The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1876-06-29
A VERY REMARKABLE CASE.
DESERVING A YOUNG WIFE AND COMING
THE SHAKERS.

DESERVING a YOUNG WIFE AND COMING
THE SHAKERS.
Henry George, young Albanian, in
moderate circumstance, married Hattie
Clapham, the young and pretty daughter
of the Rev. William Clapham, two years
ago. For nearly year the couple lived
happily, one child being born to them, but
in April, 1875, Mrs. George began to see
that there was a coldness springing up on
the part of her husband. Remonstrance
with him brought only renewed and increas-
ing coldness, until, finding such condition
insupportable, Mrs. George demanded an
explanation Mr.. George informed her
that he had become convert to the Shaker
belief in celibacy, and he felt that he was
shaming God and himself by living in the
married state. Repeated argument ensued
between husband and wife after this state
ment, but he held firmly to his opinions.
Finally he told her that they must have
separation that he must so to the Shaker
community in Watervliet, a few miles above
this city, and enroll himself among the
faithful To this Mrs George for long
time objected but at length, having con
suited with her friends, she consented to
| separation without absolute divorce. George
then went to Watervliet entered fully into
the practices of the Shakers, and Mrs.
George, with her child, returned to her
parents.
Matters continued quiet until last fall,
when George appeared at his wifes fathers
house and begged forgiveness of his wife
for his desertion, claiming that he had
changed his views, was no longer a Shaker,
and that he had only been hired by them
to do certain work. She gladly forgave
him and consented to live with him again
as his wife. After few days he urged
her to return with him to the Shaker
village, where, he said, he had leased a
| house, and where she could remain while
he continued to work for the community
! Without hesitation she agreed to 90 On
arrival she found that her husband was still
in full communion with the Shakers, that
no house had been leased, and that she was
assigned to apartments in the houses of the
sisters. George told her that he had never
forsaken the Shaker faith, that he was as
much Of that belief as ever, and that he
desired her to become convert also. On
her refusal, he said that if she did not be-
come one she and her baby would have to
go to the poor house.
Mrs. George wrote to her father, re-
counting the circumstances and requested
his aid. He replied promptly by visiting
Watervliet and again taking his daughter
to his home. He also made demand for
some furniture which Mrs George had
taken with her, but George refused to de-
liver this up, claiming that it was his
property as belonging to his wife. Mr..
Clapham in reply showed the deed of sep
aration, agreeing that Mrs George should
have the furniture, but this George said
had been vitiated by his subsequent CO.
habitation with her. Mr.. Clapham ap-
pealed to the Albany courts, and yesterday
Il replevin writ was granted him upon
which to recover the furniture, and in the
hearing of which this story came out.
George did not appear at the trial, and the
suit went against him by default
Mrs. George said that while the Shakers
did not urge her to become convert dur
ing her residence among them, they said
they hoped her conscience would impel her
to that course.
During her stay they told her that her
husband, if guilty of what she charged him
with, should not be allowed to remain a
moment in the society, but subsequently
changed their minds and declared that they
would keep him forever as member Of the
society, Notwithstanding his violation, in
his resumption Of marital relations with her
Of one of the cherished rules of the society
Mrs, George is young and prepossess
ing woman, and does not appear to be
much heartbroken at the loss of such {
hnsband-N ] SIM.