Shook Family History Page

SHOOK HISTORY

This illustration from David Isreal's Work on Reuben Philips shows the Prophet's Room in 1989,
much as it was described by Reuben Philps in 1818.

The Days of Fa-so-la
Reuben Philips, the Shook House
and the Story of Shaped Note Singing

When we began research on the Shook House we knew already that it was a monument to the Pioneer Spirit in America, that it was the oldest structure still standing west of the Blue Ridge in NC and the First Frame Structure to be built west of that range. We knew it was built by a Revolutionary War hero and Indian Fighter and one of the earliest settlers of the Western NC Mountains.

We knew also that the house was known as a "Preaching Place" for Bishop Asbury, a Circuit Riding Preacher that brought Methodism and the Great Awakening to the South and West, and that it was mentioned in the diary of his travels in 1810. We knew that Louisa Chapel, the oldest Methodist Church in Western North Carolina's Mountains, was founded in the upstairs room.

We soon learned the house was also the centerpiece of the Campground, later known as Shook's, that hosted the Methodists for regular Camp Mettings for almost 80 years. We discovered that Rev. Samuel Edney and Rev. Thomas Bird, local Methodist pioneers in their own right, were made Deacons at a Camp Meeting there in 1814 by Bishop Asbury.

It came as a suprise to us, however, when we discovered that the house also played another distinctive and memoriable role, that of the site of a "Singing School" for Reuben Philips during the summer of 1818. From this research comes the earliest "first hand" description of the Prophet's Room, establishing that the room was in existence much as it still exists today as early as four years after Asbury's last recorded visit there.

To our joy we discovered this "other" legacy of the Shook House, its connection through Reuben Philips to the almost forgotten world of Fasola, the "Shaped Note Singing Schools" and their history. Through the eyes of Reuben Philips we can also grasp a vision of what times were like in those early days on the frontier, and catch a moment in the life of "Old Father Shook".

Rueben Philips Singing School
Excerpts from a work by David Isreal

Long Ago and "Fasola" Away
by Robin Hitch

Preacher, Teacher and Circuit Rider
A Biography of Reuben Philips
by Wes Philips

They Sang For Their Supper
by Leonora Reece
4th GGrandaughter of Jacob Shook
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RETURN TO SHOOK HISTORY WEB PAGE

Contact The Webmaster: bob@shookhistory.org

	SHOOK HISTORY This illustration from David Isreal's Work on Reuben Philips shows the Prophet's Room in 1989, much as it was described by Reuben Philps in 1818. The Days of Fa-so-la Reuben Philips, the Shook House and the Story of Shaped Note Singing When we began research on the Shook House we knew already that it was a monument to the Pioneer Spirit in America, that it was the oldest structure still standing west of the Blue Ridge in NC and the First Frame Structure to be built west of that range. We knew it was built by a Revolutionary War hero and Indian Fighter and one of the earliest settlers of the Western NC Mountains. We knew also that the house was known as a "Preaching Place" for Bishop Asbury, a Circuit Riding Preacher that brought Methodism and the Great Awakening to the South and West, and that it was mentioned in the diary of his travels in 1810. We knew that Louisa Chapel, the oldest Methodist Church in Western North Carolina's Mountains, was founded in the upstairs room. We soon learned the house was also the centerpiece of the Campground, later known as Shook's, that hosted the Methodists for regular Camp Mettings for almost 80 years. We discovered that Rev. Samuel Edney and Rev. Thomas Bird, local Methodist pioneers in their own right, were made Deacons at a Camp Meeting there in 1814 by Bishop Asbury. It came as a suprise to us, however, when we discovered that the house also played another distinctive and memoriable role, that of the site of a "Singing School" for Reuben Philips during the summer of 1818. From this research comes the earliest "first hand" description of the Prophet's Room, establishing that the room was in existence much as it still exists today as early as four years after Asbury's last recorded visit there. To our joy we discovered this "other" legacy of the Shook House, its connection through Reuben Philips to the almost forgotten world of Fasola, the "Shaped Note Singing Schools" and their history. Through the eyes of Reuben Philips we can also grasp a vision of what times were like in those early days on the frontier, and catch a moment in the life of "Old Father Shook". Rueben Philips Singing School Excerpts from a work by David Isreal Long Ago and "Fasola" Away by Robin Hitch Preacher, Teacher and Circuit Rider A Biography of Reuben Philips by Wes Philips They Sang For Their Supper by Leonora Reece 4th GGrandaughter of Jacob Shook [use your BACK button to return here] RETURN TO SHOOK HISTORY WEB PAGE Contact The Webmaster: bob@shookhistory.org
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