Collection: House of David Scrapbooks

Scope and Content

Microfilmed scrapbooks of newspaper clippings concerning the House of David. The bulk of the clippings concern the history of the group and the legal charges brought against Purnell.

An index to eleven volumes appears at the beginning of reel one, but we have only the first seven volumes contained on two reels of microfilm. An item list appears before each volume. The Niles District Library in Niles, Michigan has microfilm of all the scrapbooks (including the ones we lack).

Dates

Creation: 1914 - 1927

Creator

House of David (Religious society) (Organization)

Language of Materials

English.

Background

The House of David is a religious commune that flourished in Benton Harbor, Michigan, in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s. The group was led by King Benjamin Purnell. He proclaimed himself the younger brother of Christ and the Seventh Messenger Angel who, according to the Book of Revelation, would gather together the 144,000 people who were to have immortal life on earth. Several members of the group were still living in the Benton Harbor commune at the beginning of the third millenium.