saving some furniture for her.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked April 7, 1933.
SA 1708.7a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to “Dear Friend” [Mrs. John S. Roberts,], Brooklyn, April 11,
1933. Check received. Worries about money because of a note she
signed and because of car payments.
Saving more furniture for her.
Hopes for a visit. Miss Bence[?]
comes to visit often. Plans to go into
the woods for arbutus.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked April 11, 1933.
SA 1708.8a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, Brooklyn, Dec. 1933. Working on chairs made by Second Family. “I know I am ageing and not my old
self.” Mentions Sister Lillian and
Emma.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Dec. 18, 1933.
SA 1708.9a-e letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. Roberts, Jan. 19[34].
Glad to have such good friends.
Likes her new warm shoes. Perkins
not expected to get well. Rosetta Stephens
fills Sarah Burger’s place at North Family.
Mr. Plant is preparing dinner while she writes letters. Had oysters for Christmas. Wishes she had more chair orders – likes the
work and needs the money.
With a hymn, “The Voice of God,” music and words, dated
August 7, 1916.
With a newspaper clipping, “North Family Names
Leader.” The article also includes a
brief description of the Shakers’ Christmas celebration.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair;
also envelope
postmarked Jan. 2, 1934.
SA 1708.10a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 1934. Wishes for a visit, but fears it is too cold. William Perkins is bed-ridden. She is working on chairs and braided rugs. Work of Mr. Plant and Mr. Keegan.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Jan. 22, 1934.
SA 1708.11a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Feb. 24, 1934. Wishes for company and more paying work. Sorry over those who have died. Nurse keeps busy at the boy’s school [Darrow
School]. Work of Mr. Plant.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked March 6, 1934.
SA 1708.12a-c letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mr. and Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Dec. 1934. Christmas presents received; am wearing the
sweater. Sister Emma returned for Christmas. Very windy.
Lists places from which she received cards.
With a postcard headed “The American Shakers,” published
by Shakers in Sabbathday Lake, Maine
[same as ASC 23].
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Dec. 27, 1934.
SA 1708.13a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 1935. Thinks often of her, especially when wearing
the sweater Mrs. Roberts gave her. Had
the Eagle Office print the poem “Memories” for her, and has been sending it to
many. Continues well. Braids rugs in evening and has been knitting
mittens.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Jan. 25, 1935.
SA 1708.14a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Feb. 1935. Please get in touch with Sister Lillian
Barlow about color of wood for chairs.
Mentions Sister Emma and visits from Mrs. Jones. Her rugs are in Sister Sarah’s trunk.
Someone added note to Sister Sarah’s letters: “6 dining
room chairs, the last chairs made by the Shakers?”
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Feb. 9, 1935.
SA 1708.151-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, March 29, 1935. Braids rugs and works on chairs. Making a large rug for a professor at a
university in Columbus, Ohio. Mentions
Mrs. Smith’s burned barn.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Mar. 29, 1935.
SA 1708.16a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Feb. 1936. Lots of snow; doctor had to use snow shoes to
make a call on Mrs. Dimond. Working on rugs. Can’t find the bureau promised to Mrs.
Roberts, but still looking. Boys school
[Darrow School] going well. Bad fire at
the Berkshire farm.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Feb. 1, 1936.
SA 1708.17a-c letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, no date, but Jan. 1937. Thanks for package and shoes. Recently visited Pittsfield, and saw Martha
and Rosetta. Didn’t send as many cards
this year, but received many. Mr. Plant
working on rush seats. Boys school
[Darrow School] wishes it had larger enrollment.
With newspaper clipping: “Shakers Dwindle to 7,” about
Watervliet, dated 1937.
Letter written on printed billhead of R.M. Wagan &
Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope printed with
Mrs. Robert’s return address, but used by Sister Sarah to address letter to
her, postmarked Jan. 9, 1937.
SA 1708.18a-c letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 1939. Thanks for package and shoes. Mr. Plant asked for old ones. Busy on chair orders. Mentions Sister Lillian’s Christmas trees,
with lights.
With the letter is a
small mounted photo (possibly cut down from a larger photo) of a Shaker brother
holding the bridle of a horse, one of two pulling a wagon driven by another
Shaker brother, with 6 Shaker sisters in the wagon; 19th century.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Jan. 6[?], 1939.
SA 1708.19a-b letter, Sarah Collins, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, 1940. Almost snowed in. Carrie has pieces of [illegible] nailed to
trees to feed birds. Still working on
chairs and rugs. Lillian still making
chair frames. Mr. Schenck comes to help
when weather decent.
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of the
company, postmarked Feb. 28, 1940.
Letter from Sister Frances Hall:
SA 1708.20 note, Frances Hall, Pittsfield, Mass., to
Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 25, 1944.
Sister Martha Wetherell died this morning. Sister Sarah still braiding [rugs].
Letters from Sister Martha Wetherell:
SA 1708.22a-b letter, Martha Wetherell, New
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Dec. 21, 1935. Did the best she could with the materials at
hand; her stock of materials is low. “My
best days of workmanship are over, having just passed my eightieth
milestone.” Seasons greetings.
With envelope postmarked Dec. 21, 1935.
SA 1708.23a-b letter, Martha Wetherell, New
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 5, 1942. Lined a box in silk for her. Can send it to Brooklyn or hold it until come
to Canaan for the summer. Sends news of
other Shaker sisters: Frances Hall, Sarah Collins, Lillian.
On stationery printed with Miss Wetherell’s name and
address. With envelope postmarked Jan.
5, 1942.
SA 1708.24a-b letter, Martha Wetherell, New
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 16, 1942. Sending the box to her. Frances Hall of Hancock taking over the
business end of things. “We are all
elderly enough to do as we ought, so no other appointment seems
necessary.” Hopes the RAF keeps Hitler
from getting closer to U.S.A.
With envelope postmarked Jan. 16[?], 1942.
SA 1708.25a-b letter, Martha Wetherell, New
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 31, 1942. Owes nothing for the box because she has been
a good customer. Doctor has ordered bed
rest for Sister Lillian, and nurse feels it may be beginning of end. Lillian will be sorely missed. Gives names and ages of some of the Shakers
[youngest: Mary, age 55].
On stationery of The Lebanon Shakers, North Family.
With envelope
postmarked Feb. 2, 1942.
SA 1708.26a-b letter, Martha Wetherell, New
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John S. Roberts, Brooklyn, Feb. 8, 1942. Sister Lillian Barlow died.
With envelope postmarked Feb. 9, 1942.
Letters from Sister Lillian Barlow:
SA 1708.27a-b letter, Sister Lillian Barlow, Mount
Lebanon, N.Y., to Mrs. John Roberts, Brooklyn, Jan. 9, 1939. All “facing the New Years with as much
courage a [sic, i.e. as]
possible.” Thanks for book. Bill enclosed; need the money to pay
taxes.
Note in other hand added
at bottom: “Sister Lillian made the six chairs used in the dining room. They are the last chairs made by the Shakers
(made in 1935).”
Letter written on letterhead stationery of R.M. Wagan
& Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
Also envelope of
the company, postmarked Jan. 9, 1939.
SA 1708.28 card, Lillian Barlow, New Lebanon, N.Y., to
Mrs. John Roberts, Brooklyn, Feb. 22, 1940.
“The show is over! All is just as
it was before.” Some information about
sale of property.
Also envelope, postmarked Feb. 24, 1940.
Recipes for Dandelion wine:
SA 1708.21a recipe for Dandelion Wine, not signed but in
Sister Sarah Collin’s hand; marked “for Mrs. Roberts, Canna, Shaker Farm,
N.Y.”
On letterhead
stationery of R.M. Wagan & Co., with picture of Shaker rocking chair.
SA 1708.21b recipe
for Dandelion wine, signed by Sister Adelaide
Lists,
postcard, envelopes:
SA 1708.59a list headed “known Shakers at the Canaan
Upper Family.” This also gives some
historical information about the Canaan community.
SA 1708.59b list of Upper Canaan Shakers; members of the
Lower Family (Berkshire Farm), which included a woman who became Mrs. Smith,
and names her children.
SA 1708.59c envelope which held the above two lists
SA 1708.69a-b diagram of Shaker Farm Cemetery,
Canaan, N.Y., and the envelope in which it was found. The graves are marked with initials only, no
names. It is noted that there were 60
graves and some are unmarked.
SA 1708.70 postcard of Shaker buildings at Sabbathday
Lake, Maine, no date. Photographs of
four buildings.
[no number] list of members of the Upper Family,
Canaan, N.Y.; a note initialed F.A. [for Faith Andrews] states that the list
was compiled by John Roberts and that the Lower family property was bought for
the Berkshire Farm School
[no number] envelope labeled “old bills for Shaker
furniture and letters from Shakers to Mrs. Roberts,” with a return address of
Shaker Farm, Canaan, N.Y.
ASC 1148
SA 1443 bill, R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount
Lebanon, to Mrs. J.S. Roberts, Canaan Farm, N.Y., April 20, 1933. For purchase of old bureau, oval carrier,
homespun dress and stockings, long bench, old chair with cane seat.
SA 1444 bill, R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount
Lebanon, to Mrs. J.S. Roberts, May 19, 1933.
For purchase of chairs, long dining table, low counter, a bedstead, a
work table.
SA 1445 bill, R.M. Wagan & Co., Mount
Lebanon, to Mrs. J.S. Roberts, Aug. 26, 1933.
Marked paid, by Sarah Collins.
For purchase of old chairs, mirror, rugs, pitcher, pails, tables, oval
boxes, new rocking chair.