Giles Bushnell Avery
Giles Bushnell Avery | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 3, 1815 |
| Died | 1890 (aged 74–75) |
| Occupations | Writer, publisher, gardener, carpenter, schoolteacher |
| Parent(s) | Gilbert Avery, Sophie Bushnell |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Denomination | Shaker |
Giles Bushnell Avery (November 3, 1815 – 1890) was a Shaker writer, publisher, gardener, carpenter, and schoolteacher from New Lebanon Shaker Society. Shaker scholar Stephen J. Paterwic considered him the "de facto head of Shakerism" at the time of his death,[1]: xxii adding, "If one single person could be chosen whose life epitomized that of the ideal Shaker leader, then that soul would be Giles Avery."[1]: 30–32
Biography
Avery was born November 3, 1815, in Saybrook, Connecticut, to Gilbert and Sophia Avery (née Bushnell). In 1819, his family moved to New Lebanon, New York, at the suggestion of Giles' uncle to join the Shaker faith. In 1821, he moved from the Lower Canaan Family to the Church Family Second Order. He attended school there, and eventually helped to watch the schoolchildren. During the 1830s, he worked as a caretaker, gardener, and nurseryman.[2]
At 25, Avery was appointed to the Order of Elders at New Lebanon, assisting Elder Amos Stewart. He was often tasked with manual labor, such as cutting and laying stone and carpentering, as well as transcribing manuscripts.[3]: 5–6 He spent 20 years in this role before, in 1859, becoming a part of the Ministry, a role he remained in until his death.[4] For some years during this time, he published and wrote numerous articles for the Shaker periodical The Manifesto.[5]
Avery died in 1890 while visiting Watervliet Shaker Village. Elder Isaac Anstatt travelled to New Lebanon and Hancock Shaker Village to tell the Shakers there. Despite heavy snowfall, two sleighloads carrying 12 people and 8 people came from New Lebanon and Hancock, respectively, for his funeral.[6] He was buried in Watervliet Shaker Cemetery.[6]
Religious views
In following the Shaker faith among other Shakers at New Lebanon, Avery appreciated seeing the struggle for salvation and the teachings of the faith directly reflected on the daily lives and character of those around him.[3]: 8 During the Era of Manifestations, he claims one night to have seen Daniel at the top of a mountain, who lectured him for two hours on human history, wisdom, and virtue.[3]: 10–11 During that time he also claims to have seen visions of saints, been used as a medium through which a saint spoke, and to have been lifted above the Earth where he saw Joseph Meacham, an early Shaker leader.[3]: 10–11
Selected bibliography
- Avery, Giles B. & White, Anna (1891). Autobiography by Elder Giles B. Avery, of Mount Lebanon, N.Y. Also An Account of the Funeral Service which was Held at Watervliet, N.Y., December 30, 1890; Together with testimonials of respect from his Many Friends. East Canterbury, N.H..
- Avery, Giles B. (1883) Sketches of "Shakers and Shakerism." Synopsis of Theology of United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing. Albany, NY: Weed, Parsons and Company, Printers.
Citations
- ^ a b Paterwic, Stephen J. (2017). Historical Dictionary of the Shakers (2nd ed.). London: Bloomsbury. ISBN 9781538102305. Retrieved 24 November 2025.
- ^ Ericson, Randall L. (2023). The Shakers: A Bibliography 1A. Clinton, NY: Couper Press. p. 35. ISBN 978-1-937370-35-0.
- ^ a b c d Avery, Giles Bushnell; White, Anna (1891). Autobiography by Elder Giles B. Avery, of Mount Lebanon, N.Y. East Canterbury, N.H. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Pearson, Elmer; Neal, Julia (1994). The Shaker Image (2nd ed.). Hancock, MA: Hancock Shaker Village, Inc. p. 224. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ "The Shaker Manifesto". Hamilton College Library. Hamilton College. Retrieved 12 December 2025.
- ^ a b Shaver, Elizabeth D. (1992). The Watervliet Shaker Cemetery Albany, N. Y. (2nd ed.). Albany, NY: The Shaker Heritage Society. p. 2.