107 
with the sisterly connexion in which he lived with her, and re¬ 
solved to divorce his sisterly wife, and marry another. Where¬ 
upon the repudiated wife wandered towards Albany, settled first 
at Watervliet, and held meetings. These meetings, however, 
appeared to the Americans so suspicious, (it was during the time 
of the revolution,) that the good lady was arrested at Albany with 
several of her friends, and transported to the neighbourhood of 
New York, in order to give her in charge to the English, who 
then held the city. But she soon returned again to Watervliet, 
and her faithful adherents bought land near Niskayuna, between 
Albany and Schenectady, and settled there. A large part of this 
people, those particularly who had joined the sect in America, 
founded the colony of New Lebanon. Ann Lee died in Nis¬ 
kayuna, in 1784. As this sect conducted itself very quietly, 
and gave no public offence, the government allowed them to live 
in peace. The colony numbers about six hundred members, who 
are divided into families, some of which contain above one hun¬ 
dred individuals of both sexes. Each lives in a group of houses 
with an elder at their head. The elders of all the families form 
a counsel, which watches for the public good. They have for di¬ 
vine service a sort of preachers, two of each sex, who hold forth 
on Sundays. The greatest cleanliness prevails in the houses, 
equalled perhaps only by the hospital of Boston; the brethren 
live on one side, and the sisters on the other. They have a com¬ 
mon eating-room, in which again each sect has its own side, but 
different working places. Both the brethren and the sisters live, 
generally, two individuals in one room, and two a 1 so sleep in the 
same bed. Many of the sisters, however, notwithstanding their 
good food, were pale and wan. 
When a family wishes to join the Shakers, the relation of 
brother and sister, must immediately take place between husband 
and wife. The children are then brought up in Shaker principles. 
Orphans also find a home with them; still, however, unfavourable 
reports are circulated about the origin of these orphans. Of 
course, if the principles of these people should prevail, which, 
however, may heaven prevent, the world would soon be depo¬ 
pulated. In countries, however, with too great population, it 
might perhaps be of service to receive missionaries of this sect 
and promote proselytism. 
Every family possesses a shop, where all things made by the 
family are laid out for sale. These articles generally consist of 
wooden utensils, sieves, brushes, harness, table-linen, somewhat 
coarse silver writing pens, very good rose water, &c. Besides, 
they sell books, exposing the doctrines of their sect, and contain¬ 
ing the life of their founder, Ann Lee, whom they call mother 
Ann. They pay also much attention to the breeding of cattle, 
