Israel Chauncey

Israel Chauncey and his wife Elizabeth Petty (Chauncey) moved to Canaan, NY and then to New Lebanon, NY (renamed Mount Lebanon after 1861) around 1787 to join in establishing the first Shaker community in the U.S. It is unknown if any of Israel and Elizabeth's children followed in their parent's footsteps to remain with the Shakers or if Israel and Elizabeth joined the community after their children had gone off on their own. Although, their youngest child Russell was born in New Lebanon, so it would seem they moved there when they had a full family. Son Russell R.G.E. Chauncey obviously did not stay in the community as he moved to Oneonta, married, and had 11 children which ended up scattered throughout the country.

The original "Shakers" branched off from a Quaker community and were known as "Shaking Quakers" because of their ecstatic behavior during worship services that included a ritual dance. In 1747 women assumed leadership roles within the sect. New Lebanon (now named Mount Lebanon) was the first known Shaker community in United States. Shakers were known for their celibate and communal lifestyle, pacifism, and equality of the sexes, which they institutionalized in their society in the 1780s. They are also known for their simple living, plain architecture and unadorned, modest styled furniture.

Israel and Elizabeth had 7 documented children:

1 - Rocksena (Roxanna?) Chauncey 2 - Cynthia Chauncey 3 - Levi Chauncey 4 - Lucinda Chauncey 5 - Rozzell Chauncey 6 - Salome (Shalom) Chauncey 7 - Russell Rawson Graham Estabrook Chauncey

Youngest child Russell's unusual name with 4 middle names derives from Israel's four pastor uncles for whom the family must have been proud:

Rev. Daniel Russell (uncle who married Catherine Chauncey) Rev. Grindall Rawson (uncle who married Dorothy Chauncey) Rev. John Graham (uncle who married Abigail Chauncey) Rev. Hobart Estabrook (uncle who married Jerusha Chauncey)

Israel and Elizabeth are believed to be interred in the old Lebanon Shaker Cemetery on Chair Factory Road. However, only 1 simple headstone barely remains and the cemetery is in great disrepair so it is impossible to pinpoint the location of their burial.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Mar 23 2020, 21:42:38 UTC