OHIO STATEWIDE FILES - Know your Ohio: Tidbits of Ohio -- Part 29C ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgenwebarchives.org ************************************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Darlene E. Kelley http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 April 5, 2005 ************************************************************************** Historical Collections of Ohio And Then They Went West Know Your Ohio by Darlene E. Kelley Tid Bits -- Part 29 C notes from S. Kelly +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Part 29 C An Expedition Against The Shakers As told by Benjamin Seth Youngs; Monday, August 27,1810. "This day occurred, in the county f Warren, now Union Village, near Lebanon, in the State of Ohio, one of the most extraordinary instances of unconstitutional proceedings, and the most formidable appearance of infrigement on the rights of conscience, that ever was witnessed in this country." A body of five hundred armed men, equipped in uniform, and in military order, with their officers, apeared on the ground before the meeting house, and , by a committee of about twelve men, appointed for that purpose, demanded of us that we should renoune our faith and practice, our public preaching, and mode of worship, or quit the country. This very extraordinary attempt first began to be agitated principally through, the instrumentality of a certain John Davis, John and Robert Wilson, and John Bedle ( Beedle), who had apostalized from the faith, and became bold in wickedness and false accusations against the Believers; whereby those who had long waited for false witness to accuse the Believers of something criminal, were at length furnished with sufficient matter ( as they said ) to answer their purpose. Accordingly, about the first of June, a piece appeared in the public papers, signed by Col. James Smith, stating as matters of fact, what he had been informed by the aforesaid apostates --- viz: that the education of children among the Shakers is chiefly a pretence-- that they whip their underlings severely, and also their children --- that they count it no sin to have carnal knowledge of their own women-- that all surplus money and property is given up to Elder David that he keeps the whole treasury of the Society in his hands; and that he, like the Pope, exercises unlimited authority over all under his control; and that he, with his council, live sumptuously on the labors of others; with many things more of like nature; with remarks made to exasperate the public with the hottest indignation against, the Society, as being a poisonous nest, and enemies to the cause of American liberty. ' But what seemed to be intended as the weightiest charges in this publication, were certain things therein alleged against James Smith, Jun., who is among the Believers, and for which there was some plausible pretence. James 's wife, Polly, having left him on account of his faith, and he refusing to give up his children to her, furnished the old man with matter for many heavy charges of oppression and cruelty.' This piece was publicly answered, in a spirited manner, by Richard McNemar, the falsity of it exposed, and the author cited to prove what he alleged, or bear the character of a slanderer. Notwithstanding, as many wished to receive accusations upon any ground whatever, the answer was little regarded by such; nor did it appear that Smith, or any of his associates, had any intention of prosecuting the matter in any lawful manner. About the middle of July, we were secretly informed that a subscription paper was banding about, for the purpose of raising a mob against us, and that John Davis and the two Wilsons were active in the business. But they, being publicly taxed with it, denied that there was any such thing in agitation; and so it remained in the dark until August 23d, when there was a small hint dropped to some of the Believers at meeting, that Col. Smith, with a number of men from Kentucky, were over, and engaged in collecting others, to assist in taking off his Grand-children. Next day, being Friday, we heard from credible authority that five hundred men were to assemble the next Monday morning at Capt. Kilbreath's, about three miles off, and intended to come as a mob, and take off J.Smith's children, an other acts of outrage. The next day, the news became still more flagrant; and in the afternoon we were informed by Wade Loofbourrow, a young man from Butler county, near Hamilton, that he had seen the written instrument which the designing party had signed, but did not read it; that it was in the bands of Major J. Potter, at Hamilton Court, the day before; that the mob was a common subject of conversation on that occasion; that he heard Major Potter say that five hundred were subscribed; also, that Rev. Matthew G. Wallace was forward and active in the business; that Major Potter would be second in command; that the Springfield Light-Horse would be on the ground, and many more of the baser sort from Springfield, the Big Hill, from around Hamilton, and from the vicinity northwest of us; that we might expect the party to appear on Monday without doubt; and that he came on purpose to inform us of the plot, and wished to tarry, and see the result. The same evening, news came in from every quarter of their preparations, and threats of abuse that they meant to tar and feather R.McNemar, drive the old Shakers out of the country, and restore the rest back to their former faith and manner of living. The next day, (Sabbath August 26.), some of the party came to meeting, particularly Capt. Robinson, who vowed the fact that they would be on the ground the next day, for the purpose of violence; but what he did not fully specify. The State's Attorney, J. Collet, and the High Sheriff of the county, T. M'Cray, both of Lebanon, finding out their place of rendezvous, went there for the purpose of giving them a lecture on the unlawfulness of their intentions, which we understood they delivered. The matter had now become generally known; amd a number of sensible, influential men, being at our meeting, determined to return the next day ; and see the event. Among these , were Dr. Budd and Dr. Bladgley, from New Jersey; Col Stanley, from Cincinnati; and D. Comeal, a noted young man from Kentucky. Monday morning, the Believers went about their ordinary business, and about eight o'clock the people began to collect from the different quarters as spectators, to the scene which they expected shortly to commence. The First Circuit Judge of the State, F. Dunlavy, was early on the ground, intending, if anything unlawful should be attempted, to countermand the proceeding. News came from every quarter that the troops were assembled at Kilbreath's and would certainly appear. Dr. Bladgley ( with some company ) concluded to ride out and meet them, which he accordingly did; and about twelve o'clock returned, and informed us that they were mounted and moving on, and would be on the spot in less than an hour. Accordingly, about one o'clock, the troops appeared, entered in by Dayton road from the north, and marched in order till the front came within a few rods of the meeting-house, and called a halt. A number of officers were in uniform, and the troops armed, and generally equipped in regimental order. The whole body of people now collected on the ground consisted of' about fifteen hundred-- some supposed upwards of two thousand. Besides the five hundred troops in military order, many scattering ones, who came with the multitude, were also armed, but undisciplined persons; old grey headed men, boys and others, who exhibited a very mean and mob-like appearence. Some of the undisciplined multitude were armed with guns-- some with poles,or sticks, on which were fixed bayonets; and others with knives, and hatchets and clubs. The exhibition presented a scene of horror, the intention of' which was covered with duplicity. It was very probable that, through the influence of those peace-designing men before mentioned, the mob-party had agreed upon the expedient of choosing a committee to state to us proposals in the name of the party, and to receive and return our answers. After a few minutes' halt at the meeting-house, the committee came foward and faced the yard before the dwelling-house of the old Believers. They requested three of the original men, ( meaning the old Shakers,) viz; John Meacham, Benjamin S. Youngs, and Issachar Bates, to come forward, in order to confer wth them on the occasion of the people's assembling, observing that a committee was chosen for that purpose, consisting of twelve men then present, among them was one chief speaker. They were told that two of the men they caled for were not here; only one of them, viz.; Benjamin Youngs, was present. Then they said two others ( in place of those absent) would answer. Several respectable characters stood present in the yard before them, and we concluded to take with us two or three of those who were not of our society, viz.; Judge Dunlavy, Gen. W. Schenck, and J. Corwin, Esq., allowing that six, at least, would not be too many to be present with their committee, whom they said consisted of twelve in number. This we proposed, but they objected, allowing none to be present but thsoe of the Society, and those, only three. Judge Dunlavy asked, Have you any objections to by-standers? ( alluding to himself and those with him.) They answered , Yes. As they had devised for us to meet with them in the woods, we proposed to meet in a room in the house; but they objected, and insisted upon going into the woods. Unreasonable as their request was, that only three of us should meet them in the woods, and that no one should be present in the conference proposed, who was not of the Society, and might serve as a witness for us to the proceedings, yet we consented, as no alternative was granted. Three of the Society, viz; Benjamin S. Youngs, Peter Pease, and Matthew Houston, withdrew with the committee into a piece of woods beyond the garden, about sixty rods south of the dwelling-house, an a half a mile south of the meeting-house. The leading characters of the committee, were Matthew G. Wallace, a noted Presbyterian preacher, chief speaker; Doctor Squire Little, a New-Light; Capt. John Clark, and John Fisher. The names of the rest we did not ascertain. Wallace bean in the name of the people to state their grievances, observing that our principles and practice had caused great disturbances in the minds of the people, and led to the extinction of civil and religious society, which they are determined to uphold; that our system was a pecuniary system, and led manknid into bondage and oppression; and they ( the committee ) were in the capacity to prevent evil being done, and prhaps prevent much blood being shed, as the people were fully resolved on a redress, provided we would comply with the terms they had to propose, as the voice of the people. After speaking in this manner for some time, they stated the following conditions as the only terms on which the people would be satisfied, and prevented from forcing a compliance by violent measures, viz; + That we should deliver up the children of James Watts, deseased, to their grandfather; alleging that the said James, at his decease, gave his children to his father. --- asked us if we, did not see the propriety. We answered---- we had not seen the propriety hitherto, as we supposed the mother, under whose care the children now were, had the greatest right to them; and asked them if it was recorded, that James gave his, children to their grandfather? They answered, that it was not. We told them that we could not give up that which was not in our possession. The children were with their mother, and under her care, and we exercised no authority over them. We were sure that the mother and children might be seen by any two or three civil men; and the parent was wiling, and the children wished to go, it was not our wish to have them retained; nor if any demanded them, and chose to force them away, would any violence be used to prevent them. + That old William Bedle be permitted to see his grandchild, a son of Elijah Davis, alleging that the child came away, ( from his father,) and was forcibly brought back contrary to this inclination. This we also replied, that the child was under the care of his own parents; that we had not any con- trol over him-- that we did not usurp parents right over their children, but we doubted not that the child might be seen, etc., etc., an answer simular to the above. + That we should give up the children of James Smith observing, that we were doubtless well acquainted with the cir- cumstances relative to these children. To this, we also answered, that the children were under the care of their father; that they were now in the hand of authority, and that a suit had com- mensed in court repecting them. Thus therefore, they concluded to drop for the present. + The chief speaker here observed, that the next thing might probably seem hard to us, and then proceeded to state the weightiest proposition, as the sense of the mob party, ( whom he still termed the people,) viz; that we cease publicly to inculcate our principles, and that we cease our practice; that we cease to dance on the Sabbath days and on the week days, observing such practices were reverse from the gospel; or depart out of the country by the first Monday in December next. The amount of which proposition was,that we should renounce our faith and practice, our manner of living, preaching and mode of worship; or depart out of the country. These were the terms proposed by the mob's committee in the name of the people. If we cecede to the terms, well; and if not, the people, as they called them were determined to enforce violence. We now requested them to state their proposals in writing; but Wallace observed, that what had been proposed was short, and could be easily remembered without writting. Benjamin replied, as the proposals were short, they might be more readily committed to writting; but they pointedly refused. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ To be continued in part 29 D.