The below history of the Alphadelphia Association by Catherine Livingston is from 1958. Thank you to Nancy Benton for supplying the paper, which I have transcribed.
* * * * *
ALPHADELPHIA ASSOCIATION
By
CATHERINE LIVINGSTON
1958
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I wish to express my appreciation for the privilege of reading these interesting and valuable documents which were loaned to me through the generosity of Mrs. F. J. Buckley of Kalamazoo. Mrs. Buckley purchased this material from Ethan Keith and Hannah Towne (nee Keith) who deserve much credit for preserving it all these years.
I obtained the material for this paper from the Day Book, Stock Book, Journal, Ledger and Journal of the Alphadelphia Association. Much information was obtained from reports of committees and correspondence between officials of the Association and interested persons.
1
In southeastern Michigan in the early 1840’s, a great deal of interest in the socialistic teachings of Fourier was stimulated by Dr. H. R. Schetterly, a resident of Ann Arbor. In consequence a convention was held December 14, 1843 at the school house at the head of Clark’s Lake, Columbia, Jackson County. Fifty-six persons from the counties of Oakland, Wayne, Washtenaw, Conescoe, Jackson, Eaton, Calhoun and Kalamazoo assembled. After a three day session lasting from morning to midnight a skeleton constitution was adopted and a committee was selected to choose a site for a domain.(1)
The committee first visited Union City on December 22, 1843 and reported ample water power from the Coldwater River, beautiful scenery and productive soil. They found they would have to buy much of the land from private individuals at high price. Furthermore they “found that a very unfavorable prejudice existed here against the association, because one had invested his farm in the La Grange Association and could not immediately get it out again, nor get the value of it in money.” (2)
The committee next visited Kalamazoo County and a very enthusiastic report was sent from Galesburg December 27, 1843. The advantages of this location are described by the following report (abridged).
“Your committee arrived here on Saturday, the 23 ult., and rejoice to say that an ardour now exists amount the people in this place for entering into Association which never can be cooled under their
(1) Taken from the Primitive Expounder of Jan. 5, 1844
(2) From the report of the committee (Dr. H. R. Schetterly, John Curtis and Wm. Grant) to the Fourier Convention to be held at Bellvue Jan. 3, 1843
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wishes shall have been realized.
The Kalamazoo River is a large and beautiful stream, nine rods wide and five feet deep in the middle, flowing at the rate of about four miles per hour, and with eight feet fall which can be obtained by digging a race. This will propel a hundred run of millstones in the dryest season.
The mansion and manufactories will stand on a beautiful plain, always dry, from fifty to sixty rods wide, being skirted on the south by a range of hillocks about twenty feet and running parallel with the river. The plain above the hillocks extends for miles, being covered with the most thrifty timber your committee ever beheld, consisting of Whitewood, ash, oak, beech, elm and maple. The hard maple being two to three and a half feet in diameter and some of the black walnut are fourteen feet in diameter.
There is a large spring of purest water about a half a mile distant from the place where our mansion will stand, furnishing water sufficient for drinking and culinary purposes, in all our manufactories and the mansion and supplying, besides, our daity with fresh water.
Cobblestones are found in sufficient quantity for foundations and building a dam, easily accessible. Beds of clay and sand exist where excellent brick have been made. There are indications of iron ore on the domain and in its vicinity but no investigation has been made. In fact everything that an association can want is found here except gold beds, sandstone and limestone. Nature seems to have destined this precise spot for such an association as we are about to form. Your committee feel that they are unable adequately to describe the advantages of this location.”
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After looking over the amount of water power at Bellevue, the committee decided it was insufficient for the needs of the Association. When these reports were laid before the Convention, Galesburg was the site chosen for the domain.
The constitution was then perfected and adopted, signed by fifty-one members, nearly all fathers of families, respectable and thrifty farmers, mechanics and manufacturers. The officers of the Convention gave notice the Association “will open books to receive subscriptions for membership and stock on the first Monday of February next…during six days.” (3)
The first meeting on the domain was March 21, 1844 at the house of Harvey Keith. Anson De Lamatter was chosen president and Henry H. Rending was chosen secretary. The constitution provided the business of the Association shall be the prosecution of Agriculture, Manufactures, the Mechanic Arts, Commerce, Education, the Arts and Sciences and Domestic Industry, in all their branches.” (4) It also provided, “the Lands, Buildings, Flocks, Herds, Machinery and Implement of every kind shall be represented by stock and divided into shares.” (5) The officers and directors worked tirelessly to carry out these provisions and further the interests of the Association.
From the first the controlling spirit was Dr. Schetterly. He was a small, dark, slender man with dark hair, eyes and complexion. He was very talented as a speaker and soon won his way into the hearts and homes of the old pioneers of Comstock. He pictured the life of healthfulness and enjoyment, of unselfishness, of Spartan fidelity and frugality
(3) From the Primitive Expounder of Jan. 5 1844
(4) From the Constitution of the Alphadelphia Association
(5) Same as above.
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that could be had upon accepting the views of Charles Fourier. If it seems difficult to understand how he could influence these old settlers noted for their practical hard sense and shrewd discernment of men and things, it must be remembered their pioneers surroundings fostered this very feeling of brotherhood he advocated. They were already helping one another at raisings, at clearing land, husking corn. They lived as harmonious and happy as if they were members of one family; so when Schetterly came among them, his work was easy. (6) Among the names found on the membership roll are these from this vicinity: Byran Tubbs, Roswell Ransom, E. M. Clapp, Joseph Flanders, Harvey Keith, Wm. Earl and Dr. Ezra Stetson.
The minutes of the early meetings of the Board of Directors is filled with reports of committees on membership and inventories of personal property and appraisals of (unintelligible) (7). By May 2, 1844 the Board takes this report: “Certificates of stock have been issued for 2412 acres amounting to $26,225. We have 70,000 feet of lumber on hand and a sawmill operating day and night. Thirty cows, twelve horse teams, nine yoke of oxen, forty-eight hogs and one hundred and eleven sheep are on the domain. We have nine wagons, ten ploughs. Provisions: twenty-three barrels of pork, thirty-three barrels of flour, 250 pounds of lard, 260 bushels of potatoes and twenty-three tons of hay.” (8)
(6) From an article by (unintelligible) Van Buren in Mich. Pioneer Co.. V. 5
(7) I have examined descriptions in longhand of land turned over to the Assoc. All abstracts covering this property contain a “Trust Deed” between members of the Assoc. and Lyman Tubbs and Harvey Keith who became legal trustees because the Assoc. failed to get a charter.
(8) Report of Board of Directors of A.A. May 2, 1844
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While the Directors were gathering people and property into the fold, Schetterly was in Detroit at the state capital attempting to get a charter. In a letter to Harvey Keith and Lyman Tubbs, he said:
“To you it is known I am here a lobby member in behalf of our dear Association. The petitions and memorial were referred to the committee of the house of incorporations and the members are ready to report in our favor…The committee will draft the Act before Monday and then comes the tug of war.”
In spite of his efforts the charter was never granted so Lyman Tubbs and Harvey Keith became legal trustees of the Association, with power to transact business of the Association. The real estate and personal property was appraised by competent judges and given a value of fifty dollars a share. Investments in the Association varied from four thousand dollars down to twenty dollars.
The constitution provided, “After an amount sufficient to pay the Taxes, Insurance and repairs shall have been deducted from the total income of the Association, one-fourth of the remainder shall be paid to the stockholders and three-fourths to the laborers, annually.” The first year’s work earned a total profit of $6,248.41. This gave $5.68 to the stockholders and $.388 per day to the laborers. Boarding per week came to $.64 and 1/6 per week.
The first year much of the work consisted of farming and building the mansion. This building, twenty feet wide by two hundred feet long and two stories high stood on the present site of the county farm buildings a mile west of Galesburg. All details of work was voted on in Director’s meeting. (9) The laborers were divided into groups according to their pre-
(9) Taken from the day book June 11, 1844, p. 553 (?) Voted, that teamsters of the Assoc. shall not be permitted to change or mismatch any team placed in their hands without the written consent of the superintendent of the farming interest. Also voted, that Mr. Whitcomb be requested to select men to work out the road tax and to invite the Pathmaster to lay out work on the bridge sufficient to repair the railing.
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fressions, each having a chairman who recorded the number of hours spent on any task. It was his duty to organize the labor of old men, boys and women with that of an able-bodied man on the same job. (10) The piece work system was adopted upon recommendation of George Eskico (?), a member of the state legislature who was interested in the “defending of the poor and labouring men.” He stated the uncertainty of the quantity of work to be done by each person should be avoided and the sooner a piece work system was adopted the better. He opinioned, “Compliments on work will produce more and better work, also.”
Samuel Denton, another member of the legislature wrote from Ann Arbor, suggesting a group of men work on the railroad which Dr. Schetterly had been promised would locate not more than one-quarter mile from the mansion. (11) Many kinds of work occupied the members. On May 29, 1844 the Board of Directors authorized the secretary to write to Nash Norton of Adrian to see whether he will come to the Domain immediately and go to making brick. Mrs. John Porter of Ann Arbor had experience and was to direct the women in the straw bonnet-making business. (12) Charles Cridlander of Hickory Grove wished to join the association and bring 5000 to 8000 grafts of apple trees as his contribution. A silk manufactory was suggested as a means of gainfully employing the women and children. The management of the interior of the mansion and the flower gardens was superintended by a council of ladies. The day book is filled with items that tell of the varied tasks performed.
(10) See Appendix for interesting hourly ratio of different departments
(11) From Day Book of May 3, 1844, Voted, that a team be sent to Jackson to carry Messers Schetterly, Rending and Mitchell to the railroad at Jackson.
(12) A letter from John Porter gives directions for preparing the straw of winter rye, using only two or three middle joints. It took fifteen hours to make a hat.
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The members of the Association enjoyed religious freedom. Rooms were provided for each denomination to conduct services. Further the constitution provided a lot was to be set aside for each denomination when there were enough members to justify the building of a church.
The first school was taught by James Allen Knight on the south side of the river. (13) The children crossed by boat each day. Mr. Avery, the Shaker (?), taught on the north side. The support of free schools was provided for in the constitution, a certain per cent of the dividends making up an educational fund. (14)
Dr. Schetterly worked zealously to spread his views on law reform through (?) the servitude of the laboring class. To this end he planned to set up and pring a newspaper, the “Alphadelphia Tocsin”. After much delay in obtaining a printing press (15), the work was started with Dr. Schetterly and Rev. Richard Thornton as editors. The subscription list was built up by writing postmasters of many towns for possible subscribers. (16) The last issue of the “Tocsin” was published Nov. 12, 1846. Then R. Thornton bought the subscription list for seven dollars to be paid in printing. “The Primitive Expounder” was published at Alphadelphia for a time, also. (17) These papers were given to all members of the state legislature to influence their votes.
(13) From report of committee on school June 3, 1844. Resolved, that this Association build a schoolhouse on the south side of the river on the Tubbs place, said house to be built of boards, twenty feet square, and commence school as soon as house can possibly be built.
(14) See the Constitution in the Appendix. Article III, Sec. 4,5,6,7.
(15) Schetterly, in letter to Harvey Keith, says they can have a printing press from Buffalo for nine months credit by giving the Detroit Free Press as reference. Instructs the secretary to ask Harmon of the Free Press to write Isaac R. Crary (?) of Marshall as to B. Wright’s (agent for Assoc.) responsibility.
(16) Isaiah Butler, Auburn, Mich. ordered one dozen “Tocsin” to notify friends of his daughter’s death.
(17) For every hour’s labor “The Expounder” earns the Assoc. ten cents. From a report on “Expounder” by R. Thornton.
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But the affairs of the Association were not running as smoothly as might appear on the surface. James Billings wrote from Ann Arbor, “I fear things are not managed right and honorably at the domain”. Calvin White writes, “the idea around Martin is that the Association was formed for aristocratical and dishonest purposes, and some supposed it to be an infidel get-up and some a universalist concern”. There was much bickering and distrust among certain members. The Council of Arbitration had many trials of theft and dishonesty to settle. A man who got the use of two horses and a carriage for one day by false pretenses was fined thirty-six hours worth of labor. Another fine of seventy-nine hours was imposed by the Council for spreading a false report about a family. Some were accused of taking wheat and tools belonging to the Association for their own use. (18)
Quarrels were frequent and many had withdrawn from the Association by the time the last entry was posted in the day book April 30, 1848. (19) People whose ancestors were members feel the failure was due to poor management and the weakness of human nature. The industrious and conscientious objected to supporting the indolent and greedy.
There are minutes of a meeting held August 1, 1848 for the purpose of disposing of the deeds of the members in attendance. Still later, August 11, 1857, a few members met for the purpose of disposing of the books of the Association as the secretary was moving to Kansas. Between these two dates there is no clue to any activity of the Association. C. L. Keith, H. A. Taylor, C. R. Cridland and D. Taylor attended the last meeting and witnessed this remark, “And thus ended the Alphadelphia Association”.
(18) Dr. Schetterly was convicted of appropriating goods to the amount of two hundred dollars. This item was found in the Day Book: Dr. Schetterly ran away this day, Sunday, June 21, 1846
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Report of the committee to organize and equalize Labor
Assuming the farming business as a standard of comparison and eight hours to be a days work, without fixing any definite price per day, we would propose the following inverse rates by which the dividend shall be made on the different departments of labor.
Male Labor Female Labor
Farming 8 Cooking 12
Teaming 10 Housework 12
Carpentry 6 Tailoring 10
Joinery 6 Dressmaking 12
Blacksmithing 6 Common sewing 16
Shoemaking 8 Dairy Work 12
Masonry 6 Washing 8
Gardening 8 Ironing 10
Chopping 7 Nursing 12
Wagon Making 6 Teaching 10
Writing, Clerk 8 Straw-work 16
Physician 8 Spinning 16
Agents 8 Weaving 10
Teaching 6
Sewing 7
We have proposed the above work on the supposition of full and skillful work. In the case of boys and girls and all others not willing or able to do full and skillful work, we recommend the leader of the group to estimate the value of their work and set down hours accordingly.
In order to realize the advantages to be derived from economy, there should be a division of labor.
Let the washing and ironing be all done at one place…If the clothes are all marked and were all washed in one place with the aid of steam and labor-saving machinery, a great economy of time and labor would be realized.
Household labor might also be divided to good advantage, which would save the liability of disputes and heartburnings (?) because some may be
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thought to be willing to shirk and not do their part.
Groups of spinners should be under the direction of a discreet and skillful leader and all should work in one place until the work is done.
In the ratio set down for the physician we propose to allow him two hours each day to be devoted to professional studies in order the better to prepare him for the practice of medicine in a skillful manner.
Committee:
Thomas Wheeler
Mr. Ford (absent)
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ALPHADELPHIA ASSOCIATION PAPERS
Transcriber’s note: This is all very difficult to read
Box I:
Folder 1 – 1 ms. copy of constitution;
1 printed copy of constitution
1 fragment of constitution;
Folder 2 – Article of Agreement, 6 items
Folders 3-4-5-6 – Correspondence, (?) 1843 to Dec. 1845, 83 items
Folder 7 – Report, Dec. 27, 1843 of the Committee sent out to select a site for the Association
Folder 8 – Roll of original members, March 1844
Folder 9 – Copy of census, May 1844
Folder 10 – Reports of the General Council, 1845 and 1846
Folder 11 – Reports of Committees, 1843-1844, 17 items
Folder 12 – Council of Arbitrarion Report, 1844
Folder 13 – Council of Arbitrarion Reports, 1845-1846, 11 items
Folder 14 – Proposals for membership, general meeting, 1844, 31 items
Folder 15 – Proposals for membership, undated, 2 items
Folder 16 – Agreements to leave, 1845-1847, 10 items
Folder 17 – Appraisals of property of members on joining, 10 items
Folder 18 – Supplementary agreements between members and association on certain items of property, 18 items
Box II:
Folder 1 – Labor record books of individuals’ services;
1 Blacksmith shop record book;
W. A. Taylor Labor Book;
Labor records of association members, May 1845 to June 2?, 1845;
Index of time book;
Labor records of association, April 7, 1844 (? to May 8, 1845 (?);
Roll of female laborers, undated
Folder 2 – Papers on building of mansion, 3 items
Folder 3 – Tocsin accounts, 4 items
Folder 4 – Tocsin subscription list
Folder 5 – Record of stock holdings, 4 items
Folder2 6-7-8-9 – Stock certificates of the Alphadelphia Association, 167 items
Folder 10 – Orders on the council to pay, 1844, 1845, and undated, 17 items
Folder 11 – Receipts, 1844-46 and undated, 23 items
Folder 12 – Treasurer’s Report, March 14, 1846
Folder 13-14-15 – Bills allowed, 1844-1846, 178 items
Folder 16 – Miscellaneous accounts, 16 items
Folder 17 – Miscellaneous papers including minutes of final adjournment May 11, 1857, 6 items
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ALPHADELPHIA ASSOCIATION PAPERS
Additional items:
Primitive Expounder, V. ? #5 and #23
Primitive Expounder, extra, Jan 5 1844, containing constitution of Alphadelphia Association
6 bound volumes:
Account Book, 1844-1845, of individual members’ accounts with the association
Day Book, July 24, 1844-April 30, 1848
Labor Records of members of Alphadelphia Association, 1844-1845
Account book, July 23, 1844-Mary 2, 1848
List of stock certificates and fractional certificates and transactions thereof, 1844-1845
Minutes of the Director’s meetings, March 21, 1844-Aug 1, 1844 (plus some accounts and appraisals of property)
April 8, 1959
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Reports
Report of Committee sent out by (?) to examine and select a domain for the Association
Original minutes of the first annual meeting of Alphadelphia Association
May 2, 1844 Report of the Board of Directors
May 3, 1844 Report of committee on printing press
May 4, 1844 Address of the officers to members and stockholders
May 9, 1844 Interpretation of Constitution by Elron S. Camp
June 3, 1844 Report of committee on business with E. A. Taylor
June 3, 1844 Report of committee on school
June 21, 1844 Report of Welland (?) W. Noyes to Board of Directors
June 21, 1844 Report of C. H. Noyes to Board of Directors
June 27, 1844 Report of E. S. Camp Live stock
July 10, 1844 Report of general agent on business with Sawyer & Hodgeman
July 12, 1844 Report of general agent on business at Allegan
May 30, 1844 Report of general agent on trip to Allegan County
May 30, 1844 Report of engineer on north side
May 30, 1844 Report of engineer on south side
May 30, 1844 Report of committee on cemetery
May 30, 1844 Tabular proposals for membership & stock to Alphadelphia Assoc.
May 30, 1844 Memorandum of appraisal of property on the domain of the Assoc.
May 30, 1844 Report of committee to organize and equalize labor
M.. ? 1845 Amos Wilson’s contract for saw mill
M.. ? 1845 H. R. Schettery’s estimate of cost of digging a (unintelligible) on south side
May 7, 1844 J. Billings’ proposal for an agency for the “Tocsin”
Sept. 1844 Whitford’s report re Ten (unintelligible) baskets
Nov. 1844 Article of agreement to withdraw of requested
Nov. 1844 C. W. Vining’s report of produce used by J. Flanders & L. Tubbs
July 13, 1844 Report of committee on damage to Flanders’ house
1845 Report on printing Expounder by Thornton
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Letters
Feb. 1845 “Evils of Juris prudence” from D. P. Putter, Dundee to Editor of Tocsin
Dec. 1844 “Moved to Schoolcraft” from Joseph F. Beck, Richland to Editor of Tocsin
Oct. 1845 “Discontinue subscription” from C. H. Persons, Iosco to Editor of Tocsin
Oct. 1845 “Subscription” from Chauncey Adams, Brighton, IN to Editor of Tocsin
Sept. 1845 “Subscription” from John J. Merrill, Springfield, Oakland Co. to J. A. Knight, Galesburg
Mar. 1845 “Delay in Publishing” from D. H. Rowland, Northville to Dr. Schetterly
Mar. 1845 “Purchase of Nash farm” from G. D. Hill, Ann Arbor to Dr. Schetterly
April “Mortgage” from David Reynolds, Aurora, IL to J. W. Cothern, Galesburg
Dec. 1844 “Law reform” from Samuel Denton, Ann Arbor to Schetterly, Galesburg
Nov. 1845 “Subscription” from L. Weed, Auburn to Editor, Tocsin
Dec. 1845 “Doctrine of reform” from S. B. Hooker, Wayland to Editor, Tocsin
Nov. 1845 “Join Assoc”.” from Isaiah Butler, Auburn to J. A. Knight, Galesburg
Oct.? 1845 “Subscriptions” from Leonard Weed, Auburn to Editor, Tocsin
May “Delay in receiving paper” from J. C. Richmond, Farm River to Editor, Tocsin
Aug. 1844 “Publish manuscript” from Samuel Denton, Ann Arbor to Schetterly
Feb. “Subscriptions” from N. J. Daniells, West Bloomfield to Publisher of Tocsin
May “Subscriptions” from L. Smith, Litchfield to Publisher of Tocsin
Feb. 1845 “Ideals of Assoc.” from Abrahm Laing, Raisin to Publisher of Tocsin
Mar. 1845 “Club of subscriptions” from Abiel Silver, Edwardsburg to Publisher of Tocsin
Jan. 1844 “Charter” from Dr. Schatterly, Ann Arbor to Harvey Keith, Galesburg
Feb. 1845 “Subscription” from David R. Noyes, Schoolcraft to R. T. Roice, Galesburg
July 1845 “Join Assoc.” from John J. Merrill, Springfield to J. A. Knight, Galesburg
Jan. 1845 “House rent” from H. A. Moore, Ann Arbor to Schetterly, Galesburg
Mar. 1845 “Penna. property” from Chas. C. Taylor, Ann Arbor to Schetterly
Oct. 1844 “Illness” from Wm. Grant, Springarbor to Schetterly
Nov. 1844 “Printing press” from P. Tabor, Rollin to Schetterly
Oct. 1844 “Mich. Senate” from Samuel Denton, Ann Arbor to Schetterly
June 1845 “Charter” from George Eckles, Detroit to Schetterly
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Bills
Jan. 1845 Benjiman Wright, Lumber and hardware
April 1844 John Waite, Miscellaneous
April 1845 P. N. Bowman, Physician services
Feb. 1845 Daniel S. Chase, water ?
June 1845 S. P. Jewett Dry goods
June 1845 Wm. S. Nead (?) Dry goods and hardware
June 1845 Testus Hall, Hardware
Jan. 1845 Richard McOmber, Work done
Nov. 1844 Chas. R. Cridland, Fruit trees
April 1845 Spencer Mitchell, Household supplies
April 1845 H. P. Pierce, Household goods taken away
Sept. 1844 Samuel Chadwick,Repairing house in Ann Arbor
Sept. 1844 Luke Keith, Lumber
1845 W. W. Noyes, Sawmill
Jan. 1845 Horace Moore, Taxes ($4.35) on house in Ann Arbor
Jan. 1845 I. Ladington (?), Paper for printing
Aug. 1844 Elias Lew, Household supplies
Aug. 1844 H. R. Schetterly, Furniture from H. (?) Clapp
April 1845 W. S. Mead (?), Goods bought at Ann Arbor
July 1844 R. Thornton, Printing
Feb. 1846 Wm. Wallace, Carding
May 1845 Homer Stickney, Freight from Marshall
July 1845 R. Ransom, Goods
Dec. 1844 C. A. Lockhart, Shoeing
Feb. 1845 C. A. Lockhart, Repairing machinery
Oct. 1845 Walbridge, Lumber
Aug. 1845 Denison & Denison, Goods
Sept. 1844 Jacob Miller, Goods
June 1844 Platt Gilbert, Goods
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Nov. 1844 S. Percival, Cloth for coat
Oct. 1844 S. Percival, Comstock, Trade dry goods for wheat
Oct. 1844 Chester Buckley, B. Creek, Trade wheat for lamp oil
Oct. 1844 C. W. Vining, Cattle and household goods
Oct. 1844 Seth Wheelock, Tools
April 1846 Caleb Damer, Lumber
Mar. 1845 David Ford, Sawing
April 1844, Gray & Burgess, Dry goods
June 1844 Henry H. Reading, Account of Labor and Goods
Sept. 1844 Tom Flanders, Baskets
Sept. 1844 Joseph Flanders, Grain and lumber
1845 Assoc., postage bill
July 1844 Harvey Keith, Bill of lumber
Nov. 1844 Assoc., Freight on printing press
Sept. 1844 P. H. Whitford, Sale of Flanders’ baskets
Receipts
H. Becker
Andrew J. Ido
J. W. Cothern
W. S. Kend?
P. H. Whitford
Salmon King
Harvey Keith, Twp. Treas.
H. A. Moore
C. W. Vining
Zenas Nash
Alex Buell
L. Van Dewalker
James N. Parson, Sec. Ins. Co.
G. A. Lockhart
Jewell & Rockwell, Battle Creek
Eli Clinton
Henry Ralph, Twp. Treas. Charleston
Ralph Tuttle, Treas. Comstock
Caleb Kirby
Contracts
H. G. Pierce
Festus Hall
W. W. Noyes
Leonard Lascomb
James Hozzie
H. B. Hall
F. C. Brooks
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Cancelled Certificates
Henry D. Hall
Alfreda Keith
Erastus Weeks
C. W. Vining
Rebecca Hall
Charles Bradford
James Noyes
John Curtis
James Hoxsie
Harvey Keith
F. C. Brooks
Harrison G. Pierce
John A. Knight
Richard McOmber
Charles Bradford
George Owrall (?)
Samuel Hinkle
Wm. Grant
Joseph Patch
N. K. Matthews
Corydan(?) E. Sawyer
Thomas Wheeler
J. T. White
Peter H. Whitford
John Rogers
Amos Wilson
Elias Low
Joseph Flanders
E. Hunt
Isaac Springsted
William Earl
Decatur Holden
Elmon S. Camp
Ezra Briggs
B. D. Arnold
David Ford
Wm. S. Mead
Susan T. Mead
Lyman Tubbs
Joshua Robinson
James Thompson
James L. Earl
Jabes Rogers
Peter Crowhurst
Warren Wilcut
Martha Matthews
Gideon Matthews
Jacob Miller
Horatio N. Tubbs
John C. Walden
Charles B. Cridland
J. C. Brooks
H. A. Taylor
18
Stockholders
Transcriptionist note: These names were almost impossible to read because of deterioration of typewriter or xerox ink
Richard MCOMBER
Charles BRADFORD
Jacob MILLER
Cerydan M. SAWYER
Alfleda KEITH
Harvey KEITH
Joshua ROBINSON
Cornelius W. VINING
Elesta WILCO
Daniel S. SACCO ?
Lucius N. NEWS ?
P. H. BOWMAN ?
Lyman TUBBS
David FORD
John CURTISE
Henry D. HALL
Rebecca HALL
William S. MEAD
Susan T. MEAD
George O. BELL (Note: Impossible to read. May be something like George Owrell on the list of cancelled certificates.)
James NOYES
Erastus WEEKS
James HOXSIE
H. N.? TUBBS
James THOMPSON
William GRANT, Junior
unintelligible
Jabes ROGERS
J. BADDINGTON ? *
Lyman TUBBS Jr. *
L. LUSCOMB
unintelligible
J. A. KNIGHT
L. S. BLAK—–? *
C. B. CRIDLAND
Samuel S. HINKLE
Peter CROWHURST or CREWHURST
J. C. WALDEN
P. E. WHITFORD
S. D. ARNOLD
Hiram STRANAHAN *
Laura S. BRADFORD? *
unintelligible
D. R. NOYES *
Measer HURS? or Eleaser HUNT? *
unintelligible
James NORSIER? *
? McOMBER *
Otis McOMBER *
Pliny McOMBER *
Charlotte McOMBER *
Zenas NASH (unintelligible) *
William GOULD *
Thomas W. FISH— *
Charles E. NOYES? * (possibly Chauncy H. Noyes)
unintelligible
H. R. SCHETTERLY *
Seth WHEELOCH *
John P. B—- ***
J. T. WHITE
Joseph FLANDERS
E. HUNT
Jacob NILLOW? **
? MORE?
unintelligible
Luke KEITH *
Albert ? *
Eli CLINTON *
H. A. TAYLOR
unintelligible
Roswell RANSOM *
E. M. CLAPP
James RICHES? *
Jo()? SPRI—— *
* Those with an asterisk don’t appear on the list of cancelled certificates.–jk
** Is not Jacob MILLER who appears higher on the list. *** Perhaps John C. BROOKS on the cancelled certificate list.
19
The Constitution of the Alphadelphia Association
I have examined the original handwritten document but have abridged it.
The purpose: founding a Foerstic and Industrial Association.
ARTICLE I
Sec. 6
The capital stock of this association shall be two hundred thousand dollars which may be increased to two million dollars by a majority vote: and shall be divided into shares of fifty dollars each and tenths of a share.
Sec. 9
This Association shall have the power to issues evidences of debt to amount of vie per cent on capital stock.
ARTICLE II
Sec. 4
Any person may become a stockholder without becoming a member
ARTICLE III
Sec. 1
After an amount sufficient to pay the taxes, insurance and repairs shall have been deducted from the total income of the Assoc., one fourth of the remainder shall be paid to the stockholders and three fourths to the laborers, annually.
Sec. 2
Dividend due to stock, shall for the first three years be paid in stock certificates, except such stock as shall have been paid in cash.
Sec. 3
This Assoc. shall reward its operatives in proporting to the labor and skill required.
Sec. 4
Whenever the annual dividend on stock shall amount to ten per cent, one per cent of the entire income of the Assoc. shall be deducted. When said dividend shall amount to twenty per cent, two per cent shall be deducted. And when said dividend shall exceed twenty
20
per cent, an additional sum of ten per cent shall be deducted from such excess which said deductions shall constitute a fund for educational purposes.
Sec. 5
Free schools furnished with suitable apparatus for illustrating the branches taught shall be established…and be maintained throughout the year, on the principle of uniting labor with study and theory with practice.
Sec. 6
Whenever a sufficient amount of funds, arising from the operation of Sec. 4 of this article, shall have been reached, a Seminary of the higher order shall be established, wherein shall be taught in a practical manner all the Arts and Sciences, particularly Mechanics, Chemistry, Agriculture and Manufactures.
Sec. 7
This Assoc. shall provide a public library from the funds created by Sec. 4
ARTICLE IV
Sec. 2
The treasurer shall give security for the faithful performance of his duty.
ARTICLE V
Sec. 1
Any member that shall be guilty of misconduct may be expelled by a vote of two-thirds of the resident members.
ARTICLE VI
Sec. 1
Every member twenty-one years of age shall have one vote in admitting and expelling members.
Sec. 2
Every male member shall be entitled to one vote in all matters of business.
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Books
Stock book
Ledger
Journal from July 23, 1844 to May 2, 1848
Day Book from July 23, 1844 to April 30, 1848
Time Book
Index to Time Book
Book containing minutes of meetings from Mar. 21, 1844 to Aug. 1, 1844, also appraisals
Ledger of Blake & Keith
Day Book of J. W. and C. L. Keith from July 27, 1853 to Jan. 23, 1854
Day Book of Blake and Keith from Aug. 13, 1852 to July 27, 1853
Account Book in which first entry is “Le Roy April 2, 1831”
Newspapers
Primitive Expounder of Jan. 5, 1844, an extra containing constitution of Association
Primitive Expounder of Jan. 23, 1845, Vo. 1. II, no. 5
Primitive Expounder of July 24, 1845, vol. II, no. 18
Other papers
Original copy of Constitution of Alphadelphia Association
Rules of House of Representatives of State of Michigan
Papers of Council of Arbitration
Aug. 1845 Complaint vs. L. Luscomb and James Thompson
June 17, 1845 Case vs. Richard McOmber
Case of Dr. H. R. Schetterly
Articles of Council of Arbitration
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Attached letter
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
MICHIGAN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
Ann Arbor
April 10, 1959
Mrs. Catherine Livingston
Galesburg, Michigan
Dear Mrs. Livingston:
I was very sorry to have missed seeing you on your visit to the Collections last week. I hope you had time to look through the Alphadelphia materials.
When I visited with you last summer you mentioned that you had done a paper on the Alphadelphia Association. We are very much interested in having a copy of this paper if you have one to spare.
We have not gotten in any additional Alphadelphia material, but we are still looking. I believe I mentioned that we are especially anxious to locate copies of The Tocsin.
I am enclosing a list of stockholders of the Alphadelphia Association. Perhaps you might know some of the descendants of these people who might have copies of The Tocsin or other Alphadelphia material. This list was taken from one of the account books here. It is undoubtedly incomplete as far as listing all members. Many of the names were difficult to make out, which means there are probably misspellings.
I hope you can drop by the Collections again before long.
Sincerely yours,
Robert M. Warner
Field Representative
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