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In 1774, as America was on the brink of a war for its independence, a band of eight believers from Manchester, England, led by Ann Lee, who had assumed leadership of the group seven years earlier, first arrived at New York harbor in search of religious freedom. They were gentle, peace-loving people who believed in racial and sexual equality, love of neighbor, conservation of resources, and pacifism, a premise that, at the time of their arrival, brought suspicion and even persecution upon them. The group's formal name was The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. The term Shaker was initially a derogatory one based on the group's frenzied dancing, which took place during religious meetings. As time went on, this behavior was replaced by orderly, rehearsed dances and marches done to lively songs. Eventually the name Shaker became accepted. It took two years for the small group to save enough to buy a plot of land in Watervliet, New York, near Albany. In 1781, Mother Ann, as her followers referred to her, set out in search of converts. Although she was to die without witnessing the establishment of the first "community in gospel order" in 1785 at New Lebanon, New York, through her teachings Ann Lee set the groundwork for a movement that encouraged charity, humility, temperance and a simple life sanctified by hard work. By 1800, the organization was firmly established, with Father Joseph Meacham having set down the Covenant of Constitution and written "Way Marks," a treatise that set forth the structure of authority and responsibility. The Millennial Laws, which governed every aspect of life in the community, were written in 1821. Each community was organized in self-sufficient units, or families, consisting of twelve to one hundred twenty men and women governed by an elder and eldress. Two to eight families made up a community, Life in the religious community was highly structured and well ordered. Controlled by a central leadership and united by a single purpose, the community was founded on a dedicated work ethic. Labor was looked upon as a dignified, sacred commitment, providing the Society with direction, order and a sense of unity. Ultimately, it was to bring the respect of the outside world. Following Mother Ann's directive, "Put your hands to work and your hearts to God," the Shakers raised daily toil to the level of worship. Their goal of perfection in all that was produced only encouraged their inventiveness. The group believed in celibacy, yet there was no lack of children in the communities. Some arrived when their parents joined, while others were orphans adopted by the Shakers. Still others were indentured by their parents to learn a trade, which was fairly common at the time. Upon reaching twenty-one, each was given the option of joining the community.
Today, only a handful of Shakers survive, at the Shaker Village of Sabbathday Lake in Poland Spring, Maine. But in the mid 19th century, the Society was thriving, with about five thousand believers in nineteen communities from Maine to Kentucky. After the Civil War, however, as factories reduced the demand for the Shakers' labor-intensive products and city life beckoned to many, their numbers started to dwindle. The Shakers, with their genius for organization, excelled in business during the early decades of the 19th century. Known for their honesty as well as for the outstanding quality of their products, the Shakers had a thriving trade in seeds, herbs, oval boxes, brooms and brushes, barrels, cloaks, chairs, fabric, produce, medicine and livestock, all of which were important sources of revenue to the communities. The Shakers were the first to standardize the ingredients in the production of pharmaceuticals and to package the seeds of fruits and vegetables for commercial sale. Today, however, they are best known for their spare, meticulously crafted furniture, admired for its functional design and its simple beauty. The Shakers bequeathed us a legacy of enduring design, Yet to truly understand the Shaker spirit, it is necessary to look beyond these material objects to the less familiar but equally fascinating and insightful writings that speak volumes about Shaker beliefs and their way of life as depicted in the song "Simple Gifts". Their down to earth philosophy is as appropriate and meaningful today as it was when it was first written.
Simple Gifts by Joseph Brackett, Jr. - 1848 |
In
1837, several young girls at Watervliet were seized with trances and visions.
This was to usher in a period of renewal that rapidly spread to other
communities. The first manifestation of these visions were the inspired
songs and dances that members performed. Then, in 1843, drawings believed
to be divinely inspired revelations from the spirit world appeared in
dreams to a number of believers. These mystical images included a written
description of the time, place, and circumstances of their creation. Early
drawings were heart-shaped, but as time went on, decorative elements,
many related to nature, appeared. Most were done at the Watervliet, New
Lebanon, and Hancock communities.