A journal of domestic events / kept by Benjamin Lyon. 1839-1847.

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A journal of domestic events / kept by Benjamin Lyon. 1839-1847.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/779873111

Manuscript volume with two kinds of entries. The first is a daily record of activities and events at the New Lebanon, N.Y. Shaker community, January 1, 1839-April 5, 1840, most probably of the Second Family, mostly pertaining to the work of the men. In the winter, Lyon made wagon wheels, did cooper work (such as making tubs for the dyers) and other woodworking, and did such chores as cleaning out the barn and hauling molasses back to the community. He also took care of school business with the state and noted the passage of "our trust bill" on April 15, 1839. Spring and summer found Lyon helping with gardening and farming chores, in addition to working on wagons and cleaning apple barrels. In the spring of 1839, he helped with the different jobs which had to be done to prepare an old house to be moved. A frequent chore was driving the horses to turn the wash mill. Although mostly an account of the work of the men of his family, he also lists visitors to the community and makes comments about Sabbath meetings. The second kind of entry is a list of provisions needed to carry on with daily life, 1841-1847; items range from lamp oil to dung forks, from sandpaper to salt. Tools, nails, paper, food items, seeds, bound books for writing hymns, lead and slate pencils for the school, buffalo skins, sperm whale oil, and many other items are mentioned. A few items have prices, but most do not. After a number of blank pages, several pages of similar lists are found. These lists include "herbs raised in the botanical garden" in 1841, and a list of food provisions for the 1st and 2d orders in 1842. Although the inscription on the title page says the volume was kept by Benjamin Lyon, he is sometimes referred to in the volume by his name, and it is unclear whether the "I" who also appears is Lyon or another brother.

[160] p. ; 20 x 22 cm.

Winterthur Library

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SNAC Resource ID: 8208191

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...

Lyon, Benjamin.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6wm29k6 (person)

Benjamin Lyon was a Shaker from the New Lebanon, New York, community. In the 1850 census, he was listed as a wheelwright. He was born in Massachusetts on July 14, 1780. From the description of A journal of domestic events / kept by Benjamin Lyon. 1839-1847. (Winterthur Library). WorldCat record id: 779873111 Benjamin Lyon was a Shaker from the New Lebanon, N.Y. community. From the description of A journal of domestic events [microform] / kept by Benjamin Lyon. [1...