Postcard, Picture

Description

Brother Robert Valentine is shown with a boy and probably three hired men using a green (i.e., sweet) corn cutting machine. The machine, developed in the 1870s and patented in 1875 by the Shakers and its inventor, William J. Potter, cut kernels of corn from the cob in preparation for drying it for sale. Several Shaker families participated in this business at Mount Lebanon. Brother Robert, in the early 1900s, when it appears that this photograph was made, lived at the ____________ Family. On the back of the postcard is the following note both dated and postmarked, November 23, 1907 and canceled in the morning on Novemeber 23 at Mount Lebanon, NY and in the evening of the same day at New Lebanon, NY. The card is addressed to H[enry]. T[erry]. Clough, Tiffany and Co. Fifth Avenue, New York." The note: "I am feeling just splendid today! Will tell you more anon. Thanks for mail received. Ann Maria." Anna Maria is probably Sister Anna Maria Greaves who lived at the North Family at Mount Lebanon, NY. Clough had been a Shaker until he left the community to marry a young sister, Julia (Mintie) Dalton, early in 1890. They both returned in 1909, with their five children, and worked for the Shakers.