Perhaps the most colorful of the early industries was the herb and root industry. This was a natural outgrowth of the Shakers’ interest in gardening and agriculture. Eldress Anna White states in her writings that, “the Shakers were the first in this country to introduce botanical medical practice, the first roots, herbs and vegetable extracts for medicinal purposes placed on the market having borne the Shaker stamp”.
Thomas Corbett of Canterbury originated the famous Syrup of Sarsaparilla also, the Wild Cherry Pectoral Syrup. Rose-water was far-famed, used in cooking as well as medicinally. I would not have time to give a complete list of the many herbs and roots, grown, harvested and packaged, but will quote a few figures to show the tremendous extent of this industry. Records show this industry started in 1800, reaching its greatest importance around 1848 when the sisters cleaned and packaged 9,327 lbs. of roots. In 1871, 14,079 bottles of Norwood’s Tincture of Veratum alone was put up. Perhaps the extent of this business may be gauged by the fact that in one year more than a million labels were cut. How many of you ever heard of “Healolene”? A hand, or after-shave lotion made from quinces, at Mt. Lebanon.
The physics gardens at Mt. Lebanon occupied at one time over 50 acres, where a variety of 50 plants were raised. They collected nearly 200 varieties of indigenous plants, bringing from the South, West and from Europe some 30 to 40 other varieties.
Between 1861-62 the extract business flourished, with over 100 varieties, both solid and fluid manufactured. The herb industry continued on a much smaller scale as late as 1900. Witch-Hazel was distilled and sold at Canterbury up to 1910. The herb industry rapidly extended to Watervliet, Harvard, Sabbathday Lake, Canterbury, Enfield and Union Village.
It is but a step from the herb industry to the garden seed industry which flourished from the establishment of this business in 1794 to the early 1890’s. In its early stages plain paper and cloth bags were used, later brightly colored posters were distributed, and the seeds put up in neatly labeled boxes or in gayly tinted little packages. One of the first industries was the making of men’s wool hats. Another prosperous industry was the tanning of leather. It grew to such dimensions, the Shakers were not able to raise enough hides themselves, so bought from nearby farmers. The manufacture of cloth and leather shoes were for their own use mainly. Leather mittens, bridles, saddles and harnesses were also made. Such industries as making whips and whip-lashes, dry measures, brass, bone, ivory and pewter buttons, shoe-buckles, garden hoes, and ironware were necessary items for home use.
Shingle, brick making and stone-cutting were active industries, filling orders for the world’s market long before they used these items themselves.
Countless items as apple barrels, wash and dye tubs, churns and seed pails were manufactured. Wooden dippers in nests of 3. Sieves of many types were made of wire, horses’ manes and cows’ tails, woven on special looms.
Having a natural deposit of red clay at Mt. Lebanon, pipes were made for sale. A small industry was the manufacture of steel, brass and silver pens, with handles of wood and tin, made to close telescopically. The Shakers were credited with being the originators of the metal pen. An important industry was the making of oak staves for molasses hogsheads which were exported to the West Indies. Bee-keeping was an essential experiment as the immense orchards of fruit trees were thusly benefited. Markets as far as England were found for their superior apples. Sundry items like coonskin fur gloves, floor mops, horn combs and the making of men’s shirts were occupations in most of the societies.
While much of the sisters’ time was occupied with domestic tasks, they found time to assist in picking over the herbs, making seed bags and other useful articles. Wines, sauces and jellies were made for sale, cucumber pickles and tomato catsup were flourishing around 1811. Dairy products such as fine cheeses and butter were sold in quantity. Other related industries were the making of sausages, the raising of strawberries, currants and gooseberries, even to barrels of dried elderberries. Our gift shops sold quantities of sugared flagroot, also sugared lemon, orange and grapefruit peel. Tons of dried apples were sold or made into apple sauce. Kilns were constructed for the paying industry of drying both corn and apples. The famous Shaker Applesauce was cooked in sweet cider, the proportion being something like 4 gallons boiled down to one, then slowly cooking the dried apples in this. The result, a rich, delicious sauce.
The famous Shaker cloak, named the Dorothy Shaker Cape, was made from the finest imported French broadcloth. The originator of this Cape was Eldress Dorothy Durgin of Canterbury. These may still be purchased from tiny white ones for babies through little girls’ sizes to ladies’ sizes, although the fine material of earlier days cannot be found, they still are a charming acquisition to milady’s ward-robe.