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The
Israelite House of David was established at
Benton Harbor, Michigan, in 1903 by
Benjamin Purnell, a former roving preacher,
and his wife Mary. In 1895, Purnell received a
revelation that he was the "seventh
messenger" described in the Book of
Revelation. The previous six "angels"
were Joanna Southcott, Richard Brothers, George
Turner, William Shaw, John Wroe, and James
Jezreel, all of England. As outlined in biblical
scripture, the function of the seventh angel was
to gather together the tribes of Israel prior to
the second coming of Christ.
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Incorporated under a
religious charter, the Israelite House of David
was a commonwealth with all possessions of members
surrendered to Purnell who in turn provided for
their support from a central fund which he
administered. Most of the original members of the
colony came from Indiana and Ohio, but this number
increased dramatically following a trip to
Australia in 1904-05 when Purnell appeared before
the members of the previous messenger’s
followers, James Jezreel. During its heyday in the
1920s, the Benton Harbor colony numbered more than
900 members.
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Activities of the colony included a farm, numerous
commercial ventures including an amusement park,
an open air tabernacle, a vegetarian restaurant,
hotel, bands, crafts for sale in a gift shop, and
a printing press. The colony was also remembered
for its traveling baseball team with players’
trademark braided long hair and beards. |
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After Ben Purnell’s death the colony split in 1930
and the formation of a new colony, the Israelite House of David as Re-organized
by Mary Purnell, later shortened to Mary’s City of David, led by Purnell’s
widow Mary. The original colony which had earlier shortened its name to the
House of David was led by Judge H. T. Dewhirst, the colony’s chief secretary.
In 1966, membership in the House of David numbered under 100, though some
operations continued, such as the miniature train locomotive.
The above is an
excerpt from
MICHIGAN HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
BENTLEY HISTORICAL LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
ALLEN, D.C., COLLECTOR
House of David Collection,
1795-1980
(Archives
of Michigan)
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Record trip by Water. A remarkable
trip made by Israelite Preachers of The House of David, Benton Harbor
Michigan USA. Down the Mississippi through the Gulf Of Mexico, around
Florida, up the Atlantic Coast to New York, up the Hudson River through
the Erie Canal and Great Lakes - A trip of over 6,000 miles with a 26 foot
gasoline launch, 7 ft beam and 4HP Waterman Engine. The trip was
remarkable for the endurance of the engine, The Israelites plucky escape
from many dangerous situations, and the hearty reception accorded them in
all the cities they visited. Their Mission was to proclaim the Ingathering
of Israel now taking place in Benton Harbor Michigan for the preparation
and redemption of the whole man - spirit, soul and body - from the fall
and the establishment of Christ's kingdom on earth.
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When Benjamin Purnell
moved his religious commune from Augustine, Ohio to
Benton Harbor, Michigan, he could not have predicted the
colonies' future fame. Unlike other religious communes,
the House of David readily welcomed curious guests.
Visitors and locals alike delighted in the community's
amusement park, musical groups and sports teams.
However, none of these attractions could rival the
popularity of the House of David traveling baseball
team.
Purnell established the House
of David in 1903. Over the next twenty years, the colony
grew to seven hundred followers. Preaching that he was
the seventh messenger prophesized in the book of
Revelation, Purnell created a community where celibacy,
vegetarianism, and long hair and beards were the norm.
Although not an athlete
himself, Purnell encouraged commune members to take part
in the popular pastime of baseball. The House of David
baseball team formed around 1913. By 1920, it had
started "barnstorming" around the country to
play teams at local fairs. In doing so, it earned
revenue for the colony and a means of recruiting
converts. The team continually drew large crowds that
were primarily interested in the novelty of the players'
long hair and beards.
Spectators also came to see the
infamous "pepper game," which was always
played after the 5th inning. The audience marveled as a
few players (The original number was three.) tossed the
ball to each other, gradually adding speed. The ball
would then appear and vanish in sleight-of-hands tricks
- sometimes appearing and disappearing in the players'
beards!
When Benjamin Purnell died in
1927, the House of David commune split into two
factions. Purnell's widow created her own community a
few miles away. This became known as the City of David.
After the schism, both communities maintained their own
baseball team. The House of David team disbanded in the
late 1930s, but the City of David team continued to play
well into the 1950s.
At its prime in the 1920s and
1930s, the House of David team became quite skilled and
even challenged some teams in the Major Leagues. The
team played a few exhibition games and won against the
St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Athletics. Fans
also looked forward to their annual match-up against the
Chicago Cubs. Throughout its entire career, the House of
David baseball team traveled over one millions miles,
won an average of 75% of their season games and never
ended their tradition of delighting fans across the
country.
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