"I don't want to be remembered as a chair!"

R e m i n i s c e n c e s

A Family Connection with the Alfred Maine Shakers

Mr. Hobbs has sent us the following information about some of his ancestors who lived at the Alfred Shaker Community in Maine.

"My grandfather, William H. Coolbroth & Eben, his brother, were placed with the Shakers upon the death of their mother circa 1860. They left together as young men and went into carpentry business in Portland. Eben soon went back to Alfred and lived out his life there and I believe is buried in the Shaker cemetery. I have a photograph of the two brothers at a later date in front of the Shaker Store and another of Eben in front of the Sabbathday Lake Post office. ..... William's daughter Edna also lived with the community for about three years spanning 1917. I have a photo of her with several ladies I presume were Shaker sisters. Also in this photo is my Grandmother, Mother, and one of Edna's sisters taken Labor Day 1917."

William H. Coolbroth and his brother Eben Coolbroth	Eben Coolbroth
Left to Right 1st Row: Mrs William Coolbroth, Edna Coolbroth, unknown 2nd Row: unknown, Ester Coolbroth, unknown 3rd Row: Elsie Coolbroth, others unknown

SHAKER WORKSHOPS

Last updated September 7, 2001