This is the Diary of Isaachar Bates

Initially, most Shakers at each site lived in one communal settlement, but a few members who joined stayed on their own farms. In 1787, the Lead Ministry, then at Mt. Lebanon, directed all members to join the communal settlements, which were known as "Families. The first communal dwelling house at Watervliet, probably of logs, was built in 1779. The Shaker "families" would range in size from 50 to 150 people.

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