Description
Oneida Association, Oneida Reserve, NY, 1849; Unique archive of five original Oneida Association publications: (1.) "Confessions Of John Noyes," autobiography of controversial Oneida founder John Humphrey Noyes, (1849; 96 pages), who after experiencing a religious conversion in 1834 at a revival meeting conducted by fiery preacher Charles Grandison Finney, was moved to dedicate his life to the theology of Perfectionism and by 1836 had established a commune of "Free Church," or "Bible Socialists," at Putney, Vermont where they remained for twelve years before moving to New York’s Oneida Indian Reserve to avoid prosecution for adultery, owing to their practice of universal marriage. "Confessions," published the first year at Oneida, is Noyes’ personal account of his life and religious evolution, plus a history of the philosophy of Perfectionism; (2.) Faith Facts, Or A Confession Of The Kingdom Of God And The Age Of Miracles, (1850; 40 pages), the first Free Church tract to be published at Oneida, edited by Charles Cragin and comprised chiefly of selections from Noyes’ writings in the Putney compound’s "Spiritual Magazine" and "Free Church Circular," with the addition of inspirational first person testimonies by identified Oneida members of physical healing achieved through faith in the society’s principles. Cragin and his wife had been Noyes stalwarts at Putney who continued as core members at Oneida; (3.) First Annual Report Of The Oneida Association: Exhibiting Its History, Principles, And Transactions To Jan 1, 1849, (60 pages); (4.) Second Annual Report Of The Oneida Association: Exhibiting Its Progress To February 20, 1850 (31 pages); and (5.) Third Annual Report Of The Oneida Association: Exhibiting Its Progress To February 20, 1851 (32 pages). These Annual Reports are valuable for their great quantity of detailed information about Oneida, such as its history and origin, number and classification of members, environmental setting, labor and finances, buildings, arrangement of households, mode of dress, system of mutual criticism, religious beliefs, organization and government, property ownership, marriage, sexual mores, industries, education, children’s welfare, order of daily life, etc. All items octavo first editions in original wraps, printed on handmade paper by Leonard & Company at the Oneida Reserve and hand sewn into a sammelbande. The Oneida Association was the longest lived utopian community in America and lasted until 1880, when renewed outside antagonism to their marriage practices resulted in a breakup, and Noyes fled to Canada. Very Good, 1 3/8" chip at center of front wrap, closed tear at lower right of the last page, blank rear wrap absent, scattered staining and light foxing, paper supple, not brittle, no ownership signatures or other markings of any kind, binding tight and sound. A rare primary source Oneida archive.
