Israelite House of David collection, early to mid 20th century

Summary

Creators:

House of David (Religious society), Mary's City of David, Purnell, Mary Stallard, 1862-1953, and Purnell, Benjamin Franklin, 1861-1927

Abstract:

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.

Extent:

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

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Israelite House of David collection, ARC Mss 107. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection documents the worship practices, community rules, and trial proceedings for the Israelite House of David and Mary's City of David. Notable materials include song and rule books for the community, a membership card, documents related to the trial of Benjamin Purnell, and in-house publications from Mary's City of David. Several items have individual descriptions from their dealers attached.

Biographical / historical:

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.

The colony eventually boasted several hundred members and the community ran a successful business empire that included famrming, canning, a carpentry, a coach factory, tailor, and laundry. They also ran their own electrical plant. The House of David was (and remains) well-known across Michigan as a tourist destination, thanks to its zoo and amusement park. A second park, the Springs of Eden Park was opened in the 1930s, closed in 1970, then re-opened in 2011 with its main attration, minature train rides, back up and running. A museum about the park and commune opened in 2023.

The House of David was also widely known in Michigan for its surprisingly successful baseball teams. Benjamin Purnell encouraged all members of the community to remain active, and in 1913 formed the first baseball team. The teams would go on to compete across America as barnstormers. House of David teams played teams across the Major, Minor, and Negro Leagues throughout the mid 1900s. They were also famous for their "pepper baseball," where they performed tricks during plays. On of the most famous House teams was the Black House of David, a team made up of all Black players who competed solely against Negro League teams.

2 women accused Benjamin Purnell of statuatory rape in 1923, and were closely followed by 11 others. He was tried in the Michigan Supreme Court for rape and fraud in 1927, but died of tuberculosis before he could be sentenced. He was convicted of fraud, but cleared of sex charges. Following the trial, Mary returned to the commune and re-invented it as Mary's City of David in 1930. Occupying half of the commune, she aimed for a healthier community, and her sect still has a handful of members today. The other half of the commune was held by the Old House of David, led by Judge T. H. Dewhirst, who claimed Mary had no right to claim authority, considering he and the rest of the Old House were the original clergy and council.

Acquisition information:

Library purchase, 2015 - 2016.

Physical location:

Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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.

All requests to reproduce, quote from, or otherwise reuse collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB at special@ucsb.edu. Consent is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California acting through the Department of Special Research Collections at UCSB as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner, heir(s), or assigns. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or their assigns for permission to publish where the UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of Item], Israelite House of David collection, ARC Mss 107. Department of Special Research Collections, UC Santa Barbara Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:

UC Santa Barbara, Special Research Collections

UC Santa Barbara Library

Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US

Contact:

(805) 893-3062

special@library.ucsb.edu

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