D.C. Allen House of David Collection, 1795-1980 (majority within 1903-1980)

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D.C. Allen House of David Collection, 1795-1980 (majority within 1903-1980)

22 linear feet (in 24 boxes) — 69 volumes — 5 microfilms — 39.4 GB (online)

D. C. Allen was a Three Oaks, Michigan book dealer and collector of material on the House of David, an adventist cult founded in England. The leader of this cult was Benjamin Purnell who made Benton Harbor his home and the site of his follower's business activities. The Allen collection (formerly housed at the Wyoming American Heritage Center) consists of most of the publications by and about the Israelite House of David, scattered manuscript materials mainly documenting the colony's business operations and court cases involving Purnell and the colony, and photographs and postcards depicting activities of the colony.

The collection gathered together by D. C. Allen includes published materials, manuscripts and other paper documentation, and photographs, postcards, and other visual materials. The published material consists mainly of books and pamphlets written by House of David founder "King Benjamin" Purnell and his wife Mary and others associated with the House of David. This collection was formerly stored at the University of Wyoming American Heritage Center.

Publications

The Publications, divided into several series, contains Allen's collection of books, pamphlets, and periodicals published by the House of David and by Mary's City of David. Also included are works about the House of David and publications by and about Joanna Southcott and the other Messengers preceding Benjamin Purnell in the House of David's understanding. The collection also includes a few other works, mainly dealing with esoteric knowledge, for which the connection to the House of David is unclear. For the ease of researchers, all other works in the Bentley Library's collection relating to the House of David have also been included in this inventory.

Allen kept detailed notes on the sometimes confusing publication history of the House of David and City of David. His notecards are available in the Bentley Library Reading Room card file. Portions of his notes directly relating to editions and printings have been excerpted in this inventory. The cards often include additional information about the significance and meaning of the texts.

The publications series is organized by publisher or subject: Publications of the House of David (sometimes called the Israelite House of David, including both the organization led by Mary and Benjamin Purnell before 1929 and the succeeding organization led by Judge Dewhirst after the split); Publications of Mary's City of David (initially known as the Israelite House of David as reorganized by Mary Purnell); Writings about the House of David and City of David; Publications by and about the six predecessor Messengers, Joanna Southcott, Richard Brothers, George Turner, William Shaw (no publications), John Wroe and the Society of Christian Israelites, and James Jezreel and the New and Latter House of Israel; Publications of Helen Barltrop (and the Panacea Society) and British Israelism (successors to Joanna Southcott not directly related to the House of David); Publications of Richard W. Hill (a follower and interpreter of Benjamin Purnell); Esoteric and other writings of uncertain connection with the House of David or other Southcottian prophets.

Within each category, all titles are arranged in this inventory alphabetically by title. More substantial bound volumes are not located in the manuscript boxes, but should be retrieved by the call numbers listed for them.