| bio | Petiff (White), Jennie (Evanka), born in 1886, was of Bulgarian origin. She joined the Church F., Hancock, MA,
Shakers in August, 1900, at the age of 14, along with her sister, age 12. Her father and brother became Shakers too.
Jennie's teacher was Sr. Elizabeth Belden. Jennie signed the covenant in November, 1910, and lived in room #27 of
the Church F.'s Brick Dwelling. She was in charge of the poultry, and rotated duties every month with Catherine
Dimitroff, among other Sisters, to do work in the kitchen and the dairy. Of Jennie, Sr. Olive Hayden wrote: "Evanka
grew up to be a wonderful young sister. I loved her dearly." Sr. Jennie left the Shakers, in October, 1927, at age 39.
Her married name was Mrs. White. She moved to Eustis, FL, where she owned and ran a bakery for many years. Olive Hayden,
also a student of Sr. Elizabeth Belden, wrote the following of the three Sisters of Bulgarian origin, who came to the
Shakers through Brother Ritcho Petiff: " These young sisters were loved by all, and great sorrow in the Family, when
they left, I assure you." [The third young woman of Bulgarian origin was Sr. Anna Delcheff.]
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