GEORGE,HENRY AND THE SHAKERS - EVOLUTION OF COMMUNAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS LAND OWNERSHIP

The influence of Henry George on the Shakers has been misunderstood. T he most prominent late nineteenth century Shaker elder was Frederick W . Evans, brother of George Henry Evans, the land reformer of the secon d quarter of the century. Similarities in the programs of G. H. Evans and Henry George have been recognized, but the two proposed different kinds of land reforms. Evans promoted quantitative restrictions on lan d ownership, while George was known for his advocacy of a single tax o n land. The New York Shakers, as large land owners, successfully resis ted early G. H. Evans-type land reforms. Later, Shakers led by F. W. E vans embraced Henry George-type policy proposals and supported George for mayor of New York City. F. W. Evans himself, however, conflated He nry George's proposals with those of his brother, never realizing the contradiction between the two, much less resolving it. The consequence s of Shaker ambivalence toward their large landholdings persisted well into the twentieth century.