The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-20
A SHAKER COLONY COMING.
HEAD OF A COLONY HERE LOOKING
FOR A LOCATION.

Another Shaker Brother and Two
Shaker Sisters VIII Arrive This
MOrning-These Four Constitute
the Ministry of the Colony and
VIII Decide Upon the Arrange
mcnts for Establishing n Colony
Herc-Dr. j. II. SIingerland Says
They Like the Soil and Climate
to Begin With.
Within a short time it is probable that
a colony of Shakers will be located near
Savannah. DR.. J. r. Slingerland, from
lebanon, o., the head of a Shaker col
ony there, is in the city for the purpose
of making preliminary arrangements foi
the organization Of a colony near the CITY,
The governing board of Shaker colony
consists of four, two males and two fe-
males. w. c. Aver, DR.. Slingerland's as
sistant on the board in this case, will ar
rive probably to-day, and Sisters E. Down.
ing and j. Foley will arrive from Ohio on
the Central train this morning. In this
instance these four constitute the gov
erning board, and they will determine
what shall be done with reference to the
organization of a colony in Chatham
county.
DR.. Slingerland went out with some par
ties yesterday to look at some land, which
IL is thought will be desirable for the col
ony. 1t cannot be stated definitely, how
ever, just where location may be select.
ed, but it will probably be within less than
ten miles of the city limits.
DR.. Slingerland stated to those to whom
he talked that he would probably want
1900 acres of land to begin with. but when
the colony is well underway it will have
to have about four times that amount They
have colonies in many states in the north,
and have for certain reasons decided to
organize one in Georgia. They like the
soil and climate of this section, he said,
and are satisfied 1t will be just the thing
for the objects they have in view.
AS soon as a location is decided on they
will build a large brick house and other
necessary buildings and prepare to operate
a farm and to raise blooded stock. These
are the two principal features of a Shaker
colony Dr. Slingerland has spent his
time since being here in looking at land
near the city, or as near the city as it is
possible to secure such an amount of it.
and when the governing board gets to-
gether as 1t will probably do to-day, it
will make an inspection of the land which
1t is proposed to purchase, and decide what
is to be done. 1t is probable that the set
tlement here will consist of fifty or more
persons.
The Shakers have fifteen settlements in
the United States and number about 900
members. They have two in New York,
three in Massachusetts, one in Connecti-
cut, two in New Hampshire, two in Maine.
three in Ohio and two in kentucky. Among
the oldest settlements are those of New
Lebanon, N. Y, in Columbia county, and
Watervliet in Albany county, New York.
The Shakers originated in England in
the eighteenth century, about 1774. James
Wardlaw, tailor was their first leader,
and to his wife Jane it is said to have
been revealed that the only salvation of
the human race was in celibacy. The sect
grew to some extent in England, and suf-
fered some indignities and prosecutions.
Jane Wardlaw and her husband came to
America and landed in New York Aug
g. 1874. Ann Lee, who was born in Man
chester. England, Feb. %. 1875, was looked
upon as the second Christ, and among the
Shakers is so considered to this day.
The Shakers take vows of celibacy
There are no wives and no husbands, but
number of men and women who have
taken these VOWS comprise a settlement,
and they work together, for the common
good Of all. The principal work is in
farming and raising blooded stock. The
leading authority in colony is composed
of four, two members from each sex, and
these four are known as the ministry or
head family, membership in which Is call
ed an eldership. The sect is we'll known
in many parts of the country, and is noted
particularly for its peculiarities Of belief
and queer customs In dress.