WARREN COUNTY OHIO - BIO: SMITH, Col. James (published 1925)
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Gina M. Reasoner
AUPQ38A@prodigy.com 
January 29, 1999
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HISTORY OF OHIO - The American Historical Society, Inc., 1925
Volume II - page 398 (under: ADMINISTRATION OF RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS, Ninth
Legislative Session, December 3, 1810 to January 30, 1811 which starts on
page 394 the following appears on page 398):

        The agitation against the Shakers had been violent, and the demand
of the people for the passage of this law was insistent. The newspapers of
the preceding summer and autumn had given much space to the subject. The
Supporter of July 1st contained a three-column expose of the methods of the
sect, written by Col. James Smith, of Kentucky, an old man who had fought
in Braddock's campaign and in the Revolution. He was the father of one of
those who had deserted his wife, taken her children from her, and joined
the Shakers in their settlement at Turkey Creek. He states that they had
gained more than 2,000 proselytes, that under the guise of holiness they
exercised the utmost cruelties, and that they were a great menace to the
family relationship. He gave a pitiful account of the condition of his
son's wife, from whom her children had been abducted.
        "I believe," Colonel Smith said, "that if all the despots on earth
and all the infernal spirits were united to invent a plan to destroy
Christianity and enslave mankind, Shakerism could not have been exceeded.
Satan is transformed into an angel of light, and his ministers into
ministers of righteousness. Holiness is their theme whilst they bind
fetters on poor deluded souls, disturb the peach of families: violate
marriage, which is an institution of God. * * * But admitting there is no
general danger as to our Government - shall not the innocent be protected?
Shall the children be torn from the mother's breast and subjected to
servile bondage, and shall she be left without redress?"
        There was much other public agitation, and finally a mob attempted
to rescue some children, including Colonel Smith's grandchildren. A report
of this was published in The Western Spy of September 8th following:
        "We are informed that on Monday last several companies of militia
from the counties of Warren and Butler, accompanied by a large number of
citizens, amounting in all to about one thousand, assembled at the Shaker
settlement on Turkey Creek, in the county of Warren, for the purpose of
compelling the Shakers to deliver up three grand children of Col. James
Smith, of Kentucky, and some other young persons who were said to be
detained by them against their inclination. Committees were appointed on
both sides to confer on the matters in dispute. The conference being held,
it was reported by the Shakers that the children were in Lebanon jail with
their father (which, however, was not the case) - and finding none who
wished to be liberated the multitude dispersed after informing them that if
their pestiferous society was not broken up by the first of November next
they might expect to be visited again.


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