In May 1808, Constant Moseley, a leading Shaker from New Lebanon, New York, set out on a missionary expedition through Kentucky and Indiana along with western believers Issachar Bates, John Dunlavy, James Hodge, Matthew Houston, and Malcom Worley. The group traveled south from Turtle Creek (later Union Village), Ohio, to the Shaker settlements of Shawnee Run (later Pleasant Hill) and Gaspar (later South Union), before turning west into the Indiana Territory. On June 3, they arrived at the small settlement at Busro Creek north of Vincennes. There, over the next two weeks, the Shakers converted dozens of zealous revivalers, some of whom “fell with the jerks.” Within the year, the new believers had established Busro (later West Union), the westernmost Shaker community. The numbers preceding Moseley’s journal entry refer to the days of the week and month, respectively. Contextual notes appear in square brackets. Portions of Moseley’s journal have been published in Cheryl Bauer, ed., Shakers of Indiana: A West Union Reader (Milford, Ohio: Little Miami Publishing Co., 2008), 13–14.
2 6 [Tuesday, June 6, 1808]. Had meeting at Robert Houstens. A Blessed assembly of people, white, Yellow, & black; the mighty power of God was there, some fell at the preaching; But in singing our Songs, the power of God came upon them, some fell with jurks, Some leaping, some dancing. The whole multitude were in motion. Matthew Nealig & Sarah his wife opened their minds to John, Abraham Jones to Issacher, Jenny Housten to Matthew.
Source
Constant Moseley, “A Journey by Issachar, John Dunlavy, Matthew Houston, Malcham Worley & James Hodge Through Kentucky and the Wabash,” [4], no. 119, microfilm, reel 7, Shaker Collection of Records Concerning the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, 1676–1937, MSS 39552, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
