Hi To All,
Just found reference to this group in Vol 2 "Vermont of Today" (Stone 1929). To
quote
"The New England Order of Protection is a fraternity was organized in Boston in
1887 under the name of the "Supreme Lodge, New England Order of Protection".
(My note: date doesn't jibe with earlier reference in the 1850's).
The purposes of the fraternity were to unite fraternally all acceptable white
persons of good moral character, steady habits, sound bodily health, reputable
calling, and who believe in a Supreme Intelligent Being, The Creator and
Preserver of the Universe....
In 1929 there were 20 lodges in Vermont with a membership of 1200.
In essence, it appears to primarily be a form of life insurance company.
I would be interested in your feelings about this group.
Mal Bevins
Mark & Carol Felone wrote:
Hi All,
I received this from the President of the Windsor Historical Society.The
following is from a researcher in East Calais, Vermont.
"I am researching the New England Proctective Union, a consumer
co-operative movement of the 1850's. It began in Boston but spread
throughout New England. There were over 125 of these Union Stores or
"Divisions" as they were called, in Vermont. Division 245 was in Windsor,
1854-1863. Division 306 was in West Windsor, 1853-1867. Are there people in
your town who know of this? Do you know where this store was located ? Do
records of the stores transactions, its by-laws, or its membership lists
still exists ? Anything I might be allowed to photocopy ? Some divisions
sent large quantities of farm produce to Boston to the Central Agency to be
sold for them. Did your division to this this? I shall appreciate any
information you can send me."
If you have any answers to these questions or information in general about
the Union, please e-mail William Ballantyne, President, Windsor Historical
Society, at
mailto:SweaneyBal@aol.com
Mark Felone