1838 May Visits by Governor Marcy.
1838 Jun Building of Stone Sisters Shop
Early 1839 Visits by many of the Legislature. PAB speaks of
making 36 baskets, weaving 37 yards for 62 pocket handkerchiefs.
1839 Nov PAB says "to the old tan house I must go, there to
take my station in learning to weave tape; tho not my own choice
but to obey my deaconess' will and voice, and that I must do with
grXeat pleasure."
13 Dec 1839 "I finish weaving the chair bottoms- 5 pieces and
74 yards in each piece."
17 Dec 1841 Gates of the CF were closed to the world.
2 Feb 1842 CF held an all-night watch and at midnight
assembled, shouted several times, sang a song of victory, knelt
and thanked God "for our protection from the hands of wicked."
They continued to watch every night "on account of danger" until
2 March when the Great Gate was again open to the public. Their
"Heavenly Parents," the Lebanon Ministry were with them the last
night. I do not believe this was actual physical danger they
were attempting to ward off but that this was the result of some
of the spiritual messages they had received of danger from the
devil or evil.
In Journal VB-321 (written first by Jesse Harwood, then DAB)
in 1841 there is a drawing of the "Profile of CF Aqueduct" laid
that year from "spring or fountain" n.w. of Stone Shop to the
Stone Shop.
28 Apr 1842 "A small butternut tree (3 years growth) was
planted in the east lot precisely on the spot of land marked out
by the Holy Angel of Light (now called the Holy Angel of Discern-
ment) as being the central point of Wisdom's Valley, and one
paint is nearly due east from the center of our dwelling house.
This tree was raised from the seed planted in the nursery inthe
year 1839. A number of the brethren were present... and a number
of the boys down to 5 years. After the tree was set, a short hymn
was sung, "The Healing Balm." We also marched around the central
oiubt. Father Joseph's march was sung and played on our
spiritual instruments ..."
1 May 1842 "Received further information about the boundaries
of Wisdom's Valley--perfectly square, 4 sides equal lengths, all
a.ngles right angles."
4 May 1842 "A number of brethren went out with chain &
compass to find the corners and bounday lines. Found the NW
corner or Watching Angel's Tower where Father William is sup-
posed to have stood, and set out another butternut tree. Then
went for SW corner. NW being 457 rods from the center, they went
457 rods to the SW and were told to place a stone here (by the
Holy Angel of Discernment)/.
6 May 1842 "Today I found the other two corners by the same
manner of measurement. At these corners we only marked by
driving down a small stake exactly on the corner; the land being
owned by the world at these points, no permanent mark could be
placed there. The SW corner was also off from/the Society posses-
sions r on the commons or vacant land belonging to Stephen Van
Rensselaer. But it being uncultivated land, a stone could be
placed, low in the ground, and not so soon disturbed by the