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ors, ‘Sister Martha,’ and ‘Sister Anna.’ We were taken all over the build-
ings, allowed to inspect the different lodging rooms and their furniture,
and were shown through the dairy and work-house. The schoolhouse,
I believe, was not in operation, as I saw several of the younger sisters
there sewing, while passing near the window of the building.
“The Shakers in this community number about two hundred –
some fifty to a family. Each household has its own section of land to
till, keeps its own treasury, and is independent in a large measure.
“… Our visit terminated very pleasantly, and we took our departure
late in the day. As I left behind me their thrifty farms, and sleek cattle,
and generous crops, I could not help feeling an increased respect for this
strange people. In error they undoubtedly are; but they prove their sin-

Four young women wearing Shaker bonnets, dresses, and aprons, stand beneath trees,
near a vegetable garden. Some plants are in pots. A lamp post is at the left. The
structure on the left appears to be a dwelling house. A dirt path leads to its door,
which has side lights and an entry porch with an overhang. On the right is an
outbuilding, possibly a barn. A clothesline is between the buildings. Inscribed on the
back: “Enfield / Unidentified Shaker.” photo: CHS.org
Growth
At its height, the Enfield, Connecticut Shaker community had
about 3,000 acres, a successful seed business, its own train station, a
profitable shop selling everything from bonnets to furniture, its own
water and irrigation system, hundreds of members, and was a thriving
destination for tourists. The Shakers provided a meal to anyone who
asked, and visitors could spend their vacation in the community. An
1865 report in The Independent, a New York newspaper gives a picture
of the village at its peak, in part:
“The Shaker settlement embraces about three thousand acres of
the best land in the township, which is tilled with remarkable care and
Showing just part of a long list of seeds
industry. There are five groups of buildings, located on the north, being sold on behalf of the Enfield Shaker
south, east, west, and center of the farm; but one group, not being community circa the 1840s
needed by the community, is rented to worldly tenants. The family
which I visited was the northern one. The reception they gave us was
simple and unostentatious, but cordial and friendly. There were four in cerity by a life against nature, and by
our party, and we read as we entered the hospitable threshold the holi- merging, as no other people have done
before, all distinction of ‘mine’ and
day which beams in the friendly eye. We were met by one of the sisters
‘thine’ in a large fund and domain of
at the trustee’s house, who, knowing our errand of observation, took which they are only the supported ten-
every pain to make our stay pleasant and interesting. ants.”
“… The buildings Shaker Seeds
here, which consist of a The Enfield community was the first
dairy, work-house, school, Shaker community to raise seeds com-
trustee’s office, etc., mercially. Over 100 varieties of vegeta-
besides barns and other bles, flowers, and other seeds were includ-
out-buildings, form, in ed on their sales product list, including
part, something like a hol- mammoth pumpkin, giant asparagus,
low square. They are of swarf curled parsley, long green turkey
the plainest architecture, cumber, long mangel Wurtzel, dwarf
and furnished plainly marrowfat peas, and more.
within, but the scrupu- The Enfield community also invented
lous air of neatness, inside the seed envelope/paper packet, as well as
and out, is the feature the printing machine used to print on the
which first strikes every packets, helping to ensure their “brand”
observer. In the govern- was verified at the point of purchase. This
ment of each family, there convenience packaging was a marketing
are three or four elders marvel that drove sales.
and deacons, and two One druggist published an advertise-
lady-superiors, or dea- ment regarding the seeds they had pro-
In this photo from a display at the Enfield conesses, who take upon cured, stating “These seeds were raised
Historical Museum is (5) a Shaker dress circa themselves the authority.
1886, and a (6) cloth Shaker bonnet with a As the men were mostly Advertising cards from A.J. White,
“neck shade” at the back that would protect the in the harvest-fields at a pharmacy in New York City selling Enfield
skin when working outside. work, our talk was princi- Shaker seeds along with syrups, plasters,
The chair at the front of the image was also made pally with the lady-superi- and pills to cure ailments, on display at the
by Shaker Craftsmen in Enfield. Enfield Historical Society Museum

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