450:––– and Garret K. Lawrence. A Short Treatise containing Observations on the Duty of Believers: suitable for the consideration of those who have but just arrived at the age of discretion and understanding and necessary to be regarded and put in practice by all who wish to have their lives agreeable to themselves & others: addressed to youth. New-Lebanon, N.Y.: Shakers, 1823.
361:
Isaac Newton Youngs died at age 72. Giles Avery, one of his former students, wrote: "Dear Br Isaac N. Youngs, now exceedingly demented, jumped out of a fourth story window, at the south end of the great central house; onto the walk below, he lived only about 2 hours, thereafter." Despite the problems
353:
seams in tin roofs. He grew anxious and depressed, as well as feeling even more overworked; he was uncomfortable physically and emotionally. He grew to despise tailoring, his primary trade. But he continued to keep the New
Lebanon Church Family journal almost to the end of his life. In 1864, he wrote
69:
Youngs lived with them for several years in an arrangement that was not unusual at the time. Many children, Shaker or not, were separated from their parents at young ages. Being "put out" or sent to live with another family was an old custom meant to keep children from being spoiled. Children were
423:–––, Rufus Bishop, and Garrett Lawrence. A Juvenile Monitor: containing instructions for youth and children, pointing out ill manners, and showing them how to behave in the various conditions of childhood and youth (1823). Winterthur Museum Library Andrews Shaker collection ms. 296.
194:
and the Spirit, an autobiography in verse, and a spiritual autobiography. More than eight thousand pages of his writings survive as historical documentation of the Shaker
Ministry's home village from 1815 to 1865. (See list below.) In 1834, he toured the Shaker societies in
387:––– A Collection of Anthems and Spiritual Songs; Improved in our General Worship. From the year 1813 to 1837. Transcribed and written in this Book, by Isaac N. Youngs: 1854, New Lebanon. Ohio History Center, Columbus, Ohio, Shaker Mss Collection 119, ms. IV:5.
325:
However, Youngs complained of being overworked. In 1837, in his
Autobiography in Verse, he wrote: "I'm overrun with work and chores / Upon the farm or within doors," and added, "An endless list of chores & notions, To keep me in perpetual motion."
146:
Youngs was versatile in his work. He taught the New
Lebanon Church Family boys' school, and spent part of every winter tailoring and training new apprentices. During planting and harvest seasons, he worked on the farm. He co-authored
390:––– A Collection of Spiritual Songs: Commonly called Extra Songs; Improved in our Sacred Worship. Written by Isaac N. Youngs. 1845 and onward. Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH, Cathcart Shaker collection ms. SM-70.
414:––– Made for Edward Fowler, By Isaac N. Youngs, March 1833, A Collection of Hymns, Improved by the Followers of Christ in his Second Appearing. Berkshire Athenaeum Local History Room, Pittsfield, MA, ms. V 289.8 Un3.3 v10.
447:––– A short treatise on the process of cutting by the square and plumb rule: with some general observations on the business of tailoring, etc., 1828. Shaker Library, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village, New Gloucester, ME.
378:––– Br. Isaac Youngs' Journal. Tour with Br. Rufus Bishop, through the States of Ohio and Kentucky, in the Summer of 1834. 2 vol. Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon, Old Chatham, NY, mss. 12,751 and 12,752. Vols. 141-142.
190:, Youngs kept detailed records about himself and his society, including several domestic journals, a clockmaker's journal, tailor's journals, and at least three religious journals. He composed a dialogue between the
342:, building construction, farming practices, brethren's trades, food, dress, women's work, music, education, avoidance of militia service and other conflicts with the state, donations, and casualties.
574:(Hanover, N.H.: Published for Hancock Shaker Village by University Press of New England, 1989), 42-46. Other Youngs family clocks are illustrated in Edward Deming Andrews and Faith Andrews,
459:––– Spiritual Autobiography, 1848, in Autobiography of the Saints, Alonzo Hollister transcription, 1868. Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. VI:B-36.
417:––– Idle Company: A Treatise on Disorderly Communication, particularly for boys and youth, 1854. Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. VII:B-103.
143:
and each
Believer's workday was supposed to be filled with productive activity every waking moment. The New Lebanon Shaker village journals show how busy Youngs was.
721:
Youngs, Isaac Newton. Idle
Company: A Treatise on Disorderly Communication, particularly for boys and youth (1854). Western Reserve Historical Society ms. VII:B-103.
297:
for their hymns during worship. He wrote tunes and lyrics, and taught singing. He also corresponded with other musicians throughout the society to standardize their
712:
Blakeman, Elisha. Eulogical to Isaac N. Youngs, written
September 1866. Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio, Cathcart Shaker collection ms. VI:B-21.
232:
or anything that promoted the general good. Many conveniences, which added so much to
Shakers' domestic happiness, Blakeman concluded, owed their origin to Youngs.
768:. Hanover, N.H.: Published for Hancock Shaker Village by University Press of New England. pp. 35–51. Includes illustrations of Isaac N. Youngs' handiwork.
224:
Two members of his society described him as a genius. One of his students, Elisha
Blakeman, wrote that Youngs' mechanical genius was remarkable. He could turn
757:
718:
Youngs, Isaac Newton. Dialogue between Spirit and Flesh (ca. 1828-34), copied into Betsy Smith's Book. Western
Reserve Historical Society ms. IX:B-385.
420:––– and Derobigne Bennett. Journal of Inspirational Meetings (1840–41). Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. VIII:B-138.
444:––– A Short Abridgement of the Rules of Music: with lessons for exercise and a few observations for new beginners. New Lebanon, N.Y.: Shakers, 1843.
217:
He worked on clocks throughout his life, and perfected his wall clock design with wooden works in 1840. Several of his 1840 wall clocks are at
175:
in the sisters' weave shop, ran social meetings for the Children's Order, worked on the Church Family dwelling, turned more than a thousand
322:
has researched this theory book and composed one of the tunes and his composition is titled, "Seven Variations on a Shaker Marching Tune."
375:
Youngs, Isaac Newton. Autobiography in Verse, July 4, 1837. Winterthur Museum Library, Winterthur, DE, Andrews Shaker collection ms. 1010.
89:, and his nephew Isaac was fascinated by machinery. He learned to tell time before he could talk, and enjoyed watching his uncle work on
651:
Isaac N. Youngs, Autobiography in Verse, Winterthur, Andrews Shaker Collection ms. 818, printed in Edward D. Andrews and Faith Andrews,
849:
62:, where Isaac's aunt and uncle, Molly (Van Epps) and Benjamin Youngs, lived. Isaac's mother chose not to join, so the infant Isaac was
839:
312:, published in 1843, was the second historically notable collection of Shaker music to be published (the first being their hymnal
54:
Seth Youngs decided to join the Shakers when Isaac was about six months old, and took Isaac and his other young children into the
614:
Rycenga, Jennifer, Denise A. Seachrist and Elaine Keillor, "Snapshot: Three Views of Music and Religion", pgs. 129 - 139, in the
384:––– A Clock Maker's Journal (1815–35). Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH, Cathcart Shaker collection ms. V:B–86.
854:
381:––– A brief collection of hymns: improved in sacred worship, written by Isaac Newton Youngs, beginning Jan. 1, 1826. DLCms 230.
405:––– Domestic Journal of Daily Occurrences (1847–55). Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. V:B–70.
456:––– Songbook (1864) written for Alonzo Hollister. Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. IX:B-413.
408:––– and John M. Brown. Domestic Journal (1856–69). Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. V:B–71.
334:
From 1856 to 1860, Youngs wrote a history of the New Lebanon Shakers. In it, he covered a wide variety of topics, including
435:––– and Giles B. Avery. Records Kept by Order of the Church vol. III (1856-1871). Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon ms. 10,509.
432:––– and Seth Youngs Wells. Records Kept by Order of the Church, vol. I (1780-1855). New York Public Library Shaker ms. #7.
587:
Elisha D. Blakeman, Eulogical to Brother Isaac N. Youngs, September 1866, Western Reserve Historical Society ms. VI:B-21.
538:
664:
Isaac N. Youngs, A Concise View of the Church of God and of Christ on Earth, Edward Deming Andrews Shaker Collection,
810:
791:
396:––– Day-Book B. Kept by the Trustees (1836–50). Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield, MA, ms. 9784.N5, M928, ID #356.
715:
Youngs, Isaac Newton. Autobiography in Verse (1837). Winterthur Museum Library, Andrews Shaker collection ms. 818.
465:––– . Taylor's Journal (1845–65). Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. V:B-139.
354:
that he was very much out of health and recognized that he was not always rational. Finally he slipped into
453:––– Sketches of Visions, 1838. Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. VII:B-113.
426:––– et al. Memorandum of the Proceedings of the School (1817–35). Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon ms. 10,469.
695:
Giles Avery, Register of Incidents & Events, August 7, 1865, New York Public Library. Wergland ch. 12.
429:––– Personal Journal (1839–58). Western Reserve Historical Society Cathcart Shaker collection ms. V:B-134.
167:
by hand, helped build the brethren's new workshop, and attended camp meetings, repaired the village's
550:
844:
115:
was especially difficult for a young man. He was rebellious and sexually tempted, but he learned
628:
558:
546:
218:
438:––– Domestic Journal of Daily Occurrences (1834–46). New York State Library, Albany, New York.
108:
and intelligence, he was allowed to branch out into additional trades, including clockmaking.
752:
335:
97:
28:
286:
After working as the New Lebanon boys' schoolteacher, Youngs designed a new teacher's desk.
834:
829:
462:––– and Benjamin Gates. Tailors' Journal (1838–45). Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon ms. 9657.
441:––– Rudiments of music displayed and explained (1833). Library of Congress Shaker ms. 150.
59:
8:
542:
40:
402:––– Domestic Journal of Daily Occurrences (1834–46). New York State Library, Albany, NY.
468:––– and David A. Buckingham. Treatise on Music (1840). New York State Library, ms. 358.
393:––– Concise View, 1856-61. Winterthur Museum Library Andrews Shaker collection ms. 861.
314:
244:
749:. Hanover, N.H.: University Press of New England. Shows maps Isaac Newton Youngs drew.
151:, which was a guide for good behavior for children and youth. He helped build the new
806:
787:
665:
104:
David Slosson and Rufus Bishop. He spent most of his life at New Lebanon. Due to his
771:
191:
79:
283:. He was the master builder for the New Lebanon Church Family's 1839 schoolhouse.
235:
Youngs mastered a number of trades. He was a tailor, mechanic, and inventor: of a
43:
on July 4, 1793, the youngest child of Martha (Farley) and Seth Youngs Jr. He was
276:
346:
319:
298:
280:
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for its dedication, and repaired its tin roof. He built furniture, transcribed
44:
823:
294:
252:
248:
152:
411:––– Family and Meeting Journal (1815–23). Library of Congress Shaker ms. 42.
803:
Garland Encyclopedia of World Music, Volume 3: The United States and Canada
256:
345:
In his later years, he suffered from health problems, perhaps a result of
229:
211:
203:, kept a journal of the trip, and made maps of the villages he visited.
554:
537:
Isaac N. Youngs' letters, journals, and account books are preserved at
268:
176:
168:
140:
128:
120:
105:
86:
75:
471:––– Trustee's Account Book (1857–62). Hancock Shaker Village ms. #393.
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272:
55:
24:
20:
363:
264:
207:
187:
164:
101:
655:(Stockbridge, Mass.: Berkshire Traveller Press, 1975): 129-34.
399:––– Diary (1837–59). Shaker Museum | Mount Lebanon ms. 10,509.
290:
180:
90:
74:
to learn trades, as well, and that often meant living as an
196:
172:
160:
156:
124:
210:(some of it lyrics for hymns) and did the Church Family's
19:(July 4, 1793 – August 7, 1865) was a member of the
289:
Youngs held the first position in the New Lebanon Shaker
111:
Youngs struggled with the demands of life as a Believer.
96:
At age thirteen, Youngs was sent from Watervliet to the
358:, as had his parents and several siblings before him.
786:. Amherst, Mass.: University of Massachusetts Press.
578:(Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1974), 147.
576:
Work and Worship: The Economic Order of the Shakers
100:Shaker village, where he became an apprentice to
821:
629:"Take An Enjoyable Musical Tour Across America!"
784:One Shaker Life: Isaac Newton Youngs, 1793-1865
758:Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America
23:. He was a prolific scribe, correspondent, and
303:The Rudiments of Music Displayed and Explained
31:Church Family of Shakers from 1815 to 1865.
735:. New Lebanon, N.Y.: for the society, 1843.
728:. New Lebanon, N.Y.: for the society, 1833.
524:
522:
486:
484:
726:Rudiments of Music Displayed and Explained
310:A Short Abridgement of the Rules of Music
247:, and five-pointed pen for drawing music
155:for the New Lebanon Church Family, wrote
781:
519:
481:
369:
800:
764:Grant, Jerry and Douglas Allen (1989).
733:Short Abridgement of the Rules of Music
66:by Benjamin and Molly Youngs at first.
822:
366:with affection, respect, and empathy.
183:, and laid a new floor in the dairy.
761:. New York: Oxford University Press.
596:Grant and Allen 35-49; Wergland 147.
616:Garland Encyclopedia of World Music
13:
539:Western Reserve Historical Society
27:who documented the history of the
14:
866:
850:People from New Lebanon, New York
653:Fruits of the Shaker Tree of Life
503:, 76–79; David Hackett Fischer,
39:Isaac Newton Youngs was born in
840:People from Johnstown, New York
689:
680:
671:
658:
645:
621:
608:
570:Jerry Grant and Douglas Allen,
782:Wergland, Glendyne R. (2006).
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590:
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275:, made sisters' tools such as
1:
855:People from Colonie, New York
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633:americanmusicpreservation.com
329:
134:
34:
801:Koskoff, Ellen, ed. (2000).
7:
516:Wergland, chapters 3 and 4.
362:of his later years, he was
10:
871:
279:, bodkins, and a weaver's
745:Emlen, Robert P. (1987).
551:Shaker Museum and Library
668:Library, manuscript 861.
572:Shaker Furniture Makers,
475:
263:, printer, pipe fitter,
82:, rather than with kin.
766:Shaker Furniture Makers
805:. Garland Publishing.
753:Fischer, David Hackett
731:Youngs, Isaac Newton.
724:Youngs, Isaac Newton.
686:Grant and Allen 50-51.
605:Grant and Allen 39-42.
559:New York State Library
547:Hancock Shaker Village
219:Hancock Shaker Village
85:Benjamin Youngs was a
370:Selected bibliography
336:equality of the sexes
139:Shakers had a strong
98:New Lebanon, New York
78:with the family of a
29:New Lebanon, New York
747:Shaker Village Views
557:Museum Library, and
528:Wergland, chapter 5.
490:Wergland, chapter 2.
131:to younger Shakers.
60:Watervliet, New York
778:. New York: Harper.
677:Wergland ch. 10-11.
543:Library of Congress
318:in 1813). Composer
293:, where he set the
245:leveling instrument
41:Johnstown, New York
17:Isaac Newton Youngs
776:The Puritan Family
499:Edmund S. Morgan,
315:Millennial Praises
206:Youngs also wrote
149:A Juvenile Monitor
772:Morgan, Edmund S.
740:Secondary Sources
666:Winterthur Museum
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277:knitting needles
259:, button maker,
251:. He was also a
123:, conquered his
80:master craftsman
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349:from years of
347:lead poisoning
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320:Roger Lee Hall
299:music notation
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51:church there.
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636:. Retrieved
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38:
16:
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835:1865 deaths
830:1793 births
301:. He wrote
257:stonecutter
212:bookkeeping
186:A prolific
177:clothespins
171:, built an
119:, resisted
58:society at
824:Categories
702:References
638:2022-10-16
555:Winterthur
330:Later life
269:blacksmith
255:-grinder,
169:waterworks
141:work ethic
135:Employment
129:role model
121:temptation
106:work ethic
87:clockmaker
76:apprentice
72:indentured
45:christened
35:Early life
364:eulogized
351:soldering
305:in 1833.
241:tonometer
237:metronome
226:machinist
49:Methodist
774:(1966).
755:(1989).
507:, 101–2.
356:dementia
261:tinsmith
201:Kentucky
117:humility
113:Celibacy
64:fostered
340:worship
273:sundial
165:hymnals
102:tailors
47:in the
25:diarist
21:Shakers
809:
790:
267:, and
265:joiner
249:staffs
208:poetry
188:scribe
159:and a
91:clocks
56:Shaker
476:Notes
295:pitch
291:choir
230:mason
192:Flesh
181:lathe
179:on a
157:poems
807:ISBN
788:ISBN
308:His
281:reed
253:lens
199:and
197:Ohio
173:arch
161:hymn
125:lust
826::
631:.
553:,
549:,
545:,
541:,
521:^
483:^
338:,
243:,
239:,
228:,
221:.
214:.
93:.
815:.
796:.
641:.
618:.
561:.
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