The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-10

ened him. There was no cause of any
punishment, excepting that he had torn
off some laths. After this be was remov-
ed to building about twenty feet long
his room might be l2 or Il feet, and
separated from the other part by studs
"a small man might press himself thro'
them; but Rabbit was of full habit, and
would not be able TO get through. There
were no windows in his room, and but
two in the other part of the building. He
was in confinement at this place up TO
the time | left the Society--Viz. 10th
| May, 1924.
| Cross examined. lived with the
Shakers eight years, and left them, part
iy because they did not treat my mother
well, and because did not like their
principles ADD conduct. never had a
quarrel with BabLit. Once he had a
saw, which discovered when he was at
tempting to saw the studs-he would not
relinquish it when asked, but rolled it
up in the bed clothes. asked Oh. Ham
pnond to assist me in getting the saw a
way ; in our struggle with Rabbit, my
finger was accidentally in his mouth
upon this he bit my finger on both sides
to the bone; in endeavoring to release
my finger by sudden effort, | broke
out one of his teeth, and another par
TALLY. AT this time Hosea Winchester
had charge of Rabbit, afterwards had,
and worked in the shop making brooms !;
this was the room next to his, aud sepa-
rated from it by studs he once, when
he was irritated, sent an earthen pitch
er at me through the studs; the boys,
after he lost his office, used to plague
and vex him frequently. The stove was
not in Rabbits room, but in the one
wherel worked, nor was there any fire.
place. Rabbit could not get his feet
near the stove, to warm them. said
never had a quarrel with Rabbit when
kept in the shop, was busy one morn
ing making a fire in the stove-he told
me to come and put his socks on. | said
would soon. He spoke up harshly, a
second time, "come and put my socks
on" told him | should come as soon
| was ready. He sent his sock at me,
and soon after went into his room, and
corrected bin slightly. This was known
to the Society, and some of the leaders
: reproved me for it. Excepting what |
= have mentioned, we were always on
good terms. once saw him with the
flaps of his shirt hanging out, but this
was whilst he was confined in the shop.
Francis E. Tuckerman, SzUorn. | saw
Rabbit at the time of the investigation
by committee of the town last June.
His room was then clean, but it had a
very disagreeab!e smell, and the air was
quite close. This was on the second WIS.,
it of individuals of the town to the Sha-
kers. | went into the shop and saw
Babbit--shoOk hands with him between
the studs. asked him if he had food
enough-he said ''yea - if he should
like to go out and take the fresh air
he said "yea." Accordingly with assis-
lance led him out and placed him in a
charlie appeared to be very feeble
, saw him again in the evening-he was
; then on his bed--he did not speak, but
caught my hand with some earnest
, ness.
iona. Clarke, s1porn. Lived at the
square house. Thomas Hammond and
another brought Rabbit TO my room, as
was before stated, and moved his things
there. He was very quiet and behaved
well.
Rabbit was kept in chains till the lat
ter part of April or early in May follow
ing, at the square house. After he was
chained he became very violent, broke
the stove that was in the room this
} was in February, and he had no fire in
his room till he was moved, as before
stated. Rabbit was much more quiet, |
am sure, than should have been if they
had used me so.-Last summer took
charge of him at the shop, and ill left
the Society. | saw Rabbit tied up as
stated by Priest.
| Charles Hammond Sworn. saw the
treatment of Ba3bit at the square house
Seth Blanchard had him down on the
floor, and was beating him with large
cudgel | afterwards assisted Priest, as
stated by him, in taking the saw away
from Rabbit. left the Society last
year in April am twenty years old
was carried to the Society when
young; and never did believe, and new
er professed 10 believe, the religion of
the Shakers-but was willing TO find out
whether there was any virtue amongst
them. My father, who was Shaker,
was sick after | left. went to see
him. He got well again. He died last
fall, as have understood. was not
sent for, nor did know Of his death ill
some months after, when | accidentally
heard of it, live in Chelmsford.
iona. Wetherbee, sworn, one of the Sc
| L. ri 4