The Shakers

 At one time, there were 6,000 Shakers in the U.S., but only 2 Shakers remain.  Brother Arnold and Sister June live in Maine.  They stay pretty busy with their farming, sheep shearing, lavender drying and song singing. They hope more Shakers will join them at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village one of these days.  

The Shakers got their start in England, but Ann Lee (Mother Ann) and 8 other Shakers arrived in the colonies before the American Revolution.  Besides celibacy, they believe in pacifism, racial and gender equality, economic cooperation, dedication to the land, and the sanctity of labor.  Not crazy about the celibacy or crazy work ethic, but other than that, I'm mostly all in with Shaker principles.  

The westernmost Shaker village, called Busro, was in Southern Indiana.  Issachar Bates and a few other Shaker missionaries walked to the midwest recruiting Shakers along the way.  Bates, a poet, was known as "a merry singer of ballad tales."  

The Shakers lived in Busro, (later renamed West Union) from 1811 to 1827.  Revolutionary War veterans and free Black people were among their numbers. Like movers and shakers of today, they had their share of troubles in their new home. They were on Indian land, so the Shawnee weren't thrilled.  War of 1812 brought William Henry Harrison and his soldiers with their belligerence and violence.  Hoosier neighbors distrusted and persecuted the Shakers. There were earthquakes and tornadoes.  In 1827, the Shakers cleared out of Indiana.  

The Indiana Shaker site is now owned privately with only a historical marker to honor the hundreds of brave idealists that tried their best to bring Shakerism to the western United States. Kudos to the 2 Shakers and their outer family supporters who stay loyal at Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village.  If you're a teacher in Maine, don't forget that this is a great site for an interesting, fun field trip.

For everyone else, enjoy this snippet of Shaker song, featuring Frances McDormand.