................... Our Shaker Heritage ~ research on the Runyon family at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky ... and more!
9/01/2014
8/25/2014
On This Date in 1828 ...
William Badgett [age 33] departs Pleasant Hill.
William Badgett arrived at Pleasant Hill with his parents and siblings at age 16. He signed the church covenant at nineteen and again four years later. But William eventually left the Shakers in 1828 and less than two months later he married Janie Hover in Mercer County, Kentucky.
Janie Hover was a fellow Shaker and their bondsman at the wedding in Mercer County was Isaac Lineback, another fellow Shaker.
William Badgett is on the tax list of Mercer County in 1834 and after that the family moved to the Mackville area of Washington County, Kentucky. I believe William died when his children were young, but do not know the cause of death, nor do I know when Jane died or where they are buried.
William and Jane had four children born in Washington County:
John Wesley Badgett, who died in April 1863 (Civil War casualty?)
Hardin Badgett, who served the Union in the Civil War, married, had children and left Kentucky for Logan County, Illinois
Lucinda (Lucy) Ann Badgett, married, had children and remained in Washington County, Kentucky the remainder of her life
Calvin Badgett, who died February 1864 of cholera and dysentery at a POW camp Richmond, Virginia.
William Badgett arrived at Pleasant Hill with his parents and siblings at age 16. He signed the church covenant at nineteen and again four years later. But William eventually left the Shakers in 1828 and less than two months later he married Janie Hover in Mercer County, Kentucky.
Janie Hover was a fellow Shaker and their bondsman at the wedding in Mercer County was Isaac Lineback, another fellow Shaker.
William Badgett is on the tax list of Mercer County in 1834 and after that the family moved to the Mackville area of Washington County, Kentucky. I believe William died when his children were young, but do not know the cause of death, nor do I know when Jane died or where they are buried.
William and Jane had four children born in Washington County:
John Wesley Badgett, who died in April 1863 (Civil War casualty?)
Hardin Badgett, who served the Union in the Civil War, married, had children and left Kentucky for Logan County, Illinois
Lucinda (Lucy) Ann Badgett, married, had children and remained in Washington County, Kentucky the remainder of her life
Calvin Badgett, who died February 1864 of cholera and dysentery at a POW camp Richmond, Virginia.
8/24/2014
On This Date in 1829 ...
Lawson Runyon [age 21], son of Emley and Lydia departed Pleasant Hill.
Lawson's hymn "Contentment" appears on page 231 of Paulina Bryant's hymn book begun 1854, recording earlier hymns.
Lawson went to Hot Springs, Arkansas following his departure from Pleasant Hill. There, at age 37, he married a seventeen year old native American woman, Emily Ross, on May 25, 1845.
Lawson left Pleasant Hill four months after his younger brother Robert Comstock Runyon left. Robert married Betsy Thompson, a Cherokee, and they named their son Lawson.
8/23/2014
On This Date in 1861 ...
Matilda Runyon appointed nurse and EH, with Rachel Downing.
(East Family Journal)
Matilda was the daughter of Joseph and Jane Runyon and would have been 57 years old at this time. Both of her parents were deceased and the Civil War was underway. Kentucky had declared its neutrality three months prior to Matilda's appointment as nurse but it was destined to become the 13th Confederate state in just four months' time.
(East Family Journal)
Matilda was the daughter of Joseph and Jane Runyon and would have been 57 years old at this time. Both of her parents were deceased and the Civil War was underway. Kentucky had declared its neutrality three months prior to Matilda's appointment as nurse but it was destined to become the 13th Confederate state in just four months' time.
8/18/2014
On This Date in 1895 ...
At age 4, James was brought to Pleasant Hill by his mother Polly Runyon Sutton.
Polly, daughter of Joseph and Jane, departed the Shaker village at age 17 and married Isaac Sutton. They had two children, Jane and James. We don't know her reasoning but apparently Polly thought life among the Shakers would be the best place for her children. She did not return.
James left Pleasant Hill briefly in his nineteenth year but returned less than a year later, living the remainder of his life as a Shaker and passing away at the age of 65.
The Shaker journals record his death simply as, "At 8:10 Mr. James Sutton departed this life suddenly after a brief illness."
Polly, daughter of Joseph and Jane, departed the Shaker village at age 17 and married Isaac Sutton. They had two children, Jane and James. We don't know her reasoning but apparently Polly thought life among the Shakers would be the best place for her children. She did not return.
James left Pleasant Hill briefly in his nineteenth year but returned less than a year later, living the remainder of his life as a Shaker and passing away at the age of 65.
The Shaker journals record his death simply as, "At 8:10 Mr. James Sutton departed this life suddenly after a brief illness."
8/16/2014
On This Date in 1883 ...
Jane Sutton fell crossing fence toward tanyard, slipped fell on side on top rail, serious, not dangerous injury.
Jane would have been 51 years old when she fell.
Jane would have been 51 years old when she fell.
8/09/2014
On This Date in 1827 ...
Charity Coates, wife of Phineas Runyon, lived to be 82 years old and spent the last thirteen years of her life living as a Shaker after signing the church covenant in 1814. Prior to their arrival, she and Phineas had been married for 53 years and moved from New Jersey to North Carolina, then to Kentucky. She gave birth to fourteen children during her marriage. Of her children who lived into adulthood, four - with their own families - also chose a life among the Shakers.
Her passing was recorded in the Shaker journals with no elaboration: Charity Runyon died at Pleasant Hill
Her passing was recorded in the Shaker journals with no elaboration: Charity Runyon died at Pleasant Hill
8/06/2014
On This Date in 1831 ...
Sally Runyon [age 17] departed Pleasant Hill.
This is the daughter of Patience and Martin, who married a Mr. Philips after her departure from Pleasant Hill.
This is the daughter of Patience and Martin, who married a Mr. Philips after her departure from Pleasant Hill.
8/03/2014
This Month in 1847 ...
Visitor Tuntstill West from Monticello, Ky came to see his relations viz Runyons, Suttons, & Ryons.
- from Zachariah
Burnett's Journal (Zachariah Burnett came with his parents and siblings, including Micajah Burnett, to Pleasant Hill in 1808)
7/22/2014
7/20/2014
On This Date in 1825 ...
Wesley Ryan [age 16] departs Pleasant Hill.
Wesley was the son of Nancy Runyon Ryan. Nancy brought him to Pleasant Hill at age seven. His twin brother Lawson Ryan stayed with the Shakers three more years before departing.
Wesley was the son of Nancy Runyon Ryan. Nancy brought him to Pleasant Hill at age seven. His twin brother Lawson Ryan stayed with the Shakers three more years before departing.
7/19/2014
Accounting Records
Income and expense analyses for the year ended March 31, 1841 shows that the Pleasant Hill Shakers made:
$124.26 on leather transactions
$1,074.07 from the sale of linseed oil
$2,177.18 from the sale of hogs
$1,570.50 from the sale of cattle
$379.00 on horse transactions
$2,468.55 from the sale of garden seeds
Revenues from the sale of leather, cattle, horses, and garden seeds were consistently good throughout the period 1830-1850. Revenues from the manufacture and sale of linseed oil were extremely good during the late 1830′s when linseed oil sold for $1.00 to $1.25 a gallon.
Income from the sale of hogs was consistently good during the period until 1848 when a prohibition against the use of hog meat was made mandatory in all Shaker communities. This prohibition eliminated one of the best sources of revenues for the Pleasant Hill Shakers [Ham, p. 189].
In 1842, the community paid out $2,162.50 for 7205/6 roods of stone fencing at $3.00 per rood. A rood is a unit of length varying locally from five and one-half to eight yards. Over twenty miles of stone fencing was constructed around Pleasant Hill over a twenty-five year period from 1826 to 1852 [Ham, p. 136].
More on Shaker Accounting Records at Pleasant Hill: 1830-1850 can be found here.
$124.26 on leather transactions
$1,074.07 from the sale of linseed oil
$2,177.18 from the sale of hogs
$1,570.50 from the sale of cattle
$379.00 on horse transactions
$2,468.55 from the sale of garden seeds
Revenues from the sale of leather, cattle, horses, and garden seeds were consistently good throughout the period 1830-1850. Revenues from the manufacture and sale of linseed oil were extremely good during the late 1830′s when linseed oil sold for $1.00 to $1.25 a gallon.
Income from the sale of hogs was consistently good during the period until 1848 when a prohibition against the use of hog meat was made mandatory in all Shaker communities. This prohibition eliminated one of the best sources of revenues for the Pleasant Hill Shakers [Ham, p. 189].
In 1842, the community paid out $2,162.50 for 7205/6 roods of stone fencing at $3.00 per rood. A rood is a unit of length varying locally from five and one-half to eight yards. Over twenty miles of stone fencing was constructed around Pleasant Hill over a twenty-five year period from 1826 to 1852 [Ham, p. 136].
More on Shaker Accounting Records at Pleasant Hill: 1830-1850 can be found here.
7/08/2014
On This Date in 1852 ...
At 3:30 p.m. Nancy Runyon Ryan "died of epileptic fits" at age 65. She "had been subject to fits...was not able to take care of herself, had but little if any sense left, it was a great releasement to the family and a blessing to her no doubt." ~ Amos Stewart Journal
7/02/2014
On This Date in 1867 ...
Charlotte Runyon resigned her station at first Office Deaconess and mov'd to Center Family & Eliza Byram took her place at Office.
East Family Journal
East Family Journal
6/17/2014
On This Date in 1867 ...
Matilda Runyon [Joseph's daughter] resigned deaconess East Family, retired to Center Family.
6/08/2014
On This Date in 1838 ...
Visit__The Ministry from Pleasant Hill arrived here on a visit. Viz. E. James Rankin, E. Ann Cole, & Sis Sarah Jenkins.__ They were accompanied by William Runyon. All of whom we are glad & thankful to see.
~journal of the Shaker community at South Union, KY, 1836 - 1840
~journal of the Shaker community at South Union, KY, 1836 - 1840
6/07/2014
On This Date in 1834 ...
Spring 1834 - James Sutton, age four, son of Polly Runyon and Isaac Sutton, is brought to Pleasant Hill in May 1834 followed by his two-year-old sister (Mary) Jane Sutton, on June 7, 1834.
Jane remained at Pleasant Hill until her death in 1912.
Jane remained at Pleasant Hill until her death in 1912.
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| Jane Sutton |
6/02/2014
This month in 1859 ...
Amy Runyon caretaker of girls (January 1847 to June 1859) East Family, released because of declining health.
Amy was the daughter of Emley and Lydia Runyon, who arrived at Pleasant Hill with their children when Amy was three years old. Emley is the youngest son of Phineas and Charity Runyon.
Amy was the daughter of Emley and Lydia Runyon, who arrived at Pleasant Hill with their children when Amy was three years old. Emley is the youngest son of Phineas and Charity Runyon.
5/28/2014
May 1847 ...
May 28 to June 8, 1847 - Betsy Runyon visited South Union community with others.
Betsy was one of two of the daughters of Martin and Patience Runyon who stayed with the Shakers throughout their lives.
One of the first buildings constructed (1810) at the Shaker community at South Union, Kentucky. Although it served a number of purposes throughout the years, it was best known as the Shaker school house. [Photo from WKU]
Betsy was one of two of the daughters of Martin and Patience Runyon who stayed with the Shakers throughout their lives.
One of the first buildings constructed (1810) at the Shaker community at South Union, Kentucky. Although it served a number of purposes throughout the years, it was best known as the Shaker school house. [Photo from WKU]
5/25/2014
On This Date in 1845 ...
Amy Runyon served as a teacher, nurse and children's caretaker at Pleasant Hill. Like William and Vincent Runyon, she was musically inclined. We have one example of a completed composition by Amy Runyon, dated May 25, 1845. It appears in Benjamin Dunlavy's song book....
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| Page from Benjamin Dunlavy's song book with music composed by Amy Runyon May 25, 1845 (Clark, p.57) |
5/24/2014
On This Date in 1884 ...
Demise, Elder George Runyon [age 88] at 8:40 p.m...united in this Society in spring 1810 at age of 14 & continued steadfast & unwavering to the end...an able minister.
5/16/2014
Exposing Stratigraphic Profiles
Kim McBride has spent decades studying
the Shaker buildings of Pleasant Hill. Learn more about her work in this article published in American
Archaeology in 2012.
 |
Students work to
uncover the location of the 1810
meeting
house (American Archaeology - not credited)
|
A glass bead, clay marble, and animal bone button were among some of the artifacts discovered during the excavation of the 1810 meeting house. Is it possible the Runyon children played
with these toys?
5/13/2014
This Month 127 Years Ago ...
May 1887 picnic
Pleasant Hill, KY
A large group of Shakers in a grove
James and Jane Sutton would have been the last surviving Runyon Shakers at Pleasant Hill when this picnic was held. This and other fascinating photos can be found in the Winterthur Shaker Photographs & Postcards collection
5/12/2014
On This Date in 1818 ...
from the Shaker journals:
"William Badgett was appointed farm Deacon in place of Philip Lineback who mov'd to the West Family and the insuing winter William Badgett was releas'd and all the farms belonging to the Church was given into the hands of the public Deacons."
"William Badgett was appointed farm Deacon in place of Philip Lineback who mov'd to the West Family and the insuing winter William Badgett was releas'd and all the farms belonging to the Church was given into the hands of the public Deacons."
5/10/2014
What is a Family?
Confused about the terminology used by the Shakers?
Family: The largest Shaker social, economic, and administrative unit that described all the individuals living in the same dwelling. Two Elders and two Eldresses were in charge of the Family, which could be thirty individuals to one hundred individuals.
Other common terms you should know ...
Believers: Used commonly instead of “Shakers” by members of the community to refer to each other.
Brother/Sister: The terms used to address members.
Covenant: When a new member joined, to prove his or her commitment to the community, the covenant was a legal document handing over all of that individual’s worldly belongs to the Shaker community.
Communal: Exemplifies the lifestyle of the Shakers. There was no individual ownership within the Shaker Village, but rather all belongings were shared among the community, and all monetary profits were used to benefit the entire community, rather than a few people.
Deacon/Deaconess: Appointed to supervise the jobs at the family level. Each Family would have had a Farm Deacon, and Kitchen Deaconess, etc.
Dwelling: The name for the dormitory-like building that housed a communal Shaker Family.
Elder/Eldress: Appointed to supervise spiritual affairs or, in a more general sense, to denote a leader.
Eder Brother/Elder Sister: Specific term used to describe leaders at the Family level.
Gathering: Used to describe a group of new converts to Shakerism.
Gift: A “gift” was given from God to an individual that benefit God’s kingdom on earth, and could be anything from prophecy to music. For example, a “whirling gift” would describe a Shaker’s circular movement during a service, when the Shaker was moved by God.
Heavenly Father: The Shakers felt that, since man and woman were created in the image of God, God had a male and a female side. “Heavenly Father” was used to refer to the masculine side of God.
Holy Mother Wisdom: The term used to refer
to the feminine side of God.
Meeting: Usually applied to the Shaker worship service, which
included hearing words from Brothers or Sisters led by the spirit to
speak, singing, dancing, clapping, and sometimes “shaking”, from which the
Shakers got their name.
Lead Ministry: Two Elders and two Eldresses, who resided in the
Shaker community in Lebanon, New York, and were the spiritual leaders of
all of the Shakers.
Ministry: Two Elders and two Eldresses in charge of a Shaker
community. Order: 1) together with “union”, an important part of the
Shaker life. Believers who kept their order followed by the rules of the
Society and placed the community’s needs above their own. 2) Another word
for “rule” or “law,” as in: “The Gospel orders” 3) with a capital “O”, used
to refer officially to a group of members. For example, a “Gathering
Order” was a group of new converts, and a “Senior Order” was a group of
committed, covenanted members.
Retiring Time: A time after supper, usually about a half an hour,
in which Shakers went to their bedroom to think quietly and to prepare themselves
for the evening meeting.
Testimony: Written account of a member’s faith and experience,
often solicited by Elders or Eldresses
Trustee: A Shaker Trustee is someone who has the responsibility
for the financial well-being of the community. He not only keeps financial
records but is also in charge of marketing products sold by the community.
Office deacons and deaconesses assist the Trustee and usually live in the
Trustee’s Office.
Union: Together with “order,” an important goal of Shaker life. It
describes the spiritual bond between all members of the Shaker society, and
reflects the goal of spiritual and material union within the society.
United Society: Short for the formal title of the Shakers, which
is The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing World/World’s
People: Those who did not belong to the Shaker society lived in the World and
were referred to as World’s People.
Young Believer: A new Shaker convert. “Young” refers to the fact
that new converts were uneducated in the Shaker lifestyle, not necessarily that
they were young in age.
* borrowed from an educational handout developed at the South Union village and adapted from Shaker Communities, Shaker Lives, by Priscilla J. Brewer, © 1986
5/06/2014
On This Date in 1828 ...
Benjamin Runyon [age 18] departed Pleasant Hill.
Benjamin was the youngest son of Joseph and Jane Runyon. He was less than a year old when the family arrived at Pleasant Hill in March 1810.
Benjamin was the youngest son of Joseph and Jane Runyon. He was less than a year old when the family arrived at Pleasant Hill in March 1810.
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| Looking up the Kentucky River from High Bridge |
5/05/2014
On This Date in 1878 ...
Charlotte [Runyon] crazy all day long; 1st Last night before 11 oc Sister Charlotte took uncommonly bad.
5/04/2014
On This Date in 1867 ...
Matilda Runyon [Joseph's daughter] mov'd to East Family appointed Family Deaconess in place of Betsy Spaulding.
Each organized family group had a set of leaders known as deacons and deaconesses. These men and women took charge of the daily activities of their family members. As deaconess of the East Family, Matilda would have managed the housekeeping, cooking, preserving, gardening, weaving, laundry, and tailoring tasks necessary to keep the family unit functioning.
Each organized family group had a set of leaders known as deacons and deaconesses. These men and women took charge of the daily activities of their family members. As deaconess of the East Family, Matilda would have managed the housekeeping, cooking, preserving, gardening, weaving, laundry, and tailoring tasks necessary to keep the family unit functioning.
4/30/2014
The Water House
From Antebellum Architecture of Kentucky by Clay Lancaster
In addition to the major buildings at Pleasant Hill, Micajah Burnett built a number of utilitarian structures. Of special interest is the water house (1833), northeast of the third stone Centre Family. It is a small, square, two-story frame shell containing a round cypress tank perched on high stone piers. Gravity caused the water to flow through iron pipes to residence kitchens and washhouses. A floating gauge extending up through the roof could be seen from the Tanyard spring, so when the water level was low, the horse-powered pump could be started to fill the tank. This was one of the earliest water-supply systems in the West.
In addition to the major buildings at Pleasant Hill, Micajah Burnett built a number of utilitarian structures. Of special interest is the water house (1833), northeast of the third stone Centre Family. It is a small, square, two-story frame shell containing a round cypress tank perched on high stone piers. Gravity caused the water to flow through iron pipes to residence kitchens and washhouses. A floating gauge extending up through the roof could be seen from the Tanyard spring, so when the water level was low, the horse-powered pump could be started to fill the tank. This was one of the earliest water-supply systems in the West.
The Water House
photo by artist Deb Ward
4/28/2014
On This Date in 1845 ...
Joseph Runyon [age 80] deceased. Was an assistant Trustee awhile, and an Elder in the Gathering Order three or four years.
4/27/2014
The Runyon Shaker Genealogy
Joseph. Mercy, Martin, and Emley were the four adult children of Phineas and Charity Runyon who, along with their 30 children, joined the Shakers at Pleasant Hill in the early 19th century. Members who remained with the Shakers are shown in red; those who departed (or, “went to the world”) are shown in blue.
Phineas Runyon b: February 13, 1744 + Charity Coates b: December 23, 1744
and their children and grandchildren...
Joseph Runyon b: January 24, 1765 +Jane (aka Ginny) b: December 12, 1766
and their children...
Charlotte (aka Sally C.) Runyon b: July 25, 1785
Nancy Runyon b: May 27, 1787 + Ryan (left husband to live at PH)
-Lawson Ryan b: November 24, 1808 (twin), arrived PH May 1815
-Wesley Ryan b: November 24, 1808 (twin), arrived PH May 1815
-Nancy Ryan b: January 12, 1812, arrived PH May 1815
Vincent Runyon b: August 16, 1789
Marcy Runyon b: August 21, 1792
George Runyon b: September 13, 1795
William Runyon b: July 12, 1799
Guilford D. Runyon b: January 8, 1802 (departed, returned, was expelled)-read more
Matilda Runyon b: July 27, 1804
Polly Runyon b: August 4, 1807 m. Sutton
-Jane Sutton b: February 14, 1832 brought by her mother to PH June 7, 1834
-James Sutton b: February 14, 1830 in Fayette Co., KY, brought by his mother to PH May 1834, departed Shakertown December 1849 and returned October 29, 1850
Benjamin Runyon b: May 16, 1809
Mercy Runyon b: December 23, 1768 + John Badgett b. Nov. 23, 1766and their children...
Charity Badgett b: October 15, 1791
Prudence (aka Sally) Badgett b: October 14, 1794
William Badgett b: November 15, 1795+Janie Hover
Salome Badgett b: January 14, 1798
John R. Badgett, Jr. b: April 3, 1800 + America Bosley
Ginny (aka Jinny or Jane) Badgett b: September 13, 1802 +James C. Hutton
Polly Badgett b: November 16, 1805
Hardin Badgett b: January 19, 1808
Katherine (aka Kitty) Badgett b: June 11, 1811
Martin Runyon b: April 20, 1778 +Patience Baxter b: September 17, 1782and their children...
John Runyon b: May 7, 1800
Betsy (aka Elizabeth?) Runyon b: October 12, 1801
Matilda (aka Rebecca) Runyon b: June 24, 1803 +Lewis Gillespie
Asa G. Runyon b: June 20, 1805 +Mary F. Arthur
Silas Baxter Runyon b: November 22, 1807 + Rebecca Tye + Cynthia Ann (aka Sintha) Cornelius
Charity C. Runyon b: August 2, 1809 +Isaac N. Hawkins
Peggy Runyon b: June 11, 1810
Sally Runyon b: August 22, 1813 +? Philips died Aug 24, 1876, age 63 in Garrard County, KY; listed in Vital statistics of Garrard as a "female, married, housekeeper, daughter of Martin & Patience Runyon, died of unknown causes.
Emley (aka Embly) Runyon b: September 22, 1784 + Lydia Burton b: September 12, 1788and their children...
Lawson Runyon b: October 10, 1807 +Emily Ross
Amy Runyon b: August 25, 1809
Robert (Comstock) Runyon b: February 4, 1812 + Betsy Thompson
4/26/2014
Order in Everything
It comes as no surprise that the
Shakers, who were so fastidious about order and practicality, would invoke those
same ideals when designing and planning their communities. The main buildings at Pleasant Hill were
built perpendicular to each other with those used as communal dwellings oriented to maximize the southern exposure.
In ENCOUNTERING THE SHAKERS OF THE NORTH
FAMILY LOT, UNION VILLAGE, OHIO: A Clean and Lively Appearance—Landscape andArchitecture of the North Family Lot, commissioned for the Ohio Department of
Transportation in 2009 the authors compare Pleasant Hill with the the Ohio
Shaker community called Union Village.
At Pleasant Hill, an evolution took
place in the architectural style. Early
buildings dating to ca. 1810 have the typical horizontal proportions and the
small, boxy, widely spaced windows of
the Western Shaker vernacular. While shop buildings continued to be constructed
in this style at Pleasant Hill, subtle high-style Federal influence appeared in
the communal dwellings at an early date. Several communal houses built from
1816 to 1822 at Pleasant Hill have tall, vertical, closely spaced windows, giving
the houses more of the feel of the high style Federal aesthetic.
By 1824, Micajah Burnett, a Shaker
builder and engineer at Pleasant Hill, was experimenting with Federal architectural forms that included
high-style Adamesque elements. Pleasant Hill shop buildings continued to be
built in a plain, conservative style with small widely spaced windows well into
the 1840s. At the same time, Burnett’s designs for dwellings took on more grand
and worldly Federal architectural features. Pleasant Hill buildings with these
features include the fourth Center Family House (1824–1834) and the Trustees’
Office (1839–1841). These two buildings have features like arched and
three-part windows, mullioned fanlights, sidelights, balustrades, interior
barrel vaults, and other graceful ornamental features typical of the Federal
style.
Early map of Pleasant Hill (view, download, and zoom in at the LOC site)
4/25/2014
On This Date in 1831 ...
Charity Runyon [age 21], daughter of Martin and Patience, departed Pleasant Hill.
Charity, undoubtedly, was named after her grandmother, Charity Coates Runyon, wife of Phineas, patriarch of all the Runyon family members of Pleasant Hill. Charity married Isaac N. Hawkins in Madison County, Kentucky on October 25, 1837. Isaac and Charity had five children: John Martin, James, Silas, Mary Ann, and Matilda.
Charity, undoubtedly, was named after her grandmother, Charity Coates Runyon, wife of Phineas, patriarch of all the Runyon family members of Pleasant Hill. Charity married Isaac N. Hawkins in Madison County, Kentucky on October 25, 1837. Isaac and Charity had five children: John Martin, James, Silas, Mary Ann, and Matilda.
4/24/2014
159 Years Ago ... the "Swede Stampede"
"No better opening had presented itself for the proselyting of new members than the Swedish community," wrote Clark and Ham in Pleasant Hill and its Shakers.
In 1855, Benjamin B. Dunlavy and George Runyon went to Bishop Hill (Henry County near Galesburg, Illinois) as missionaries. There they preached the sanctity of a female Messiah, and the doctrine of celibacy and were rewarded for their efforts by the conversion of Andrew Bloomberg and his family. In turn, Bloomberg became a missionary and over brought many converts to Pleasant Hill.
In his book The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers, Stephen J. Stein notes that Bloomberg later served as an Elder in the West Family and in 1866/1867 traveled to his homeland of Sweden to prepare a number of families who had accepted Shaker ideals.
Ten months later, Bloomberg returned with several Swedish converts. Others followed, but most stayed a short time. The ministry journal refers to these departures as the “Swede Stampede."
In 1855, Benjamin B. Dunlavy and George Runyon went to Bishop Hill (Henry County near Galesburg, Illinois) as missionaries. There they preached the sanctity of a female Messiah, and the doctrine of celibacy and were rewarded for their efforts by the conversion of Andrew Bloomberg and his family. In turn, Bloomberg became a missionary and over brought many converts to Pleasant Hill.
In his book The Shaker Experience in America: A History of the United Society of Believers, Stephen J. Stein notes that Bloomberg later served as an Elder in the West Family and in 1866/1867 traveled to his homeland of Sweden to prepare a number of families who had accepted Shaker ideals.
Ten months later, Bloomberg returned with several Swedish converts. Others followed, but most stayed a short time. The ministry journal refers to these departures as the “Swede Stampede."
4/20/2014
On This Date in 1879 ...
Demise Charlotte (Sally) Runyon 20 minutes before 1pm at Center Family in 94th yr since 25th of last July & thus another bright Star hath disappeared from our firmament she embraced the faith at the age of 24 in Sept 1809 & has stood unshaken.
4/19/2014
On This Date in 1826 ...
A family was established at the grist Mill chiefly composed of the former North Family the lot of Elders being the same (namely) Elder Brother William Shields and John Congleton, Elder Sister Marcy Runyon and Mariah Saylor.
4/14/2014
194 Years Ago ...
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| Photo by artist Deb Ward |
"The Ministry, who are the central executive of the whole order, consists of two brethren and two sisters."
The buildings at Pleasant Hill are a variety of colors but the Meeting House would have been white, as prescribed by the Millennial Laws. In the Historical Dictionary of the Shakers, author Stephen J. Paterwic notes that non-Shakers often misinterpret the name Millennial Church - the name by which the Shakers of the early 19th century often referred to themselves as. Rather than gathering to await the second coming of Christ, the Shakers saw themselves as the living embodiment of the second coming.
4/12/2014
The Enigmatic Guilford Runyon
Shoemaker, doctor, or both?
Guilford Runyon, brought to the Pleasant Hill community by his parents Joseph and Jane Runyon in March 1810, was just eight years old when the family arrived. He would be one of four siblings who would leave the Shaker community.
From the Center Family journal:
Guilford D. Runyon, a shoemaker at Pleasant Hill, raised there from a child, departed May 18, 1829. He returned and was admitted to the Junior Order the following June. Was expelled in 1839 from the Society because of his plans to marry Kitty Ferrell of New Orleans. She died before they could be married and he lived in the town of Harrodsburg the remainder of his life.
Kitty had died of malaria and never lived in the house that Guilford was building for them. Guilford called the house Honeysuckle Hill.
From Antebellum Architecture of Kentucky by Clay Lancaster:
The unique suburban house of substantial size at 712 Beaumont Avenue, Harrodsburg, was built for Dr. Guilford Runyan [sic]. He had been the physician in the Shaker village at nearby Pleasant Hill, but “returned to the world” in 1839 and purchased the thirty-five-acre tract for his home. He intended to marry a lady from the lower Mississippi region, but she died before the wedding…
After Dr. Runyan’s death, his sisters sold the house and returned to the Shakers. In 1881, the new owners built a service ell at the rear, incorporating the detached kitchen. Subsequently, the name Honeysuckle Hill was changed to Fair Oaks.
Guilford Runyon, brought to the Pleasant Hill community by his parents Joseph and Jane Runyon in March 1810, was just eight years old when the family arrived. He would be one of four siblings who would leave the Shaker community.
From the Center Family journal:
Guilford D. Runyon, a shoemaker at Pleasant Hill, raised there from a child, departed May 18, 1829. He returned and was admitted to the Junior Order the following June. Was expelled in 1839 from the Society because of his plans to marry Kitty Ferrell of New Orleans. She died before they could be married and he lived in the town of Harrodsburg the remainder of his life.
Kitty had died of malaria and never lived in the house that Guilford was building for them. Guilford called the house Honeysuckle Hill.
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| Photo from the Kentucky Digital Library collection |
From Antebellum Architecture of Kentucky by Clay Lancaster:
The unique suburban house of substantial size at 712 Beaumont Avenue, Harrodsburg, was built for Dr. Guilford Runyan [sic]. He had been the physician in the Shaker village at nearby Pleasant Hill, but “returned to the world” in 1839 and purchased the thirty-five-acre tract for his home. He intended to marry a lady from the lower Mississippi region, but she died before the wedding…
After Dr. Runyan’s death, his sisters sold the house and returned to the Shakers. In 1881, the new owners built a service ell at the rear, incorporating the detached kitchen. Subsequently, the name Honeysuckle Hill was changed to Fair Oaks.
4/10/2014
The Kentucky Shakers
"In the State of Kentucky there are two societies - one at Pleasant Hill, about seven miles easterly from Harrodsburg, and 21 miles southwest from Lexington, Mercer County, which contains between four and five hundred members. The other is at South Union, Jasper Springs, about 15 miles northeast from Russellville, Logan County, and contains between three and four hundred members."
~Shakers Compendium of the Origin, History, Principles, Rules, and Regulations, Government, and Doctrines of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearance by F.W. Evans, 1859
~Shakers Compendium of the Origin, History, Principles, Rules, and Regulations, Government, and Doctrines of the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearance by F.W. Evans, 1859
4/09/2014
179 Years Ago ...
1835 - "Mr. Crouch had a sister that married a Ryan. That sister's son, living in Mercer married into a family of Runyons. Runyons lived on this side of the Kentucky River, between there and Lexington. The whole family (of Runyons?) joined the Shakers, and younger Ryan's wife thought she must go too. She left twins lying in the cradle and went. This brought Ryan into conflict with one, whom he beats himself severely. Another one, that came to his house, he beat nearly to death. The man thought to go to the law but the magistrate advised him to keep away and let Ryan alone. For the more minute details in this account I am indebted to Mrs. Crouch. Little things are erased from men's minds, while they are retained by women." (David Crouch Interview c. 1835 [portion], Draper Collection Manuscripts Vol 12CC225-29)
4/07/2014
Shaking Quakers
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| D.W.Kellogg lithograph, ca. 1838 |
Read more here
4/04/2014
This Month in 1859 ...
As early as 1811 the Pleasant Hill society had joint ownership with Union Village of the bull named Shaker. They also used Buzzard. Both of these animals were prominent in the herd books of that time. In April 1859, when William Runyon and C. Todd went to Alexander's [local cattle sale] to get Sirius, it was presumably not to purchase but to make arrangements for stud service.
from The Kentucky Shakers, Julia Neal, 1982
4/01/2014
3/31/2014
On This Date in 1829 ...
Nancy Ryan [age 17], granddaughter of Joseph and Jane Runyon] departs Pleasant Hill
3/30/2014
On This Date in 1869 ...
Matilda Runyon [Joseph's daughter] [went on a] trip to South Union.
Matilda was one of four daughters of Joseph and Ginny Runyon who lived the remainder of their lives at Pleasant Hill. She was Jane Sutton's aunt.
Matilda was one of four daughters of Joseph and Ginny Runyon who lived the remainder of their lives at Pleasant Hill. She was Jane Sutton's aunt.
3/22/2014
On This Date in 1846 ...
from "The Shaker Spiritual" by Daniel Patterson
Lucinda Shain (Schoen) received her song -- a typical Shaker gift --on March 22, 1846, from "Br. Vincent Runyon and others of our deceased friends, who played it on their instruments of music." Vincent, a believer of British and Huguenot stock, had died only five days before, at the age of fifty-six. Both he and Lucinda, who was then 44, had come to Pleasant Hill with their parents and their siblings in its first wave of converts. Through most of Lucinda's life, William [Runyon] was the dominant musician at Pleasant Hill. In the gift of singing he had no equal there. For more than fifty years his "shrill, melodious voice rang with clarion tones, through the consecrated halls & sacred sanctuaries of this holy hill, cheering the minds & thrilling the hearts of the pious worshippers & beholders."
3/17/2014
On This Date in 1846 ...
Vincent Runyon [age 56] deceased. He was second Elder in the First Order from the 19th of Jan. 1824 till Dec. 20th, 1838.
3/14/2014
On This Date in 1831 ...
March 14, 1831 - Katharine (Kitty) Badgett [age 19], daughter of Mercy Runyon and John Badgett] departs Pleasant Hill
On This Date in 1815 ...
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| This photo appears in "The Shakers of Union Village" by Cheryl Bauer |
Today Patience and Martin Runyon mov'd from the West Family to the North Family and Lydia Balance and Matilda Runyon mov'd from the North Family to the West Family and Betsy Runyon from the East Family to the West Family.
These are daughters of Martin and Patience Runyon.
3/08/2014
On This Date in 1817 ...
March 8, 1817, Saturday - This day was a rainy day, Today Ephraim McBride mov'd from Lebanon to the Roben Denny farm, Today Betsy Baxter departed this life. I believe with old age, she was the Mother of Patience Runyon who joined this Society in 1813, her Mother came here to stay a little while with her daughter, and being so old and feble she slipped off; she never joined this Society.
3/01/2014
This Month, 204 Years Ago...
March 1810 - ...an entire new Family established at the fraim house Joseph Runyon with a very large family and John Bryant and his family and in the fall James Congleton and his family from Bourbon Co all three make quite a respectable Family.
2/23/2014
On This Date in 1820 ...
"...about the middle of October, William Runyon, a young man about 21 years old (Son of Joseph Runyon) on Sabbath day evening...had a very strang felling come over him, he was as cold as a corpse, and seased with a violent jerking he was much alarmed, ...Jethro Gill...said it was the nervus fever, and that he had been acquainted with it...the best and only mean was, to give tartar, blister, and blead, & a warm bath as quick as possible and if any thing saves his life it would be that; but said; he had no hopes that his life would be saved...First they put his feet into warm water to bleed him, but it was with much difficulty, for he was so hard jerked that it threw the water on the floor and it was verry difficult to bleed him, but they made out; The next thing they prepared a warm bath, and had him in it very soon...they gave him a large dose of tartar, and put five blisters on him...& put him into bed it took three of the Brethren to hold him in bed. He was faithfully tended that night...when his blisters was cured he was as well as ever, & has remained so ever since, and is now able to dance two hours after a common meeting and says he feels stronger after he has done than when he begun." (Letter written by Samuel at Pleasant Hill)
2/19/2014
2/15/2014
On This Date in 1826 ...
Salome Badgett [age 28] deceased.
Her hymn "A Pretty Lesson" appears in Paulina Bryant's hymn book
Her hymn "A Pretty Lesson" appears in Paulina Bryant's hymn book
1/21/2014
January 21 - On This Date in 1831
The Shaker journal entry recording the death of the oldest of the Runyon clan simply reads, "Phineas Runyon, age 87, dies at Pleasant Hill."
Very few headstones exist in the Pleasant Hill graveyard. Although no markers remain for them (if they ever existed), many members of the Runyon family are among those buried in the here.
Very few headstones exist in the Pleasant Hill graveyard. Although no markers remain for them (if they ever existed), many members of the Runyon family are among those buried in the here.
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| The cemetery at Pleasant Hill, photo by Nancy Reddy |
1/13/2014
On This Date in 1866
Our highly esteemed and much beloved William Runyon died of pneumonia and liver complaint at the Center Family, aged 66 years the 12th day of last July. He filled the place of Family Deacon in the First Order, from the 14th of August 1827 till his decease, being upwards of 36 years. And a faithful steward & servant he was, devoting all his time & signal abilities to the duties of his calling, with a persevering industry & zeal almost unparalleled. Being called when a youth, he spent a long & useful life in support of this noble cause; & by his kindness, benevolence and goodness of heart, he was so firmly & deeply seated in the hearts & affections of the Society, that his untimely end was profoundly lamented in tears of sorrow. In the gift of singing he had no equal. For more than 50 years that shrill, melodious voice rang with clarion tones, through the consecrated halls & sacred sanctuaries of this holy hill, cheering the minds & thrilling the hearts of the pious worshippers & beholders. But that sweet voice we hear no more - it is gone to join in the music of angels in the brighter worlds above! James Parsley absconded from the East Family. What a contrast with the above! (Benjamin Dunlavy Journal 1856-1871)
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