Shaker Medicinal Herbs

The Shakers originated in Manchester England in the late 1760s. In May 1774 Mother Ann sailed from Liverpool with eight followers aboard the ship 'Mariah' arriving in New York in early August. The men in the party traveled north up the Hudson to Niskeyuna, later named Watervliet about 7 miles northwest of Albany. At first they gathered herbs in the fields and woodlands. Later they grew certain varieties in 'Physic Gardens' to supply the family. Extra harvest was sold to buy other medicines the family could not produce itself. In a very short time outside demand for the herbs grew. 215pp.