[MORALS]. Sandbornton Society for the Reformation of Morals.

Constitution of the Sandbornton [sic] Society for the Reformation of Morals, Instituted December 29, 1814 [caption title].

[Sanbornton, N. H. n. p., 1815?]. First edition. Two formerly conjugate leaves (9.25 x 5.88 inches) on wove paper, [2] facing pages of text. Nearly split along the conjugate fold (but just hanging on at the head of the spine), old folds and some light browning and dust-soiling; in good to very good condition. Item #21104

“It shall be the duty of all the members to exert their influence to suppress immorality of every description, particularly Sabbath-breaking, Intemperance, Profaneness, and Falsehood; to endeavor to reclaim the immoral by friendly admonition; to aid and support Tithingmen, and all civil officers, in the faithful execution of the laws; and finally to encourage the rising generation of in a constant attendance on public worship, in habits of sobriety, morality, and industry.” A rare and moderately late instance of a local New England Society for the Reformation of Morals, intended to combat the scourges of intemperance and Sabbath-breaking, as well as support of the elected Tithingman in his duties. Signed in type by Nathan Taylor, President and Joshua Lane, Secretary. An 1885 History of Merrimack and Belknap Counties, New Hampshire notes that Taylor had been busy in 1814, having chaired the September 2 meeting to form a local “military association” to prepare the town for defense in the War of 1812. The text of this constitution is reproduced in semi-facsimile in an 1882 history of Sanbornton, which notes that the document had been “recently brought to light” and that the author “had been informed that the society here referred to maintained a flourishing existence for several years.” Not found on OCLC (under Sandbornton or Sanbornton) or in the AAS catalog.

Price: $250.00