Shakers

a communistic a ociation founded at New Lebanon, N. Y., in September, 1787, by a party of the followers of Ann Lee, of England, founder of the sect. James and Jane Wardley were at the head of this society. The formation of the society was due chiefly to the influence of a religious revival, and the name is derived from the peculiar dance e with which they accompany their worship. Ann Lee was supposed to have had a special revelation from heaven. She died at Waterviiet, N. Y., in 1784, after a number of years spent in preaching and making converts, Shanley vs. Haney (1762), an English case in equity brought by an administrator to recover money given by his intestate to a negro brought to England asa slave. The suit was dismi ed by Lord Northing ton, who held that a slave became free as soon as he set foot on English territory. (See Sommersett.) 216