This collection contains material from the Israelite House of David and its later branch, Mary's City of David. Documents show the rules and worship practice of the commune and the proceedings of the trial in the 1920s against one of the founders, Benjamin Purnell.

The Israelite House of David was founded in 1903 by Benjamin and Mary Purnell. They established a commune in Benton Harbor, Michigan and later a farm on High Island off the coast of Charlevoix, Michigan. The Purnells were inspired by the writings of James Jershom Jezreel, who claimed to be the Sixth Messenger of God, as foretold by the Book of Revelations. They then claimed to be inhabited by the spirit of Shiloh and thus the Seventh Messenger. The Purnells preached that Jesus was about to return to create a new Eden on the shores of Lake Michigan. Commune rules included strict celibacy (including between married couples), vegetarianism, no alcohol or tobacco, no cutting hair (including beards), and no ownership of personal property.

0.6 Linear Feet (1 document box, 1 half size document box)

Property rights to the collection and physical objects belong to the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at the UCSB Library. All applicable literary rights, including copyright to the collection and physical objects, are protected under Chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code and are retained by the creator and the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns.

The collection is open for research.