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Ancient Order of United Workmen. Coldwater Legion No. 8 (Michigan) Ledger

 Collection
Identifier: MS 00153

  • Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This Ledger, 1885-1903, pertains to the Select Knights of the AOUW (Ancient Order of United Workmen), Coldwater Legion No. 8  of Coldwater, Michigan. Recorded are accounts for individual members of this fraternal insurance group and occasionally an account for a special fund. The accounts for individual members include entries such as dues and application fees organized by month and year. In addition to accounts of individual members, there are general account listings around page 200, from page 362 to 363, and from page 520 to 527.  Some of the general accounts list the treasurer at the time.  In 1887, the treasurer appears to be 'Mr. White,' and in the 1890s, the treasurer was 'Mr. Luiddem.'

There is also an alphabetical member index in front of the volume. The ledger is not complete and entries for individual accounts end at page 253.  The latest date mentioned is 1903 listed under Mrs. Lucinda Burch.

Tucked into the front of the ledger is a  leaf of paper titled "Whole No. of Deaths, 2976."  This list was issued by the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and lists the deaths reported between January and March 31, 1901. The first page that might be missing since the list begins at number 28.  The purpose of the list was to provide an accounting of the beneficiary fund.  The AOUW had a death benefit fund to provide for the survivors of its members.  The paper also includes an imprint of the seal of the order.  It is signed by George Latcham, Grand Recorder, and was approved by the Finance Committee.

Dates

  • Creation: 1885-1896

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Historical Note:

The Select Knights of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Coldwater Legion No. 8 of Coldwater, Michigan was a chapter of the larger order. The Ancient Order of United Workmen was a fraternal insurance group established in 1868 by John J. Upchurch. The purpose of the organization was to provide relief for the widows and orphans of the deceased members who were part of the working community. Upchurch credits witnessing a strike, which deprived families of much needed sustenance, as the inspiration for the founding of the order. In terms of organization, the Grand Lodge was the head at the state level, with individual branches at the local level. The Coldwater Legion was thus under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Grand Lodge. The Grand Lodge of the AOUW is listed in the Journal of the House of Representatives of Michigan State for 1883 as a "Cooperative and Mutual Benefit Association."

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Acquisition Information:

Purchase.

Physical Description

1 vol., 252 pp. (13" by 8 1/2")

Processing Information:

Accessioned and minimally processed in June 2010 by SCRC staff Further described by Lauren Wallace, SCRC Staff, in December 2011.

Title
Guide to the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Coldwater Legion No. 8 (Michigan) Ledger
Author
Finding Aid Authors: Lauren Wallace, SCRC Staff.
Date
2010-06-23
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
The collection description/finding aid is written in English

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Research Center Repository

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