milk, butter, cheese, nor flesh

The community at Fruitlands were “non-dairy vegetarians” in the terminology used before the coinage of “vegan” in 1944. Note that after leaving Fruitlands, Bronson Alcott returned to the consumption of dairy products, while remaining vegetarian. In his journal (11 May 1846) he notes: “Replenished our stores from the grocery in the village. Maple sugar, flour, cheese, &c.” (180) See the note on “cotton”. However, in his journal in May 1856, when his daughter Elizabeth contracted scarlet fever, Alcott expressed his hope for her recovery because she “had never tasted animal food.” (278)