| bio | Vance, John Bell (1833-1896), of Alfred, ME, was born at Baileyville, ME. He came to the Shakers when five years
old, eventually joined by his sister and father. First becoming a tailor, Br. John was appointed elder in Novitiate Order
at the age of 20; he was the 1st elder in the Gathering F. in 1856. He was appointed 2nd trustee in 1872 and 1st
trustee in 1873. In addition, coming from 2nd F., he was appointed 1st elder of the Church F. in 1872 and served in
that position until 1896. On June 1, 1874, he delivered an address in Oxford Street Chapel, Lynn, MA, and held a
series of meetings, at the invitation of J. M. Peebles (Richmond, Vol. I., 1977). He was a notable teacher, who taught
from 1850 to 1856 and again from 1865 through 1881, introducing new subjects such as biology, physiology, and
languages. He was also a physician, a tailor, and a family deacon. A November 28th, "Sabbath day. entry in a 1880,
.New Gloucester Church Journal" reads as follows: "...Elder John has a beautiful gift in speaking, inviting us all to
more love for each other..." As trustee he advertised the sale of the "Upper Shaker Village,. South Poland, ME, in
1893. In 1884 he was appointed to the Maine Ministry, and directed the spiritual affairs until his own unexpected
death in 1896, when he held the concomitant offices of Elder, 1st Trustee at Sabbathday Lake, Deacon, part time
teacher, and 1st in the Maine Ministry. His death therefore was a very heavy blow to the Maine Shakers. Before his
death he turned over to the Church F. three hundred volumes of books to form the nucleus of a library for all
members.
|
|---|