On This Date in 1912

Jane Sutton deceased. Obituary published Jan. 3, 1913 lists Polly Runyon [who departed Pleasant Hill in 1825] as her mother and Polly's parents as Joseph and Jane Runyon (N-HH). 

"[Jane Sutton] was brought to Pleasant Hill by her mother. She faithfully served as Deacon, Elder, and Trustee. Her high degree of intelligence, zeal, and noble character well fitted her for the trusts imposed on her. Her business acumen equaled that of any of her co-workers. In the closing years of the community all accounts made by the Shakers were charged to Shelton & Sutton, Trustees." (Hutton, p.47)

A Shaker Christmas Song

Hail, hail, the beautiful morn hath dawned
The joy of angels and men; 
The star of the east, with beauty beyond 
All others has risen again. 
Awake, disciples of Christ, and sing,
Your robes of gladness put on,
And precious gifts and offerings bring
Our loved Redeemer to crown.

Not gold, nor myrrh, nor frankincense sweet
Our Savior asks from our hands, 
But hearts that with love and tenderness beat 
To bless and comfort his lambs.
Go seek and feed my wandering sheep,
Forgive the erring and lost, 
Thus prove your love for me, and thus reap
The precious fruits of the cross

Source: J. P. Maclean, The Society of Shakers. Rise, Progress and Extinction of the Society at Cleveland, OH. Published in: Ohio Archaeological and Historical Publications. Volume IX. The Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society, Columbus 1901 (online at Google Books)

The Shaker Christmas Festival

This excerpt is taken from "Christmas Among the Shakers in the Olden Time" by Elmina Phillips and published in Ohio Archeological and Historical Quarterly, Volume 9, July 1900.

There was a stir of Christmas preparation in the air two or three weeks beforehand. Individual members had no money to spend for Christmas gifts, since all the purchasing for the community was done by the trustee deacons and deaconesses; but it was understood that it was to be a day of good cheer and that there would be gifts for all.

And, as the day drew near, the elders did not fail to counsel the People in meeting that if there were any differences among them they should be reconciled, that there might be nothing to mar the Christmas good-will.

On Christmas eve, at half-past seven, at the sound of the bell, all retired to their rooms, and one read aloud and the others listened to the story from John XIII of the washing of the disciples’ feet. Then each two washed each other’s feet, “and when they had sung a hymn they went out, if they chose, to make any final preparations for the morrow.

Next morning as early as half-past four the singers met, perhaps in the kitchen, and partook of some light refreshment, set ready the night before just to put them in voice, and then started out to sing, first in the halls of the principal dwelling, then at every house in the little village, in which several people lived.

By the time they had gone all around the family, if there was sleighing, a span of horses and sleigh was likely to stand convenient, and the company merrily started off to sing their song at one of the other families a mile away. If they met a sleighload from the other family coming to sing to them, as they sometimes did, they hailed each other and kept on their way, sure of a warm welcome, though not of surprising and waking the friends where they were going.

And after breakfast, as all rose from the table and kneeled for a moment in silent thanksgiving together, the new song was probably sung again in the dining-room, the kitchen sisters coming in to listen to or join in the singing.

At 9 A. M. the singers met to select and rehearse the hymns to be sung at the church meeting at the meeting house.

At 10 A. M. came union meeting, which was a number of social meetings held at the same hour, the brethren usually going to the sisters’ rooms.

The brethren and sisters were seated in two rows facing each other at opposite sides of the room; doubtless it sounds more stiff to alien ears than to one brought up from childhood in the customs of the community. There was cheerful chat of this and other Christmas days, and singing of new and old songs, and passing around of pans of cracked nuts and pop- corn, etc.

At 11 o’clock lunch was carried around to the rooms in big pans by some of the young brethren and sisters—great quarter sections of the most delicious cake, if memories may be trusted, and slices of creamy, home-made cheese and whitest bread and pie.

At 1 P. M. all the families assembled at the meeting house. The services were the same as at the usual Sunday meetings, except that there were special hymns and special readings from scriptures, old and new.

After meeting baskets of choice apples were carried around and the gifts which had been prepared for each one—usually some article of clothing somewhat nicer than common.

At 4 P. M. came the principal meal of the day, and afterwards a big basket was carried around to the rooms to receive offerings of clothing for the poor. All were expected to give something from their own store. And the day closed with quiet talk, probably interspersed with singing.

Read the full text directly from the source document

On This Date in 1744

Happy Birthday Charity!

On This Date in 1811 ...

Earthquake!

You have doubtless heard considerable about the late earth quake On the 16th of December, at about half past two in the morning, we were suddenly waked from a sound sleep by an uncommon shaking of the house and everything in it.

On This Date in 1861

Betsy Runyon [age 60] died, among believers 47 yrs, 2nd Elds. First Order 15 yrs

~East Family Journal

On This Date in 1873

The Shaker journals record Jane Sutton as suffering from mumps.