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."

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.

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

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.

On This Date in 1878 ...

Charlotte [Runyon] crazy all day long; 1st Last night before 11 oc Sister Charlotte took uncommonly bad.

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)

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)

On This Date in 1873

The Shaker journals record Jane Sutton as suffering from mumps.

On This Date in 1857 ...

Patience Baxter Runyon [Martin's wife] deceased at West Family after a tedious illness of a paralytic affection. Happy soul! She was one of the early pioneers.

On This Date in 1816

Today William Watson from Madison County joined this Society he is a small man with a remarkable large hump on his back; At this time there is a great many in this Society, doctoring for Cansors (namely) Sally Runyon, Comstock Betts, Mariah Saylor, Rachel Hutton, Ibby Gass, Patsy Wilhite, Tiney Verbrick, Nelly Flemins and Abram Fite these are all doctoring for cansors; Allmost evry little pimple or wart is construed into cansors by the doctors. (OP)

On This Date in 1863

Amy Runyon deceased of a lingering weakness of many years standing at the East House in her 54th year since the 25th of last August. She was raised in the Church from infancy, & was an ornament to Society to the day of her death, & will doubtless continue to be so in the realms of bliss.

~Benjamin Dunlavy Journal 1856-1871