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WILLIAM J. (LEMJ.NTS
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,\\\El{ICAN IIISTORY
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Afü
ACCOUNT
ef THE conDUCT OF THE PEOPLE CALLED
SHAKERS:
IN THE CASE OF
EUNICE CHAP.M.A.W. Awd HER CHILDREM,
SINCE HER HUSBAND BECAME Acqu AINTED WITH
THAT PEOPLE, AND so INED THEIR SocIETY.
PFR ITTE.W B Y HERSELF.
*mºmºmºsºmº
“To humane friends this volume makes appeal ;
Friends are indulgent—Humane friends can feel.”
*A*
—nºt º' tº
JALB.A.W.P. f.
PRINTED FOR THE AUTHORESS,
~£f JW3, 95 State-street, five doors east of the Episcopal Church.
º g º 'º e º ºs º ºs &
1817.

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32REF:10E.
THE reader will find in the succeeding narration,
the history of a woman, suffering persecution from a
society of Shakers, after they had proselyted her hus-
band and bereaved her of her children. Although ma-
my of her sex have endured similar treatment from the
same source, yet they have not been generally known:
Hence the writer conceives it her duty to lay before
the public, a true account of her trials and sufferings—
which will be, in the mean time, relating the afflictions
of many other women, only with variation of circum-
stances.
As my time has been much occupied in the busi-
mess of teaching a school, mixed with anxious solicio
tude for my captive babes, I must beg the candid reader
to overlook its numerous imperfections. -
If the reader should oberve any thing in the follow.
ing statement, not becoming that meekness which ought
to characterize my sex, I wish that reader to consider, it
is written by a persecuted woman, who has been hurld
from a state of wealth and happiness, and now endur-
ing indigence and grief!—One who has been tortured
in the whirlwind of affliction and woe very aggravat-
ing and caiamitous!!
It is with reluctuance I give these facts to the
public, from respect to Mr. Chapman’s connections;
but as my friends have suffered the mortification of
twice seeing my name scandalized in the public prints,
by a husband, who has, contrary to his solemn vows
and marriage covenant, forsaken me, without any oth-
er cause than that of being deluded by the Shakers:
—Therefore from a sense of duty to my relatives,
and justice to myself, I have been driven to the reso-
lution of giving a true account of his transactions,—
And the reflection of which misconduct affords me the
most bitter and corrosive sorrows.
iv
In December 1816, I presented a petition to the
Senate, with a narrative of facts relating to my unhap-
py case. The House were also in possession of deposi-
tions and testimonies, which were laid before them by
several members. The Senate referred the subject to
a Committee—The following is their Report:
IN SENATE, April 12, 1816.
Report of the Committee on the Petition of Eunice.
Chapman.
The Committee to whom it was referred the Peti-
tion of Eunice Chapman, praying to be divorced
from her husband, reported as follows, to wit:
THAT from a careful examination, they are fully
satisfied of the truth of the following statement of
facts, to wit :
That the petitioner was married to James Chap-
man, in the year 1804, and lived with him until June,
1811....That the said James Chapman, at the time last
aforesaid, left his said wife with three children, the
eldest six, and the youngest three years old....That he
left them entirely destitute of any means of support,
other than what the petitioner could earn by her own
industry and personal labor....That the said James
Chapman abandoned his said wife without any justi-
fiable cause whatever....That in 1812, he joined the
society of Shakers, in the town of Watervleit, in the
county of Albany ; and in 1814, took his children to
the said society ; and in February, 1815, went with
his children out of this State, to reside with a society
of Shakers elsewhere....That the said James Chap-
man, on the 6th day of February, 1815, wrote to the
petitioner, stating that the marriage contract between
them was dissolved, it being sinful, and at variance
with the principles of the believers, whose society he
had joined, thereby virtually declaring himself absol-
ved from the legal and moral obligations resulting from
the relationship of husband : And he has, on two dif-
ferent occasions, caused notices to be published in two
different newspapers, forbidding all persons from har-
v. &
boring the petitioner, as his wife, and declaring that
he would not be responsible for her support.
The Committee have also diligently and carefuſ y
enquired into the principles and practices of this so:
ciety, and though they find that many tenets and
practices have been generally attributed to them
which are not well founded, yet they have fully satis-
fied themselves of the correctness of others, which
they deem it not proper, on this occasion, to state.
The Shakers considered themselves a spiritual society:
wholly separated from what they call the world of
mankind....They hold the marriage contract to be un-
lawful and immoral ; and place the relationship of
husband and wife, and of parent and child, on a foot:
ing which absolves them from the legal, moral and
religious ties and duties which have always been con-
sidered of the utmost importance to the peace and
welfare of the community....They hold it sinful for a
believing husband or child even to visit a worldly wife
or parent, without what they call a gift from their
elders; and that when a believer visits a worldly
relation, without such gift, he becomes infected with
sin, and that it is necessary he should suffer penance
to purify himself. It would be a waste of time for
the Committee to enter into a detailed argument to.
prove that the necessary consequences of these pe-
culiar and fanatical principles is to create distress
and misery in any family where the husband or father
attaches himself to such a society; while his wife
and children feel themselves constrained, by the most
powerful convictions of duty, to separate themselves:
from him. The pernicious results are obvious, and
force themselves irresistibly on the mind of every one
who will bestow a moment’s reflection on the sub-
ject. - *
The Committee are fully sensible of the import-
ance of preserving to every one the free and undis-
turbed exercise of their religious principles, when,
not inconsistent with the public safety. The rights of
conscience are sacred : Religious freedom is a subject
that of all others should be approached with caution,
* 1:
*
tºº,
W1
and ought not to be interfered with, but when com-
elled §y the most imperious necessity. It is even
etter to suffer some public inconvenience from grant-
ing indulgence to the wild vagaries of fanaticism, than
to do any thing that should in the feast degree impair
that great principle of religious toleration, the bright-
est gem in the political institutions of this State. But
while on the one hand we are careful to preserve the
most scrupulous regard to the rights of conscience, it
cannot in the opinion of the Committee, be consider--
ed in the smallest degree improper, by prudential laws,
to guard against the mischievous consequences which
experience has proved to be attendant on the exercise:
of the religious tenets of a particular society.
The subject is one of no small embarrassment;
and the Committee have found great difficulty in de--"
termining what was the most proper to be done. They
are well aware of the objections that may be made-
against considering it a cause of divorce for a husband.
to leave his wife and connect himself with this socie-
ty; the most prominent of which is, that it would be
opening a door for the dissolute and unprincipled to
rocure divorces with little difficulty : But if this ob-
jection can be obviated, the Committee, perceive no
good reason why it should not be considered as suffi-
cient cause of divorce. When a man enters this soci-
ety, he considery himself absolved from all worldly
ties, and in regård to the rest of the world, ought to
be considered as civilly dead. Nor is this principle-
without analogy in our laws : For where a married.
person is, for a crime, sentenced to be imprisoned in
the State prison for life, the innocent wife or husband,
as the case may be, is instantly divorced from the
marriage contract: And we can perceive no difference
in the sufficiency of the cause of divorce, whether the
husband is separated from his wife, for life, by the
strong arm of the law, or where a religious delusion
places a barrier between them not less potent and
efficacious.
The Committee therefore most respectfully sub-
‘mit, for the consideration of the Senate, whether it
*-*
W11
& a
would not be just and proper to pass a law, declaring:
that all persons having families, who attach them.
selves to this society, shall be considered as civilly.
dead : That their property should be disposed of as
though they were really dead ; and rendering them
for ever after incapable of taking any estate, real or
personal, by inheritance. Such a law would do little
more than carry into effect the principles they profess
ſto believe ; and appears to be the only way of provi-
ding, effectually, for the welfare and maintenance of
the remaining part of the family who do not choose to
join them ; and would afford, at the same time, an:
abundant security against persons joining the society
for the sole purpose of procuring a divorce. Such a
measure may, at first view, appear harsh and tyran-
nical ; but on a careful examination; we believe, it
will be found just and righteous, and productive of
much less evil than would follow from the want of
such a provision: Nor would those upon-whom it is to
9perate have any good reason to complain ; because
it is a violation on their part of what the world, in
general, consider a religious, and moral duty ; a duty
intimately connected with the happiness of society,
that of cherishing and supporting our families, which,
renders such a law necessary.
... And to ascertain the sense of the Senate on the
subject, the Committee have prepared a resolution,
and have directed their chairman to ask for leave tos
present the same.
Resolved, as the sense of this Senate, that it'
would be expedient and proper to pass a law, de-
claring Eunice Chapman divorced from her marriage
contract with her husband; and also declaring that
all persons having families, and who shall hereafter.
attach themselves to the society called Shakers, shall
be considered as civilly dead : That their estates shall
be disposed of as though they were really dead ; and,
rendering them for ever thereafter incapable of taking:
any estate, real or personal, by inheritance.
viii
In the course of my narrative, I have made men.
tion of the faith and conduct observed by the Shakers,
and lest any should doubt my representations, I have
made quotations from, and references to one of their
own publications, entitled “The Testimony of Christ's
Second Appearing.” I have also made some quota-
tions from Thomas Brown’s “History of the Shakers,”
a book which is believed to have been written with
candor and impartiality.—See Port Folio, vol. 8,
p. 829 to 343. d
It may appear incredible to many, that any soci-
ety in this enlightened age and country, should be
'controled by such wild enthusiasm, and guilty of such
cruel conduct, as I have related. But many of the
circumstances here introduced, I can prove by candid.
and respectable witnesses. As it appears that God.
has singled me 'out in this furnace of affliction to be an
instrument in his hand of exposing the errors and de-
lusions of the Shakers, I have been so careful in my
statement, that I an able to attest to it; and when
God shall summons me before His awful tribunal, I'
may be able to cheerfully render up my account for
what I have written. -
& EU.N.ICE CHAP.M.A.W.,
Jilbany, January 1817, *
• A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE DEALHNGS OF THE.
PEOPLE CALLED SHAKERS, WITH EUNICE
CHAPATAN AND HER CHILDREN.
*º $º-
To satisfy those who have the curiosity to make.
any enquiry concerning my standing and "character,
I will state, that I am a native of Bridgeport, in the
state of Connecticut; my father, Elijah Hawley, is now
post-master in the town of Broome, county of Schoharie,
and state of New-York; my brother, Jesse Hawley, Esq.
Hives in the Village of Canadarqua; my brother Elijah
Hawley, Jr., Esq. iives in the town of Ridgeway, in the
county of Ontario, and my brother-in-law, Peter Pen-
field, Esq. resides in the town of Harpersfield, Del-
aware county. ' -
In the year 1804, I was married to James Chap-
man, an able and respectable merchant, in the town
of New-Durham, county of Greene and state of New-
York. My father was then a merchant in the same-
town. Mr. Chapman, was formerly from Saybrook,
of a respectable family: He has a brother Asa Chap-
man, Esq. whose standing, is ranked with the first men.
in that state; and a brother Nathaniel Chapman, Esq.
now living in New-Jersey, who formerly lived in Troy,
and a brother-in-law, Davis Beers, merchant in New--
York.
From the year 1804, until the year 1809, I lived.
with him in the most cordial harmony.—When he, .
about this time, had several interviews with some.
of the Shakers, who came to Durham on a pedling voy--
age; and one in particular, that came on a mission;
whom Mr. Chapman invited to his house, and he stay--
ed, with him during the night. Mr. Chapman appeared.
to be much in favor with him, and they agreedin mang;
Teligious opinions.
TO
After the year 1809, he gave himself up to intoxi-
eation and vice.* When in his sober hours, I with eyes
dissolved in tears, would often point out to him the
direful consequences of dissipation, and entreated him
for the sake of the dear pledges of our mutual love
to refrain, fearing his practices would result in the to-
tal misery of himself and family. In these moments,
he would acknowledge his abuse to me, with a con-
science awakened to horror and despair, and in that
situation, hurry to the haunts of vice, to get a draught
to drown his senses and stifle his conscience. He
would frequently return home at a late hour of the
night, apparently insane, and his countenance and
conduct was so very menacing that I often felt in im-
inent, danger of my life. At one particular time, (af-
ter I had retired to rest,) he took his razor, and sat
near my bed side, and appeared to be preparing it
for immediately executing the vengeance , which his
countenance bespoke; and I fearful of letting him
know I observed the awful forebodings which were
hovering around me, had no retreat but to trust in that
God who is able to disarm the greatest tyrant.
• His own sister observed, that his treatment to me.
was such, she considered it dangerous for me to live.
with him. When I was daily expecting to be confined,
and in a very peculiar and low state of health, he was
so displeased with me because I was unwilling to he
confined in a newly plaistered room, that he ñº.
his lodgings for some time, and would frequently tor-
ture and afflict me, by saying, that, when the doctor.
was called to visit me, he would consider it his duty.
to take my life. He was evidently divested of every
tender feeling even for his children: For, during a
time when all the children lay sick, and myself scarce-
ly able to walk, he would stay from home until after
midnight, and when he returned he would not so much
as noticé them.–In fact, he did not provide for them
the necessaries of life. g
* I omit to relate the particulars of his infidelity, as being
too indelicate to appear before the public, one instance of which.
\! had ogular demonstratien in his own house.
| 1 \
".
In July 1811, he abandoned his family, and caus-
red them to be striped of every article of furniture (ex-
cept my bed,) and every morsel of provision, and took
the last cow and sheep they had, together with all his
money and notes to a considerable amount. He suf-
fered his real estate which was worth 6000 dollars to
be sold for 1500, when his personal estate was more.
than sufficient to discharge the demands of his cred-
itors, and left me with "my three small children, the
eldest six, and the youngest two and a half years old,
whose delicate constitution was illy fitted to endure
the hardships to which they were exposed. I was in a
very low state of health, standing, as it were, on the
borders of the grave, occasioned by the poignant grief
and insurmountable hardships whith I had to pass
through”
His conduct was the more heart-rending to me,
because, when I could not conceal it from the public,
I often suffered the blame to be thrown on myself; and
his treatment to his family I bore, in silence, for the
sake of his respectability, so that my nearest neighbors
thought I was insensible to it. He never in his most
threatening moments accused me of being unkind to
him, or in any respect of being guilty of a breach of
my marriage vows; and as an accountable creature,
I can say, that, during the time I lived with him, I al-
ways conducted myself as becometh a prudent, faith-
ful, chaste and obedient wife. And it is a very pain-
ful task for me to be under the necessity of º:
the disgrace of a man whom I would have wished 'al-
ways to esteeth as my dearest friend.
His bitterness to his family appeared to result from
dissipation and those flighty impressions, that it was
wrong to continue with me as his wife. 'And when I
could, by earnest solicitation, prevail upon him to re-
turn to his family, he would in the morning kneel by my
* It is necessary to state, that the Hon. Thomas B. Cook.
of Catskill, bid off the property, and kindly granted me the
privilege of remaining in the house free of rent, and other privi-
leges on the land, until my children were taken from me—I then
left it out of choice. •
#2
'bed-side, and beg God to forgive him for sleeping with
me. Indeed, it appeared that the same spirit was work-
‘ing in him, that destroyed the union of the first pair;
which some people think very much corresponds with
the Shaker religion. * -
Mr. Chapman, as I was informed by candid and
respectable people, went to New-York, where he took
an unlimited range in the haunts of vice . While I,
with his little orphans, were left thus forlord, in my
low state of health, exposed to the chilling blasts of
wintery days and nights. Oh! many a dreary night
I walked the room in darkness, (as I was destitute of
a light) and groaned and wept over them when they
were lulled to sleep and could not hear my moans !
But those scenes and trials they saw me pass
through, had such an effect upon my little son (the
eldest,) who was always remarkably anxious for his
mother when he saw her in distress, that it caused him
to have fits, which evidently arose from a disordered
mind. They so afflicted him, that for two years, I had
to watch over him as I would an infant. But I con-
sidered it the highest earthly blessing I could then pos-
sibly enjoy, to have the privilege of having my dear
children with me, and be capable (with the assistance
of my friends,) of providing for them, and instructing
them in religion, and domestic arts. I had some friends
who offered to take the charge of some of them and do
by them as their own. And a daughter of Mr. Chap-
man by a former wife, (who was abundantly able)
kindly offered to take one of them. But it was such a
—“Delightful task g º
To rear their tender thoughts,” -
That it softened every hardship which I experienced
for their sakes. *
In October 1812, I received a letter from Mr.
Chapman, informing me that he had “found the New-
Jerusalem, the city of God,” &c. and he “would soon
be able to bring his family out from under the power
and reign of Antichrist, [meaning our religious insti-
tutions] and place them on mount Zion,” &c. He
“rejoiced that the children had never had the mark
31 l
of the beast put upon them,” [meaning the ordinance
of baptism.]
. In November following, he returned to Durham,
and told me of his adventures; and one was, that he
“ had listed on board an American privateer ship, got
the bounty and deserted, and been up the river and
joined the Shakers.” I could discover no appearance
of a reformation in him, but much to the reverse ; he
did many things to distress me, one was, after refu-
sing to provide for the children while they were under
my care, taking the two eldest from me.
But he soon grew weary of paying the expence of
their board, after I had furnished them with comforta-
ble clothes. He sent them back to me, and I was left
the second time their only parent. He tarried in Dur-
ham until March, 1813. Meantime he frequently'
came to the house, and I set him victuals to eat, and
made, mended, and washed his clothes. Here affection
resumed the seat of reason; and by his request, I con-
sented to visit the society of Shakers at Nisketina, in
company with him and his brother, John Chapman.
The Shakers were very courteous, flattering and en-
couraging to me, hoping to make a proselyte of ine
and my children. We left Mr. Chapman there, and
- returned to Durham. His brother said that he could
not advise me to let the Shakers take my children.
Many will enquire, how a man of Mr. Chapman’s
former course of life, could join such a recluse society
as the Shakers. I reply, without doing them the least
injustice, that from candid information, I learn, that a
great number who join them, (after they arrive at
years of discretion,) are such characters; and they
gain much honour and confidence amongst them";
such persons seldom leave thenſ ; they make excellent
Elders. e
From March 1813, until 1814, he frequently eame
to Durham, and manifested the same unkind spirit; and
he would frequently insult me, with very abusive lan-
guage, in presence of the children; and would often
force them from the table when they sat with me at
their meals, and say, that “they should not eat with
º l
&
1?
£uch a sinner,” &c. He did all in his power to
make them disrespect me. He often spit in my face
in their presence, and said, that “it was the filthyest
place he could find ;” (meaning defiled with sin.) He
boasted that he had “been guilty of a breach of the
seventh command, and would go and confess it, in
order to help me obtain a divorce from him, if I wished
one.” I bore those insults with a great degree of
F. and many times bore with them in silence.
never shut my door against him, nor refused him the
privilege of seeing the children ; and taught them to
respect him as a parent, and threatened to chastise
them if they did not. One particular time he so abused
his son in the public street, that "Squire Chapman, (a
nephew of his,) called assistance to prevent it—He
encouraged others in abusing his family in his absence.
At some particular times he would acknowledge
that his conduct had been very cruel and abusive to
his family ; he once acknowledged that he had for.
feited all right and title-to me as his wife—but “ God
ſmeaning Ann Lee, or the Shaker's Savior,”] had or-
dained that it should be so, in order to bring me into-the
gospel, and to be willing to give up my children to the
people of God,” &c. and “I must pass through one
tribulation after another, until I could consent to go
and take my children and join the Shakers, and flee to
the ark of safety.”
Mr. Chapman said he was forbidden to give me or
iny children any support, otherwise than what we could
gain by going and joining their society; and, if I did
not go willingly and take my children, he should force
them from me after I had supported them until they
became useful.
In September 1814, Mr. Chapman came to Durham
and said that, “ The Shakers had built a house for me
* Though Ann Lee is dead, they say she is as present with
them, as we believe God is with us; and their Elders have as
close communion with her as Moses had with God on mount Si-
na when he wrote the commandments.--And thus she orders and
commands the church through the persons of the Elders.-See
§hrist's Sec. Ap, p. 489. and Brown's His, Shak. p. 79 and 368.
e T5
and my children to live in, and that the Shakers would
provide things necessary for us,” &c. He had cºn:
siderable money with him, but refused to afford ány
assistance to his family with it. From the Shaker's
having such a name for their extraordinary charity, I
supposed that they had sent him with it to make his
family comfortable. I thought that if the Shakers
were so kind as to build a house for me and my chil-
dren, and send money for our comfort, I should be in-
duced to go and live there, notwithstanding the abuse
and neglect of my husband. The October following
I had business to Albany, and I rode out to the Sha-
ker village in Niskeuna, to see whether they had pro-
vided those things for us. I arrived at the village
Saturday afternoon, and put up at Elder S. Y. Wells';
I asked Mr. Wells if they or Mr. Chapman had pro-
vided a house for his family. He said “ Nay.” “But
there has been a house about five miles from here that
could have been hired some months ago, and I knew
from what I have seen of James, that you could not
place the least dependance on his word, and I a little
wondered that you did not come and see about it
yourself.” n * !
I asked him if they allowed a man to live in their
society and work for them, and let his family who
were out, suffer for the comforts of life P He said,
“We choose to have them suffer tribulation, in order
to bring then to embrace the gospel.” I asked him
if they did not pay Mr. Chapman wages ; he said
“Nay.” “We give him only his clothes and board,
and if he does not bring his children soon, or make
some arrangement, he cannot remain with us.”
I found that there was no prospect of having any
home near that society, otherwise than by coming un-
der bondage to them. After Mr. Chapman ; the
Shakers, he collected notes to a considerable amount,
and took the money with him.
On Monday morning, James took me into his
room, and gave me an old suit of clothes for George,
and said he was going to work at the next fami-
ly’s and should not see me again, and bid me fare-
16. "
* *
well. Elders Seth Y. Wells and Joseph Hodgson both
told me that James was at the next family's. I sent
by $oseph Hodgson for him to come back that I might
see him again before I left there. Joseph returned and
said he had seen James and that he said I was not in a
Fight spirit (there is no right spirit with them but a sha-
ker spirit) and he would not see me again, &c. - The
Shakers detained me until almost night and then gave
me six yards of cotton cloth, and told me it was to
make my children clothes. They directed me the
wrong way to Albany, and I got lost and had to wan-
der in the thick woods so great a distance that it was
very dark before I could find a house where I could
put up. * * | \
By this time I was perfectly satisfied that the
Shakers would never make me or my children com.
fortable or happy. I therefore resolved to return home
and tell my children, that as long as they could get any
kind of bread and raiment, they might be thankful that
hey were not among the shakers. But to my surprise,
I found, that, instead of James being at the other fam-
ily’s to work as they all declared, they had furnished
him with a wagon and horses to go and force away my
children before I could reach home. re * >
When I returned home, my house was desolate
No sound of my dear babes' footsteps was heard run-
ning to meet me and welcome my return. My sister,
(who was left in the care of my children,) with difficul-
ty assisted me to again enter those dismal apartments;
and when I did, they re-echoed to my groans ! In vain
my friends and neighbours came in to soothe my dis-
tracted mind . All my troubles which I had thought
were insurmountable fled before this; and I said I nev-
er knew grief till now k-those who have had their
friends taken, captive by the savage, can better real-
ize my feelings than I can describe I felt disposed
to say, Oh, Lord! why didst thou not lay them all a life-
less lump of clay then I could see and know their end.
Mr. Chapman’s brother, Nathaniel Chapman, from
Troy, being at Durham at this time, assisted him in
finding the children. Judge Barker and "Squire Chap-
TZ
maafi entreated him to let the children remain until I
returned home : But Mr. Chapman declared it was
my intention to remain with the ‘Shakers, and that I
had sent for the children. In order to induce the chil-
dren to go willingly, he told them they were going to
their mother. - - , *
... It was near night when he took them away, and
the poor children had been all day in the cold and
without food, running from place to place, to hide from
their father. -
Mr. Chapman was so intoxicated, that he was in-
capable of taking the charge of them, and his brother
took care of them that night. The next day was cold
and tedious; and I learn that when they arrived at Al-
bany it was near night, and that Mr. Chapman went
in to a public house and left the poor little strangers
in the waggon exposed to the inclemencies of the
weather. A gentleman who was acquainted with Mr.
Chapman, saw them shivering with the cold, took such.
pity on them as to leave his business to make Mr.
Chapman take them into the house. The gentleman
-states, that Mr. Chapman told him, they were some
poor fatherless and motherless children, who were sent
by him to be given to the Shakers; and he had nothing
to do with them but to band them there. Orphang
indeed!! Disowned by a father! after being taken like
captives by him, and then enslaved for life The
hº also observed, that one of the children had
ost its shoes, and that Mr. Chapman was ill-natured.
and inhuman to them. ... I have every reason to believe
that he was intoxicated before he left Albany; and he
had then to drive eight miles that night—the dearlit-
tle captives must have almost perished with cold, and
hunger *
A few days after he took my children from me.
in order to stigmatise my character, he put an advern
tisement in the Catskill paper, forbidding all persons.
harboring or trusting me on his account; when he knew
that no one would presume to trust me expecting any
Fay from him. 4v.
. . As soon as possible, I with my two brothers-in-
2 *
I8
law, Mr. Penfield and Mr. Spencer, proceeded te:
Niskeuna. We arrived there at an hour they did not
expect us ; it being early in the morning. By chance
I went immediately into the room where my daughters
were, before they had time to conceal them. I found
, my son was put at a distant house from his father and
sisters.
In order to wean the affections of the children:
from me, the Shakers told them I “run off with an-
other man, and would never come near them again.”—
From their telling the children that fabrication, no
doubt but they meant to have prevented my seeing
them. One of the Shaker women told me, when my
son thought he must give up all hopes of seeing ºne a-
gain, he fell into the greatest distress : He fell down
and rolled upon the floor like one in the agonies of
death! Cryed and begged of them to let him see his
mother. They took him up in their arms, but his ag-
ony was such; that a strong man could not hold him!
They told him it was impossible for him to see his
mother, and asked him if they should not send for his
father; he replied, he did not wish to see his father
again. t *
My son was very much troubled with a pain.in his
breast, and on that account I was obliged to be very
tender of him. He complained that the Shakers drove
him to dance so hard, it increased that pain, and it
was sometimes so severe, he almost fainted and expect-
ed to fall upon the floor; when they saw him dance
heavily, they would threaten him with severe chastise-
ment if he #d not dance faster. He also complained.
of many other hard treatments, some of whigh I saw
myself. ' * |
y For a son, he was remarkably attaehed to his
mother, and was uncommonly dutiful; he would im-
mediately forsake any amusement, and run to my com-
mands: "I think I may venture to say he was a child
of more than ordinary capacity. He assisted me much
in the care of the family.—When I was sick he would
#. me and afford me every relief in his power.
I placed much dependance Qn him, and flattered may-
*
\
fg
self he would be a great support to me, in my decli.
ning years. His attention to reading the Bible was
unwearied ; and his understanding of it was equal to
an adult person. When he had read it once through,
he observed to his little fellows, that he “ learned by
the Bible that Cyrus was the greatest king which was .
recorded in ancient history.” His first business in the
morning was to take the Bible and read several chap-
ters. On the Sabbath after church he would teach his
sisters the catechism, and after they had got through,
they would all kneel and say their prayers. Every
night after they had retired to rest he would call on
his sisters to say prayers with him. What a loss to a
mother to be deprived of such a son But I must drop
my pen—and vent my grief in tears Ye wise men
who sit at the helm of government weep ! Oh, we EP
for such unfortunate mothers : * For, the cries of the
oppressed have reached to heaven and called for ven-
geance. And, If, you keep silence the stones in the
street will cry out.—ff voice was heard in Rainah, la-
mentation and bitter weeping ; Rachel weeping for
ker children, refusing to be comforted, because they
were not.—(Jer. xxxi. 15.)
My daughters were equally promising to be a
comfort to me in declining life. My eldest, from the
time she was six, until she was eight years old, (which
time she left me,) did all my common sewing and
knitting for my family. Mr. Chapman placed her un-
‘der the care of a woman whom I have learned by good
authority, that previous to her joining the Shakers, had
two illegitimate children; and one of them was by a
married man, which caused her to join that society.
Mr. Chapman said “she is a beautiful sister.” I saw
that she was a woman possessed of a malicious, tyran-
nical, and imperious spirit. She was very cruel to my
dear Susan, who complained to me, and they chastised
her severely for it. The poor child came crying to me
º * See Brown's History of the Shakers, p. 287—358, where
#e gives an account of several women being deprived of their
children and property by their husbands after they had joined
the Shakers, and left “desolate and destitute.” --
2D
and said her father had bound her there, and Eſtler
S. Y. Wells held her hand, and 'she did not know
what she signed her name too, until after they had
completed the indenture, and then they told her, and
tortured her about it. Dear little Julia being younger
than the others, was not so unhappy ; but she many
times wept bitterly on account of being taken from
her mother. I saw that they had a variety of masters
and mistresses ; and my brothers saw how unhapp
my children were, and wept for them. They of."
fered to give bonds to secure Mr. Chapman from any
expence on my own or the children’s account, if they
would return them to me. They would not consent to
do it. I then offered to live even in their work-house,
provided they would let me'see and nurse my children.
They said that they were “now God's children and
they had no right to restore them to me.” They ae.
knowledged that they were as well educated as children
could be, after the manner of the world. -
- They profess to follow Christ and even to walk
in his steps ; yet how opposite and beautiful is that
pathetic act of Christ as illustrated in the seventh
chapter of Luke, from the eleventh to the sixteenth
verse—where, as he went into “a city called JWain :
as he came nigh unto the gate of the city, behold thers
was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother
and she was a widow.” A woman who had previously
been bereaved of her husband, leaned on that son for
support in declining life. “..And much people of the city
were with her.” And, no doubt; many of them were
her dear friends and connections, striving if possible,
to mitigate her grief and alleviate her woes ; but all
were of no avail, while she was deprived of her-only
earthly prop ! & But when the Lord saw her, he had
eompassion on her, and said unto her, weep not.” And
he raised the young man to life after the great God of
all the earth had taken him from her by the strong
hand of death ; and restored him unto her, because
she was a widow, a woman' forlorn, destitute of a
companion, a bosom friend. ...?
... Again—when our beloved Savior was expiring on
the cross; he cast his eyes about on his beloved disci-
21
ples, and beheld his widowed and bereaved mother,
weeping in sad dismay at the awful spectacle before
her.—Here natural and filial affection resumed their
seat in his breast; sensible of the sympathetic feelings
of mothers, for a moment he apparently forgot his ago-
nies, and in pathetic voice, calls to his most beloved
disciple saying—“ Behold thy Mother ſ” -
#. notwithstanding this example of our blessed
Savior, the Shakers conceive natural affection a crime;
and it is a part of their faith, to expell all affection
for parent and child, husband and wife, and brother
and sister. " º
When my brothers saw that no tears or entrea-
ties could make the least impression on their hard
hearts; and I could not endure the thoughts of returning
and leaving my children, they went with me and hire
my board near the Shaker village. After having ob-
tained a promise from the Shaker Elders that I might
visit my children often, they returned home. Soon
after my brothers were gone, I had orders to go out of
their house; and’intimated that they had intentions of
sending my children to a distant society of Shakers.-
I went to my husband, weeping, and entreated him
not to let the children be carried again among stran-
gers.-His reply was, “I must obey the gift.” [Mean-
ing the Elders.]
I then went to Hannah Wells, (their first Eldress)
to intercede with her; hoping to excite in her, some
tender feeling for her sex. Oh, I groanded and wept
most bitterly, at the thoughts of leaving my dear babes :
not knowing whether I should ever behold them again!
Hannah said, (with an insolent º “. Eunice, your
tribulation is great, very great; God hath taken your
husband from you ; and then he hath taken your prop-
erty, and now he hath taken your children; º you
have nothing to do but to obey the gospel. Eunice,
your tribulation is great, very great; but it is through
great tribulation any of us embrace the gospel. Come
Eunice, confess your sins and obey the gospel.”
As I was making preparation to go, Elder Wells.
called me into his room, and said, “I have a good
22
piece of advice to give thee; that is, not to mention
any thing that has past in our society, or of James’
conduct; for you may yet unite with us, and will be
obliged to confess it; and will have to eat your own
words, as it were.” *
One of the women said, “ do you not think that
he has given you good advice f*—I said very good,-
She continued, “ Yea, it is vastly better for havin
come from such a good man, such an eaccellent ...;
man as Brother Seth.”
On the evening of the 24th, I arrived at my new
home. The lady of the house was seized with a vio-
lent fever, and I had next day at evening, (it being on ..
the Sabbath,), to wander among entire strangers to seek
another home! If I should attempt to describe, I could
give but a faint idea of my feelings at this time ! A
hospitable family took me in. The people of the vil-
lage were much aggravated at the conduct of the Sha-
kers, and have several times assisted in rescuing chil-
dren from them. }
December 28, two Shaker Eldresses called on me,
who º to be about 45, and one man who ap-
peared to be about 55, whom I took to be Elder Jethro
Turner—they all lived at the church.
They presented me an old gown, and a pair of
old stockings, which I thanked them for. I told them
H was crazy about my children : As I stood weeping,
they said, “ Eunice, you are a nasty dirty good-for-
nothing ; and, you are worse than the brutes for
being the mother of children.—Confess your nasty dirty
sins, and travil out of your carnal naturé, and walk in
the way of God. Do you not know that you world’s
people are vastly beneath the brutes, for being joined
in wedlock, and living, in the manner you do. Did
you ever know the brutes guilty of such [particular
crimes] which you people of the world are guilty of.”
Delicacy prohibits may relating all their eonversation.
They continued, “Eunice, we all testify to you
this day, that we live pure and holy lives, we touch no
unclean thing !” &c. º
. The Shakers, (as I supposed) feared that the peo-
%3
ple of Niskeuna would rescue my children from them ;
therefore sent Mr. Chapman and another Shaker after
me. If I had refused to go, the Shakers would have
said my husband had provided a home for me, and I
would not go to it. I accordingly went. , Here I found
myself in the very difficulty my brothers had predicted.
They had advised me not to go near the Shakers with-
out some one with me, to witness what I said, lest
they should misrepresent my eonduct.
They carried me to a strange house some distance
from my children and told me I had liberty to stay
two weeks on trial, to see whether I would be willing
to embrace their religion. They introduced me to Fan-
Iny Waterman, (the Eldress of that family,) and told
Ine that if I had a desire to confess my sins, I must
call on her ; and “it will be a happy circumstance
if you will confess your sins, and unite with us, and
ive up your children to the protection of the people
of God.” They continued, “If you have a desire to go
and see your children, you must ask Sister Fanny’s
liberty; and when she *is it is proper for you to see
them, she will grant it.”
On the 29th, they let my children come to see me,
and I give them much credit for it.' I had, however,
soon to endure fresh and corrosive tortures, the aggra-
vation of which it is impossible to describeſ IBut fºil
attempt to give a faint description of them.
I soon asked Hannah Train if I could obtain lib-
erty to go and see my children, and if she would in-
tercede for me. She replied, “I do not know.-If
you do not obey the gospel by confessing your sins
and putting on a cap, whether you will ever be per-
-A
mitted to see your children again in this world.”— .
I told her that I could confess my sins ; I was willing
to tell them all that ever I did ; but I could not ae-
knowledge that they had power to pardon them.
Neither could I acknowledge that Ann Lee was my
Saviour, or the bride the flamb's wife ; but I could-
wear one of their caps. She said that “None but the
saints could wear their caps; for they came in a gift
to mother Ann; the woman spoken of in the 19 chap-
*
wº-
ter of Revelation. For the marriage of the Lamb is
come, and his wife hath made herself ready ; and to
her it was given that she should be arrayed in clean
linnen pure and white, for the fine linnen is the right-
eousness of the saints.--And blessed are they which are
called to the marriage supper of the lamb.” They say
all who unite to their society, “partake of that mar-
riage feast.” &
After they had kept me in suspense some time,
they gave me liberty to go and see my daughters, but
H was not permitted to be alone with them, neither,
was I allowed to take them into any other room with-
out liberty. They were kept under such restraint,
and the Shakers behaved so strange, that I took no
comfort with them; I could only look at them and ob-
serve how they delighted to see me. I saw Mr. Chapman
attending to the low drudgery of the family, even to
feeding the swine ; which before he joined that society
never so much as attended to shutting up and fatting
Jis own pork. Mr. Chapman came and told me that
there was “no gift for me to stay all night, and I must
go away.” He and another Shaker accompanied me
back. As the Shaker walked forward of us, I asked
Mr. Chapman if he could not see that it was his duty
to take his, children and live with me again; he could
nevertheless be a Shaker, and teach the children their
faith, only grant me the privilege of living with, and
nursing them. He replied, “It would be a great loss
to me, to live with you again ; and I cannot do any
thing without a gift [that is, liberty] from the Elders.”
When the family (where I was,) attended their
evening meeting, I stayed alone in great agitation of
mind; and as I walked the floor I saw , a gentleman
sitting in an adjoining room, who appeared as though
he, like myself, was unwilling to go into their meet-
ing room, to see them worship God in such a man-
ner. As I passed the door he invited me in. He was
a man of very respectable appearance. The gentle-
man was brother of Benjamin Young's wife, a Shaker
woman. He observed that he had relatives there, and
declared it very strange that people of sense should
25 \
\
be so deluded. I gave him a short history of the treat-
ment which I and my children had received from the
Shakers. Before I had concluded my relation, the
Shakers had finished their meeting. I still continued,
in the presence of Benjamin Young and others, with
a history of their falsehoods and deceptions, in so
elandestinely taking my children. Benjamin Young
intimated that it was sometimes necessary and allowa-
ble, in their society, to evade the truth for the sake of
the gospel? The gentleman interrupted him by say-
ing, “Let a society appear ever so honest in their
deal, or appear ever so moral, or make ever so great a
profession of sanctity and purity—let me catch them
in telling one falsehood, and I will set them down as
hypocrites.” Y
Hannah took me by the hand and led me out, and
said, “Oh, Enice you have been a making work for
repentance—you will have to buſrn in hell for this! Oh!
how you will have to burn—and burn—and burn, irt
hell for persecuting the people of God; but you do
not know it.” . I replied, that I had not said any thing
but the truth about them ; and if they were ashamed
of the truth, they must do better.
, , , Sabbath morning, January 1, it being the first day
of the week and the first day of the year, I could not
attend their church; but I saw the women make pre-
paration. They went before the glass and changed
their caps at least four or five times in the course of
the day. In the evening, Fanny (their Eldress) sent
for me, and gave me a lengthy detail of her religious
experience; how her mind was impressed with an a-
version to marriage, before she heard, of the people
called Shakers.f
* See Browns His. Shak. p. 322–328.
# I have since been informed by a respetable citizen in Alba-
Ry, that, “at the time Fanny Waterman embraced the Shaker
religion, he resided in the same town with her. He states that Fan-
ny and her brother, (who also joined that society,) were very
kind and affectionate to their mother previous to their joining
them. After that, they called her all the indelicate names they
could invent; took from her all her property, leaving her, in her
old age, destitute of the comforts of life.”
&
º
r
26
On Sunday and Wednesday nights, she said they
had their union meetings. And I learned that they
have spiritual husbands and wives. The rooms of the
spiritual husband and wife are opposite each other.— .
They stand opposite each other in their ranks at church.
£he Elders have their Eldresses for their spiritual
wives; and the Deacons have their Deaconesses, &c.
In their union meeting, the spiritual husband and wife
sit opposite each other; though so near that they get
fire from each other’s pipe.
They sing, and converse together; eat fruit, mel-
ons and nuts, and drink cider &c. I was led by Han -
nah Train to sit with the men and women of her age.
I having the curiosity to see how the young people
proceeded in their meeting, left those elderly ones,
and went in pursuit of the young company. But I
saw that they could not enjoy their union so well
in my presence, I therefore feft them and returned to
the old company again. I observed to Hannah, that .
there was a general courtship throughout the house.
After singing for some time, the spiritual husbands,
each with their spiritual wives withdrew to different
apartments. I learned by them that they have their
union dances, but could not ascertain what they were.
I beleive that none except those whom they consider as
faithful beleivers are permitted to join the union dance.
On the 3d of January, I got liberty . . and see
my little girls; and had the promise from Mr. Chap-
man of staying all night. But at evening, the Shakers
came from every family to attend a meeting, and I was
ordered by James and the Elders to return. ... As there
was a severe 'snow-storm, I begged the privilege of
staying through the night, being too much out of health
- to be É. out in such a storm. After I had received
several orders to go, and did not obey, Patty Carter,
Otheir 20 Eldress) came and forced my children out of
the room. I was left,alone, full of anxious alarm on a
ccount of my children.
I took a bible, and found the several chapters and
assages marked with a pencil, which the Shakers quote
in support of their faith, and as prophetical of them.
$27
I have since been informed, by those who have left them,
that such passages are the only part of the bible they
are allowed to read, or consider as of any more conse-
quence than an old almanack.” Neither do they make
it a practice to carry a bible into their church. Their
form of worship is to sing, dance, and exhort the spec-
tators to “forsake their carnal filthy practices;” and
flee to their pure and holy church, which they call
“ the ark of safety.” $
But my reading and meditations were soon inter-
rupted by the astonishing noise and confusion of their
meeting. They sung, talked, and jumped about the
floor, and pronounced “Jub, jub, jub, and lobble, lobble,
lobble, &c. &c. Hannah told me the next day, that
“ some of them had a gift to speak in unknown
tongues.”f
After meeting, I was drove out, without knowing
whether my husband and children were living or dead.
About 11 o’clock I retired, in fearful forbodings of fu-
ture trials. g
They often told me, that I “behaved exceeding
well, j they believed I would make an excellent
good believer; and if I would join them, I might be
the means of hundreds joining them.”
They sometimes told me their “gift was almost
out, and they could not say any more to persuade me
to embrace the gospel—and I should then be in perfect
misery.—and they could not say a comforting word
to me.” They told me of “ the deplorable misery
some were now in, that had slighted the offers and
means of salvation which they had held out to them.S
* See Browns His, Shak, p. 227.
# See Ch. Sec. Apr. introductory p. 25–36. * .
§ I since supposed that Hannah knew they would soon
thrust me out into the open world, destitute and unprotected, as
they had many women in like cases, and imagined I would-be as
miserable as some who had lost their reason in consequence of
such treatment. There are women now who are thus miserable,
because they could not join the Shakers in opposition to their
conscience. And a number of women who are now in the Shaker
society, were forced to join it, by reason of their husbands first
joining them, and taking their children; and leaving their wives'
no means of support: * -
28
As Hannah was once conversing in that manner,
she began to sigh and groan “at the view she had of,
my sins, and the future misery and evils, which were
revealed to her, coming upon me in this life! and es-
pecially in the world of spirits 1 if I neglected the of
fers of salvation which were now held out to me in the
gospel.” She says, “Oh, Eunice what a sinner you are!
what mercies you abuse, for slighting the offers of sal;
vation which are now held out to you”—she sighs an
groans! “Oh what a view I have of the miseries which
are coming upon you, like a torrent, in this life; and
more especially in the world of spirits if you do not
*mbrace the gospel whilst your day of grace lasts —
Oh, could you but have the same view of them, that I
have—but you cannot. Oh, Eunice' in a very short
time, you will lift up your eyes in torment, ànd behold
ane afar off; and you will call upon me to dip the tip ,
of my finger in water to cool your parched tongue (?”
I enquired whether she would not give it ſhe 8–
“Nay—I shall not be permitted to do it. I shall sit
in Heaven and laugh I’’. I said, what you, Hannah, sit
it heaven and laugh at the sight of my misery 3 “Yea,
me and all the saints of God here—we shall laugh at
your calamity, and mock when your fear conteth, and
your desolation as a whirlwind ** -
Here I must confess, that, though established in
the firm belief of the fundamental doctrines of the
christian religion; still, I many times trembled, when
I heard them groan and talk in such a manner. , Oh!
can it be expected, that young people and children,
who are brought up in, their superstition and ignorance,
will ever leave them P If one mature in judgment is
alarmed at their deaunciations, thought I? what must
be the feelings of youth, when they heap the threaten-
ings of eternal wrath upon them P \
On the 4th, I begged the privilege of seeing Fan-
ny, (their Eldress:), Hannah accompanied me into her
apartment. , I asked Fanny if I could go, that day, and
see my son P she replied, “Nay, Eunice, there is no
gift for you to go; you cannot see your son, unless you
confess your sins. The family where he lives, say they
29
cannot receive you into their house, until you can come
in order and union with them. If you do not confess
our sins, and join the people of God, I expect that
almes will carry you to a distant place, where you can
never see the face of your friends again.”
I began to suspect that they meant to carry me to
a distant society of Shakers, and confine me.—No doubt
but what they would have done it, if they could have
privately conveyed me thére. ſº
As I sat weeping, with my head borne down with
grief, Fanny walked up, and took hold of me, and bid
me rise. She lifted me out of the chair, and told me
to “ look her in the face.” Hannah said, “ Eunice P
Sister Fanny has got a gift for you, and you must look
her in the face.” I replied, I cannot—here I must
acknowledge, that, through fear of her enchantment, I
durst not look up ! She pressed me to her breast and
kissed me, and *i; kiss her. I told her I could not.
After she had, alternately, flattered and tortured me
as long as she pleased, I retired to give vent to my
grief! Hannah told me that it was not likely I should
ever experience a greater hell, on account of my chil:
dren, in this life, than I had experienced the day and
night beforeſ
In the afternoon, Mr. Chapman called to see us?.
and said to the women—“Do you not all feel strong,
after such an excellent meeting as we had last night =
"we all feet as strong at our house, as the rocks and
mountains ; and we are not afraid to die immediately,
for we know we shall go to Heaven.” The women
said “Yea, we all feel strong.” . James then looked
and speak pleasant to me for the first time whilst I had
been among the Shakers. It revived my drooping spir-
its, and in return, I conversed cheerfully with him.—
He said that “ soon after we dismissed our meeting, -
Lavina was found fallen down, out the door breath-
less,” I observed to him, that the day before as I and
my Susan were sitting in the same room with Lavina,
Susan said that Lavina was James spiritual wife. La-
vina left the room, and I have not seen her since.

3 *
30
After he was gone, the women were very angry
with me. Hannah accused me of trying to seduce
him, &c. I told her I had no such thought—“ Eunice .
hold your tongue!” she replied. I continued, I am as
innocent of your accusation as a child; and you would
be convinced of it, if I should expose to you all of
James’ conduct since he joined your society—She
seized hold of my mouth, and held my lips closed for
some time.t. Meanwhile said, “Eunice, you know you
tell a lie! if you could have found him alone, you would
have seduced him.” &c. She continued, “All the world’s
women are so earnal, that their actions, and even their
very looks have a tendency to seduce the brethren, and
lead them out of the way of God.” &c.
January 5, I asked liberty to go and see my son,
and could not obtain it. In the afternoon I visited a
family, who were not Shakers, without asking liberty.
When I returned, I saw they were displeased. They
soon began their worship, when I, (as I often did)
walked out doors, to stay tintil they got through. But
they made such a noise, I ran j. to see what the
matter was 2 I found they were spatting their hands,
stamping,jumping and whirling about ; and saying “hiss,
hiss, hiss!” and crying “Hate the devil, hate the devil;
chain the devil, chain the devil P’ &c. I opened the
door, to see them, but the noise so eonfounded me, and
my eyes were so filled with dust that I was forced to
retreat. The house shook so tremendously, that I ran
out doors again for safety?—Surely, thought. I, God
can never be truly worshipped in such a manner.”
Next day Hannah said, I might think strange of
their having such a meeting the evening before; but
º were obliged to have such a Haeeting, because I
had been among the people of the world, and brought
.# Hannah often commanded me to hold my tongue, if I at-
tempted to speak; and held my lips if I did not obey. r
* I learned that it was their rule, the week before Christ-
mas, to have a general confession of all the sinful acts, thoughts,
or inclinations which they have been guilty of, for the year past;
and on Christmas eve they have such a general meeting, as I
have described; which completely cleanses the sanctuary (as
they say :) and Christmas cycning they have a union dance.
Q w
st ,
such a host of evil spirits, that they creeped all ever
them, and even got into their mouths.
I inquired if she could see then P. She replied
“Yea.” And how did they look P “ They looked like
catepillars.” She continued, “We always have such
a meeting after the world’s people have been amongst
us, in order for to drive off their evil spirits, and chain
them down; and then we enjoy such peace as the world.
knows not of.”f
Hannah, hoping to drive some of the evil spirits
out of me, (so-that there might be no remains of pol-
lution about their sanctuary,) says—“O! Eunice is a
!". sinner—she acknowledges that she is a sinner.—
call upon you three sisters, [who were sitting in the
same room with us, to join with me, and pray for poog,
Eunice, while you sit at work; and see if we cannot
drive the evil spirits out of her—she is full of them.
I hope she will pray too.” §
Hannah began to sigh, and groan But hearing
the voice of a man, in a room where some of the wo-
men were, she soon left her prayers and fled into that-
room.t She shortly º and went to her prayers.
I then asked her if she had prayed any of the evil
spirits out of me? she replied, “’Yea, Eunice; I feel
as though we had. Do you feel so too P” I replied, yea,
I feel as though you had. t
I soon asked her if she did not believe her prayers
had made me fit go and see my son F And if I could
not obtain liberty P She answered, “’Nay Eunice, I
don’t think you can ; I think I feel , the spirit of the
Elders, that you cannot have a gift to go, until you
confess your sins, and put on a cap; and let your son
see you come in order and union with the people of
God.”
# I have been informed, that they often have such meetings, |
after any of their brethren return from business with the people
ef the world.
f I often observed, that when the women heard the voice of
a man in an adjoining room, they ran immediately into that room.
I saw the sexes were fond of being in each other's company—
The Elders and Eldresses often sat together eyenings. ~
º
39:
I then sent for Mr. Chapman to come and see me; *
and give a reason why I might not see my son. But
they did not let him come until the next morning.
When he arrived, I told him" H had been there
nearly a fortnight, and had been begging of them, all
that time, to let me go and see George; and began to be
alarmed, lest they did not mean to let me-see him at
all. He said “he had obtained a gift, for me to go
the day before.” It appears the Hºly intended to
have kept it from me. Mr. Chapman offered to go and
shew me the way. : Hannah said to me, “You must
not walk by his side—you must follow after him ; that
is your place.” We did not go out of their sight; but .
being out of their hearing, I improved the opportunity
of conversing with him. I asked him if he did not.
think it his duty to take his children and live with me
as he formerly did P. He tooked very wild at me, and
said, “Nay, I should be in hell to take my children
back into the world, and I cannot do it; for I have
given them up to the people of God, and they are now
pillars in the temple of God 1 and I enjoy such peace.
as the world knows not of.” I observed, it is not pos-
sible for you to be so unkind as to keep the children
from me, after I have endured so much for, them, on
your account. - *
As he was about to leave me, I begged of him to
go farther with me, and help me through the snow-
drifts, which were in the way. But he left me, and I
went on as cheerful as any one could, who was in a
strange land destitute of a friend.--
I travelled alone until I found, my son. He was
in a shop braiding whipthongé. "The Shakers told me
he earned from 8 to 10 shillings a day. He had been
drove so hard to work, that his fingers were blistered,
and the flesh so bare, I was forced to make leather cots
for him to wear during the night, I Iearn that the
children often have their finger-nails eat off by the lime
which is in the leather. I saw that all the time the
child had to study, was after 7 o'clock in the evening,
The Shakers here, expressed concern lest I should
“neglect the offers of salvation, which were held out
wº-
*
A §3
to me in the gospel, before the doors of merey were
shut against me!” &c. I had a lengthy discourse with
one of their Elders. They profess to have the keys of
heaven and hell. And confession of sin to the Elders
is considered as the first step to regeneration.*
The Elders profess to know the secret thoughts of
their fellow creatures: “And they declare “Ann Lee
to be Christ in his Second Appearing;” and that “ He
has now come, through her, in the clouds, with power
and great glory ! and God is now sitting in judgment
on the world ! and this is the Day of Judgment!
And the Elders are agents to judge the world. They
say by way of argument—“ Know ye not that the saints
shall judge the earth?f God will not come down to
judge the world.” g
. They are denouncing heavy judgments against
Antichrist, (meaning our Christian churches.) And
all who do not embrace their gospel in this life, will.
have to confess their sins in the world of spirits.-And
all who, in this life, embrace their gospel, have gained
a part in the first resurrection. They profess to be
“the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were
redeemed from the earth”—spoken of in the 14th
chapter of Revelation. And they say “The Author;
of the book entitled “The Everlasting Gospel, or Christ
in his Second appearing,” is the Angel flying through
the midst of Heaven º’ spoken of in the "6th verse of
the aforesaid chapter. They say “We have gained a
part in the New Jerusalem, and without are dogs.” &c.
They being in the last stage of the world, the bible
is all done away, excepting a few propheticical pas-
sages which they consider as touching their faith. One.
of the Shaker women told me she “did not read the
bible, as it was of no use; she learned her duty from
* See Christ's Second Appearing, introductory p. 31.
f See do, p. 28. And Brown's His. Shak, p. 116–117–271.
# The book “ Christ in his Second Appearing,” was written
by an illiterate men, and sometime after, altered and , corrected
by a man of liberal education. Yet the Shakers now say, “it
was written by an illiterate man, who was inspired to write it
in the language in which it now appears.” e
$4
the Elders, which was far better; for it came immedi-
ately from God.” +-
I addressed an Elder on the #mpropriety and sin
of their parting husband, and wife ; and refered him to
Mathew, ix chapter and 6th verse.—“What therefore
God hath joined together let not man put asunder.”—
He laughed me to scorn, and said “it was not the work
of God; but an invention of men, to cloak more heine-
ous sins.” &c. Others of them assert that “it is the
work of Satan P” I observed that Christ honored a
wedding with his presence; and sanctioned it by work-
ing his first miracle there.—That the disciples, and
the mother of Jesus were present. “Eunice is like a
Leviathan, scaled, over; and she will ward off every
shaft we can possibly throw at her”—he replied, and
left the room. The women continued, “Yea—Eunice
is not sick, she does not want a physician.” “ Yea,
she is whole, she does not want the gospel.”—“ Yea.”
says the third. .
I made preparation to depart, as I saw they were
anxious for it. : But Oh! the agonies of death cannot
be more painful, than the struggles in my breast to re-
train from weeping, when I saw I must take my last
farewell of my dear son: My anxiety to refrain from.
tears, was to prevent any alarm to my son, and there-
by entail those fits on him. t
And the language of the Shaker women was very
immodest and insulting; which was the more wound-
ing to my feelings for being spoken in the presence of
my son; who was old enough to understand their
meaning. Those observations were no more indecent
than what they apply to all mankind, except those of
their own profession.
On my return I called to see my daughters. They
have only evenings to learn their book; and part of
that time is taken up in learning to dance. This be-
ing the evening they attend their union meeting, I was
constrained to sit alone. As I walked through the hall
I passed the door of a room where Mr. Chapman was
conversing with his spiritual wife.
35
When I retired to rest, I begged of the Eldress,
the privilege of seeing my dear babe, and for once sleep-
ing with her in my arms P. This she, in a very frown-
ing manner refused. My eldest daughter wept, be-
'cause they refused her the privilege of sleeping with
her mama.
In conversation with one of the young Shaker
women, she confidentially observed to me, that “it
was wrong for them to take children from their mother
in that manner—and she was much displeased with it.”
In conversation with Wm. Carter, I observed to
him, that their book “ Christ in his Second Appearing”
asserted that the Apostles never married; and those
of them who had wives left them after they were called
on their mission ? he answered “ Yea.” I asked him
what St. Paul meant when he said, as in 1 Corrinthi-
ans, ix chapter and 5th verse.—“ Have we not power
to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as the other apos-
tles.” &c. In a petulent manner, he replied, “None
of your business! Eunice : If you have got such a pas-
sage of scripture as that, keep it to yourself, and not
bring it here.” He was offended because I spoke it
when several of the young people were present.
n the evening of the 9th, as I was preparing to
go, Hannah Wells came and forced my dear babe out
of the room where I was. I immediately sought for
her, and found her placed in the corner of a room,
crying bitterly The poor child durst not tell me what
she was crying for.—Thus I parted with her, reflecting
how similar my situation was to those poor mothers, who
have had their children forced from their breasts by
the savages. I suppose the reason why they tor-
tured me the most about my youngest, was, because
they saw I was more particularly attached to her.
The reader may inquire, why I suffered myself
and children to be controled by them P The fact is, I
was afraid of having them carried where I could never
see them again ' I told the Eldress, if she would in-
dulge me with the privilege of coming often to see my
children, I would be content not to speak to them, if
she forbid it. .
$6 ſ
On the evening of the 11th, Elder Calvin Wells,
(brother to S. Y. Wells) and Mr. Chapman, came into
the room where I was, and the women all went out.—
Mr. Chapman said “Eunice do you want any of our
faith? I answered, “No.” “Well your gift here is
out; you have made the saints of God so much trouble
you can stay no longer.” I replied that the women
often said I “ had behaved exoeeding well.” Calvin
Wells replied, “You are a very wicked woman for
having broken our orders in staying so long when you
went to see your son; and you shall stay no longer.”
This was the only offence they presumed to accuse me
of. In reply I made some remarks upon Mr. Chap-
man’s obligations to his family, and my unhappy and
destitute condition. I told Mr. Chapman I willing to
stay during life, if it would be less expense to him.—
But I could not embrace their religion; neither would
, I molest them in their's. I would conform to them in
every other respect. They replied—“ Unless you u-
mite with us, you cannot endure to live'with such a
pure and holy people as we are ; the fire of Mount
Zion will consume you.” &c.
Hannah once observed, that “the people of the
world would soon all be swept away in their sins, by
war, famine errthquakes, and the rageing pestilence
which was desolating the world, if they did not flee
to the ark of safety.” A volume could not contain the
calumny and denunciations they heap upon the peo-
ple of the world.
Fanny Waterman and Hannah Train had much to
say about an old gown which was given me a fortnight
before. Hannah said “If you wear it away, it will
yet be a perfect hell to you ! It will burn and burn your
Hesh off your bones; and you, by wearing it, will en-
dure such a hell that you will be glad to bring it back,
in a very humble posture, peace by peace; and give it
up to the people of God, and acknoledge that you sin-
* During the time I was with the Shakers, they often said,
“Eunice, we know you have some faith in us; for it is impossi-
ble for you to continue with such a pure and holy people so long
without gaining faith.”
37
'ned in wearing it away. Fanny says, “I am glad she
has got it, that she may have something to torment her
after she goes away.”
Mr. Chapman soon came again, and told me I
“ must prepare to go immediately.” Here, like the
Patriarch of old, when he was commanded to give up
his son upon the altar ! my faith was put to the severest
test.—Whether to renounce my belief in the doctrines
of the Christian religion, and put myself under the
. control of the Shakers; or to leave my captive babes.
I plead that I was unwilling to expose my health;
. (as it was then very stormy) when I was destitute of
a-home. He replied “You shall go.” I told him my
aversion to 1aunch into the the world among strangers
and unprotected ; and when I saw he was inflexible to
all my tears and entreaties, I said, with some degree of
temerity, that I would not go, and he should māintain
me. I then related several instances of Mr. Chapman’s
impositions and abuse to me, after he joined the Shakers.
I saw it highly pleased them to think he had travelled
so far in the way of their profession, as to be inclined
to treat his carnal wife in such a manner.
Hannah said, “Eunice, do you not think your are
a little crazy—you must be obedient to your hushand,”
She then took me by the arm and shoved me down
stairs, and held me till the other women put on my
coat and hat, in a ridiculous manner; tied my socks
together and strung them across my arm, and shoved
me out of doors, and thrust me into an open waggon.
Meanwhile some of the women stood at the door laugh-
ing at my odd appearance. -
I begged of Mr. Chapman, to carry me back to
the place where he took me from, a fortnight before;
as I had left my trunk and other articles there, and
had not with me, a change of apparel. But the Sha-
* I did not forget to acknowledge that women should obey
the injunction of the inspired writer, “Wives submit yourselves
unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is
head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the Church.” Eph. v.
chapter. That is, to nourish, cherish and protect her, and her
off-spring ; and a family thus represented, is a beautiful simili-
tude of the Church of Christ,
3
38
kers said “they were a wicked people there, and they
would corrupt me.” *
In that situation, Mr. Chapman and another Sha-
ker drove me off, without permitting me to see my
children, to bid them farewell. My agitation was
Stich, that I knew not what I was about; nor where
they meant to carry me. They took a road I was un-
acquainted with, and drove some distance through the
woods.-I now began to be apprehensive they were
taking me (as Fanny had previously told me,) to
some doleful place; and my suspicions were increased
by observing James and the Shaker often looking at
each other and laughing.
But they drove through the rain to Albany, where
all were then entire strangers to me. They stopped at
a public house, and left me in the street, without giv-
ing me a farthing of money, or making any provision
for me. The family, however, invited me into the
house. But the agitation of Iny mind was such, together
with the Iudicrous appearance of my dress, that the
young women told the lady of the house, “a crazy
woman had come '''
Mr. Chapman, in order to make me appear dis-
graceful and ridiculops in the view of every citizen,
put an advertisinent in the public papers, “forbidding
all persons harboring or trusting me on his account.”
Being still unwilling to return to my friends so far
distant from my children, I wandered the streets in
quest of some employment. * *
In a short time, the lady where I had put up, in-
vited me to stay in her family during the winter, and
I accepted the invitation. I informed my friends of
my situation, and one of my brothers soon came to
Albany to assist me.
On Sunday, February 5, my brother waited upon
me to the Shaker village, in company with one of the
members of the legislature. They went with the view
of persuading the Shakers to return me one or both
of my daughters.
The Shaker Elders and Eldresses had gone to
church, and I enjoyed a comfortable visit with my
*
39.
daughters before they returned. My daughters were
wery solicitous for me to take them away. After the
Elders returned, my daughters were taken into a pri-
vate room and locked up. I went immediately in pur-
... suit of them, and rapped at a door and one of the wo:
men opened it.—Here I found my youngest. As I.
-went to her, and pressed her cheek to mine, Han-
nah Wells (their Eldress) gave me a shove and said—
“ Eunice, be gone from among the sisters! you are
such a filthy creature, you are not fit to be near us!”
She took hold of me with two other women and shoved
me violently out of the room—and that is the last sight
I had of my dear babe.
They said “if I attempted to go and see my son,
the doors would be locked against me.” Neither could
-I see my eldest daughter again.
As I stood alone in the hall, trembling and ſaint-
‘ing on account of the violent treatment ihad just re-
ceived—Patty Carter (their second Eldress,) came to
me and said, “You shall never come into this house
again!” I replied, “I shall come where my hushand
and children are.” Hannah then caume and said “You
have got no husband 8° freplied “If you will give me
my children you are welcome to my husband P”
Here I must pause for a moment, and adore that
Allwise and merciful Benefactor, who hath supported
me and preserved my reasonable faculties; and not
left me to be a wandering idiot, like many other poor
women, rendered so by the unkind treatment of the
Shakers.” r
My brother Elijah Hawley, jun. also came to Ah-
bany to assist me. He went to the Shaker village on
the 8th of February : But he could not see Mr. Chap-
man or the children. The Shakers told him that Mr.
Chapman had gone with the children, they knew not-
where. They gave him a letter which they said James
left to be sent to me. The susbtance of which is as
follows:
“There was a dissolution of the marriage contract
between him and me.” And he “fally felieves in
* See Brown's His. Shak. p. 287,
&
40
Christ's Second Appearing.” That all who have wives
should live as though they had none. He believes it
his duty to break every bond—and to follow Christ in .
the regeneration.” And that “ God hath called him
for the very purpose of bringing his children into
Christ's Kingdom; and he cheerfully obeys the call—
yea, and he will obey it f° He has “brought them out
from the wicked world of mankind, and they are con-
secrated to God in his chosen and pcculiar people.”
&c. “And all the powers of darkness cannot remove
them.”&c. [Meaning our legislature, as the Shakers
began to be apprehensive their would be a law passed
for my relief.] He says, “It is probable that he shall
remain with the children until they become of age, if
he should live so long.” And that “it is not likely
I shall see his face again in this life nor the children
of which I was the natural mother.”
The Hon. Mr. Payne, (the gentleman who had ac-
companied us to the Shaker village,) was so dissatisfied
with what he personally saw of the conduct of the
Shakers, that he immediately laid a petition before the
Legislature º my behalf,) and on that account there .
was a general law passed, April 17, 1815; authorizing
a Judge of the supreme court to send a habits corpus,
(in such eases,) and bring forward the children, and
assign them to the mother. Also granting the Chan-
cellor power, in cases of divorce, to grant the mother
her children.
The Shakers immediately concealed my children,
and being interrogated about them, said they “knew
not where they were.” &A
In May following, I went to the Shaker Village, .
and begged the privilege of conversing about my chil-
dren, in a friendly manner with the Elders. This
they totally refused ; and in defiance of all my tears
and entreaties they persisted in refusing to see me.
I told those who were permitted to speak to me,
that I would confess my sins and join their society, if
they would let me live near my children P. They re-
plied, “If you feel the weight of your sins, go to Cal-
vin Wells and confess them.”—DWhich is the place
they send new members.]
*
4 f |
But they consider all parents who exercise any
tender feeling for their children, as being sinful and
carnally minded. Therefore with all my tears and
entreaties I could not prevail upon them to give me
the least account of my children. ,
I finally told the Shaker women, that I had a law-
ful right to demand a maintenance from my husband.
They tauntingly said, “You must find him first?”
The Shakers have made their boasts, that, as long
as our government permitted a man to treat his wife
and children thus, they have a full and lawful right to
do it, and no one has any business to interfere.
I träve!'el from bne Shaker village to another, and
made use of stratagems to get a sight of the poor little
captives. But I could never obtain any satisfactory
information where they were. The only account I
could get, after the most cautious inquiry, was, that
Mr. Chapman and the children were still at Niskeuna.
But I saw that I could gain no access to them, and I
returned to my friends. &
The unkind conduct of my husband so aggravated
my friends, that they were desirous I should apply for
a divorce. And by their advice, I came to Albany,
and called on the Hon. Mr. Cantine, and laid the cir-
cumstances before him. He presented a Petition to
the members of the Senate, and they appointed him.
chairman of the the Committee. The Committee treat-
ed the matter with great attention, and me with much
kindness and indulgence.
During the session, I conversed with most of the
gentlemen in Senate and Assembly. It was an un-
pleasant task for me—a woman alone ; a stranger, eac-
posed to censure! to converse with gentlemen, and men
of such dignified standing. But I was much encouraged
to proceed, from the politeness I received, and from the
kind attention with which they listened to my history.
Their minds appeared impressed with a sense of
my misfortunes, and that it was highly proper and im-
portant; that somprexertions should be made to relieve
and protect defenseless women and children from such,
tyrany. 4 *-
4 *
42
The Shakers, fearing the result, sent a lengthy
remonstrance to the Senate. The Elders, in order
to sink me beneath the notice of that Honorable
Body, attempted to defame me before some of the
members, in language they dare not put upon paper.
I thought it necessary, (being a stranger,) to send
for one of my brothers, to bring testimony, to establish
my character. As soon as possible, he came with affi-
davits, some of which are the following:
T, EML. Hotch Kiss, and clare, that I have been ac-
WM. CHAPMAN. quainted with James Chap-
man, formerly of Durham, in the county of Green, and
Eunice his wife, from the time of their marriage till
they separated, and (as I understood,) he joined the
Society of Shaking Quakers. And from the general
character of the said Eunice, I have believed her to
be a person of chastity, industry, truth and veracity;
and managed her family affairs with prudence and e-
conomy. *
º, said James, for sometime previous to their
separation, appeared to neglect his business, and made
too frequent use of ardent spirits; and of course suf-
fered his property to be sold by several executions to
satisfy the demands of his creditors, and neglected to
provide for his family.
* Thom. As E. BARKER, }: solemnly swear and de-
THOMAS E. BARKER,
LEMUEL HOTCHKISS,
ty WILLIAM CHAPMAN.
Sworn the 11th day of January, 1817,
Before me, Joseph BLANCHARD, Justice Peace.”
- —ete—
“ MARIA BARNET, of lawful age—Testifies that
she was acquainted in the family of James Chapman,
for some years after he married his second wife. And
his daughter Fanny, by his first wife, being near of my
age, I often visited her; and am ...; that his se-
cond wife was a peaceable, prudent and industrious
woman; and took good care of the family, was obedi-
º 43
ent, kind and affectionate to her husband, and strove to
make him comfortable and happy; and was kind and
affectionate to her daughter-in-law, the said Fanny,
who lived with her from fourteen to about twenty two
years of age ; and with whom I was very intimate, and
often j the said Fanny speak well of her mother-
in-law, as being very kind to her, and endeavored by
all suitable means to make, the family respectable,
comfortable and happy. And on the other hand, the
said James Chapman was given to intoxication, idle-
ness, peevishness and squandering his interest.
MARIA BARNET.”
“Green County, ss: On the 19th day of December,
1817, personally appeared, Maria Barnet, and
made oath to the above affidavit before me,
WILLIAM TRYON, one of the Justices of the
Peace in and for the said county.”
* -
* MARY SPENCER, deposeth and saith—She was:
often in James Chapman’s family, and has seen the
said James abuse his wife disgracefully; and when
she [the said Mary, reproved him, he retorted in ve-
ry unbecoming language. He became negligent of his
family, and the burden of providing consequently de-
volved upon his wife. The said James’ wife often sent .
to her, the said Mary Spencer, for provision, and she
granted it, without any reward or thanks from the said
James. The said Mary further states, that the said,
James eldest daughter fled to her house for protection,
when she saw her father was determined on taking her
to the Shakers. And the said James came after her,
and said her mother had sent for the child, and he took,
her away by force.”
& MARY SPENCER.”
* Sworn before me at Durham, in the county of Green,
this 20th day of March, 1816.
PETER PENFIELD, Justice Peace.”
R -
44
“SARAH 0. HAwl Ey, of lawful age—testifies that
she often lived in James Chapman’s family before he
abandoned them—that the said James/Chapman, by
degrees, neglected his business and family, and became
very abusive to his wife; spent his time in the haunts
of vice; would be out at night, and return home
at a late hour, very moross and spiteful. Once in
particular, his conduct was such, that I was afraid of
my life, and Mr. Chapman’s own daughter left the
house on account of his conduct, and slept at a neigh-
bor’s. , His wife durst not retire to rest, until after he
had gone to bed in an upper room; and I was then so
apprehensive of danger, that I retired into the room
with his wife and children, and fastened the door for
safety. His negligence to his family was such, as not
providing food, clothing, or fuel in the , most extreme
gold weather. When his wife was sick, I was obli-
ged to pick up wood to make his "family comforta-
ble, when Mr. Chapman was at a tavern. He would
not hear the least complaint without retorting with the
most abusive language.
I was present when Mr. Chapman and his brother
Nathaniel took the children. Mr. Chapman said his
wife had agreed to stay with the Shakers, and had sent
for the children: This I disputed, which made him ve-
\ry angry. George, (the oldest), when he saw his fa-
ther was going to take him off, went and hid of his
own accord ; and in the mean while, I'sent Susan (the
next º to her Uncle Spencer’s, about two miles
distant. Mr. Chapman pursued after her, and took her
—(he had got the youngest before.) He and his brother
then searched the neighborhood in pursuit of George;
and finally hired boys to find him, and tell him if he
would come to his father he would not be compelled to.
go to the Shakers. . Mr. Chapman then told George he
was going to carry him into the ark of safety, and into
Christ's Kingdom. When he saw his father would
compel him to go, he wept hitterly, and begged of him.
to let him stay until he could see his mother. Mr.
Chapman told him he was going to see his mother, and
prownised the children if they did not like to stay
J
45
with the shafers they could come back any time. Mr.
Chapman was then intoxicated. *
I was knowing that Mrs. Chapman was always
kind to her husband, and had the best the house afford-
ed always reserved for him when he returned home;
and nursed him kindly when he was unwell, and took
pains to have such food provided for him as he choose;
and saw nothing that made unhappiness between them ,
but his own ill eonduct and perverse temper.”
“On the the 20th day of March, 1816–Personally
appeared Sarah O. Hawley, and made oath to the truth
of the above deposition before me,
ELIJAH HAWLEY, Justice Peace.”
* Nºmº.
“I PETER PENFIELD–Do solemely swear and
declare, that on or about the 22d December, in the
ear 1814—went with Eunice Chapman to the Sha-
ers’ to see her children, and persuade the Shakers to
give them up, as I understood by them and the chil-
dren, and also by their father that they were bound by
indenture. The children appeared to be very unhap-
y, and cryed and took on in such a manner that my
heart ached for them. I told James and the Shakers
that they ought to give them up to their mother, and
Mr. Spencer and myself would see that the children
were provided for. But the shakers wholly refused
and James likewise. I then told them that if they did
not let Mrs. Chapman have some of her children, or
let her visit them when she pleased, I would try to get
some law passed in the Legislature for her relief–
Jaunes appeared to bid defiance to any thing of that
nature. I then took Mrs. Ghapman about one mile
from the family where James lived, to get a place for
her to board, (as they would not let her stay '...}
and after some difficulty succeeded, and then came o
in company with Mr. Spencer. -
In the month of February, 1815, I came to Alba-
ny, took Doctor Payne, Mr. Skinner, and Mrs. Chap-
man, into my sleigh, and went to see the chidren at
| 46
*- : .
**** *. *
t
the Shakers. We were treated with much coldness,
and were not permitted to see Elder Seth Wells, whom
they said had gone to New-Lebanon: I then asked if
I could have an interview with James and the two lit-
tle girls and Afrs. Chapman, together with Dr. Paynie.
This they consented to, and we retired into a private
room with Mr. Chapman, in order to intersede with
him, to give Mrs. Chapman one of the girls James
said he would as soon commit suicide; and all the ar-
guments which could be used would not prevail on him
to give up either of them. Mrs. Chapman begged to
see the little boy; but they said the doors would be
fººd against her if she went to the house where he
|Weti.
Dr. Payne came away with a full determination
to carry a Petition before the House of Assembly, and
accordibgly did, as he was at that time a member of
the Hoàse. w
PETER PENFIELD.”
* Sworn to before me, this 27th day of March, 1816.
JRIGH. L. TREAT, One of the Alderman of the city of
Albany.” - tº ſº
•-emºs & sºm- -
*
DURIRNG my second visit to the Shaker village,
. (a few days previous to their taking my children,) I
saw a lady from New-Jersey, who also came to see her
husband, and brought with her a female child three
ears old. Her husband’s name was Elias Bonnel.—
Mrs. Bonnel came there a few days previous to me.--
She was an amiable woman. They had taken the
child from her, and kept it concealed in some of their
rooms, and told her that they knew not where it was.
I saw the poor distracted mother, wandering about
from house to house, weeping and groaning for the
loss of her child. By the appearance of the woman,
I thought it impossible for her to survive the loss and
retain her reason. I conversed with the Shakers about
it, and I caught them in several untruths in the ac-
4?
wº
count; they said that she behaved bad and was very
troublesome to them. *
I advised them to give the mother her child, and
said that I feared that their retaining it would be the
means of throwing her into a decline or the loss of
her reason ; and if they had no regard for the tender
feelings of the mother, still, to give her the child, for
their own sake ; for the circumstance would circu-
late about the country, and do them more hurt than
the child could possibly do them good. I sought
for an opportunity to afford her some consolation by
conversing with her alone ; which the Shakers saw,
and prevented. I have lately received Mrs. Bon-
nel’s deposition, as it is a lengthy one, I will extract
a small part of it, and keep the original for any one
who, wishes to read it.
Mrs. Bonnel states that, She and her husband
lived nearly three years after their marriage in a state
of harmony ; Mr. Bonnel was a pious man, and pro-
vided for his family; and five years ago last July, un-
known to her, he went and joined the Shakers ; when
he returned, he told her that he had united himself to
that society ; which caused her many grievous hours.
Tſe often told her that he never should leave her,
or be slack in providing for her and her children.
He continued with his family one year and three
months after that time, during which, he thrice visited
the Shakers. Then he sold his property and settled
his business ; and frequently said, that his time here,
was short, and asked her if she would move near the
Shaker village, where he could go to their meetings ;
º promised to provide well for her and her chil-
I'êI] = r
But she being unwilling to go with him, after he
had embraced . sentiuments, he left her, with two
small children, and went and lived with the Shakers ;
and advertised her, forbidding all persons harboring
or trusting her on his account.--IIe then returned,
and promised her that he should not live within some
niles of the Shakers, if she would consent to go and
live with him ; she went, and he took her among the
48
Shakers, and there she lived in the same house with
him, from spring until the next fall ; but in no respect
as husband and wife. And through a pretence to vis-
it her friends, he persuaded her to return with him to
New Jersey. When they arrived there, he told her
that she should never live with him again, and he
should no longer provide for her.
About a year, after that she took her youngest.
child and went to visit him ; her husband’s salutation
to her was thus, “You have come, with your old car-
nal affections; I wish to see none of them about me.”
She was ill-treated by them, &c. Her husband tore
the child from her arms by violence, just at the time
she was º. to return home ; he kept himself
and the child concealed, and she continued there for
several days after that time, and strove all in her
power to see them again, but could not. She was
obliged to depart full of anxious grief without seeing
them. g
Signed, CATH ARINE Bon NEL.
September 30, 1816, AMos Potter, one of the
Justices of the Peace, in the County of Essex and
State of New Jersey, attests, that the said Catharine
I}onnel personally appeared before him, and made
oath, that what she had written concerning her hus-
band and child was the truth. -
*- -
But, to return to circumstances attending my own
history. Elders S. Y. Wells and Joseph Hodgson were
summoned to appear before the Committee, to whom
was referred my petition. Before the Committee re-
tired to examine my witnesses, these Elders publicly
defamed me in the Senate room, in very offensive lan-
guage; until the Committee told them they would in-
jure their own cause to say any more upon that subject, ,
as their was sufficient testimony in support of my char-
acter. - º
49
\
3Cacamination of Witnesses before the Committee, to
whom was referred the Petition of Eunice Chap-
man taken this 20th JMarch, 1816.--—Present
Messrs. Cantiné and Dayton. *
Elders S.Y. Wells and J. Hodgson were first ques:
tioned, by the Committee. t -
Qestion. “Were the children bound?”
SAnswer. By Wells, “Nay.” -
Mr. Penfield’s deposition was then read, and oth-
‘er testimony produced, to prove they were bound.--
Wells pretended to recollect himself, and acknowl-
edged that “ The children were bound.”
Q. “ To whom was the eldest daughter bound P’’
.A. “I cannot say.” d
Q. By Mrs. Chapman. “Can that be possible, when
the child said Elder S. Y. Wells held her hand,
to sign the indenture ?” S -
. “ The child was mistaken.” &
. “Was not that child capable of knowing, and re-
lating such a circumstance P” tº
* Well, come to recollect, she was bound to such
a one”—(calling him by name.) *-
By Committee. “Where is Mr. Chapman P and
where are the children º’” -
. “I cannot say.”
“How did Mr. Chapman and the children go
away ?” -
. “I cannot say?”
. “Did he take waggon and horses, or sleigh P”
. “I cannot say.” º
“How could Mr. Chapman take the children, and
go from your house,” without your knowing it?”
d. “I cannot say.” .
Mr. WEEDER, who had lived with the Shakers sir-
teen years, and acted in the capacity of a deacon, sta-
:
;
* Mr. Chapman and the two daughters lived in the house
with Wells and Hodgson. The minds of all present appeared
eonvinced that the Elders knew when Mr. Chapman went of
with the children, and how, (if he had gone,) and where he then
was but “they would not say.” - ..
5
• *
50%.
ted that “it was impossible for any of the Shakers to
take horses and carriage, and go off without the Elders'
knowledge.” -
Elder S. Y. Wells asserted that “ James had ac-
tually hired [such a particular house] for his family to
Jive in.” - *
Mr. Weeder said “ He knew that James had not
hired that house.” ".
Wells then acknowledged that “He did not know
for a certainty as James had hired a house.”
Mrs. "MARTH A GRIDLEY, stated that “ She lived
near the Shaker village, in Niskeuna, and, went to see
them in march, 1815—saw Fanny Waterman, an El-
dress, and enquired of her whether Mrs. Chapman's
children were there P Fanny said she had just came
from S. Y. Wells’ where the daughters were, and saw
them; she said they were fine children and behaved
ywell.” s *
Mr. DER1c VEEDER, stated that “He had lived
with the society of Shakers as a member for sixteen
years; left them about two years ago; was there when
ames Chapman came amongst them, who was immedi-
ately owned and acknowledged as a member. He spake
of his wife as being an honest, industrious and prudent \
house-keeper. Assigned no reason for his leaving her,
other than he believed it his duty to forsake all for ,
Christ's sake.” Mr. Veeder said “He knew James
had not hired a house for his family, and at the time he
[the said. Veeder] was a member of the society, he .
expressed his dissatisfaction at keeping James there,
without contributing to support, his, helpless family
who were out, which observation highly displeased the
Elders.” w e
Mr. Veeder further attested “That Eunice Chap-
man's statement, concerning the Shakers, which she
laid before the Committee, was, in his opinion correct,
as it was according to their manner of conduct.”
The said Weeder, on being questioned, attested
that “ He knew Thomas Brown’s History of the Sha-
kers was true.” [This testimony so alarmed. Elders
‘Well's and Hodgson, that they arose from their seats,
51
faced Mr. Veeder, and attempted to dispute him.]
Mr. Veeder replied, “ Brother Seth you need not con-
tend against Thomas’ book, for hºw has wrote as much
for thee, as he has against thee. I have personal
knowledge of the most part of it; and I being so well
acquainted with Thomas, know him to be so candid,
that he will not misrepresent any thing.”
Mr. Weeder further stated, that, “When Brown’s
History was first published, the Elders purchased and
read it; then condemned the book as being pernicious
and corrupt, and forbid any member of the society
reading it. Nevertheless, about twenty of the young
Shakers read it privately, which came to the ears o
the Elders. They called the young people before
them, and made them kneel and confess that they had
read it; and sinned in so doing, and ask their forgive-
ness P He was one of the number who read the book.
* They called on him to kneel before them, and confess,
and ask forgiveness. He told them he would kneel,
in conformity to their discipline, but not as reverential
of them. . He kneeled and said he had read Thomas’
book, and he knew most of it was true. He could not
say he was sorry he had read it. The Elders took a
private opportunity to tell him he had done wrong in
;"#. so before the young people, to hurt their
faith. He replied, as the young people looked to him
for an example, he considered it his duty to speak as
he did in their hearing.”
Mr. SKINNER, stated that “He lived at Mr. An-
drew Cooper’s, at the time Mrs. Chapman came there.
Mr. Chapman came with her from the Shakers, and
left her in the street. She was invited into the house,
and she continued there for a length of time, and con-
ducted hersclf with propriety.” Mr. Skinner also sta-
ted, that “he went with Mrs. Chapman, in company
with Doctor Payne and "Squire Penfield to the Shaker
village, and was informed by them that Mr. Chapman’s
children were bound.” Mr. Skinner said that “ Mrs.
Chapman behayed properly, and did not speak unbe-
comingly; and she was refused the privilege of seeing
her son by Mr. Chapman and others of the Shakers.”
• I
t
52-
A. º
CATH ARINE GEDDIs, testified that she lived with
the Shakers from the age of ten to twenty years; du-
ring which time, she saw sick children treated very in-
humanly.” She said “ the Elders and Eldresses lived
upon the most sumptuous food, when the youth had to:
accept of the most ordinary. She was witness to the
instance of the Elders and Eldresses whipping those
three young women, spoken of in Brown’s history
of the Shakers, page 335. She was also acquainted
with similar circumstances at different times.” She
further testified, that “she was knowing to the case
mentioned in the aforementioned history, $23; where:
the Elders influenced a young woman to take a false
oath, and has heard her confess that she wronged the
truth.” . . ge
Mrs. Gaddis also stated, that “the Shakers are
not allowed to receive a letter from a friend until it
has been examined by the Elders. She said that when
her mother called to see her, she was ordered by the
Elders to tell her not to come there with her carnal,
and old natural affections, disturbing the people of
God, and then leave her. They were forbid useing pen
and paper, so that she is not able to write her name ;
and they were forbid reading the bible, except partic-
ular passages.” Mrs. Geddis related, that “ At the
age of twenty her father sent a writ of habus corpus
after her, and the Shakers took her at night, in the
month of March to another Village. ‘ On her way, she
had to ride over hills, rocks and logs, and swim her
horse accross a deep creek, and then they made her;
ride ten miles in her wet and frozen clothes, which
caused her a fit of sickness. Meanwhile the Shakers
told her father she had drowned herself.”
*. ~ ºf ºs º-
AFTER, an examination of those witnesses, and a
perusal of Brown’s history of the Shakers, and the.
Shakers bible, “ Christ's in his Second Appearing,”
the Committee made a very favorable report (which.
was introduced in our preface) to the Senate, who or-
* 53 l
dered it to be printed, and a copy presented to each .
member of the legislature. All of which proceedings
so engrossed the time, that the subject could not have.
an investigation in both houses, in the session of 1816,
and it was referred to the session of 1817.
{ wºsº. ºe
It is easy for a man who wishes to be rid of sup-
porting his wife to retreat into the Shaker society and
escape the lawful demands which his wife has upon
him, as in the case of James Chapman and many oth-
ers. If she is unable, to earn her living, she is left to
the merey and charity of strangers—or, if she is in-
dustrious and persevering, and thereby gain a compe-
tency for declining life, her husband or his creditors
ean take it from her, and she be left again and again
destitute; as well as being exposed to the unmerited
defamation, and abuse of the Shakers.
Whilst I remained in Durham, I was thrice strip-
ped of my furniture by a supercilious officer, whom
Mr. Chapman aided and encouraged. The third time
he came, (when I was left to provide for my little chil-
dren,) he tore the clothes from the bed on which I lay
sick. t º
But some charitable people will say, that it will.
not do to disannul the marriage contract; and if a wo—
man has married a tyrant, and he has deserted her, and
gone to a place unknown, still she must be considered
as bound:to him.*
But the inspired writer, in the 7th chapter of 1st
Corrinthians, tells us “a brother or sister is not un-
der bondage in such cases.” f J
Doctor Scott, in his comments on the 15th and 16th:
verses of the aforesaid chapter, remarks thus :
* Though the husband may be dead, the wife must be still:
holdén for his debts; as in the case of James. Chapman, there.
are various reports of his death, and if so, it is certainly impossi-
ble to ascertain the fact. I must also be deprived of a handsome
dower, which the Shakers have told me they meant I should nev.
gº-ºw is, they would never let me know of my husband's
º
5 *
54
*
*
“Such a total and perpetual desertion must ſon
this interpretation] dissolve the matrimony, and ren-
der the deserted party as dead to the other....A brother
or a sister is not enslaved after all means of reconcili--
ation have been in vain attempted.”
* I would ask then, why our laws, should be more
rigid than the sentiments of our most eminent divines.
as expressed in their comments on Sacred Writ?—
Why bind one party to a companion by an unalterable:
decree, after the other has joined a society, whose
strongest basis of religion is, to disannul that bond P
My solicitude to be liberated from responsibility to
'my husband, is to prevent the Shakers having the
power to abuse and defame me with impunity. I may
also receive by dower, or be able to acquire a com-
pº to support and educate my children, should I
e so fortunate as to recover them. Plook with hope, .
that some future circumstance may cast them under.
my protection, before they have imbibed those preju-
dices which will forever enslave them.
sº Those who are brought up among the Shakers,..
seldom leave them. The reason is obvious. It is easy
for parents or guardians to weaken and destroy the
iittle courage and resolution which children possess,
by telling them frightful and ominous stories ; and their"
“minds will thereby be weakened; and intimidated with
fearful apprehensions through life. . They are taught-
to believe, that, if they go back to the world, they will
either sink immediately into hell, or satan will take
them and carry them off alive—or they will be poison-
ed to death by the people of the world, who are the
emissarsies of satan. But if they remain there, they
'A' 3. will live free from sin; and will live to a great age ;”
§§i ... and when they die, they will assuredly go to Heaven.-
They are told if they go among the world’s people, .
they will esteem them no higher than the brutes; and
the very water, or drink which they receive from the
people of the world, is impregnated with evils, and
* Ann Lee taught the Shakers to believe, that all who joined.
the society were raised to an immortal life, and would never die,
.8ee Brown's H. S. p. 325.
5.5°
will make monsters of them. I was told by a lady'
who was taken from the Shakers; that, “ for some time,
she durst not drink anything hawded her from the peo-, .
ple of the world through fear of those evils.”
The children and young people among the Sha-
kers, are not permitted to go off their farms, or out"of
sight of their houses, unless attended by some of the
Elders. They are sseldom permitted to see a friend
who calls on them from the world; and are not allow-
ed to be in the hearing of any argument, advanced by
the people of the world.” If they discover any incli-
nation in them to leave their society, they are vigilent-
ly watched, and are locked into their rooms after they
retire to rest.f
I expect by my son’s earnest inquiry whether he
could leave them after he became of age, that they en--
deavor to impress the minds of the children with a be-
lief, that they are bound there for life. *
In the month of July last, I conversed with a
young man who, as I was informed, had a liberal edu-
eation given him; yº. young. His father took him
with the rest of his children, and joined the Shakers.
I am informed that their mother could not get sight of
them for years, though she earnestly requested it.—
Although the young man had lived amongst the peo-
ple of the world, until he arrived at an age fit to re-
ceive such an education, yet he had imbibed the Sha--
ker prejudices to such a degree, that he declared to me-
“he had as lives be in hell as to remain in Albany.”
We need not be surprised to hear of people, who
have lived with the Shakers from their infancy, being
* I have lately been informed that the Paws of the state of
Connecticut, compel the Shaker society in that state; to estab-
lish scools, aud have them inspected by a regular committee.—
What a privilege'ſ But the Africans, in this state, have far bet-
ter advantages in point of education and religious-instruction,
than those poor children who ars kept in Shaker bondage. ,
# Some may be led to inquire, why the Shakers wish to re-
tain children among them I answer, because they wish to en-
large their society; and they affirm that “the whole world must
yet come under the power of their Elders, and, all who refuse,
must be swept away in their sins, by the several judgments which
are making their ravage in the Wurld.”
56
, so deluded by them, when we see many well informed
people, and even men of high political standing, de-
ceived by their fair appearance of sanctity, meekness;
honesty, and good morals. I acknowledge, that I could
not have been persuaded to believe they were capable .
of such duplicity and deception, until I learned it by
woeful experience.
Can christians be so anxious to establish Bible so-
cieties, and send bibles and Missionaries to Asia and
Europe, to a distant land among the heathen, and let
children who are born by their side, be carried among
a people, where they can never hear the Gospel mis-
sion; and though they have the bible, it would be far
better for them never to see it, than be taught to be-
lieve it as they do. º
They are kept in more slavish fear, than though
they were under the power of the Court of Inquisition!
Instead of being taught not to offend God, they are:
taught not to offend the Elders!'consequently, they
can never enjoy liberty of conscience, and are incapa.
ble of judging or acting for themselves.
... Still the general opinion is; that we must consider
this society as coming within the pale of our constitu-
tion ; and many plead, that those gross, inconsisten-
cies cannot be remedied, because our constitution pro-
tects their society. But it does not guarantee to then
the liberty of conducting as they repeatedly have, both
in their manner of worship, and in their treatment:
towards some members of the community; as well as
particular members of their own society.
Our constitution says, “The free exercise and en--
joyment of religious profession and worship—shall be
allowed within this state to all mankind: Provided, "
That the liberty of conscience hereby granted, shali
not be so construed, as to excuse acts of licentiousness,
or justify, practices inconsistent with the peace and
safety of the state.”—Do not women and ehildren make
up a part of the community ; and if the Shakers are
ermitted to continue their present course of destroy-
ing families; where is there a woman or child whose
peace and safety is not in danger? May we not with
*
57
more propriety say, our government protects them P
than say our constitution protects them P. Besides the
Shakers excluding the younger part of their society
... from “ The free exercise and enjoyment of religious.
profession and worship,” even those parts of their wor:
ship, which they consider as the most “pure and holy.”
may be justly considered as “acts of licentiousness.”
The Shakers have even acknowledged, that, “In
.Ann Lee's life, they had some indecent, acts of wor-
ship;” but are now reformed, and become more regu-
lar in their manners.” But if the fountain is corrupt,
the whole stream mnst of course be corrupt; for “How
can a pure stream flow from a corrupt fountain 3” M
sº
– sº *-ºs-
During one of Mr. Chapman’s visits to Durham,
he left me a Shaker book, styled “The Everlasting
Gospel or Christ in his Second Appearing.” This
book contains the rules of their church, and their
joint Covenant. In this covenant, page , 506, is the
following clause—“Youth and children, being under
age, are not to be received as members, or as being:
under the immediate care and goverment of the Church,
except by the request, or free consent of both their pa-
rents, if living; but if they were left by one of their pa-
rents to the care of the other, then by the request or
free consent of that parent? but if the child had no
parents, then by the request or free consent of such
person or persons, as had just and lawful right in the
ºf the child, together with the child’s own de-
II'ê.
Oh! could this article in their covenant, become a
Statute Law, what a barrier it would be, in future, a-
gainst such destruction of families.
*See Brown's His. Shak. p. 290–322–332. It is believed by
many, and not without a reasonable foundation, that those whom
they think have arrived to such a state of perfection as will ner-
fºr leave them, continue the same manner of worship.
*
58
At that time I placed great confidence in the in-
tegrity of the Shakers, and had no apprehension that
they would go contrary to their joint covenant. I be-
leived that if Mr. Chapman should take the children
from me, and even carry them to the Shaker Village,
that they would not receive them unless I was present
to give my consent; for the children had been left by
Mr. Chapman, entirely under my care and protection.
Tut, as it has already appeared, they not only re-
eeived my children into their church against my, will,
but contrary to their own inclination or consent, and
even suffered them to be bound. -
& In their book styled “ The Everlasting Gospel or
hrist in his Second º it appears to my
view that they considere
the Godhead and that she is co-equal and co-eternal
with God and, (that in the character of the Holy
Ghost) she sat with God and assisted him in the crea-
tion of the world. In page 553 verse 35 they state
that, (in the character of the Holy Ghost,) “She is un-
changeably one with the Father, in union and escence,
and is distinguished by Her co-operations, everlasting
with the Father, before ever the world was, or ages set
in order.” J >
Page 551, verse 24.—“Therefore it was not the
Son, but the Holy Ghost, unto whom the Lord said, at
the beginning of the old creation—-Let us make man.
in OUR own image after OUR own likeness.” In page
468, verse 12, “And Jesus promised saying, I will
pray the Father and he will send you another Comfort-
er, even the Spirit of Truth : Which implied that; this
Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, even the Holy Ghost,
should finish the work of Christ, and take up Her af
bode and be manifested in and through the woman.” }
In page 545, verse 22–8. In the fulness of time,
the Holy Ghost descended and took up her abode in
the Daughter, and by whom, united in a correspondent
relation to the Son, the perfection and order of the De-
ty was made known; and the mistery of God finished,
. pertaining to the foundation of man's redemption.”
\
Ann Lee as belonging to
59
in page 553, verse 33—" And by the second appearing of
Öhrist in the DaughTER, is the revelation of the Holy Ghost, per-
taining to the order of the MoTHER, who was with him that was
, everlasting” Page 439, verse 27-" And that woxas, in whom
was manifested the Spirit and Word of power, who was anointed
and chosen of God, to reveal the mystery of iniquity, to stand
as the first in her order, to accomplish the purpose of God, in
the restoration of that which was lost by the transgression of
the first woman, and to finish the work of man’s final redemp-
+ion, was ANN LEE,” And verse 28—“As a chosen vessel, ap-
pointed by Divine Wisdom, she, by her faithful obedience to that
same annointing, became the temple of the Holy Ghost, and the
second heir with Jesus her Lord and head, in the covenant and
promise of eternal life.” ſº &
Hn page 585, verse 30.—“And therefore the blessed Mother
of our redemption, in all respects, suffered her due proportion,
and died, upon the same fundamental principles, that the suffer-
ings and death of Christ was necessary in his first appearing.”—
And verse 31.—“And in that she died, she died unto sin, once for
all, and revived, and rose again, and ascended into the same divine
nature and everlasting union in the Spirit; and being regenera-
ted and born out of the corrupt nature of the first woman, she
was the first born and first fruit unto God in the order of the
female, having in all points been tempted like as they are ; but
through the power of God, never yielded to the tempter, that
she might be able to succor those that are tempted.” -
In the Introduction, page 27, it reads thus:–“ Such was
frequently her extreme agony of soul—the blood would flow
through the pores of her skin.” The Shakers often observe,
‘that “the sufferings of Ann Lee, while upon earth, exceeded
the sufferings of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemâne.”
* As Ann Lee's body is now in the tomb at Niskeuna, to make
it appear that she is equal to Christ in the redemption of man,
they assert, that Christ’s matural body never ascended to heaven.
Tn Christ's Second Appearing, page 595, verse 5, it reads thus:—
“It was not therefore his natural body that ascended.” Page
596, verse 10–" The natural body was taken care of by the an-
gel who rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulcher.”
They also assert that Mary was not the real mother of Jesus
Christ. Page 547, verse 4.—“How greatly then are they mis-
taken, who suppose that the virgin Mary was the true and real
mother of the Son of God.” Page 551, verse 23–" Therefore
the Holy Ghost was the true and real mother of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.”
It also appears from this same book that they consider all
shurches (except their own) as belonging to Anticharst And
have stated, in a note at the bottom of page 386, that “The
name of Christian stinks in the nostrails of the very Jews, Turks
and Pagans.”
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§§
ºn their observations upon the Quakers, introductory page
$23, chap. 5, they say—“The people called Quakers were last,
who were persecuted unto death, for the testimony which they
held: but in process of time, distrusting the providence of God,
and petitioning to the same antichristian power for toleration and
#. they gained an honorable standing in the world, “but
ost that degree of light and power of God, in which they first
set out.” And in page 397, verse 31–% When the FarExps be-
came numerous and popular, and the life and power of their tes.
timony was on the decline, then they were prepared to sue for
an establishment as a true Christian' Sect, worthy of protection
under the power of the secular arm ; and here ended both their
power, and their extraordinary sufferings.”
I have fºed the above remarks, that the reader may com-
pare what they there say of the Quakers, with the servile petition,
which the Shakers presented to the Legislature of 1816, praying ,
to be exempt from Military Tax. It is believed, that it was not
so much for conscience’ sake, they wanted to be clear of Milita-
ry Tax, as to enlarge their society by the means. n
History informs us, that such a people, with regard to their
worship and appearance of strict recluse morality, “existed near
the Moroeatick lakes in Egypt in the days of the Apostles :"—
A.They were, however, more * absolutely temperate and abstemi.
- ous. They were a people of a long standing. Some of their
religious ceremonies were such, especially their religioua dan-
ces, as the Christians in those days were absolute strangers to.”
— There has but a very smaſl number of them existed from one
generation to another. It appears that in some latter age of the
world, they assumed the name of “ The French Prophets.” . "
*. It is said that Ann Lee, received the spirit of those proph-
ets who came from France. The Shakers assert in their book,
introductory page 35, that “ she is that bright star, which Chris-
topher Love prophsyed should appear in England.” t
‘Ann Lee was soon silenced in Eugland, and banished. I
have made observations upon that circumstance to the Shakers,
and in reply, they have said, that “England had banished the
Gospel from her, and she had yet to endure heavy judgments on
the account, until they would be willing to receive it again.” -
When I hear persons declare that “they think much of the
people called Shakers;” or that “ Their religion is as good as
any religion”—I think it is implicitly saying, they think but little
of Jesus Cirsist, and the doctrines of the Christian religion
As Ann Lee was the founder of the Shaker superstition and
iniquity, it appears as though her sex, most exclusiuely, have had
to suffer the consequent tribulation and misery, like as the
daughters of Eve, and must continue to suffer for ages to comes
if government does not adopt some measure to prevent it.
.* *. A
2 –º
Banari- Elijah Hawley, jun. Esq., lives in the county of Genese:
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