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Author: McNemar, Richard

Biography:

MCNEMAR, Richard (1770-1839: ANBO)

He was born in Tuscarora PA, where his parents farmed. His father was John McNemar; his mother's first name is not known, but her maiden name was Knox. He began teaching at the age of fifteen and then studied theology to become a Presbyterian minister. In 1793 he married Jane Luckie, with whom he had seven children. Ordained in 1798, he proved to be a powerful preacher, notably at camp meetings during the "Great Revival." But he had such strong reservations about church doctrine that he first led a movement of secession and then, in 1805, was converted to Shakerism and took most of his congregation with him. The first western Shaker meetinghouse was built on his own land, where Union Village was established--McNemar's base for 25 years while he undertook missionary work and helped to establish and maintain six other villages in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. He was also an influential advocate for the cause in print, from The Kentucky Revival (1807) to hymns, tracts, and the founding of the first Shaker periodical, the Western Review (1834-7). In 1839 he survived a temporary exile, orchestrated by a rival, from Union Village, but died shortly after his return there. (ANBO 2 Jan. 2020)

 

Books written (4):

[Watervliet OH]: [no publisher], [1835]