Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-09-16
From the Albany Cultvator
NEW TOWNS--GERMAN EB-
ENEZER SOCIETY.

A community of Grmans, about six miles
east of Buffalo, Incorporated by the Legis-
lature under the above name having about
four years since purchased 5000 acres of
wild land in one body, embracing number
of water privileges, have made such i'm
provements in agriculture and other mat
tiers, that | have thought short sketch Of
them mi ght not be uninteresting to the
readers of the Cultivator They have been
known in Germany for one hundred and
fifty years by the name of Separatists; and
having sold out their interest and dissolved
their community there, they have removed
here to the number of $50 souls, ahd arc
expecting large additions from Germany
during the present season. They have al
ready built up two compact villages mile
or two apart, numbering about one hun
dred large and commodous dwelling houses,
some 80 or 40 barns, from so to 200 feet
long, A saw mills, l Touring MILL oil mill,
large woollen factory, calico printing
establishment, tannery, a large variety of
mechanics shops, school houses, &c. &c.
and have large herds of horses, cattle and
swine, and over 200 sheep. Their proper
ty is all held in common, somewhat like the
Fourierites, or Shakers at New Lebanon,
but in many respects radically different
from those communicating have invest
ed money in various ways on their lands,
and in this vicinity to the amount of
more than 81 900 600. Many individuals
put into the common stock from 49,
600 to $4,000 each; one put in $780,
000 and one 100000. If they ever leave
the community, which they are permitted
to do at any time if they choose, they can
draw back the sum they put in, without in
terest. No one has yet left them from dis
satisfaction with their system. BY mutual
agreement they can dissolve at any future
time and divide the profits. They marry
and are given in marriage, and each family
lives separate, except that they, in most
cases, eat some six or ten families together
at a common table. The whole commune
ty is under the direction and superintend-
ence of a set of trustees or elders, chosen
annually by themselves, who buy and sell
and manage every thing as they think will
be best for the whole, and as they have all
kinds of mechanics among themselves, they
have little occasion to go abroad for help.
All the children were kept at school under
competent teachers, and the older ones in
structed in the higher branches, and also in
the English language. Besides being well
supplied with books in their families, they
all have access to a large public library.
Religion seems TO be the governing and
inspiring element in this community each
days labor is preceded by season of devo-
tional exercises i'll their several families,
and after the close of labor at night they as
semble by neighborhoods, and spend an
hour in praise. The afternoon of Weden-
esday and Saturday are devoted to religious
improvement-Th Sabbath is strictly OBJ.
served by an omission of all secular business
and by various religious exercises, both in
!, their families and public assemblies. Thus
far all has been characterised by perfect
harmony and peace
In visiting this community, stranger
f will not fail to be struck with the neatness
order and perfection with which all the farm
operations are carried on; and the aston
ishing improvements they have made in sc
short time,-mostly within three years
, for besides all they have erected, they have
cleared between 5000 and 1000 acres o.
, land, from which nearly every stump is
thoroughly eradicated, planted about 25,
600 fruit trees, and made many miles of du'
, rable fences Their gardens, yards, and
fields, display refined taste and the highest
state of cultivation; and from present APP
pearances, they act on the principle, that to
eat little and often, is better than overload
ing the stomach at long intervals And
: they accordingly eat uniformly five time:
, each day, viz at s l-2 A. NJ, 8, and II
l-2; 3 2. NJ, and Z. All of suitable age
, both male and female, are required to labor
at such business, as either their taste, gen
Jus or habits may require.