Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1768

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Minutes of the Unique Literary Society, Grahamsville Unique Literary Society, 1876-1879, Ms. Codex 1768, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1876-1879 (inclusive)

Creator:

Grahamsville Unique Literary Society

Form:

Manuscripts, American -- 19th century, Bylaws (administrative records), Minutes (administrative records), Minute books, and Codices (bound manuscripts)

Abstract:

This volume contains the meeting minutes of the Grahamsville Unique Literary Society spanning the years from 1876 to 1879.

The Grahamsville Unique Literary Society was formed on November 18, 1876 by a community in Grahamsville, a small hamlet in the town of Neversink, New York. As stated in the articles of association "the object . . . shall be our mutual improvement and enjoyments by such literary amusements as the society shall from time to time determine." The meetings were held in members' homes bi-weekly on Thursdays from November to May accomadating the agricultural cycle. The election of officers and committee members occured every three months. Members of the society included families, men, women, and young adults.

This marbled, paper-covered volume contains the meeting minutes of the Grahamsville Unique Literary Society spanning the years from 1876 to 1879. The volume includes the formation of the society, the bylaws, and a list of names of approximately forty members. Recorded in the minutes is the naming of the society and its organization at the first meeting held November 18, 1876. At the second meeting the society formed a paper entitled the Grahamsville Bugle with articles read at each meeting by two assigned editors. The meetings followed an outlined program opening with music and followed by readings of essays, recitations, declamations, humorous anecdotes, and articles from the Bugle. The meetings also included an intermission and closing music. Each portion of the program is documented in the minutes with the name of the member reading or performing and topic or title of the reading. Sometimes there were debates of a specific question. Family surnames appearing in the society include Clark, Glassbrener, Grant, Moore, Porter, and Reynolds.