Photograph, Cabinet

Description

This photograph bears the inscription, "Emily Conkling, Christmas 1891," on its back. While it is pretty certain that C. M. Gilbert was in business as "The Gilbert Studio" starting around 1891, the date on the card doesn't fit with the Sister Emily's history as recorded. She apparently was placed with the South Family at Watervliet, NY, October 5, 1823 (at age 6) by her brother Seth Conklin. In a few days she was moved to the Second Order of the Church and in 1858 to the Church Family, First Order. She left the Shakers on July 19, 1860. If the date on the card is to be accepted, she must have returned to the Shakers at some point.