handle lathe at their Rosendale mill. (VB-325) In April 1875
the river mill, which they had built in 1833, was burned to the
ground. (VB-326)
In August 1872, Elder Augustus complained that "we have 15 men
and 3-4 women to work for us and we have to work had to support
them." In the 1870 census, there had been 16 men, 8 boys under
18 years, 19 sisters and 5 girls. By the 1875 Census, there were
only 15 men, 6 of whom were over 70 years of age, no boys, 13
sisters and 8 girls under 18. By 1885 Isaac counted only 28 in
WF - 8 male, 20 female. By the 1892 Census (a late 1890 Federal
Census), there were only 4 men, 9 sisters, 7 girls and 2 boys.

In 1860 they loaned Hiram Baumes $3000 on Vedder place, "thus
secured mill seat and flats." (VB-343) ( This may have been the ,
Rosendale mill. ) 6~~^ /^6r ^L^^t^^^- fo^-^JsUvplM*. ~^^ft***^**-."L*%
In December 1875 they sold a 20-acre lot "beyond Kearney place"
to Valentine Alheim for $2250. (VB-326}
In June 1876 Augustus Blase, the elder who was now keeping the daily
journal, reported "just paid last $1000 on Rosendale farm. WF is
now out of debt to the world, except what the Believers gave us
after the fire which we mean to pay back." Had already repaid
Lebanon CF. Isaac went to Hancock in January 1878 and repaid
them the $600 they loaned the WF after the fire. (VB-326)
On October 31st that year he reported "an organ, a thing that
would not have been allowed years ago, was brought into the
family," a gift to one of their girls from her uncle. In June
1878 he was expressing concern for the future of the Believers as
none of those coming in seem to be dependable and their number
had "melted down to nearly 1/3 of what it once was."
In April 1882 he commented that they had only four men and
himself and a boy to work the farm. Two worked in the garden.
"Our temporal and financial state is good enough which cannot be
said of all Shakers." In June his report was that there were
8 brethren, 21 sisters and "all but six could earn a living if
they had suitable employment." When a 26 year-old man with "a
crippled arm applied for membership, Elder Augustus noted "some
ailment is attached to almost all that come these days. They
need salvation but want it cheap."
The work for the men in January was divided thus: Elder Augustus
worked in the sawmill? Aaron worked in the shoe shop and drove
the team for the sisters; Herman Klages also worked in the shoe
shop and helped the sisters wash; Henry Kremer sews brooms and
helps milk; Peter Schmidt cared for the cows and milked;
Charles Pretsch sorts broom corn; Alexander Milne minds the hens
and takes care of wood supply for kitchen; John Decker drives a
team for the brethren; and Isaac Anstatt goes to market.
This was in 1883; Elder Augustus was 70 years old; Peter Schmidt
was 59; Charles Pretsch was 63; Alexander Milne was 63 (but a
weak reed); John Decker was 66; Aaron Sonburg was only 38 but
suffered from rheumatism in his back and legs and hung himself
inSeptember of this year; and Isaac Anstatt was only 38. The
others were not mentioned in the Census of 1880 and did not stay
in the Shakers so their age is not known.