Stone, Helen Augusta (1836-1908)

Biography

Helen Augusta Stone (usually referred to as Augusta) was indentured to the Mount Lebanon Shakers by her father in 1841. Raised by the Shakers, she attended school in the summer and worked at sewing, weaving, and kitchen duties. Later, she made baskets and other fancy goods for sale. In 1888 she was photographed in the workroom for fancy goods in the Office. From 1884 to 1891, she served as eldress of Mount Lebanon's Church Family. In 1891, she rose to the Ministry, and remained there for the rest of her life. Though the Shakers of the North Family at Mount Lebanon are typically thought of as being the most engaged with social reform causes, Eldress Augusta may have been as well; the Proceedings of the American Arbitration and Peace Congress, held in New York, NY in April of 1907, lists her name along with several other Shakers as an attendee.