Ohio History Journal

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126 Ohio Arch

126        Ohio Arch. and Hist. Society Publications.

 

VALUABLE DONATIONS OF MSS.

 

The museum and library of the Society have been greatly increased

by donations from friends interested in the progress and enlargement of

the institution. It is but a matter of justice to note the contributions

recently made by Prof. J. P. MacLean, one of the trustees, who has been a

very active member ever since he joined the Society. At different times

he has given books on various subjects, besides quite a selection of

Shaker publications. We have just received from    him two pairs of

saddle-bags, used by the Shaker missionaries in their journey from

Mount Lebanon, N. Y. to Ohio in 1805. Also the family Bible of Mal-

colm Worley, the first Shaker convert in the West. These had been pre-

sented to him by Miss Susanna C. Liddell of Union Village. Mr. James

H. Fennessey, manager of the Shaker community, gave the loom-sev-

enty years old--the two looms for making bonnets, and a secretary at

Watervliet, besides the North Union and Watervliet archives, all of

which Dr. MacLean has generously donated to the Society. Among the

manuscripts of particular value are the autobiographies of Richard W

Pelham  and David Spinning. The list of bound volumes relating to

North Union embrace seventy in number, comprising R     W. Pelham's

diary, 1837-1840; another for 1852-1867, which contains a journal of a

tour to the eastern societies in 1852; and a diary from 1866 to 1872.

Samuel S. Miner's diary embraces six volumes, covering the periods from

1847-1862; 1854-1861, with account book, 1888, and the breaking up of

North Union. Diaries without authors named are for the years 1858-

1860; 1859-1863; 1859; 1869; Sept. 1869; 1870; 1871-1878; 1875-1877.

One diary does not designate the year. James S. Prescott's tour to Union

Village in September and October, 1842; tour to eastern communities

in September and October, 1860, with an appendix containing theolog-

ical selections. The same author has left notes for 1886, which also gives

an account of the blowing up of the grist mill. Besides these are his

remarkable events for 1845-1846; selections of calamities for 1847-1850;

and abuse of dumb animals. There is an account of a visit to White

Water, but without date. There are nursery and garden diaries and

journals for 1856-1862; 1861-1863, and 1863-1868. There is a book

on aphorisms by R. W. Pelham presented to Samuel S. Miner. There

are two books of poems, and a selection in prose and poetry for 1852-

1870. The hymn and tune books number seven, are for 1833, another

1845-1846, and another for 1855, being funeral hymns with names of

the departed. Six volumes are devoted to the novitiate covenant, and

contain the signatures of five hundred and fifty-six persons, which is

exclusive of the thirty-three signatures on loose sheets. Spiritualism that

broke out in 1837 among the Shakers, forms an important episode in the

history of North Union. Five volumes are preserved, which are reve-

lations in 1843; Life of Christ, January 6, 1843; Margaret Sawyer, Me-