Betsy Bates, Issachar Bates' daughter visited Pleasant Hill in 1862 at the height of the Civil War. Nine members of the Runyon family were still living as Shakers at this time and would have greeted and worshiped with Betsy. They were Charlotte, George, Matilda, and William - children of Joseph and Jane, plus two of the grandchildren, James and Jane Sutton; Sally Runyon, daughter of Martin and Patience; Amy Runyon, daughter of Emley and Lydia; and finally, Charity Badgett, daughter of Mercy Runyon and her husband John Badgett.
Fifty-seven years earlier in New York State, Betsy Bates had waved goodbye to her father as he set out on his mission with John Meacham and Benjamin Seth Youngs in search of converts on the western frontier, which sparked the creation of Pleasant Hill.
................... Our Shaker Heritage ~ research on the Runyon family at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky ... and more!
Showing posts with label Bates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bates. Show all posts
6/01/2018
4/05/2018
Establishing Shawnee Run
On a site near the banks of Shawnee Run, a small communal family took shape...
In August of 1805, three Shaker missionaries to Kentucky were getting to know the northeastern portion of the state when an opportunity arose for them to preach to a group of potential converts that included three Kentucky residents - Elisha Thomas, and Samuel and Henry Banta. The Thomas and Banta families (along with the Monfort and Bruner families) were all related by marriage. Hearing their testimony, Elisha Thomas would become not only the first Shaker convert in Kentucky but instrumental in the creation of one of two Kentucky communities that would be established.
Where this meeting occurred is not clear. Sources say it happened at "Concord in Bourbon County." However, Concord, Kentucky is northeast along the Ohio River in Lewis County (which was formed in late 1806 from Mason County) and the Concord Christian Church in Bourbon County wasn't yet established. In any case, Shaker Benjamin Seth Youngs was subsequently invited to address a group in Elisha Thomas' barn at his farm along Shawnee Run in Mercer County.
There, a large number of listeners converted, with Youngs reporting in January 1806 twenty-one "grown Believers on Shawnee Run."
In August, Elisha Thomas deeded his 140-acre farm to the Shakers and in December, forty-four men and women signed the first family covenant “dedicating themselves and their property to the material benefit" of the Society. The first permanent communal gathering of believers in Kentucky began to take shape with the name "Shawnee Run."
Infrequent visits by the eastern Shakers proved less than satisfactory for the new converts. Therefore, Elisha Thomas offered Elder John Meacham a horse, saddle, bridle, and spending money if he would come to live at Shawnee Run. Elder John told them if they would build a place for them to live, some among the "old believers" (those Shakers who had traveled from the east) would come.
When the new ministry arrived (with only fifty dollars, two beds, bedding, and a few other items) a new log house was waiting for them and the center of the community had shifted to a nearby hilltop east of Elisha's original farm to the spot where today visitors can walk among the restored buildings.
Molly Goodrich and Peter Pease would become the appointed leaders for the new Kentucky societies. In the meantime some of the Shawnee Run converts were appointed by Elder Benjamin to assume certain responsibilities, with Elisha Thomas to "stand first in our absence." Isaac Dean was appointed to take charge of the farm.
Beginning in 1809, the year Joseph Runyon became a Believer (his wife Jane/Ginney believed in February 1810), John Meacham, Samuel Turner, Lucy Smith, and Anna Cole composed the Shawnee Run ministry. As the organization of the community took place its name was changed from Shawnee Run to Pleasant Hill and the first permanent structure (the "First Stone House" - later to become the farm deacon's shop) was built to house the ministry.
By 1810, there were thirty-four Believers and "100 more not yet gathered." Joseph and Jane Runyon, with most of their children, arrived at Pleasant Hill on March 2, 1810. Three months later, their grown son Vincent arrived. Interestingly, Vincent and his sister Marcy were the first Runyon family members to sign the Church Covenant. They did so August 13, 1811. For both, this was the beginning of a life-long commitment. And for Vincent it was in celebration of his 22nd birthday which occurred August the 16th.
The organization of the society at Pleasant Hill proceeded rapidly. To increase their land holdings, that began with the rich, fertile 140-acres given by Elisha Thomas, the trustees began purchasing adjoining acreage.
By 1812 the East, Center, and West Families had been formed, and a fourth, the North Family, was established as a "gathering family" for prospective converts. In August of that year, Emley and Lydia Runyon arrived at Pleasant Hill with their children and during the autumn, they were joined by his parents Phineas and Charity as well as his sister Mercy Badgett and her husband John and their children.
On December 21, 1813, Martin Runyon, his wife Patience Baxter, and their children arrived. The following spring, June 2, 1814, Martin was among those Believers of legal age to sign the covenant. In fact, one hundred twenty-eight men and women bound themselves together, establishing the community in the pattern of the Shaker Ministry at New Lebanon, New York. Included also were: Joseph Runyon, Emley Runyon, Phineas Runyon, Marcy Runyon, Charity Badgett, Vincent Runyon, William Badgett, George Runyon, John Badgett, Sr., Ginney Runyon, Sally Runyon, Lydia Runyon, Charity Runyon.
More opportunities to sign at Pleasant Hill would come after May 1815, on June 10, 1830 and again on April 9, 1844. Many of the younger generation would make that commitment. Many would depart. But that core group who signed in 1814 did remain committed and were Believers for life.
In August of 1805, three Shaker missionaries to Kentucky were getting to know the northeastern portion of the state when an opportunity arose for them to preach to a group of potential converts that included three Kentucky residents - Elisha Thomas, and Samuel and Henry Banta. The Thomas and Banta families (along with the Monfort and Bruner families) were all related by marriage. Hearing their testimony, Elisha Thomas would become not only the first Shaker convert in Kentucky but instrumental in the creation of one of two Kentucky communities that would be established.
Where this meeting occurred is not clear. Sources say it happened at "Concord in Bourbon County." However, Concord, Kentucky is northeast along the Ohio River in Lewis County (which was formed in late 1806 from Mason County) and the Concord Christian Church in Bourbon County wasn't yet established. In any case, Shaker Benjamin Seth Youngs was subsequently invited to address a group in Elisha Thomas' barn at his farm along Shawnee Run in Mercer County.
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| Map of the state of Kentucky with the adjoining territories, 1794 |
In August, Elisha Thomas deeded his 140-acre farm to the Shakers and in December, forty-four men and women signed the first family covenant “dedicating themselves and their property to the material benefit" of the Society. The first permanent communal gathering of believers in Kentucky began to take shape with the name "Shawnee Run."
 |
| A Map of the State of Kentucky by Elihu Barker, 1797 |
When the new ministry arrived (with only fifty dollars, two beds, bedding, and a few other items) a new log house was waiting for them and the center of the community had shifted to a nearby hilltop east of Elisha's original farm to the spot where today visitors can walk among the restored buildings.
Molly Goodrich and Peter Pease would become the appointed leaders for the new Kentucky societies. In the meantime some of the Shawnee Run converts were appointed by Elder Benjamin to assume certain responsibilities, with Elisha Thomas to "stand first in our absence." Isaac Dean was appointed to take charge of the farm.
Beginning in 1809, the year Joseph Runyon became a Believer (his wife Jane/Ginney believed in February 1810), John Meacham, Samuel Turner, Lucy Smith, and Anna Cole composed the Shawnee Run ministry. As the organization of the community took place its name was changed from Shawnee Run to Pleasant Hill and the first permanent structure (the "First Stone House" - later to become the farm deacon's shop) was built to house the ministry.
By 1810, there were thirty-four Believers and "100 more not yet gathered." Joseph and Jane Runyon, with most of their children, arrived at Pleasant Hill on March 2, 1810. Three months later, their grown son Vincent arrived. Interestingly, Vincent and his sister Marcy were the first Runyon family members to sign the Church Covenant. They did so August 13, 1811. For both, this was the beginning of a life-long commitment. And for Vincent it was in celebration of his 22nd birthday which occurred August the 16th.
The organization of the society at Pleasant Hill proceeded rapidly. To increase their land holdings, that began with the rich, fertile 140-acres given by Elisha Thomas, the trustees began purchasing adjoining acreage.
By 1812 the East, Center, and West Families had been formed, and a fourth, the North Family, was established as a "gathering family" for prospective converts. In August of that year, Emley and Lydia Runyon arrived at Pleasant Hill with their children and during the autumn, they were joined by his parents Phineas and Charity as well as his sister Mercy Badgett and her husband John and their children.
On December 21, 1813, Martin Runyon, his wife Patience Baxter, and their children arrived. The following spring, June 2, 1814, Martin was among those Believers of legal age to sign the covenant. In fact, one hundred twenty-eight men and women bound themselves together, establishing the community in the pattern of the Shaker Ministry at New Lebanon, New York. Included also were: Joseph Runyon, Emley Runyon, Phineas Runyon, Marcy Runyon, Charity Badgett, Vincent Runyon, William Badgett, George Runyon, John Badgett, Sr., Ginney Runyon, Sally Runyon, Lydia Runyon, Charity Runyon.
More opportunities to sign at Pleasant Hill would come after May 1815, on June 10, 1830 and again on April 9, 1844. Many of the younger generation would make that commitment. Many would depart. But that core group who signed in 1814 did remain committed and were Believers for life.
3/29/2018
A Field Ripe for Harvest ~ Shaker Missionaries to Kentucky
What caused the Ministry in New York to set their sights on establishing new communities of Believers out west? News of the "Second Great Awakening" camp revival meetings held in 1801 at Cane Run, Kentucky, made its way north to the Shakers in New Lebanon, New York via The Albany Gazette. "No doubt, the Shakers in New England saw the phenomena as a fulfillment of Mother Ann's prophesy that 'the next opening of the gospel will be in America's 'southwest'," writes Carol Medlicott in her book Issachar Bates, A Shaker's Journey. By this time, Ann Lee had been dead for twenty-five years. Mother Lucy Wright, now head of the Ministry, decided the timing was right to send a small reconnaissance group to the area. Three Shaker men - two unmarried elders, John Meacham, Benjamin Seth Youngs, and one new convert, a married father of nine, Issachar Bates set out with only a vague idea of where to go.
The three men, with their one horse, left early on New Year's Day, 1805 during what was to be a particularly harsh winter. Although his wife Lovina and he were living a Shaker life of celibacy by this point, Issachar would continue to show affection for both her and his children, despite their great distance during the decades that followed.
The believers slowly made their way south, covering sometimes thirty miles in one day. As they traveled through the Shenandoah Valley, they began looking for signs of people who might be receptive to their message but were disappointed by those who were "lost in sin" and "the same carnal creatures in all their conversation and conduct."
After passing through the Cumberland Gap into Tennessee they were shown a new map of the United States and decided to turn northwest into Kentucky. Here, they undoubtedly were following in the footsteps of the Runyon, Badgett, Parks, and other settlers who entered Kentucky from North Carolina and Virginia along the Wilderness Road, famously pioneered by Daniel Boone.
The group was welcomed at Crab Orchard and later Paint Lick in Garrard County by preacher Matthew Houston. Houston introduced them to Barton Stone, the famed Cane Ridge preacher. They went on to Turtle Creek (what would become Union Village) across the river in Ohio and by then had walked over 1,200 miles in two months and twenty-two days.
In the spring of 1805 Barton Stone was still organizing revivals and Issachar Bates returned to Bourbon County to speak at his invitation. He proved outspoken, openly challenging Stone's preaching about Christ's second coming. Cleverly, Issachar put an emphasis on spiritual value rather than doctrine. Medlicott explains: "He was harking back to the first followers of Christ, who had used the inspired teachings of Jesus to free them from adherence to hidebound Jewish law. This would have been a potent argument for a frontier revival crowd ... a needed correction to the doctrinal strictures of America's large, established church institutions." My hunch is that these arguments must have been quite appealing to Joseph Runyon and others in the family who were the first in the family to convert.
Additional eastern Shakers arrived the following year, including six women. Issachar wisely requested that the Ministry send women specifically to counsel the female frontier converts not only in spiritual matters but in the ways of collective childcare and in appropriate dress. For many potential converts the sticking point was celibacy. A majority of the newly-converted believers were husband and wife still living in close quarters. Issachar once again had the wisdom and experience to counsel in these matters. Over the coming years he would become somewhat of a father figure to new converts (the "young believers") throughout the west.
In November 1806 a large group of Kentucky converts, including Henry Banta, visited Turtle Creek, bringing gifts of food, wool, and cotton. By 1810 a settlement along Shawnee Run in Mercer County had been launched by sending a team of old believers (Shakers from the east) to serve as elders. This settlement would come to be called Pleasant Hill.
The three men, with their one horse, left early on New Year's Day, 1805 during what was to be a particularly harsh winter. Although his wife Lovina and he were living a Shaker life of celibacy by this point, Issachar would continue to show affection for both her and his children, despite their great distance during the decades that followed.
The believers slowly made their way south, covering sometimes thirty miles in one day. As they traveled through the Shenandoah Valley, they began looking for signs of people who might be receptive to their message but were disappointed by those who were "lost in sin" and "the same carnal creatures in all their conversation and conduct."
After passing through the Cumberland Gap into Tennessee they were shown a new map of the United States and decided to turn northwest into Kentucky. Here, they undoubtedly were following in the footsteps of the Runyon, Badgett, Parks, and other settlers who entered Kentucky from North Carolina and Virginia along the Wilderness Road, famously pioneered by Daniel Boone.
The group was welcomed at Crab Orchard and later Paint Lick in Garrard County by preacher Matthew Houston. Houston introduced them to Barton Stone, the famed Cane Ridge preacher. They went on to Turtle Creek (what would become Union Village) across the river in Ohio and by then had walked over 1,200 miles in two months and twenty-two days.
In the spring of 1805 Barton Stone was still organizing revivals and Issachar Bates returned to Bourbon County to speak at his invitation. He proved outspoken, openly challenging Stone's preaching about Christ's second coming. Cleverly, Issachar put an emphasis on spiritual value rather than doctrine. Medlicott explains: "He was harking back to the first followers of Christ, who had used the inspired teachings of Jesus to free them from adherence to hidebound Jewish law. This would have been a potent argument for a frontier revival crowd ... a needed correction to the doctrinal strictures of America's large, established church institutions." My hunch is that these arguments must have been quite appealing to Joseph Runyon and others in the family who were the first in the family to convert.
Additional eastern Shakers arrived the following year, including six women. Issachar wisely requested that the Ministry send women specifically to counsel the female frontier converts not only in spiritual matters but in the ways of collective childcare and in appropriate dress. For many potential converts the sticking point was celibacy. A majority of the newly-converted believers were husband and wife still living in close quarters. Issachar once again had the wisdom and experience to counsel in these matters. Over the coming years he would become somewhat of a father figure to new converts (the "young believers") throughout the west.
In November 1806 a large group of Kentucky converts, including Henry Banta, visited Turtle Creek, bringing gifts of food, wool, and cotton. By 1810 a settlement along Shawnee Run in Mercer County had been launched by sending a team of old believers (Shakers from the east) to serve as elders. This settlement would come to be called Pleasant Hill.
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