Diary. 1854, 1860.

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Diary. 1854, 1860.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/779873102

These two volumes include many brief references to the work and agricultural life of the Hancock, Mass., Shaker community, the comings and goings of residents and visitors, and Shaker meetings. The diary keeper made pails and swifts. Each entry includes a note about the weather and usually a brief note about what the diarist did that day. He also made notes about other work and events going on in the community. In June 1854, the West family was moved in with the South family. Several people left the Shakers, but a few boys were brought to live with them. In addition to making pails and swifts, the diary keeper also painted the meeting house. Deaths and funerals of Shakers are noted and the re-internments of Father Calvin [Harlow] and Mother Sara [Sarah Harrison] in the new burying ground. New potatoes and the first cucumbers were welcomed at dinner on July 19. He helped labeled catsup bottles in September. Also in Sept., he visited New Lebanon, New York. In 1860, the diarist is still making pails and swifts, but he also made a loom for weaving braid, a throne, drawer cases, work stands, and some other pieces of furniture; varnished collars; packaged seeds; and cut screws. The sisters assisted in some of his work, especially with staining, varnishing, and tying together the swifts. In May, the North family's office was broken into and a number of little items, such as pin cushions and needle emeries (made for sale to the world), were stolen. He apparently attended a carnival in June. He noted a partial eclipse of the sun on July 18. On July 20, he journey to Saratoga Springs to take the waters and an electrical cure; Stephen Douglass arrived the next day. There was a balloon ascension one day. After returning to Hancock, he continues to make swifts, but on October 10 says that he is finished "with the swift business for the present & probably for life." At the end of this volume are found various accounts pertaining to sales of swifts and the making of pails. A summary of swifts and pails made from 1855-1859 was found on a blue slip of paper tucked into the back of this volume.

2 vols. ; 13-16 cm.

Winterthur Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 8208187

Winterthur Library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69708jh (corporateBody)

Shakers

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6qv7d68 (corporateBody)

The South Union, Kentucky, Shaker Society was located in Logan County, Kentucky, southwest of Bowling Green. From the description of South Union, Kentucky, Shaker Society records, 1769-1922 (1804-1916) [microform]. (Rhinelander District Library). WorldCat record id: 45232375 The United Society of Believers, also known as the Shakers, of South Union, Logan County, Ky., was established by missionaries from Ohio and Upper Kentucky who arrived in the Gaspar River area in 1807. T...

Hancock, Mass. Community.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6dz55hw (corporateBody)

The keeper of these diaries is not named; however, it would seem from internal evidence that he was a carpenter who made pails and yarn swifts. He resided at the Hancock, Mass. Shaker community and traveled widely, including a trip to Saratoga, New York, for the water cure in 1860. From the description of Diary. 1854, 1860. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 779873102 ...