Trunk

Description

Wooden, flat-topped trunk covered with calf-skin and decorated with round-head brass upholsterer's tacks. Leather handles on ends (proper left handle torn off). Lined with blue paper printed with a darker blue and gold design. Iron lock mortised into front. Tacks form letters "B Y" on top of lid.

Notes

Trunks such as this were made or purchased by the Shakers for the convenience of those members who were required to frequently travel on church business. This trunk bears the initials "BY" in brass tacks on its lid and is inscribed on the bottom in ink, "Benjamin Youngs, South Union, Jasper Valley, Kentucky, April 23, 1827." In 1805 Benjamin Seth Youngs (1774-1855), along with Issachar Bates and John Meacham walked from New Lebanon, NY, to Ohio and Kentucky to present the testimony of Christ's second appearing to the religious enthusiasts who were participants in the Great Kentucky Revival. Their journey was a distance of 1,233 miles, made over the course of two months and twenty-two days. Their missionary efforts were responsible for the eventual formation of seven Shaker communities in the western states. Youngs, particularly interested in the new Believers at South Union, KY, took up permanent residence there as the lead member of the ministry, a position he held for the next 25 years. During this time his ministerial duties required him to travel frequently to the other Shaker communities in the west. It is on these trips that he would use this trunk.