G'day Joe Offer,You ask who 'wrote' Simple Gifts. I notice that McGrath of Harlow mentions Joseph Brackett in a posting above. As I remember from when I chased this up a year ago for friends, to do with performance at a wedding, the Shaker lady who sang the song credits Joseph Brackett and records indicate the date to be around 1848.
I will check, when I have time. I am coordinating about 30 folk musicians for a Colonial Ball tomorrow night and this does distract!
Regards,
Bob Boltom