DeVan Family History and Genealogy

The North Union Shaker Cemetery

The Old Shaker Cemetery, now only a matter of history, was located at the bend of South Park Boulevard just west of Lee Road. It was 80 feet square. Women were buried on the north side, men on the south side. Only small headstones were used and they were marked with initials only. In the early 1900's the bodies (about 200) were removed to the old Warrensville Cemetery.

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This map shows the layout of the North Union Shaker community, which was also known as the "Valley of God's Pleasure." The cemetery is shown just left of center. The Shakers were very hard working, industrious, and inventive. Their buildings were very modern and contained all the latest technology available.

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About 200 remains were moved from the old Shaker cemetery on South Park Boulevard to this cemetery.

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The final resting place of Talcott and William Devan.

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The tablet reads: THIS TABLET MARKS THE FINAL RESTING PLACE OF THE SHAKERS OF THE NORTH UNION SOCIETY. THEIR REMAINS WERE MOVED FROM THE SHAKER BURIAL GROUND ON SOUTH PARK BOULEVARD TO THIS CEMETERY IN 1909. "DO ALL YOUR WORK AS THOUGH YOU HAD A THOUSAND YEARS TO LIVE, AND AS YOU WOULD IF YOU KNEW YOU MUST DIE TOMORROW" ANN LEE SHAKER HISTORICAL SOCIETY SEPTEMBER 20, 1949

All images on this page courtesy of Donna (DeVan) Duncan.