Polly Anne Reed

When she was eight, her family was visited by Shaker missionary Calvin Green; she requested to return to the community at New Lebanon, New York with him, and was allowed to do so by her parents.

The story of her conversion was well known even outside Shaker circles, becoming the subject of the 1909 novel Susanna and Sue by Kate Douglas Wiggin, illustrated by Alice Barber Stephens and N.C. Wyeth.

Reed entered the First Order of the Church at New Lebanon, the most important of the "families" in the community, in December 1825.

[2] She was recognized during her teaching career for introducing girls to the tannery and the botanical garden, among other industries which supported the Mount Lebanon Shakers, and for allowing organized play in the classroom.

Most are small cutouts of hearts or leaves, covered with text, but a half-dozen are fully developed works of art combining calligraphy with images of doves, flowers, and more fanciful items.