It’s Women’s History Month! And we’re supporting young women with a passion for history. Did you know? Women founded local chapters of some of New York State’s earliest Black mutual aid societies to provide insurance benefits and financial resources for themselves, their husbands and families. We’re super grateful to Jay Fellow Caitlin Solis who has researched Mamaroneck’s local chapter of the Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers, based on a ledger and manuscripts donated to JHC and the Westchester County Archives by JHC Advisory Board Member Carol Ubosi. Caitlin is currently a freshman at Brown University and has volunteered at JHC since 2022.
The Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers (1881-1910) was a national organization providing death-benefit certificates to African American families after an illness or death to supplement the lack of insurance resources. It was founded by former enslaved Civil War veteran and advocate of African American rights, William Washington Browne. As the organization grew, it later expanded to advocate temperance and moral instruction for youth. At the height of its financial success, the organization also ran a retirement home and savings bank.
The organization inspired chapters to rise up in Westchester: Yonkers, New Rochelle, Ossining and Mount Vernon. The Glen Fountain, No. 375, served residents of Mamaroneck, Rye, Port Chester, and Harrison. Caitlin highlights the Bell family of Mamaroneck with a particular focus on Elmira Ann Purdy Bell, one of the chapter’s founders. She also makes connections between No. 375 and the larger Grand Fountain organization, including typical format of meetings, membership rules, traditional rituals including recruitment of young people, funerary rites and alignment with national goals.
Members of Elmira’s family were contracted to work on projects throughout Westchester including the Jay Estate in Rye and a supplemental benefits society like this was truly innovative albeit short-lived.
Stay tuned for the announcement of a date for Caitlin’s virtual presentation.