Newspaper Reports Regarding the Life and Death of Aaron Thomas Bowden & "The Sanctified Band" - Part 2

 Newspaper coverage regarding the death of Aaron Thomas Bowden and the "Sanctified Band" from 9 May 1893 through 18 December 1896 follow.  Again, these are newspaper accounts from the dates stated; some versions are garbled, some are flights of fancy.  Some of my family members are involved in these articles, being members of the "Sanctified Band."  - I am just relaying what was reported....

From The News, a Frederick, Maryland newspaper, on Tuesday, 9 May 1893, on page 3, column 5, under the heading "News Of the State.  Events of Interest Here and There, Yesterday and Today:"

  "The new religious sect called the Sanctified Band, which had its origin on Chincoteague Island, is making converts in Worcester county."

From The St. Louis Globe-Democrat newspaper, of St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday, 11 May 1893, on page 6, column 6:

"LYNCH'S "SANCTIFIED BAND."  -  Frenzied Actions of the Members of a Queer Religious Sect.  -  

Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat.   Snow Hill, Md., May 10.  -  The religious organization known as the "Sanctified Band," which had its origin in Chincoteague Island, Va., has crossed the bay and found a lodging place in this county, and quite a number of men and women in the neighborhood have embraced the new faith.

  It is said that a number of persons near Box Iron expressed a wish for a different faith, and Lynch, the leader of the "Sanctified Band," learning this fact, visited the mainland and made arrangements for a series of meetings to be held, in which he and his band took part.  It was arranged that the band was to cross the bay in sailboats, and Lynch would accompany the party as leader, not in a boat, but a walk-over on the water.  The band arrived yesterday, and with it Lynch, but he for some reason did not come afoot.

  The meetings were started, and for a short time the scenes beggared description.  The frenzy to which Lynch and his adherents, aided by converts, would work themselves up to is indescribable.  They howled and danced until they fell exhausted.  The converts will hold their meetings at their residences.  Unlike the Chincoteague community the Box Iron Sanctified Band is not composed of the ignorant and uneducated, but embraces a different class.  The sanctified visit among their friends and exhort them to turn their downward course and join the Sanctified Band.  The clergymen of all denominations are preaching against Lynch's band and denouncing the leader as an imposter.  Meanwhile the band is growing."

From The Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette newspaper, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Tuesday, 16 May 1893, on page 4, column 1:

   "The leader of a sanctified band in Maryland advertised to walk on the water as evidence of his miraculous power.  The next time he tries it he will wait until the temperature has been below zero for a few days.  It is easy to walk on water at certain seasons of the year." 

Joseph Bannard Lynch

From The Morning News newspaper of Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday, 4 September 1894, on page 1, column 5:

"SHOT WHILE SLEEPING  -  Religious Feud on Chincoteague Causes a Murder.  -  FATAL EFFECT OF A MOB'S BULLETS  - The House of Thomas Bowdin [sic] Fired on and the Owner is Wounded in the Head - Outcome of the "Sanctified Band" Troubles.  Arrests Expected.  -  Special dispatch to the Morning News  -  CHINCOTEAGUE ISLAND, Va., Sept. 3.  -   One of Chincoteague's most respected citizens, Thomas Bowdin [sic], was assassinated on Saturday night at 11 o'clock, the assassin shooting him through the head as he lay in bed sleeping beside his wife.

  This foul murder is the outcome of the fight being waged between a clan of so-called religionists, who call themselves "the Sanctified Band," and sundry persons in the community who oppose their free loveism under the cloak of religion.

  This feud has culminated in the worst form of rowdyism and reached a climax on Saturday night in the murder of an innocent man, who leaves a wife and six children, the eldest but 8 years of age.  The widow is the daughter of the late Captain Chandler, formerly of Baltimore hundred, Sussex county, Delaware.

   Your correspondent visited the neighborhood where these people live in Saturday afternoon.  The church built by them and in which they professed to worship has been an especial victim of the mob.  The windows, notably on the northeast side of the building, are mashed in, the sash and glass being scattered promiscuously over the floor.  The walls show the indentations from swiftly-thrown bricks and the ugly splotches of spoiled eggs.

  The condition of the dwellings of John Bowdin [sic], James Hudson, John Hudson, and other members of the sect are but duplicates of the church.

  Saturday night between 10 and 11 o'clock a posse of roughs visited the scene of conflict and while passing the residence of Mr. Bowdin [sic], who was in bed asleep with the window hoisted, shot him as already stated.

   The screams of his wife, who was awakened by the report of the weapon, brought the neighbors, who found Mr. Bowdin [sic] unconscious.  He lingered until 10 o'clock Sunday morning when death ended his suffering.

   The names of the parties to the crime are known to the officers of the law and their arrest will follow.

 ...  The story of the peculiar sect, to which reference is made in the foreign despatch, was printed in "The Morning News" of August 23, as follows:

   The burning of the Church of the Sanctified at Williamsville a week or so ago has brought out a strange story of the denomination which owned the building.  It is now said that some people in the neighborhood did not like the manner in which the church was run, or agreed with the doctrines which the denomination taught, and burned the church in order to get rid of them.  It is also said that they will run the members out of town if they do not leave of their own accord.  Whether they will do so remains to be seen.

   The denomination had its origin on Chincoteague Island, so the story goes, and was founded by Joseph Barnard [sic] Lynch, who, like the founder of Mormonism, claimed to have a dream in which the truth was revealed to him.  He at once set about preaching his doctrine and soon became known as a bishop.  It is said that he and some of his followers claimed to have power to walk on the water.  In order to prove this, it is claimed that the bishop had boards made into a platform and the platform submerged in water so that no one could see it.  The boards were about four inches below the surface of the water and on these be used to walk.  This scheme worked all right until one day someone removed the platform when the bishop and his followers were absent and then when he went to walk on the water he fell overboard and had to swim out.  Later it is said that the leaders of this strange sect were driven from the island and made their way to Frankford, where they built a church and observed their strange form of worship.

   On Sundays the congregation met and listened to an address or sermon from one  of the members of the church and when that had been finished they removed the benches from the church and piled them in a corner.  Then ensued one of the strangest and weirdest dances ever seen.  This was continued until the men and women dropped from exhaustion.

   Another feature of the religion was that under the rules of the church sanctification had to be preached by a man and a woman, and the man must not be accompanied by his own wife.  This, it is claimed, led to the congregation members trading their wives and sisters in some cases, and, though no wrong is charged, the people in that place did not like such an arrangement and particularly was it objected to where the husband of a woman who went about preaching was not a member of the same church."

Prior to building their own church, Christ's Sanctified Holy Church

met in a building they called "The Workshop" immediately north

of Howard Merritt's store on North Main Street.

From The Springfield Democrat newspaper, of Springfield, Missouri, on Wednesday, 5 September 1894, on page 1, column 5 [I'm including this just because of the location header]:

   "Shot Dead By A Religious Mob.

CHINCONTAGUE, Md. [sic], Sept. 4.  -  A mob composed of those who oppose the teachings of the sect known as "The Sanctified Band," said to believe in free love, attacked and demolished a church belonging to the Sunday night, after which they stoned the houses of several members of the congregation.  While passing Thomas Bowden's house the mob fired through the window, killing Bowden, who was asleep in bed."   *** This spelling of Chincoteague along with the state of Maryland, was in the location line in 25 newspapers in the Midwest... ***

From The Leavenworth Times of Leavenworth, Kansas, on Thursday, 6 September 1894, on page 2, column 2:

   "RELIGIOUS ENTHUSIASTS.

   The "Sanctified Band," an order of religious enthusiasts more properly designated Free Thinkers only they are rabid and carry things farther, Has held forth on a Virginia Island for some time.  Their main point was that a man could leave his wife and take another whenever he wished, without any preliminary work.  The fact that the whole band wanted the same woman has about split them up.  The leader has skipped and one of the deciples [sic] was murdered Tuesday.

   People get farther off on religion than on anything else, unless the Populists on politics can be an exception, and the sooner the law interferes with the disgraceful and unlawful acts of Christs and walking religious delegates the sooner we will be relieved of a blight."

From The Democratic Messenger of Snow Hill, Maryland, on Saturday, 8 September 1894 on page 3, column 3: 

"Killed On Chincoteague!  -  THOMAS BOWDEN KILLED BY A PISTOL BALL  -  IN BED WITH HIS WIFE  -  Who Fired the Shot?  This is the Question Which Agitated All Chincoteague.  -

   Thomas Bowden, white, lying in bed by the side of his wife and child was shot by some  unknown person at his home on Chincoteague Island Saturday night and never regained consciousness.  He died at 9 o'clock on Sunday morning.  The circumstances are as follows:  Mr. Bowden went to his home about 7 o'clock on Saturday evening and retired early to bed with his wife and one of his six small children.  About 11 o'clock his wife was aroused by the report of a pistol, and called to her husband, asking if he was awake.  Receiving no answer, she laid her hand upon his shoulder and tried to arouse him.  Failing in this, she jumped up from the bed, secured a match and, upon lighting it, the awful sight presented itself - her husband lying covered with blood and the death rattle already in his throat.

   The terrified woman's screams attracted some of the neighbors.  A closer investigation revealed the fact that a pistol ball had passed through the window screen of the window and buried itself in the left temple of the unfortunate man.  Dr. White was summoned and found that the ball had passed almost entirely through the brain and that there was no hope of recovery.

   The magistrate's trial on Monday brought to light the fact that a gang of men, 13 of whom have been apprehended and examined, were seen moving from the scene of the tragedy immediately after the shooting occurred.  These witnesses testify they were in front of Bowden's house and heard the report of a pistol, and claim that they saw a flash in the direction of a house just across the way, where resides John Bowden.  The evidence of these witnesses was generally the same.

   John Bowden swore that he knew nothing of the shooting except that he heard the report, and his evidence is corroborated by his family.

   The men who acknowledge being in front of the house at the time of the shooting are Wm. B. Mumford, Irving Sturgis, A. C. Byrnes, William Bloxsom [sic], John Daisey, Fred Fresh, Solomon Daisey, Oliver Jester, Wm. Anderson, Daniel Bebee [sic], Daniel J. Lewis and John H. Thompson, all natives of the Island.  This crowd had gone up the Island for the purpose of serving notice to leave the Island upon one James Workman, who had made himself obnoxious on account of his alleged conduct in connection with the notorious sanctified band.  It is a significant fact that the unfortunate victim of the murderer's bullet was himself some time since a member of this same band, but recently he had disclaimed all allegiance to the same.

   The deceased was buried Monday afternoon, and almost all of the 3,000 inhabitants of Chincoteague were present at the funeral.   The murdered man was 35 years of age and an oysterman.  He leaves a widow and six small children.

      LATER NEWS.

   Rev. E. H. Miller, pastor of the Methodist Church at Whitesville, Delaware, who has been visiting Dr. Smith on Chincoteague Island and was there on the night Bowden was killed, was in Snow Hill on Tuesday, visited the MESSENGER office and gave us the latest news regarding the shooting of Bowden and the details of the hearing before Justice Lloyd Wilson of Greenbackville, who took the testimony of the thirteen young men implicated in the shooting.  In the main the above story is correct, but the additional facts brought out since it was written are these:  On Saturday, two young men from Drummondtown, went to Chincoteague in a sail boat, one was Irvin Sturgis the other's name is not known by Mr. Miller.  These two men joined a crowd of young men in an expedition up the Island on Saturday night the avowed purpose of which was to give Rev. Workman, the sanctified preacher,  a thrashing for alleged improper conduct toward a married lady of his flock who refused to live up to his ideas of the doctrine of "free love."

   While in the neighborhood of the Sanctified church, the young men, who were somewhat scattered, commenced throwing stones and other missels [sic], some of which fell near the party in which Savage [sic] stood, they thought they were being stoned by members of the sanctified band, and Savage [sic] asked the boys if either of them had a pistol, one of them answered in the affirmative and produced an antiquated horse pistol, which Savage [sic] took and fired at random.  [I believe that the name Savage should be Sturgis throughout this paragraph.]  Immediately after the shot was fired he heard a female voice crying "murder!"  He said,

    "Boys," [sic] "I believe I've shot someone!"

   The crowd then dispersed, agreeing not to say anything about one of their party having fired the shot.

   The thirteen men, including Sturgis, were arrested and had a hearing.  Twelve of them testified that they knew nothing of the shooting except that they heard a pistol shot which was fired by someone from the opposite side of the street, where, the brother-in-law of Mrs. Bowden resides.  All of this evidence was knocked out, however, by the testimony of Sturgis, who was the last one to be catechised by Judge Wilson.  To the astonishment of the many persons present at the hearing and the twelve other young men implicated, Sturgis made a clean breast of the part he played in the sad affair; said he fired a shot, did not aim at anything in particular and did not know there was a house opposite where he and his party stood.  This ended the hearing.  The jury of inquest rendered a verdict in substance that Thomas Bowden came to his death by a pistol ball fired by Irvin Sturgis, without intention on the part of said Sturgis of injuring Bowden."

From The Sunday Inter Ocean of Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, 9 September 1894, page 6, column 3:

"SAY SAINTS MUST GO  -  People Waging War On the "Sanctified Band."  -  FOLLOWERS OF A FANATIC  -  Strange Organization Existing at Chincoteague.  -  Prophet Joe Lynch Asks Wives to Desert Their Husbands and Then Trouble Begins.  -  Chincoteague, Va., Sept. 8.  - Special Telegram - 

The mysterious shooting of Captain Thomas Bowdin [sic] last Sunday night will likely result in the extermination of the so-called Sanctified Band, a gang which has given the better class of people on this famous old Chesapeake [sic] Island considerable trouble.  Bowdin [sic] was shot while asleep at his home.  The killing of Bowdin [sic] was done by a gang of eleven who had gone to the sanctified church to drive out Preacher Workman.  He was not there, and so they began to terrify the saints who lived in the neighborhood.  Sturgis, one of their number had a pistol which he fired in Bowdin's [sic] window.  It was a warm night, and Bowdin [sic], who was sleeping with his head on the sill, received the bullet, which nearly took his head off.

   Some three years or more ago there suddenly rose among the islanders Joe Lynch, who claimed to be a sort of prophet or Messiah.  He warned the members of the Methodist Church that their religious convictions were born of the devil, and that such tenets as they professed would lead them straight to his domain.  Lynch withdrew from the church, and, constituting himself an evangelist, went about preaching the doctrine of his new faith.  He claimed that the only possible salvation for humanity lay in entire human perfection, and asserted that as the result of long continued prayer God had endowed him with a religion that made it utterly impossible for him to sin.

      Lynch Finds Many Followers.

   Although Lynch was at first looked upon as a blatant fanatic, the ignorance and superstition of the people soon furnished a number of followers, and a society was formed, with Lynch as leader, known as the Sanctified Band.  This band, after a successful crusade on the island, visited about from place to place and found everywhere men and women ready to renounce their former faith and come under the leadership of the new prophet.  The church in Chincoteague was rent in twain.  The services were frequently interrupted by some member of the band who would attend for that purpose, and on several occasions the preacher was interrupted in the course of his sermon by some such remark as this:  "The religion you are preaching will send you and all your congregation to perdition."

   At one time, by prearrangement, a number of the members of the band assembled at a regular church service, and at a given signal arose from their seats, shouted up and down the aisles, called upon the others to save their souls by withdrawing from the church, denounced the minister as an agent of the devil, and broke up the meeting.  Other churches in Virginia and a number in Maryland furnished recruits for the new religious army.

   The band soon built a church upon the island and Chincoteague became the Mecca of the adherents of the new religion.  Meetings were held nightly in which the greatest excitement prevailed, and to which crowds of curious people would flock from far and near.

   A member of the band entering the church would be greeted by his brethern [sic] and sisters with a "holy kiss," the presence of a husband by no means deterring a wife from bestowing her kisses upon other men.  There was, of course, no impropriety in this, for they profess to believe that the truly sanctified can commit no wrong.

   Lynch has all the time been the leader and counsellor of the Sanctified Band, in fact, law-maker and judge; and as soon as a new religious idea is advanced by him it is at once accepted by his followers.  The band soon drifted in a state of communism, Lynch, the infallible oracle, having proclaimed that such was pleasing to God.

       Unsanctified Husbands Objected.

   Lynch announced that on a certain night each brother would have a dream in which there would appear to him the woman selected by God to be his special assistant in evangelical work, and with this woman, whether his wife or not, he must go out from home "against sin and the churches."  Strange to say, all who could possibly leave home experienced just such a dream as predicted, and all might have passed off well had not some of the sisters possessed unsanctified husbands who, in their human blindness, failed to discover the hand of providence in the apparent inconstancy of their heretofore loyal wives.  These husbands strenuously objected to their wives leaving home under such questionable conditions, and as a result one male member of the sanctified band received a severe thrashing at the hands of an injured and irate husband.  Some of the women by their personal conduct so far incurred the displeasure of their husbands as to cause separations.

   The better citizens on the island are determined to put an end to the band."

Sarah Elizabeth Tarr Collins (Sister Sadie)

From The Indianapolis Journal of Indianapolis, Indiana on Monday, 10 September 1894, on page 5, columns 1 and 2:   

"THE SANCTIFIED BAND  -  COMMUNITY OF ZEALOT ON AN ISLAND OFF VIRGINIA COAST.  -  Curious and Questionable Customs That Aroused Indignation and Resulted in a Recent Murder.  -   Pocomoke City (Md.) Letter in New York Recorder.

   This is the true story of how Thomas Bowden was killed on Chincoteague island last Saturday night.  The newspapers of Virginia declare that Maryland, Pennsylvania and even New York journals have published vague accounts of the affair, saying that Bowden was killed by the "Sanctified Band. [no closing quotation marks]  That, however, is not the truth.  He was shot accidentally by one of a crowd of islanders who went out that night to drive the "Sanctified Band" from Chincoteague island.  It was a remarkably strange accident, however, and the story is worth chronicling.

   Chincoteague island lies far out of the beaten track of travel.  It is a long, low-lying sandy stretch, six miles from the Virginia shore, peopled by peculiar men of peculiar habits and customs, one-half of whom look after the wild ponies that abound there, while the other half follow the sea.  At the northern end of the island there is a small settlement of oystermen, and it is here that the "Sanctified Band" exists, and it is here that a Thomas Bowden was killed.

   Some six years ago, Joseph Barnard [sic] Lynch, who then kept a store in this settlement, was visited, as he expresses it, by the Spirit of the Truth.  The result of this visit was that Lynch plunged into the study of the Bible, with the upshot that on one fine day he declared himself to be sanctified.  "The Lord has been with me," he said, "and I am sanctified.  I have died and been born again, and I know that I shall be saved, and whatever befalls I shall be happy while I live on earth."

   He gathered his friends together and laid before them the doctrine of religion of sanctification which had come to him.  The oystermen listened in dumb amazement.  First, Lynch said it was necessary to become in soul and body the Lord's disciple; then, when the heart was filled with the comfort of sanctification, it was necessary that each man should take a woman and each woman should take a man to discuss together the beauty and the grace of sanctification.  When a man once became sanctified he would know at once the woman whom he must select as his companion in biblical study and sanctified reflections together.  They were to sit up all the night at least once a week, but what they were to watch for none of the oystermen could clearly understand.  Lynch explained to them that when they were once sanctified they would know.

   "The woman must not be your wife, " he preached, "for who of you is married in God?  You are joined to a woman by the laws of your land, but unless you are joined to her in the eyes of God you must not watch with her."

   The oystermen winked and the women blushed.

       THE SANCTIFIED PROPHET.

   Mr. Lynch preached until he grew red in the face, and so it went on for a year, and then by slow degrees Lynch's efforts were rewarded.  So sincere did he seem to be in his invocations, such strong faith did he appear to have in his belief and so happy was he withal, that in the course of time, the oystermen, one after another, first seriously considered and then seriously accepted his preaching, until to-day there are four hundred men and women on Chincoteague island who call themselves members of the "Sanctified Band of Christ."  To what extent they are sincere it is impossible to realize.

   They have brought upon themselves the disapprobation and at times the persecution of all the other islanders, and yet they seriously stand up for their faith.  When a sanctified man receives in some mysterious fashion a call to watch with a sanctified woman who happens to be another sanctified man's wife, all he needs to do is to present himself and announce that he has received the call.  Then the sanctified woman, taking a Bible with her, retires with him to a secluded spot, and there they watch.  Lynch complains that there have been many backsliders.  He told me this story:

   "A sanctified man was watching with a good-looking sanctified woman in her sleeping apartment.  The woman's husband was in the parlor waiting.  Growing tired of his vigil, he went across the road and announced to a young woman that he had been called to watch with her.  She refused to be watched with that night, saying that she had been praying all day and felt exhausted.  Therefore, the husband went home, ascended to his wife's room, where he found her kneeling in prayer opposite her companion, and with a few vigorous kicks sent the sanctified man sprawling down the stairs.  That man," Lynch concluded, "was brutally jealous and by his jealousy lost his sanctification."

   Two years ago the "Sanctified Band," as they had come to call themselves, erected a church upon Chincoteague island.  There they met every Sunday, and after a short sermon and a hasty prayer began to sing and shout until they had worked themselves into a religious frenzy.  Then, with clasped hands they would dance and caper and embrace one another, shouting all the whlie [sic]: "We are sanctified, thank the Lord.  We cannot sin.  We are of the kingdom of heaven.  We are His in body and heart, and truly the sanctified cannot sin."

   It was not until the frenzied meetings began that the unsanctified islanders were aware of the strength of the band.  Murmurs of disgust arose on every side, and many  threats were made to drive the whole band from the island.  The more intelligent of the southern end of the island took the pains to look into the matter, and when they discovered to what extent the doctrine of "watching" had spread they were filled with disgust.

       A DILIGENT "WATCHER."

   One of the sanctified, William H. Workman, did more watching, they found, than any other two men in the band.  He had watched with, at different times, every sanctified woman in the sect, and even his brethren were beginning to grumble.  One night, about two months ago, this Mr. Workman disappeared from Chincoteague island.  Why he left it was impossible to say with truth.

   They tell a story on the island of how one night a gang of men was seen dragging the semblance of a man along the sandy road, stopping every little while to kick it and finally throwing it into the bay; but, be that as it may, Mr. Workman left Chincoteague island and did not return until last Saturday night.

   It was about 6 o'clock in the afternoon when it became known that he had returned.  The news was received among the unsanctified with shouts of indignation, and a few hours later a dozen men set out to look for him.  As they came to each sanctified cottage they threw sticks and stones at the door and windows, and the watchers, if there were any, showed themselves.  When the unsanctified found that it was not Workman, they passed on.  They came to a point on the road where two frame houses stood facing each other.  In one lived John Bowden, a member of the "Sanctified Band," and opposite him his cousin, Thomas Bowden, who had lost his sanctification because Lynch wanted to watch with Mrs. Bowden, and Thomas had refused to allow it.

   The unsanctified Mr. Bowden was sleeping beside his wife on a mattress that lay upon the floor near the window.  He had propped himself up on two pillows to get the fresh air, and his head rested on a level with the window sill.  The crowd of searchers made a loud noise to arouse John Bowden, but heard no response.  After they had banged against the door and broken several windows one of them drew a revolver and fired into the air, saying, "Maybe this will fetch him."

   Mrs. A. T. Bowden heard the shot and shook her husband's shoulder.  "Wake up, Tom," she said, "somebody is shooting."  

   Receiving no reply, she shook him quite vigorously, and then, alarmed at his silence, she arose, lighted a lamp and bent over him.  She saw his form tremble for a moment and the relax, and as his head dropped to one side she saw blood trickling down his face.  He had been shot in the brain.  Her screams alarmed the crowd below and they fled.

   The next day they were all arrested and one of them, Irvin S. Sturgis, confessed that he had fired the shot.  He had intended to fire into the air, and had not the faintest idea that he was shooting in the direction of the house.

   The coroner held an inquest and the jury found the following verdict: "The jurors sworn to inquire when, how and by what means the said A. Thomas Bowden, on the night of Sept. 1, 1894, came to his death by a bullet from a pistol fired in the hand of one Irvin S. Sturgis, and the rest of the crowd, composed of Henry Savage, Daniel Bebee [sic], Fred Fresh, Daniel L. W. Lewis, Arthur C. Byrnes, William B. Mumford, Solomon Daisy, Oliver Jester, W. B. Bloxom and John Daisy, are equally as guilty, and also believe the cause to be manslaughter."

   All of these men were sent to the jail in Accomac, where they are now confined.  Workman left the island before daybreak, and he has not been seen since."

From The Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Advertiser of Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, 18 September 1894, on page 2, column 5:

   "HIGH PRIEST LYNCH IN JAIL.  -  Joe Lynch, high priest, and Sarah Collins, high priestess of the Sanctified Band, on Chincoteague Island, together with Wm. Collins and Wm. Chandler, one of whom is Sarah Collins's husband, were yesterday evening arraigned before a justice of the peace and committed to the Accomac county jail, on the charge of lewd and lascivious practices.  Many curious people visited the prisoners in jail in the afternoon.  When asked for what they had been put in jail, they replied, "For preaching the Gospel."  All the prisoners seemed to be happy at the prospect of playing the role of martyrs, and say they do not intend to employ a lawyer or apply for bail.  They are delighted at the opportunity of defending their strange faith and questionable conduct before the public.  They were arrested upon the complaint of Thomas Burton, a citizen of Chincoteague Island."

From The Norfolk Weekly Landmark of Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday, 19 September 1894, on page 1, column 7:

   "OFF TO JAIL TWO-BY-TWO.  -  A Blow at Leader Lynch's Sanctified Band - -  The People of Chincoteague Determined to Break Up a So-Called Religious Sect By Most Vigorous Measures.  -

Chincoteague, Va., September 17. - The "Two-by-Two" religion of Leader Lynch, of the Sanctified Band, has received a blow from the exasperated residents that it is hoped may prove fatal to the cause.  Lynch is in jail, as are also his fellow-watchmen, Sarah E. Collins, John E Collins, the husband of Sarah, and William J. Chandler, another leader.  The foundation of this religion is that the brother must pray and read his Bible in secret, and that he must have a fellow-watchman upon these occasions of alleged religious meditations.  Just who the fellow-watchman is to be must be revealed to the brother in a dream.  According to the creed laid down by Leader Lynch a sister was always selected to help watch.  The rules of the Sanctified Band made it imperative for a wife to leave her husband, or daughter to leave their parents, and join with the male members in the so-called watching.

   The result of this has been dissensions in families, divorces and all sorts of troubles.  Finally, the decent portion of the community became disgusted with the carryings-on of the Sanctified, and they began to make it hot for the members of the band.  Two weeks ago this culminated in the murder of a man named Bowden.  His death fanned the embers into a flame, and it was determined to break up the immoral Sanctified Band.

   Just how this was to be accomplished was not plain until Isaac Savage, a reputable merchant, took the bull by the horns and made a complaint against Leader Lynch and the rest of his immediate followers.  This he did on Saturday last, when a select party were arrested by Constable Emory Phipps, charged with being "common nuisances."  Justice Richard F. Reynolds, assisted by visiting Magistrate Wilson, of Franklin City, gave the accused a hearing in Red Men's Hall.  The building was packed, and as they say at the show, "hundreds were  turned away at the door."  In addition to those named above, Lucetti Bishop and Mrs. J. B. Lynch were among the prisoners.

   Isaac Savage, the leader in the crusade, was once one of the Sanctified.  The rock upon which his faith split was the taking of a "fellow-watchman" in the person of some female member of the band.  "Why can't I take my wife?" inquired Savage of Leader Lynch.  "Why should my wife go to watch with some other man?"

   Savage asked too many questions and was turned out of the church.

   Mr. Savage was the principal witness against Leader Lynch, but Mrs. James Pitts, who claimed to be sanctified and holy, but who had peculiar ideas of the fitness of things, had a word to say before Justice Reynolds.  She said she could not understand the "fellow-watchman" business, and she could not think it was right.  Mrs. Bishop, who was formerly a Miss Bloxom, and whom Leader Workman, now a fugitive, had selected for his fellow-watcher, had retired from the church also.  Workman had become too demonstrative in his attentions during the watching periods, and the witness denounced the whold scheme as bad.

   While the testimony to his general cussedness was being given, Lynch sat in a big chair, cross-legged, and denounced the "blasphemers."

   Finally, Justice Reynolds put the leader on the legal gridiron and proceeded to broil him in this style:

Q. -  "Are you a member of the Sanctified Band?"

A. -  "Yes, sir."

Q. -  "Are you married?"

A. -  "Only by the law of the land; not by God."

Q. -  "Do you consider that legal marriage?"

A. -  "No, sir.  Unless you are directed by God to watch with some woman, you are not married.  The law of the land is no good."

Q. -  "Please explain how you receive the knowledge of your fellow watchman.  Why can't you take a man, or your own wife, instead of taking some other man's wife?"

A. -  "I am directed by God to take me a certain watchman."

Q. -  "Who is your fellow-watchman?"

A. -  "Sister Sadie Collins."

Q. -  "Tell us something about your home life.  Do you live in peace; and why not take your own wife to watch with in the place of Mrs. Collins?"

A. -  "I live in peace at home.  I support my wife, and we live in happiness; but I'm not married to her."

   Leader Lynch then started off in a harangue about persecutions, declaring that the disciples had been persecuted, and he was ready to go to jail, where he would preach Sanctification to the prisoners.  He about settled his case when he declared "the only way to raise holy children is by your fellow-watchman."

   Justice Reynolds settled the case speedily by demanding $150 bail for all the defendants, excepting Lucetti Bishop and Mrs. Lynch.  On Sunday the prisoners were carried off to jail at Accomac City, and their nerves were braced for the ordeal by a hearty sendoff from their misguided followers.  Their cases will come up for trial during the first week of October next.

   Another interesting feature of the crusade against the "Two-by-Twos" is the fact that all of those arrested for participation in the shooting of Bowden have been released on bail, excepting Arthur Burns [sic] and Fred Fresh.  Their friends could not raise the security."

From The Evening Star of Washington, D. C. on Monday, 1 October 1894, on page 1, column 6:

   "RELEASED ON BAIL.   -  The Chincoteague "Sanctified Band" Accused of Preaching Immorality. - Baltimore, Md., October 1. - A Special to the American from Onancock, Va., says:  The four members of the sanctified band from Chincoteague Island who have been in Accomac county jail for the last two weeks on the charge of preaching immoral doctrines have been released on bail.  On coming out of jail, they repaired to the court yard, and proceeded to hold one of their prayer and song services in the presence of a crowd of curious people.  Sadie Collins is young and prepossessing looking, and a woman of considerable intelligence and shrewdness.  Following the doctrines of this strange sect, she has practically abandoned her husband, and claims to be living a spiritual life with Joe Lynch, the founder and leader of the sect."

From The Alexandria Gazette of Alexandria, Virginia on Wednesday, 10 October 1894, on page 2, column 3, under "Virginia News:"

   "The Sanctified Band still continues services at its church, at Chincoteague, and their ceremonies are more boisterous than ever.  "Fellow Watchman" of Leader Lynch, Sister Sadie Collins, preached on Sunday in a rattling vigorous style.  The most interesting revelation yet is that several of the female members of the Sanctified Band intend on deserting the church, because, to their sorrow, they have learned what is meant by "fellow watchmen" with the brethren."

From The Alexandria Gazette of Alexandria, Virginia on Thursday, 1 November 1894, on page 2, column 4, under "Virginia News:"

   "THE SANCTIFIED BAND. - The October term of the Accomack County Court, which began last Monday, promises to be one of the most notable and interesting for many years.  Indicts have been found against the Wright brothers for murder in the first degree and their trial has been set for the November term.  Five of the leaders of the Sanctified Band, on Chincoteague Island, have been indicted for conspiracy in separating wives from husbands and for being a public nuisance.  Their trial will begin on Friday, and will probably last for a week, as there are nearly 100 witnesses to be examined, and the case promises to be spicy."   *** The above story was carried by newspapers from Maine to Florida, across the midwest, and along the west coast... ***

From The Alexandria Gazette and Virginia Advertiser of Alexandria, Virginia on Saturday, 3 November 1894, on page 2, column 4, under "Telegraphic Breveties:"  [note that "Onancock" has been used instead of Accomac and then Chincoteague in the reporting]

   "THE SANCTIFIED BAND.  -  The trial of the leaders of the Sanctified Band of Chincoteaque [sic] Island began at Onancock [Accomac] yesterday, Judge Gillet presiding.  The charge on which these people stand indicted is that of being concerned in a conspiracy to separate husband and wife, and of being a nuisance to the community in which they live.

   Joseph D. Workman was the leader of the sect, but one of his disciples, named Lynch, spread the doctrines at Onancock [Chincoteague] and did more damage than any other.  He claimed that when once his believers have experienced sanctification they cannot commit sin, and that without sanctification they cannot be saved.  They held meetings and had strange dreams.

   Lynch began by dreaming about Mrs. William Collins, the best-looking woman in the community, and forth-with left his own wife and took Mrs. Collins as his companion.  Then William Collins had a dream and took some other man's wife.  In this way nearly every husband was deprived of his wife, and forced to take up with some other man's wife.  [Sarah "Sadie" Collins was the wife of John E. Collins, not William Chandler.]

   Finally, suit was brought, and yesterday the trial began, James Fletcher, commonwealth's attorney, appeared for the prosecution, and Russell and Spady for the defense.  Mr. Spady moved to squash the indictment, on the ground that the offenses charged were not punishable by the law of Virginia.  He was overruled, however, and the case ordered on.  Thirteen witnesses were then examined, of whom three were women, and the testimony was as a rule of such character as to be unfit for publication.

   It was in the main that Workman and Lynch had for years preached sanctification, persuading women to leave the unsanctified husbands and consort as fellow-workers with sanctified men.  At times the entire court shook with laughter, and again, when stories were told of how homes had been broken up, some cried.  Sadie Collins, Lynch's sanctified companion, coached the lawyers for the defense.  To-day Lynch will go on the stand.  The trial is attracting large crowds."

From The Richmond Times-Dispatch of Richmond, Virginia on Sunday, 4 November 1894, on page 8, column 3:

"THE SANCTIFIED CHIEF.  -  J.B. LYNCH OF THE CHINCOTEAGUE BAND TESTIFIES.  -  He Gives a History of the Origin of the Sect - Was Himself Expelled From the Methodist Church.  -

ACCOMACK COURTHOUSE via TASLEY, VA., Nov. 3.  -  Special.  -  The trial of Joseph B. Lynch, William J. Chandler, John E. Collins and Sarah E. Collins, the four Sanctified persons, for nuisance, was promptly resumed to-day by the County Court at 10 o'clock, and the witnesses for the defense sworn.  Joseph B. Lynch, one of the defendants and leader of the band, was first examined.

   He testified substantially as follows:

   "I have never advised, in the pulpit or out of it, married persons to separate without lawful cause; have preached the word of God, and with no desire to stir up strife.

   "We have preached that to be saved a man must obey the whole law of God.  Sister Sarah E. Collins, a defendant, and myself are the originators of our discipline.  We have conducted and always desired that our meeting should be unattended with disorder.  We pray, sing, shout and worship entirely in the line mapped out in our discipline."

   Here the discipline was offered to the jury.  It has heretofore been published by The Times en extenso.

   "We do not depart," continued the witness, "from discipline in a single way.  That Jesus, when on earth, sent his disciples out two and two, and I do not have any right to do otherwise, and I send out my flock two and two, without directing, and each one selects his or her own fellow-watcher.  It is not a requirement that the two should be of opposite sexes.  Sister Collins and I watch together; we do so in public; nothing secret about it.  We invite the world to be present; we read and discuss the Scriptures.  We have done so for six years.

   "I am fifty-three years old, and my wife, Mrs. Lynch, is also fifty-three years old.  She is aunt to Sarah E. Collins' husband, defendant on trial.  We belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church until about three years ago, when we left and organized the Sanctified Band.  The Methodist Episcopal Church turned me out.  I asked the preacher to bring a charge against me, and none was brought.  At that time Sister Sadie Collins was sanctified as well as I.  A majority of the fifty-eight were sanctified.  We demanded a holy preacher before leaving the church.  The preacher we had admitted to us that he was not a holy man, and asked us to pray for him, so we branched out and started to do all things as we believed God required of us.  This reading two and two commenced only after we left the church.  My first fellow-worker, Lucinda Bishop, fell away.  She told me she had failed to be wholly consecrated in her life.  I watched over her like a little birdie.

   "My next watchman was Defendant Sarah E. Collins.  I understood the Bible better by reading with Sister Sadie.  The first time we began to see the way to go two and two was when Sister Sadie and I laid out the discipline.  I was at a church in Delaware preaching our doctrine when the church was brick-batted.

   We were not joined by God.  We have never been divorced or separated.

   John E. Collins, husband of Sarah E. Collins, my fellow-watcher, told me to stop going to his house, and I stopped and did not go any more till he gave consent.  Sadie and I kiss when we meet nearly every time; it's Bible  teaching.  I go to her house nearly every day.  Any preacher that is out to-day and preaches the doctrine that a man sins every day is doing more harm in the world than all the rum-sellers combined.  My marriage with Charlotte B. Lynch is unholy because we were of the world when married, though we are both sanctified.

   I have never heard either of the defendants teach what they are charged with in the indictment.  On the contrary, I have advised persons to go home and remain there; also, had been driven away by their husbands.  I have supported my wife for thirty-six years, and expect to continue to do so until death.  I do not know of any instance in the church where the fellow-watchers are of the same sex.

   The difficulty with the world to-day is want of love one for the other.  John Collins is now a consecrated man, and believes like me that we must greet each other with a holy kiss.  He does not object to my kissing Sister Sadie, his wife, my fellow-watcher.

   Sarah E. Collins, being sworn, said she lived on Chincoteague Island, was twenty-three years old, was sanctified and a member of the church on the Island, wife of defendant, John E. Collins, who is also sanctified.  We teach exactly the opposite of what we are charged with and are being tried for.  I am deaconess in the church.  I read with Brother Joseph B. Lynch mostly, but will read with any one who will read with me.  I am trying to lead a pure and holy life.  We stop the reading at 10 o'clock P. M.  Have been sanctified five years last April.  Have never heard or heard of either of the defendants teaching the doctrines for which we are being tried.

   I can sin if I want to, but don't want to; am perfect; have not sinned for five years.  Joseph B. Lynch and I are fellow-workers, or fellow-watchmen; we are sent out together by God to preach his gospel.  I have put away Johnny, my husband, since I became sanctified.  Don't recollect how long since Brother Lynch's wife has no fellow-watchman; she is about fifty-one years old.  We are taught to greet the brethren with a holy kiss, and we practice it without regard to whether the person is married.  It is our duty to be so holy that such things should go unnoticed.

   William J. Chandler, a defendant, testified that he was forty-two years old; lived on the island; was a member of the Sanctified church, a married man, sometimes preached in the church, but never the doctrines for which we are being tried.  Lucinda Bishop is my fellow-watcher.  We pray and read the Bible.  There is not the slightest impropriety in our conduct; we are willing for anybody to witness our meeting and what occurs; have had ten children, seven of whom are now living.  My wife is the fellow-watcher of John A. Collins.  Have never seen either in our church or out of it any immoral conduct on the island.  Our people on the island are as moral and pure in their lives as any people.  My fellow-worker is much younger than my wife.  Pennsylvania is my birthplace.  I went to Chincoteague from Roxana, Del., in 1876.  I am away from home a great deal.

   I prefer Lucinda Bishop as a fellow-watchman; because I feel that I can learn more from her; can study the word better with her.  I kiss Mrs. Bishop usually when we meet. If a husband objects to such liberties, it is proof positive that he is not sanctified.  I don't know that I find in the Bible the command to hug, but it does say greet the brethren with a holy kiss.  I put my wife away; by the laws of the land our marriage was lawful, but not by the laws of God.

   John Collins, husband of Sarah E. Collins, said he was an humble member of the Sanctified Church; had never heard any one preach the doctrines for which he and the other defendants were being tried; that it was directly contrary to the discipline of the Church, "My reason for asking Mr. Lynch not to visit my house to read with my wife was because of the talk it occasioned; not that I saw anything wrong in it."

   Many other witnesses testified for the defence [sic].  Their evidence was accumulative.  Nothing was elicited materially differing from the testimony of the four defendants in the trial, already reported.  Court then adjourned till next Monday morning."

   

From The Alexandria Gazette of Alexandria, Virginia on Monday, 5 November 1894, on page 1, column 2:  [the reporter continues to mix up John E. Collins, husband of  Sarah, and William Chandler] 

   "THE SANCTIFIED BAND.  -  The trial of the Sanctified Band of Chincoteague Island was resumed in Accomac county court on Saturday.  The court house was again filled to overflowing with an anxious crowd.  Joseph B. Lynch, Sarah Collins, John Collins and Wm. Chandler, the ringleaders of the band and defendants in the case, were put on the witness stand.  Lynch, who is the leader f the band, gave a long account of the doctrine of his sect, and denied that they taught or encouraged immorality.  He claimed to be so pure and holy that he could commit no sin.  He gave an account of how the sect originated.  They all belonged to the old side, or Northern Methodist church.  They asked the conference for a holy sanctified preacher. The conference failed to send one, and they withdrew and organized the "Holy Sanctified Church of Chincoteague Island."

   He had put his wife away, and took Sarah Collins as his fellow-worker [watchman], because he was not married to his wife by the law of God.  His relations with Sarah Collins, he said, were pure. Lynch's testimony was weak, and he was badly "rattled" by the counsel for the prosecution.

   Sarah Collins, Lynch's fellow worker, and the leading woman in the sect, was next examined.  She is about 23 years old, with black hair and eyes, and not bad looking.  Lynch is 53.

   She and her husband had agreed to put each other away, because they had not been married according to God's word, which says, "Seek first the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness; and all things shall be added unto you."  Sarah thinks people ought to get sanctified before they get married; otherwise they are not married according to God's word.  She denied that she or any other member of the sect taught or practiced immorality.  She vigorously defended the Sanctified Band, and said she lived in the loveliest neighborhood she had ever known.  She proved to be a bright witness and showed no embarrassment.

   William [John E.] Collins, Sarah's husband, and John [William] Chandler, the other two defendants, and eight other witnesses for the defence [sic] were examined.  No new facts were brought out by them.  All these witnesses, men and women, confessed that those who watched together hugged each other, but denied that they had ever done anything wrong.  The Bible had commanded them to salue [sic] each other with a holy kiss.

   Parker Bowden had gone to watch with Bloxom's wife, and Bloxom had knocked him down, and when Lynch interfered Bloxom had knocked him down, too.  Bowden left, and never went to Bloxom's house again.  Some of the women had had two or three fellow-workers, but only one at a time.

   These men had fallen from holiness and the women ceased to work with them.

   Among the witnesses for the defence [sic] was Lynch's wife, a mild-faced woman, about 55 years old.  She and Lynch had put each other away three years ago.  Her fellow-worker lives in Delaware.  He comes down two or three times a year to pray, read the Bible and study with her.  She agreed to leave her husband because she was persuaded that they were not married according to the Scriptures.  She spoke kindly of her husband, who still supports her; but the old woman said she had heard Lynch say he would have his right arm cut off before he would live with her again as man and wife.

   Ali [sic] these witnesses were subjected to a raking cross examination by Commonwealth's Attorney Fletcher, who drew from them many damaging confessions and contradictory statements.  It appeared from the testimony that a man always took somebody's else wife for his fellow-worker, and that the woman taken was invariably younger and better looking than the one put away.  The court adjourned at sunset till to-day.  Ten more witnesses for the defence [sic] are to be examined."

From The Alexandria Gazette of Alexandria, Virginia on Tuesday, 6 November 1894, on page 1, column 2:

   "THE SANCTIFIED BAND.  -  The county courthouse of Accomac was filled again yesterday with a crowd of people eager to see and hear the final proceedings in the trial of the Sanctified Band of Chincoteague Island.   This was the third day of the trial.  Five new witnesses were examined for the defense, but no new facts were developed.  It was the same dreary and disgusting old story of the two-by-two doctrine of these crank sanctificationists.  They had all married contrary to God's law, and when they became sanctified they discovered that they could not study and understand the Scriptures with their wives.  Husbands and wives agreed to put each other away, and be guided by the spirit to select fellow workers with whom they could study the Scriptures with more understanding and pleasure.  This is the famous two and two doctrine of Lynch and his followers.  When all the witnesses for the defense had been heard, Commonwealth's Attorney Fletcher introduced several witnesses in rebuttal, and succeeded in bringing out some damaging facts against the saints.  The court then took a recess for dinner.

   When the court reassembled Mr. Fletcher opened the case for the commonwealth in a short but vigorous speech.  Mr. Edgar J. Spady, commonwealth's attorney for Northampton county, made a powerful plea for the defense.  Mr. Fletcher closed the argument for the prosecution in a strong and telling speech, in which he handled the Sanctificationists with ungloved hands.  He made a powerful appeal to the jury to stamp out this pestiferous gang, this colony of Delaware cranks and imposters, whose teachings tend to undermine the structure of society and destroy the foundations and the sanctity  of the home.

   The case was given to the jury at five o'clock yesterday evening.  The jury retired, and, after being out about one hour, returned a verdict declaring Joseph B. Lynch, William J. Chandler and Sarah E. Collins guilty as charged in the indictment and fixed their penalties as follows:  Joseph B. Lynch, eight months in the county jail and $250 fine; William J. Chandler, six months in the county jail and $150 fine; Sarah E. Collins, fours months in the county jail and $150 fine.  John Collins, the other defendant, was acquitted, the jury being of the opinion that he was weak-minded and not responsible for the acts of the band.

   When the verdict was read it was received with stolid indifference by Lynch, Chandler and Sarah Collins.  John Collins put his arm around his convicted wife and wept.  She has been Lynch's fellow worker, and is deaconess of the band.  Mr. Spady, counsel for the defense, moved to set the verdict aside as being contrary to the law and the evidence.  Judge Gillet promptly overruled the motion, and Mr. Spady gave notice that he would file a bill of exceptions to the order of the court overruling his motion to quash the indictment.

   Lynch and Chandler were, in default of bail, committed to jail, and Sarah Collins was recognized in a bond of $600 to appear in court this morning.  Lynch's wife, whom he has put away, and several other women, accompanied him to jail, and expressed their great joy at the opportunity now offered the saint of suffering martyrdom for their faith.  Lynch was heard to say as he entered his cell that he gloried in being able to serve the Lord in a dungeon.

   The verdict meets with universal approval at Tasley, and it is hoped that the conviction of the ringleaders of the band will have the effect of crushing the doctrines of these Delaware immigrants, who have so long disturbed the peace of Chincoteague Island and brought undeserved reproach on that section of the State.

   About fifty members of the band have been attending the trial as witnesses and spectators.  They have been camping about a mile from the Accomac court house on Folly creek, where they have their boats and supplies.  Yesterday they  held religious exercises , which were witnessed by hundreds of people from the surrounding country.  They sang, prayed and shouted, and wound up by going around and saluting one another with a rousing hug and a holy kiss.  There were many women among them and not a few babies.  Yesterday the members of the band were much dejected at the result of the trial."

From The Leavenworth Standard of Leavenworth, Kansas on Tuesday, 6 November 1894, on page 1, in column 1:

"AN UNHOLY SANCTITY  -  Leaders of a  So-Called Religious Sect Imprisoned in a Virginia Village.

 -  Richmond, Va., Nov. 6.  -  Joseph B Lynch, W. J. Chandler and Mrs. Sarah E. Collins have been convicted at Accomac court house of lasciviousness in carrying out their so-called religious beliefs.  Lynch was sentenced to eight months in jail and to pay a fine of $250.  Chandler was sent to jail for six months and fined $150.  The woman, Collins, was sentenced to four months of imprisonment and to pay a fine of $100.

   The trial of these people has attracted widespread attention.  Their doctrines were that all marriages were unholy in divine eyes except those of the sanctified.  Lynch, the chief of the band, admitted he had hugged and kissed one of the sisters, a married woman.

   The sanctified ones lived and carried on their meetings on the beautiful little island of Chincoteague in the Chesapeake bay."   [This exact article, with different headlines, was carried by newspapers throughout Texas, Kansas, Missouri, California, Montana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio, Utah and the Dakotas.]

From The Evening Star of Washington, D. C. on Saturday, 10 November 1894 on page 17, columns 3 and 4:

"A PECULIAR PEOPLE  -  The New Religious Sect in Virginia Called the Sanctified.  -  ACHIEVED A SORT OF MARTYRDOM  -  A Star Correspondent Visits Thee People at Their Home.  -   Immorality Denied.  -  Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.  -  CHINCOTEAGUE, Va., Nov. 2, 1894.  -  "TELL THE PEOPLE of Washington that the millennial year has begun at Chincoteague," said Mr. Lynch to me a few weeks ago.  He is the leader, so far as leadership is recognized, of that curious sect known to outsiders as "sanctifiers," but to themselves as "Christ's Holy Sanctified Church," with capital letters.  He was at the time under bonds to await the action of the grand jury of Accomac county, Virginia.  I noticed in The Star that a bill had been found against five of the leaders, meaning, I presume, five of the more prominent and active of these people, "for conspiracy in separating wives from husbands and for being a public nuisance."

   A bitter feeling against this sect has been growing for a long time, which finally culminated in mob violence, the burning of one church and the closing up of another on "the main," meaning, not the high seas, but the mainland, a strip of land at this point probably fifteen or eighteen miles wide, constituting to many of these islanders the whole of the known world.  At Chincoteague one night the mob broke the windows of the church and of the houses of the members, most of whom dwell in the immediate neighborhood, and wound up the proceedings by shooting a man who had at one time been a member, but had withdrawn.

   It is claimed, and is probably true, that this was unintentional, but the firing of a pistol in a crowd is hardly to be commended in any case.  The man who fired the fatal shot was arrested, and is also to be tried, provided a bill is found, but the people of Chincoteague, while admitting that he was careless, could not bring themselves to think that he had done anything much out of the way.  That he had committed a grave crime was not to be even spoken of.  I speak, of course, only of what seemed to be the general sentiment.  The "sanctified" meantime have achieved a sort of martyrdom, and if the rule which has held in all ages is still good, this movement, however objectionable or absurd it may be, has now all the conditions necessary for a big boom.

        Origin of the Movement.

   It's origin is thus set out in their "Discipline."

   "In the year eighteen hundred and eighty-seven, Joseph B. Lynch of Chincoteague Island, Va., a member and class leader over about one hundred and ten members in the Methodist Episcopal Church, became deeply convinced that  he could not be saved without holiness, though he was living in a justified state.  With this conviction he sought and obtained the blessing of sanctification by the power of the Holy Ghost, through faith in the cleansing blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; and immediately commenced preaching and teaching to all whom he had opportunity; and soon others became interested and sought and obtained this blessing of holiness, as a distinct and separate blessing from that of justification, amongst whom was Sarah E. Collins, in the year 1889, who also began to labor with him in the establishment of Scripture holiness to the people."

   They soon had trouble with their pastor who was, they think, "an unholy man," and petitioned the bishop to send them "a holy man of God to preach the Gospel to them."  Fifty-one persons signed the petition.  The result was that Lynch was turned out and the other petitioners forbidden to conduct any service in the church.  They thereupon organized themselves into a body February 14, 1892, and withdrew from the M. E. Church.

        A Visit to the Sanctified.

   Being convinced, from the talk in the village, that there was a great deal of prejudice against them, I went Sunday afternoon to their church, hoping that they would hold the usual service, but, partly from the condition of the building, and partly, probably, from the dread of further hostile demonstrations, they had postponed it.  I then inquired for their leader, Mr. Lynch.  I was directed to the house of his "watcher," Mrs. Sarah E. Collins, Sadie Collins, as everybody calls her.  I found, in a little room plainly - I cannot say neatly - furnished, which was swarming with flies and ill smelling, in spite of some enforced ventilation provided by the mob, four or five women and three men.

   They did not seem to greet me with much warmth, possibly expecting in me some emissary of the law.  These brethren mostly, probably all who could read, had Bibles, which they were studying.  I was given a wooden-bottomed chair, there being nothing better in the room.  Mr. Lynch was not there, but they immediately sent for him.  One by one there dropped in a dozen or so others, and in addition there were present a number of little boys.  These perched themselves on every "coign of vantage," kitchen table included, but most found seats on the floor.  Each newcomer kissed the members present.  This is the "holy kiss," and is given not merely at the assembly, but upon every chance meeting, even in the open street.  "That is something you are not used to, isn't it?" said Mr. Lynch.  I frankly conceded that it was a little novel.

   The circumstances seemed very unfavorable for asking some questions which I wanted to put plainly, but there seemed to be great freedom in their answers, and I succeeded in getting their account of everything I wanted to know, and, I must add, considerable that I didn't.  Mr. Lynch was perfectly cordial, kind and I believe, frank.  He is a tall, lean, weather-beaten working-man, his hair a little grizzled.  He is, he told me, fifty-four years old.  He was forty-nine when Mrs. Collins first began to labor with him.  If there is anything of the sensualist, or anything crafty or hypocritical about him, I am greatly mistaken.

   Neither does he appear to be of a strongly emotional nature.  One would not take him to be a religious enthusiast at all.  Entirely unlearned, he cannot be said to be ignorant exactly, but rather excessively narrow.  He is not wanting in a certain shrewdness and facility in argument, and he has, as all the rest of them, a great store of Scripture quotations at hand.

        The Real Teacher a Woman.

   Manifestly, he is quite dependent on his "watcher," and I presume he would have been unwilling, or much less free to talk, if he had been alone.  This is a part of their system and creed.  A quotation from their catechism shows their theory, with the peculiar reasoning by which it is reached.

   "Q.  Are the professing ministers out to-day according to God's word?"

   "Ans.  No.  The Scriptures teach us all Christ's disciples were sent out two and two, and those that are out single today preaching to you have to sin every day, and cannot live without sin."

   "Why do we give our women an equal right i all church work?" is another question, which is thus answered:  "Because Sarah was deeper in the counsels of God than Abraham.  God commanded Abraham to hearken unto all that Sarah said unto him, and that it should not be grievous unto him."  And this brings me to speak of the real leader in this movement, certainly much the most intelligent and influential one of their number.

   Mrs. Collins is a striking looking woman.  Not handsome, to my notion, as she has been described, but if dressed with any approach to taste would be not unattractive.  I would not like to state her age, though she is probably not sensitive on that point.  She is not young, but not beyond a vigorous and healthy middle life.  Her eyes are black, not sharp or piercing, large and wide apart in a forehead both broad and high.  They light up pleasantly as she talks, but at times there comes into them a determined, I may say stern, look, which gives decided emphasis to her remarks, which always call forth an enthusiastic assent.

   The symposium lasted about an hour, I asking questions and occasionally mildly arguing a point for the sake of calling out a fuller or clearer statement.  It would be impossible to give a full report of it, if that were desirable.  It covered pretty fully their beliefs and ostensibly their practice.  I purchased their "Discipline," price, 25 cents, to be had of "Deacon and Deaconess Joseph B. Lynch and Sarah H. [sic] Collins."  It swarms with evident mistakes, some of which have been corrected with a pen, two lines in once instance being erased, yet the "doctrines and rules of this discipline shall never be changed."

        Their Peculiar Beliefs.

   Its definitions and statements are, as might be anticipated, very loose, hazy and sometimes contradictory, and set forth with an appalling disregard for the rules of syntax.  I am unable to see, however, either in their "Discipline," which I have carefully studied, or in their statements to me, any good reason for the bitter feeling against them.  The only doctrine at all distinctive is that of sanctification, and the distinction is rather in their application of it.  Mr. Lynch pointed out, successfully, I think, that this was held by Wesley and the early Methodists, as it still is in some sense by all evangelical denominations.  "We believe," said Mr. Lynch, in answer to my question, "that a man must keep the whole law of God or go to hell."  By further exposition it appears that the carnal nature must be completely eradicated, "all evil tempers and sinful propensities being destroyed."  To offend in the least is to offend in all.

   To my remark that this would be pretty hard on some of us, a short, not very mirthful laugh went round.  Yes, they said, it is hard, but there is no other way.  How is this state to be attained?  By submitting wholly to the will of God.  One must neither seek nor desire anything anything for himself.  Food and clothing are, indeed, necessary, but everything in the way of luxury, ornament, superfluity is forbidden.  One may acquire and hold no property beyond the supply of the actual necessities of life.  Any surplus must be used for the spread of the gospel or for the relief of needy brethren.  With these, they say, they would share the last crust, and their generosity to each other is conceded by outsiders.  "Oh, we're the lovin'est people ever you did see," said an old lady.

   But, while they are sanctified, perfect in holiness, meaning that they have absolutely consecrated to God every power of body and mind, every thought and purpose, and have no will outside of His, they do not claim that they are not subject to temptation.  "In some ways it is harder for us than anybody; we have to live perticklerer and perticklerer," said one.  Practically they hold that no one outside of their little band can be saved.

        As to the Marriage Relation.

   With all this arrogant assumption there still seems no justification for the bitter feeling on the part of outsiders.  The application of their principles, coupled with the bluntness of speech in which they indulge, helps to account for it.  "Why," asks the catechism, "are not the people converted from the error of their way, which is in-bred sin?"

   "Because they have been taught by professing ministers that they are saved at conversion."

   Q.  "Who is the father of them that say they are saved, and say they sin every day?"

   Ans.  "He that committeth sin is of the devil."

   Q.  "Are people taught of God who have to study all the week to get up a sermon for Sunday?"

   Ans.  "No; for God has said:  Settle it in your hearts not to premeditate before what you shall say."

   Q.  "Why are there so many denominations in the world today?"

   Ans.  "Because they have left the old paths, which are sanctification and holiness, and they have every one got to find them and get into them - that is, to get sanctified and made holy or go to hell."

   In their daily walk and conversation, too, this asperity of speech is in no way softened.

   But the serious charge against them, and the only one worth considering, is that they hold loose views as to the sanctity of marriage, and in practice are given over to unrestrained immorality.  Nothing pointing to this can be found in their book of discipline, and they strenuously deny it.  "There shall be no persons received into Christ's Sanctified Holy Church as full members that  have left their wives or husbands except for fornication.  And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, let not the wife depart from her husband, but if the unbeliever depart let him depart."

   But marriage in the sight of God, they hold, can only be between the sanctified, or "equals."  "Any minister, joining unequal persons together, holy and unholy, or white and black, the minister shall be expelled; also the matrimony performed shall be void."  This is very curious.  That a rigorous race prejudice should survive among those who have given up every vestige of self-will, all pride, vanity and self-seeking is startling.  But in what way they would render such a marriage void if it had been legally solemnized does not appear.  Mr. Lynch himself has not for several years lived with his own wife.  Even when he lived at home he asserted that the marriage was unlawful, in the sight of God and that his children were bastards - the term which they apply to all children born to the unsanctified or unequals.  But his wife now is a member of the sect and he does not return to her.

        Always a Man And a Woman.

   It seems probable that they hold to some doctrine of "affinity" affinity between a man and his "watcher," for in this "two and two" ministry it is always a man and a woman who are paired.  If so, this is a sort of esoteric doctrine of which no trace appears in their book of discipline or in their public utterances.

   "What they tell you down at the village isn't true," said one who had been a member, but had backslidden.  "Of course," said he, without any apparent feeling, "I'm not sanctified now; I've got the devil in me; but I know these brethren and I know what they say isn't so" - meaning what the villagers say.

   But the relation between a man and his watcher is peculiar.  They are, by the theory, spiritual counterparts or complements.  Can the marriage relation be nearer than that?  Then the long and secret vigils together must bring perilous temptations.  We may remember, nevertheless, that the early Christians voluntarily and for the purpose of subduing the flesh subjected themselves to trials to which these are lukewarm enough, from which they  usually escaped triumphant.  "But," says Gibbon, "insulted Nature sometimes vindicated her rights."

   I am free to say that I do not believe that this sect has its origin in any deliberate or designed immorality or license, whatever lapses may have occurred.  Everything points to the contrary.  All worldly ambitions and interests are rigidly set aside.  The minister can receive no salary.  Full members must not wear "bracelets, finger rings, earrings, breastpins, or watch chains, only such as is respectful for those professing godliness, for the Scriptures teach the lambs are for the clothing of the righteous."  No one can be received who uses or sells tobacco, or votes in favor of license to sell liquor, and no one who makes over his property to another to avoid payment of an honest debt, nor the person receiving such property.

   That this cult can spread to any considerable extent I think most unlikely.  It is too rigid, too uninviting, too ignorant of modern conditions and tendencies.  But not to go back to Mohammedism, what more had Mormonism to offer its followers?  Equally ignorant, narrow and repellant, handicapped by forgery and fraud, professing not a return to primitive Christianity, but a new departure and a new revelation, by the help of unwise persecutions, very like to those brought against this sect, it was enabled to build up a formidable hierarchy, which, however, we flatter ourselves, we shall not see the end of right away."

From The Sussex Republican of Georgetown, Delaware on Saturday, 10 November 1894, on page 3, columns 5 and 6:

"The Sanctified on Trial.    

   The trial of the Sanctified Band of Chincoteague Island, Va., commenced on Friday of last week in the Accomac county court house, and was continued into this week.  The leaders, Joseph B. Lynch, William J. Chandler, John E. Collins and his wife Sarah E. Collins stand indicted on the charge of being quietly of a conspiracy to separate wives from their husbands and otherwise disturbing the peace and harmony of the people of Chincoteague.  James H. Fletcher appeared for the commonwealth and Russell and Spady for the defense.

   Joseph B. Lynch, the head and front of the movement was the first witness for the defence [sic].  He was on the rack two hours, and under a severe cross-examination floundered badly.  Being asked why he left the Methodist Church Lynch replied:

   They turned us out because we were too holy.

   Whom do you mean by "we?"

   Me and Sister Sadie.

   Then you were too good for ordinary religious purposes.

   We are sanctified.

   Who is the head of your church?

   Me and Sister Sadie.  I am deacon and she is deaconess and we ordain the ministers.

   How old is your lawful wife?

   Fifty-three; which is my own age.

   And how old is Mrs. Powell, your first fellow-watcher?

   Thirty-five.

   And how old is Sister Sadie, your current fellow-watcher?

   Twenty-five.

   Why did you not watch with your wife?

   She has lost her power.

   What actions do you have with Sadie Collins when you go to see her?

   Well, we drink water and read the Bible.

   Do you kiss her?

   Yes, I am not ashamed to own I kiss her.

   You don't deny that you squeezed her?

   No  -  replied Lynch, squirming a little  -  I don't deny it,  We're holy.  I am holy.  She's holy.

   Do you think it is calculated to bring about peace and goodness in the world for a man to go into another man's house and kiss and hug that man's wife?

   I do.  That's what ails the world.  It doesn't love enough.  There ain't love enough in the world.  I'd just like for everybody in the world to go to reading the Bible two by two.  The world's got to come from the Word of God.

   Didn't you say that your  own children were bastards because you were not sanctified when they were born?

   Yes, the men there on the jury are spiritual bastards.  This is a wicked world.

   Sister Sadie was the next witness.  She was asked, if she, being sanctified, could commit a sin.

   I could sin  -  said she  -  but I will not sin.  That I can sin if I will should be clear to you, sir, but that I have not sinned and must not sin is clear to me in God's light.

   How did sanctification come to you?

   Thrillingly, instantaneously.

   When Lynch meets you, does he kiss you?

   He gives me the kiss of peace.

   Is this not wrong?

   I cannot see that is wrong.  One is or ought to be so holy as not to think there is evil in a kiss of this kind.

   You have suspended relations with your husband because you were not both sanctified at the time of your marriage?

   Yes, the Bible says:  "Be ye not yoked together with unbelievers."

   And thus the proceedings ran on until Sister Sadie had given away to other witnesses, whose numbers were many, and whose testimony was the raciest of the racy.

   William Chandler, being asked if he kissed Mrs. Bishop when he went to see her, replied:

   I have done it.

   Put your arm around her?

   I have done it.

   Where?

   In her house.  You wouldn't do it on the highway.

   John Collins, the husband of Sister Sadie, was asked if he hugged any of the sanctified.

   I hug my wife.

   So does Lynch, he says.  Do you object to Lynch hugging your wife?

   No; why should I sir?  He's a holy man.  I, too, am sanctified.

   Then Ebe Merritt, a young married man, told how he pursues his scriptural studies in company with Miss Arlina Bowden.  At first he tried to read with a man, but he did not understand the lights, so he approached a married sister.

   Didn't her husband tell you he would shoot you as quick as he'd shoot a duck if you didn't keep away?

   He did something on that order.

   You began to work with Miss Arlina?

   Yes sir; studying the Word of God.

   She had no husband to shoot you.  Do you kiss Arlina and put your arms around her?

   Yes, when I feel like it; just as I would any other lady when I met her.

   Do you kiss and hug every lady you meet?

   If I want.   "Well," said the commonwealth's attorney, "you're a privileged man, I must say."

   Attorney Spady did his utmost to save Sister Sadie, but he failed.  The Jury took the case at 4.40 p. m., on Monday and soon returned with the verdict, Guilty as to Lynch, Chandler and Mrs. Sadie E. Collins; not guilty as to John E. Collins.  Lynch was sentenced to eight months in jail and fined $250; Chandler six months in jail and fined $150; Mrs. Collins four months in jail and fined $100." 

From The Democratic Messenger of Snow Hill, Maryland on Saturday, 24 November 1894 on page 2, column 1:

   "The Sanctified Out of Jail.

    Chincoteague, Va., Nov. 20.  -  The three ring-leaders of the Sanctified Band, Joseph B. Lynch, William J. Chandler and Sarah T. Collins (Sister Sadie) have been released from Accomac jail.  The release is temporary and was made under a suspension of judgement for thirty days.  All three are under bond to return to jail and serve out their sentences, in case a writ of error, for which their counsel has applied, shall be refused by the Circuit Court.

   Lynch refuses to talk about the case and it is believed that he has been thoroughly cowed.  "Sister Sadie" is also thought to be about to abandon the Two-by-Two business.  Chandler is still at Accomac C. H.

   Preacher Workman, who has figured so conspicuously in the case of the Sanctified and who has been missing since September, is living with his fellow-watcher, Hudson's wife, in Baltimore."

  

From The Alexandria Gazette of Alexandria, Virginia on Monday, 3 December 1894, on page 2, column 7:

   "SANCTIFIED BAND BREAKS UP.  -  Reports from Chincoteague Island show that the "Sanctified Band" has fallen to pieces.  Joseph Lynch, the leader of the band, has shaken the dust of the island from his feet and has left for parts unknown.  "Sister" Sadie Collins, the head deaconess, has also disappeared, but before leaving the island she renounced her faith in the two-by-two doctrine.  William J. Chandler, the other member of the band, convicted last month in Accomac County Court, is making his arrangements to leave the island.  These three ringleaders were recently convicted of being a nuisance to the community and in engaging in a conspiracy to set the law of the land at defiance, and were sentenced to imprisonment in the county jail and to pay fines.  They have arranged to satisfy their sureties   A meeting of the trustees of the church was held several days ago to arrange for selling the church and other property belonging to the band, and it is thought that most of the members will move away to a more congenial region.  Secret meetings are still held at private houses, but the two-by-two doctrine is no longer preached or practiced."

From The Daily Free Press and the Times of Independence, Kansas on Friday, 7 December 1894 on page 4, columns 3 and 4:  

"IN RELIGIOUS GARB  -  IS A NEW AND STARTLING CREED CLOTHED.  -  The Leader Is Already In "Durance Vile."  -  Something About a Strange Colony of Fanatics Who Have Been Holding Forth in Chincoteague  -  Claimed to Be the Messiah.  -

   One of the most strange cases of "sanctification" and co-habitation ever heard of outside of Utah was disposed of the other day at Accomac Court House, Va., when the leaders in the affair were sent to prison.  This queer case was that of commonwealth of Virginia against the Sanctified Band of Chincoteague.  Everything about the trial was as odd as odd could be.  The court house itself is odd.  It was built of British brick in 1756 and back of it is a little court house green where mocking birds sang as the sheriff cried his "oyez, oyez," and later from the old stone step called out the names of such Chincoteaguers as were needed within.  The defendants were being charged with being nuisances and again with being guilty of conspiracy.  The nuisance charge was taken up first.  It declared that Lynch, the Messiah, his fellow watchmen, Sarah E. Collins, J. E. Collins and William J. Chandler, did unlawfully and corruptly persuade and induce by their teachings and practice, married persons to separate without lawful cause, causing acts of lewdness and lasciviousness among the people, producing acts of indecency and immorality, stirring up strifes and controversies among the people, to the common nuisance of all the people and against the peace and dignity of the common wealth of Virginia.

   The chief woman in the case was Sadie Collins, black eyed, black haired, and pretty, who hesitated not at all, but prompted her counsel, whenever her sharp ears told her that a point might be gained for Sanctification and herself.  She wore a saucy, fine hat, with a white plume which waved above the sea of faces like that of Henry of Navarre.  At her throat was a black bow; her hands were ungloved and there was no mark on her defiant face.  Near her sat Lynch, whose looks belie him, not sinister or relentless; for he is a mild-mannered man with little of evil suggestion about him, save perhaps his eyes, which are furtive and cowardly.  The prosecutor marshalled a host of witnesses for the commonwealth and brought out the full story of the wronged husbands and despoiled homes of Chincoteague.  A great deal of the testimony was very amusing.  The people in the court room laughed - they had to.  Even the judge smiled.  The dark eyes of Sadie snapped and twinkled; all, indeed, gave vent to merriment, save the stolid illiterate whom Lynch had led into Mormonism.  Many of these poor creatures, sitting in a corner of a court room, remained as dejected and immovable as lepers, still as death, except when a fretful baby in its mother's arms reminded the court of their presence.  Between the bursts of laughter caused by the squirming of some cowed witness or the blunt avowal of a bold one came many touching recitals.  These all related to the breaking up of homes and the separation of fathers from their children.  The fathers all told of how they loved their children, though not perhaps in direct words, and when they ended by saying the Sanctified had taken all the sunshine out of their lives forever, there was a natural effusion of moisture at the corners of one's eyes.

   The pith, marrow, sum and substance of the testimony given by Savage, James A. Bishop, Mary L. Bishop, Wollsey Burton, Mrs. Mary P. Pitts, Burton Lathbury, John W. Bloxom, Ananias Hudson and others was that Lynch preached to them and their friends the doctrine of free love and separation known to him as the doctrine of two-by-two.

   Six witnesses for the defense were examined and three for the prosecution.  Of the testimony adduced from the former, that given by Mrs. Catharine Birch was the most amusing.  Under cross-examination it was brought out that courtship in Chincoteague is some times conducted under circumstances quite as comical as those recited in the plays of the immortal William.  This comedy of the Merry Wives of Chincoteague was played as follows:  Mrs. Birch, the witness, had a daughter, of whom Alonzo Tarr was enamored.  Mrs. Birch, a comely wife of 35, is a "sanctified" woman, and so, in order to ingratiate himself with his future mother-in-law, by strategy, Alonzo expressed earthly beatification.  He became the fellow watchman of his girl's mother, and read the Bible with her evening after evening; but as the devout Mrs. Birch was obliged to look after household duties, many occasions arose when Alonzo could slyly court Mrs. Birch's pretty daughter.

   Reading with the elder and caressing her, a la Chincoteague, he yet found time to engage the affections of the younger, who by-the-by, became his wife.  But now, mark!  He did not abandon Mrs. Birch when Miss Birch became Mrs. Tarr.  Far from it!  He kept up his readings with his sanctified mother-in-law, and is to this day her spiritual husband.

   Counsel Fletcher, for the prosecution, said never before had such a case been tried in Virginia.  Its filth was abominable.  There is a bird called the cuckoo that lays its eggs in other bird's nests, and he appealed to the jury to cut off the wings and pull out the tail feathers of the two-by-two cuckoo. He rehearsed the testimony and summed it up in plain talk, whereof the effect upon the jury was marked.  He quoted the words of the true Christ, applying them to the false messiah of Chincoteague:  "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!"  and then he added:  "You compass land and sea to make a proselyte, and when he is made you make him two-fold more a child of hell than yourselves."

   The jury found the defendants guilty and they were sentenced to jail  -  Lynch for eight months, the women [sic] for four months each, and Chandler for six months."

From The Free Lance-Star of Fredericksburg, Virginia on Tuesday, 18 December 1894, on page 2, column 4, under "General News Items:"

   "Judge Gunter, of the circuit court, has awarded a writ of error to the ringleaders of the "Sanctified Band," of Chincoteague, recently convicted in the County Court of being guilty of a conspiracy to set at naught the laws of the State."  [A writ of error is a legal order from a higher court to a lower court, asking for the records of a case to be reviewed for any mistakes made during the trial.]

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 1 March 1895, on page 3, column 4:

   "THE SANCTIFIED BAND.  -  We are not disposed to be unkind to any persons professing religious belief, altho there are, we believe, some who "wear the livery of heaven to serve the devil in" but we have received a communication from Chincoteague Island on the Eastern shore of Va. in which the doings of a body calling themselves the "Sanctified Band" are spoken of in terms of animadversion.  If they are such as our correspondent describes they are living in violation of the laws of God and man and should be discountenanced by all virtuous people.  We learn from our correspondent that they left Chincategue [sic] Island while under indictment after being released from  jail under bond.  Our informant is a native of this State and writes to warn our people of them.  We have learned that the "sanctified band," so called, are now building a floating tenement to occupy on the River, thinking perhaps that they will not be amenable to the laws while off terra firma, in which they are greatly mistaken.  Idlers, communists and anarchists are not the population that ought to be introduced in North Carolina, however great may be their professions of holiness.  Our correspondent gives numerous references to coroberate [sic] his statements and says that they will be joined by others as soon as they can get the means to come, who will identify themselves with this new fangled community.  He says they are of the foreign type of the worst class." 

This houseboat was known as "Uncle Joe's Float #3" and is shown while ashore

at Elizabeth City, North Carolina.  Standing on the bow of the houseboat are: (l to r)

Stasha Bowden, James Alf Bowden, and Ida Bowden.  Standing on the ground in front

of those three is James Lynch.  To the right of him: (l to r) Maggie Powell with her baby

Harry Powell, Lizzie Chandler, James Workman, Joshua Brasure, Jordan Brown, Mary

Brown, Angie Brasure, Lizzie Lynch, Eaven Leary, Anna Bell Leary, Emma Burton, 

Florance Lynch and Joseph Lynch.  Mary Hudson is looking out the window.

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 15 March 1895, on page 3, column 2:

   "The Sanctified Band, who had some notoriety on the eastern shore of Va. have had some additions in this county.  They are now at Capt  Water's fishery."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 22 March 1895, on page 3, column 4 under the heading of "From the Counties:"

   "Pasquotank.  -  POOL TOWN.  -  The Sanctified Band, which has been the sensation of our neighborhood for some time have held several religious services among us, and Mr. Henry Meads, of Weeksville, has united with them and donated them $50 for their religious purposes.  It is said that the wife of Mr. Meads is grief stricken at her husband's joining the band, and is threatened with loss of mind at her home in Weeksville.  The band have now moved to Capt. Sam. Waters, and are living in his fish house and building a boat to occupy.   DEM. JR."

From The Evening Visitor of Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, 11 May 1895, on page 2, column 2, under "Over the State.  -   Items of Much Interest Briefly Collated.  -  The authorities of Currituck county have driven the "Sanctified Band" from that county and the "Band" is now in Camden county."

From The Asheville Daily Citizen-Times of Asheville, North Carolina on Tuesday, 11 June 1895 on page 2, column 2, under the heading "In The Old North State.  -  There is considerable excitement in Currituck county due to the actions of the "Sanctified Band."  The county officials have tried to drive them away, but have failed."

From The Chicago Chronicle of Chicago, Illinois on Wednesday, 26 June 1895 on page 2, column 4:

   " "SAINTS" ARE MAKING TROUBLE.  -  "Father" Lynch's "Sanctified Band" Makes Its Appearance In North Carolina.  -    Baltimore, Md., June 25.  -  The "sanctified band" which, under the leadership of "Father" Lynch, caused so much trouble on Chincoteaque [sic] island last year, and some of the members of which were imprisoned in Virginia after spreading free love doctrines to such an extent as to cause bloodshed, has appeared in North Carolina in the lower part of Currituck and Camden counties.  There is no statute among the North Carolina laws under which the "saints" can be indicted, but if they remain bloodshed will surely follow.  One of the new converts, named Burgess, living near Shiloh, beat his wife badly a few days ago, saying the lord told him to do so.  The headquarters of the band are in a large barge in the North river off Powell's point.  Near Snowden some members attempted to occupy houses which they had rented, but were opposed by armed citizens."

From The Peninsula Enterprise newspaper, edition of Saturday, 13 July 1895, on page 2, column 6:

"VIRGINIA:  -  At rules held in the clerk's office of the circuit court for the county of Accomack, on the first Monday in July, A. D., 1895 - the same being the first day of the said month.

   Joseph B. Lynch and James H. Lynch, late merchants and partners trading as J. B. Lynch & Son ...  Pltffs.    -   against   -    John Wm. Jones ... Deft.

  In Debt, and upon an Attachment returned "Executed" and "Levied."

  The object of this suit is to recover against the defendant twenty dollars and forty-five cents ($20.45), with the interest thereon from the third day of June 1894, till paid, and the costs of suit.

  Affidavit having been made before the clerk of the said court that the said defendant is not a resident of the State of Virginia, on the motion of the plaintiffs, by their attorney, it is ordered that the said defendant do appear here within fifteen days after due publication of this order and do what is necessary to protect his interests; and that this order be published once a week for four successive weeks in the PENINSULA ENTERPRISE, a newspaper published at Accomac C. H., Virginia, and also posted  at the front door of the courthouse of the said county on the first day of the next term of the county court of the said county.       Test:  JOHN D. GRANT, C. C.

 A COPY -   Test:   JOHN D. GRANT, C. C.     -    Thos. W. Russell,  p.q. "  

 

From The Democratic Messenger of Snow Hill, Maryland, on Saturday, 13 July 1895, on page 3, column 4:

"JOE LYNCH!  -  Heard From Again.  North Carolinians Tired of Him.  -  THE DEVIL AT WORK  Through His Faithful Subjects.  What Will The End Be!  -  

   Joe Lynch, the same who created such a notariety [sic] this time last year by his religious doings on Chincoteague Island, has been heard from again.  It will be remembered that Joe and his trusty followers in the Two-by-Two faith left Chincoteague last year for North Carolina, their going be accelerated by certain threats from the good people of Chincoteague who talked about tar, feathers and other accompaniments.  So Joe, Sade [sic], and the whole gang lit out for the Tar Heel domain, for pastures green and fields elysian.  That they have been successful in inculcating their pernicious doctrines into the community where they settled will be seen by the following:

   A letter from Old Trap, Camden county, N. C., states that the "Sanctificationists," who have gone there from Chincoteague Island, Accomac county, are demoralizing in the extreme.  The writer says:  "I think that if these people stay here much longer half the inhabitants will go crazy.  Already two men have lost their reason, the mind of one becoming unbalanced because the church of which he is a member is torn with dissension.  The membership of this church was about 100 before the band came here, but now there are scarcely more than a dozen who do not side with the new comers.  If they continue their work here much longer, I am satisfied that I will not live long enough to see the evil of their influence destroyed."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 2 August 1895, on page 3, column 3, under "The Local News -  We had a pleasant call on Monday from J. M. Cartwright, ex-sheriff of Camden county.  He gave us an interesting account of the "sanctified band," that is now the sensation in social and religious circles in that county."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 23 August 1895, on page 3, column 3, under "The Local News -  Are the Saints of the "Sanctified Band" in Camden, performing the marriage rites?"

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 20 September 1895, on page 2, column 4, under "From The Counties. -  

Pasquotank.  -  NIXONTON. -  The Sanctified Band were in our village last Sunday.

Currituck.  -  POPLAR BRANCH. -  I hear of a little song which has just been composed by some one, perhaps by the sanctified band.  I have never heard it sung, but I hear that one verse or the chorus, I know not which, goes something like this

  When the last battle was fought / It was just down there at Friminer

  Having a joyful time we thought / When rotten eggs became the winner. "

    And on page 3, column 4, under the heading of  "The Local News. -

The leaders of the "Sanctified band" were indicted by the Grand Jury of Camden court last week.  ...

Three representatives of the "Sanctified Band" were in town Monday, "spoundin and splainin" the Scriptures at the corner of Main and Poindexter Streets.  They attracted a large crowd and obstructed the highway.  There are many false guises of religion and many sincere but humble developments, perhaps to confound the wisdom of the wise and to humiliate the ostentation of the proud, but for us we choose rather to humbly follow the 'old paths' in which the fathers walked."

From The Democratic Messenger of Snow Hill, Maryland, on Saturday, 16 November 1895, on page 3, column 3:

   "It is reported here that the notorious Joe Lynch and Sadie Collins, who created a new religious sect on Chincoteague Island a year or more ago and who were compelled to leave the Island and take up their abode in North Carolina, have been arrested and placed in jail in that State for violating the laws of the State by performing the rite of marriage without legal authority being invested in them."

From The Evening Times of Washington, D. C. on Monday 9 December 1895, on page 3, column 7:

   "SANCTIFIED BAND.  -  Former Chincoteague Island Freaks Not Welcome in North Carolina.  -

Onancock, Va., Dec. 9.  -  The "Sanctified Band [no closing quotation  marks], that gave so much trouble to the people of Chincoteague Island, have been living near Elizabeth City, N. C., since they left these parts.  From reports that reach here, it would seem that they are having much trouble in their new home.

   The people among whom they have settled do not wish to have them as neighbors, and the local authorities have been seriously considering ways and means for getting rid of them.  

   Several letters have been received by some of the officials of Accomac from persons living in and around Elizabeth City, asking for information concerning the trial and conviction of the leaders of the "Sanctified" Band by the Accomac county court, which led to the emigration of the band from Chincoteague.

   The general opinion seems to prevail that these people were convicted of immoral practices, and were forced to leave this county for that reason.  Immoral practices on the part of these pretended saints were strongly suspected, but there was no evidence before the jury to warrant such a verdict.

   They were found guilty of being a nuisance and of entering into a conspiracy to annul the marriage laws of this State.  Four of the leaders [3, actually] were fined and condemned to short terms of imprisonment in the county jail.  The convicted leaders asked for a new trial, pending which they were released on bail.  Seeing that they could no longer remain on Chincoteague Island and practice their peculiar doctrines, all the members of the band sold their property, indemnified the bondsmen of their convicted leaders and left on boats for North Carolina.

   They do not appear to be prospering in their new home, and rumors come to the island that they are not dwelling together in harmony.  Some of them have returned to the island, and, so far as can  be seen, they have given up their peculiar two-by-two idea.  Mrs. Maria Bowden is the last one of the saints to return to her native Chincoteague.  She was an important witness in the trial that took place here just a little more than a year ago, and on account of her refusal to answer some questions came near being sent to jail by Judge Gillet.  She has returned to her former husband."

From The Free Lance -Star of Fredericksburg, Virginia on Friday, 13 December 1895, on page 5, column 4, under "Notes From Accomac County:

   Many of the Sanctified Band have returned to Chincoteague from Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and in every instance have left behind them the practices and teachings of the society.  To the credit of Chincoteague it should be stated that the members of the band, with few exceptions, were not Virginians."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 13 March 1896, on page 3, column 2, under "Local News  -  In the indict against the notorious Sadie Collins, of the "Sanctified Band," in Camden county this week, it was decided that she was a lawful minister and authorized to perform the rite of matrimony.  She is now Rev. Sadie Collins."

Sister Sarah ("Sadie") Tarr Collins in later

life.  (She was my great-grand-aunt.)

From The Fisherman and Farmer of Edenton, North Carolina on Friday, 20 March 1896, on page 2, column 5, under "Byrum's X Roads, Chowan Co.  -  We learn that the Sanctified Band will soon move their Ark to Cannon's Ferry, on Chowan River."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 3 April 1896, on page 2, column 3, under "News From the Counties.  -  Teyrell.  -  COLUMBIA, N. C., March 25.  -  The "Sanctified Band" has been over and viewed the land and returned from whence they came.  The threatened to possess the land for they pronounced it fair to gaze upon and to revel in, but thus far they have not put their threats into execution."

From The Wilmington Messenger of Wilmington, North Carolina on Tuesday, 28 April 1896, on page 4, column 5:

   "Lynch's Sanctified Band.

  The Hertford N. C. correspondent of the Norfolk Virginian says:  "Lynch's sanctified band, which was driven out of Virginia, is now in the eastern part of our State, where they have been for some time.  They are bringing grief and sorrow to homes and are breaking up churches all over the country, and are causing divorces to people who have been living happily together and enjoying life.  They leave destruction and sorrow in their path.  Let our people rise against them and banish them from the country."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 3 July 1896, on page 4, column 1, under "STATE NEWS.

   The Chincoteague "Sanctified band" who claim be be as pure and perfect as Christ, have anchored their arks at Cannon's ferry in Chowan county.  We protest against this location in Chowan county, our birthright, and especially at historic Cannon's ferry, which we believe was one of the earliest permanent settlements in North Carolina."

From The Warren Record of Warrenton, North Carolina on Friday, 10 July 1896, on page 3, column 4, under "NORTH STATE BRIEFS.  - 

   ARKS OF THE SANCTIFIED.  -  A New Religious Sect Located in Eastern North Carolina.  -  

John M. Charlotte, of Edenton, in a communication to the Charlotte Observer, has this to say concerning "The Arks of the Sanctified."   "The band arrived at Cannon's Ferry, Chowan county, on the 13th inst.  They have since last fall been organizing on the eastern shore of Virginia and in the lower sounds of this State.  They travel and have their living quarters on large barges, called arks.  They are towed from place to place by small sloops.  The arks are about 50 feet in length and about 25 feet in width.  They are built of ceiling timber, and are fitted with bunks, sitting rooms, dining rooms and all modern conveniences.  The band consists of 103 members - all ages, all sizes, all sexes, and of sorts and conditions.  They are living on the arks at present, but it is reported that some of them have rented houses of Mr. Zan Eason and Dillard Boyce, Esq., to live in during their stay at the Ferry.  It is quite likely that fish will be scarce in a short while, for they have the river lined with nets and eel baskets - fishing being one of their chief occupations.  They have a large supply of provisions on hand, and quite a number of fine, healthy porkers have quarters on deck.  Socially, they are like one large family - only a little more so; mentally, they are ignorant; religiously, they are cranks; morally, they claim perfection.

   The women wear loose-fitting garments for the most part, while some are attired very neatly.  The children - of which there are many - romp and play on the decks of the barges and gather blackberries along the river banks, seemingly oblivious to the doctrine of sanctification and all things else.  Some of the children are rosy-cheeked, but many of them are sallow and hollow-eyed and unhealthy in appearance.  The children are happy, the women contented, the men good-natured and indolent.  But they are harmless; they simply believe they are sinless - as pure as the man of Nazareth."

From The Fisherman and Farmer of Edenton, North Carolina on Friday, 17 July 1896, on page 2, column 3, under the heading "CAMDEN C. H. -

   The Sanctified Band in the lower end of the county are somewhat sorry to hear that the Deaconess, Mrs. Sadie E. Collins declares that her voice will never be heard in Camden county again.  We are impressed with the fact that the general report is they are continually leaving and settling in Chowan county."

From The News and Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina on Sunday, 26 July 1896, on page 6, columns 1 and 2:

"NOT CAPABLE OF SIN  - A Peculiar Religious Sect in North Carolina.  -  THE SANCTIFIED CHURCH  -  Its Communicants Live in Arks on the Water.  -  AND LEAD A NOMADIC LIFE  -  They Believe No One Can Go to Heaven Unless He First Becomes Sanctified in Body and Spirit.  -

Columbia, N. C., July 25.  -  (Special)  -  The readers of the News and Observer will perhaps be surprised to learn that right here in North Carolina there are more arks than Noah ever dreamed of, and many more dwellers in them than the families of several Mr. Noahs combined.

   These "arks," as they are called by the occupants, when afloat look like ordinary board shanties floating down stream after a sudden rise in a river, but when drawn upon shore, look just as much at home at [sic] if they had never been on the water.  They are one-story or deck high, from twenty to thirty feet in length from stem to stern, about twelve feet wide, and draw from a foot to a foot and a half of water.  They are constructed of rough pine boards, and having no sails or masts, oe motive power whatever, they are moved about as caprice or necessity dictates, by favorable winds or tides, or by some favorably disposed passing craft.

       INTERIOR OF THE ARK.

   The interior of these arks are as uninviting as their exterior.  In entering from the bow, even an unbeliever must assume a reverent attitude, owing to the low pitch of the roof and door, to find himself in the kitchen, which, strange to say, is the first room.  All that can be seen here are bare walls of rough, unplaned boards, which are nailed on, straight up and down, with a plenty of open spaces between to assure a plenty of ventilation, and one cook stove, constitutes the sole furniture of this room.  The next room is entered through a hole in the wall, and 'tis here that the religious services are held, and meals taken; this is also used as a reception room.  It is as bare of comforts as the first one, and the furniture consists of some rough pine board tables, and a few chairs and boxes for seats.  The next or third compartment, is the dormitory where everybody aboard sleeps regardless of age, sex, condition in life, or whether married or single.  There is also a door at the stern end of each of the arks, but there are no windows - holes in the sides, with board slides being used instead.  Each of these arks (and there are six in the waters of the Albemarle Sound and tributaries), are built just alike, varying only in size.

   The number inhabiting an ark is limited only by the capacity of the ark, your correspondent having counted twenty-two on one of the larger size, and this twenty-two were composed of men, women and children, but he was told there were no unmarried women aboard of the one he saw.  Peculiar as these arks are on which these people live, they are not so peculiar as are the people themselves.

   They call themselves Christ's Sanctified Holy church, and are called the "Sanctified Band."  They originated on Chincoteaque [sic] Island, Accomac county, Virginia, in 1892 and their leaders, Joseph B. Lynch and Sarah E. Collins, with some of their followers, having been indicted and convicted in Accomac county as common nuisances, in September, 1894, they fled to Elizabeth City, N. C., where being again threatened with prosecution, they fled from there, and commenced the building of arks for occupancy, because of the ease and inexpensiveness of moving, as well as for the greater immunity from prosecution, which their ability to speedily move gave them.  It may be that the fact that almost any point of importance in the First Congressional district of North Carolina lies on a water course tributary to the Albemarle Sound, may have influenced them in adopting this nomadic and nautical method of living, however.

       SOME PECULIAR BELIEFS.

   Christ's Sanctified Holy church entertains some very singular views, some of which are totally at variance with the principles and practices of all other religious denominations.  Among these peculiar views are the following:

   No one can go to Heaven unless he or she first becomes sanctified in body as well as spirit - holy as God is holy.  They maintain that this is a condition immediately following justification, and like it, is instantaneous, and may be had for the asking, and that all persons not thus made holy - incapable of sin - are damned, and they do not hesitate to say that all preachers of other denominations, as well as the communicants of all other denominations are going to hell, while they, the sanctified ones alone, have the exclusive privilege of going to Heaven when they die, and of leading sinless lives during this life.

   They assert that civil marriage is carnal marriage, not recognized by God, and that all thus married live in adultery.  Their discipline forbids the marriage of any one save the holy and when one who has contracted a civil marriage embraces their religion, he or she must must abandon their "carnal" spouse and contract a "spiritual" marriage with a holy person.

   These views alone are very productive of mischief.  Wherever they have been, deserted wives and husbands, and worse than orphaned children are left in their wake.  Injured wives, husbands and relatives, cry out against them, and family, neighborhood and church ties and relatives are broken up and much hard feeling engendered.  But this is not all, for in addition to the requirement that there must be "spiritual" marriages alone, it is also a requirement of this sect, that each married man and woman must have what is termed "a fellow watchman" other than the husband or wife, which "fellow watchman" must likewise be a married person, and who must alone and in private "study and pray and watch together - that the nation may be holy."  Even if the purpose of this be pure, it is at least productive of jealousies, and not conducive to the happiness and purity of the marital relation; and and [sic] apparently gives license to the most unbridled lust, at the same time shutting out proof of the same, because of the presumption of the law that children born in wedlock are the offspring of the married pair.

   Among their other peculiarities might me [sic] mentioned that they discard water baptism; that their preachers must go out two by two, and preach without price; that no one of them can use ardent spirits or tobacco; that unfermented grape juice alone can be used on sacramental occasions; that none can perform the marriage ceremony save preachers; that women have the same rights as men in the church, and are recognized as preachers; that no one of them shall wear ornaments of any kind, and that no church shall be built on premises until it is paid for and title taken.

   According to Sarah E. Collins, one of the originators, there are three organizations in North Carolina, and the total membership in Virginia and North Carolina is more than six hundred.  Converts normally join the Virginia band in their nomadic life, new churches are built as needed.

   It is useless to add, the converts are of the lowest class, amongst whom no lasting impression will be made.  Good and intelligent people from the localities where "The Sanctified Band" have operated make awful reports of their immorality and vice generally, proclaiming that they are polygamists and polyandists, but proof of these grave charges are wanting.        M. MAJETTE."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 31 July 1896, on page 4, column 1, under the heading: "STATE NEWS  -  We have never been a member nor an admirer of the "Sanctified Band," and we see with regret that there are six members of the "Sanctified Band" who are in the lunatic asylum at Raleigh, suffering from religious mania."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 7 August 1896, on page 4, column 1, under the heading: "STATE NEWS  -  The "Sanctified Band" are attracting some attention in other parts of North Carolina besides the Eastern part.  They have left in this part of the State the odor of a fishy memory.  Their memory was odorous as to ignorance and suspected as to morality and their establishment of a new code as to the marital tie was worse than suspicious.  We cannot adopt their faith and practice."

From The Wilmington Morning Star of Wilmington, North Carolina on Sunday, 23 August 1896, on page 4, column 4:

" "THE SANCTIFIED BAND"  -  Attacked By a Mob Near Montrose, N. C., On Chowan River  -  One Woman Killed and Several Men Wounded.  -  By Telegraph to The Morning Star.  -

SUFFOLK, VA., August 22.  -  A large mob of enraged citizens armed with rifles, swords and pistols this morning before day made a desperate attack on a crowd who are styled "The Sanctified Band," on Chowan River, near Montrose, N. C., forty miles from Suffolk.  The Sanctified Band numbers 103 men, women and children, and were sheltered in four arks, fifty yards from shore.  One woman was killed and several men wounded.  Since operating in the locality their influence had become so great that congregations of old churches were disintegrated and hundreds were converted to the new doctrine.  The moral influence was of a baneful character.  Husbands and fathers feared for their wives and children, and domestic ties were broken.  The band meanwhile was preaching sanctification and holiness.  The men of the attacking mob fought with desperation, indicating a determination to oust the intruders.  The leaders of the Sanctified Band are Sadie Collins and a man named Lynch."

From The Norfolk Virginian of Norfolk, Virginia on Sunday, 23 August 1896, on page 1, column 4:

"ATTACKED THE SAINTS  -  A Mob of Enraged North Carolinians Attempt to Drive Out the Sanctified Band.  -  IT WAS AN AWE INSPIRING SPECTACLE  -  Volley after Volley Was Sent Crashing Into the Arks Containing Male and Female Saints Anchored in the River.  -  Woman Killed, Several Men Hurt - Fight Lasted 3 Hours.  -

  Suffolk, Va., August 22.  - (Special.) -  One of the most violent and bellicose demonstrations of an enraged populace seen in Eastern North Carolina within a generation occurred this morning from 12 until 3 o'clock on the Chowan river, near Montrose, forty miles from Suffolk.  It was a terrific attack from land of a mob of about 150 people, heavily armed upon a crowd of heretics styled "The Sanctified Band," situated in boats about fifty yards from the shore.  One woman was killed, and it is thought that several men were wounded.

   The Sanctified Band had been located at Montrose for several weeks, and members have been conducting meetings throughout the surrounding country for many miles.  The result was that their religion was getting a tremendous following, hundreds of men and women, mostly the former, renouncing their allegiance to other churches and accepting the doctrine of the sanctified people.  Besides a large number of persons who had never been allied with any church, were readily converted and almost before the deacons and elders of the community had realized the extent of their fascinating influence the congregations which had regularly been attending the old houses of worship had been disintegrated and disrupted.  It is also claimed that the moral effect of the band was of a most baleful character.  The charm exerted by the heretics and some of their followers became so attractive that parents feared for their sons and daughters.

   These are some of the causes which originated a feeling of repulsion among the natives which was gradually fanned into a contempt and loathing that culminated this morning in a ferocious attempt to banish the band from the confines of the county.  The conflict is described by a disinterested eye-witness, who was safely sheltered behind trees out of the bullets' reach, to be the most awe-inspiring spectacle he ever witnessed.  The men composing the mob were fired with an enthusiasm and determination inspired by the apprehension that their homes and domestic happiness were in danger of being usurped.

   The attack was made at midnight.  The Sanctified people, who are said to number 103 had been warned by local converts, and had moved their four arks in which they live, off into the stream that they might be less exposed to intrusion.  The crowd of enraged citizens came with a rush, and when their commander called for a halt at the river bank, there was an ominous rattling of guns, rifles, pistols, bowie-knives and swords.  As volley after volley was poured into the river craft the bullets could be heard crashing into the arks' sides.  The inhabitants disappeared from view, and it is supposed that they got below the water line, or more would have been killed.

   After a time a committee of citizens started out to propose terms to the band, but they were ordered back by those on the arks, who, however, are said not to have fired a shot.  The committee's return was a signal for another fusilade [sic].  The firing continued till about 3 a. m., when the ammunition was about exhausted, and the mob dispersed to their homes.

   It is claimed that some of the leading citizens and a part of the officers in the county sympathize with the men who resorted to the unlawful use of arms to force from the community a class of people whom they considered deleterious to its interest.  As the last gun was fired curses and threats against further occupany [sic] rent the air.  If they do not leave as ordered it is thought that another attack from enraged husbands and fathers will follow.  

   Sadie Collins and a man named Lynch are said to lead the band.  They preach holiness and sanctification."   

   [Somehow, in the many re-prints of this article, the number of attackers became 200, the Sanctified Band returned gunfire, and (Joseph B.) Lynch became "Gus."  A few other articles with much the same wording state that the woman who died had a bad heart, and died from a heart attack, and not a gunshot.]

From The Norfolk Virginian of Norfolk, Virginia on Tuesday, 25 August 1896, on page 3, column 5, under the heading of: "TOWN OF SUFFOLK  -  Holding Their Own.  -  Information received to-day from Montrose, N. C., where the "Sanctified Band" was attacked Saturday, is to the effect that the saints are maintaining their position regardless of threats of violence from enraged citizens.  They are holding meetings which are attended by large crowds, and at which their persecutions are proclaimed to the world.  The woman killed in Saturday's battle was buried Sunday under affecting circumstances.  The leaders are considering the expediency of asking the Governor for troops that their lives and property may be saved.

   Citizens of the community who claim to have been outraged, say they will wipe out the gang if they don't leave.  They expect to get cannon at their next attack."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 28 August 1896, on page 3, column 3:

"THE SANCTIFIED BAND.  -  Riot In Chowan County.  -  ONE WOMAN KILLED AND SEVERAL PERSONS WOUNDED.  -  The Peace of Society Disturbed And Domestic Ties Broken.  -

   The Sanctified Band (so called) after becoming notorious in Chincoteague Island Va. from which they were driven away by an outraged public sentiment, after having been prosecuted and convicted in the criminal courts, invaded North Carolina, and we are sorry to say that their first point of invasion was this town.  There influence here being regarded as a menace to the good order of the community Mayor Glover ordered them away.

   They left town and removed to the country about five miles from town.  There they began their religious exercises which attracted considerable attention among the neighbors where they settled.  We were watching their conduct through our ECONOMIST Sergeants and regarded their orgies as nearer to blasphemy than the Christian religion, and we denounced them accordingly.  They at last disgusted the neighborhood, and left, next lighting on Powell's Point in Currituck county.  Disorder and disturbance tracked them in the Goose Honk country and from there they went in their ark (so called) to Old Trap, in Camden county.  There, disturbance attended them and they were indicted by the Grand Jury of Camden county for various offenses, of which they were acquitted.  The old paths of religion were trodden out and the people were set by the ears.

   From Camden they went to Nixonton in Pasquotank with like results and from Nixonton they went o "Cannon's Ferry" in Chowan, where on Saturday last (August 22d.) it culminated in blood.  They broke up the churches of Christ, as it is said, severed social ties, led the young people of the neighborhood into immoral ways, and the staid people of the vicinage determined to expel them by force.  They armed themselves with fire arms, attacked the arks which were a little way from shore, killed one woman and wonnded [sic] others.  The Sanctificationists, led by Lynch, their leader returned the fire and some of the people on shore were wounded.  The Sanctificationists number over a hundred, At last accounts there was great excitement on both sides and armed men were patrolling the river shore opposite the ark, and a deadly conflict may at any moment occur.

     LATER:  -  The band has left."

From The Democratic Messenger of Snow Hill, Maryland on Saturday, 29 August 1896, on page 3, column 5:

   "JOE LYNCH!  -  IS RAIDED IN NORTH CAROLINA BY THE DECENT PEOPLE.  -  ONE KILLED; SEVERAL WOUNDED.  -  The Besieged, Entrenched in Boats in a River, Make a Desperate Resistance.  -  Suffolk, Va., August 22.  -  The congregation of religious fanatics, who style themselves the "Sanctified Band," and whose extraordinary antics while on Chincoteague Island, Va., several months ago, led to their prosecution by the authorities, have taken up their home in four sailing boats, which they call "arks," on the Chowan River, near Montrose, N. C.  An attempt was made by residents in that vicinity early this morning to dislodge and drive out the intruders, and the result was a fierce battle in which guns, revolvers and other weapons were used , one woman being killed and several men wounded.  Both sides fought with desperation, and for a time there was a perfect fussillade [sic] of small arms.  As neither side gained a decisive victory, hostilities will probably soon be renewed, and doubtless with even more serious consequences than that which marked the furious engagement of to day.

       A PECULIAR COMMUNITY.

   The "Sanctified Band," soon after locating itself on Chincoteague Island, began to gather numerical strength.  They were under the leadership of a man known as "Joe" Lynch and Mrs. Sadie Collins, a handsome, bright-eyed young woman.  These leaders and others preached "sanctification and holiness," and their liberal matrimonial views attracted to the colony many lads and lassies from the surrounding country.

   Among other features of their method of worship was that of "watch meetings."  These were held in the houses of the bands.  Sister Jones and Brother Smith would meet at a house, and entering a room alone, remain there for a long time "watching" and praying, and this plan of sanctification was pursued by all the members of the band.

   Serious scandals followed this style of "worship," and the Virginia authorities finally prosecuted the members of the band, and they were compelled to flee from that section of the country.

       FLOATED AWAY IN "ARKS."

   But the "Sanctified Band" clung together, and upon leaving the jurisdiction of the Virginia authorities they embarked in four boats, which they termed arks, and which they anchored finally near Montrose, N. C., in the Chowan River.   Here their "sanctification and holiness" demonstrations were continued, the "watch meetings" being held on the decks and in the cabins of the "arks."

   Many of the residents of the neighborhood are ignorant and superstitious people, and a considerable number of them flocked to the standard of the "Sanctified Band," and embraced their "faith," while they paid marked attention to the prettiest girls and women in the "congregation."

       THE NEIGHBORHOOD AROUSED.

   The ranks of the band continued to grow, and hundreds of "converts" were soon made.  The mixed doctrine of free love and sanctification proved a drawing card to many of the ignorant North Carolinians, and the congregations of the Churches in the neighborhood were quickly thinned out.

   Among the "converts" were many of the most vivacious and pretty country lasses, and those of their fathers, brothers and sweethearts who had also joined the band, united for protection and determined to drive out the intruders who were corrupting the morals of the neighborhood.  [I believe the word also in the last sentence should, instead, be "not."]

       ATTACK ON THE FANATICS.

   The outcome of these deliberations was the gathering of about 200 enraged citizens about one o'clock this morning determined to dislodge the crowd of fanatics.

   Hostilities were begun by ordering the band to depart.  This elicited a defiant response, and the "arks" were moved about fifty yards from the shore, so as to be less exposed to attack or capture.  Then the battle royal began, and it raged terrifically for several hours.  The fanatics secluded themselves in cabins and holds of their boats, and from these points of vantage kept up a fusillade on the crowds gathered on the shore.  The latter were armed with all kinds of weapons, and they sent a shower of bullets and shot in the direction of the "arks," peppering the hulls of the boats.

       FURIOUS FIGHTING.

   The fanatics, inspired by their leaders, believed that they were fighting for the protection of their homes, and they desperately resisted, and fired volley after volley at their assailants.  As far as known, only one person was killed, a woman, but many of the besiegers and the besieged were wounded, some of them it is supposed, seriously.  After both sides had become thoroughly exhausted the firing ceased, but it is understood that hostilities will soon be renewed by the residents of the neighborhood, who declare their determination of dislodging the fanatical band from their river quarters."

From The World of New York, New York on Sunday, 30 August 1896, on page 22, columns 1 through 4:

"The Sanctified Band" of North Carolina.

(Special Correspondence to The Sunday World)  Nixonton, N. C., Aug. 28.  -  PUBLIC attention has again been called to an undesirable religious association calling themselves "The Sanctified Church," or "The Sanctified Band," by an attack made by indignant citizens on a colony of them on the banks of the Chowan River, near Montrose, N. C.  The fight, which occurred four days ago, resulted in the death of one woman and the wounding of several men, some of them seriously.

   "The Sanctified Church" is one of the most peculiar religious organizations in the world, and is the only one of the sort in America.  The teachings of the leaders are repugnant to American ideas and American customs, and the law has several times interfered to stop the evil practices done under the cloak of religion.

       THEY LIVE IN ARKS.

   The Albemarle section of North Carolina is filled with various colonies, all members of the general organization of "The Sanctified Band."  They live in boats, which they call arks.  Constructed of rough lumber, these arks are merely houseboats, with neither sails, oars or other means of locomotion.  Sometimes they are dragged up on the bank when it is decided to make a protracted stay.

   When launched again the ark drifts around unless some passing boatman gives it a cable and tows it to some other town or landing.  At more than one town the inhabitants of these arks have been told, either by a delegation of citizens or the officers of the law, that they must move, and a refusal to hoist anchor has resulted in war. 

       THE BAND'S ARKS.

   The arks vary in size, but they are all the same.  In one end is a small room containing a cooking stove and kitchen utensils.  Here the food for the inhabitants of the craft is prepared.  Adjoining is a larger room used alternately as a dining-room and meeting place, where public and private worship is conducted.

   In the other end of the boat is another large room used as a sleeping apartment.  No privacy is given the occupants, and they sleep together, regardless of sex, age or relationship.

   The public is freely admitted into the kitchen and assembly room, but no one is allowed to enter the sleeping apartment except those who are "sanctified."  It is a sort of holy of holies reserved for the exclusive use of members of the band.

   The discipline of the Sanctified Church teaches that no one can go to heaven until he or she has become sanctified in body as well as in spirit.  The "sanctification" takes place instantly, and is not a matter of growth, and it renders the "sanctified" person incapable of sin.

   This is explained as meaning that nothing that a "sanctified" person does is or can be sinful.  Acts which would be wrong in the unsanctified are perfectly proper when committed by those who have been "purified" by this sanctification process.

   They assert that a civil marriage is no marriage and that a sanctified person cannot dwell with the unsanctified.  This logic has caused husbands to desert wives and wives to desert husbands, and the teaching of it has been the cause of the attacks made on "the sanctified bands" by the dwellers in the towns the bands have visited.

       HISTORY OF THE BAND.

   The Sanctified Church had its origin eight years ago on Chincoteague Island, Accomac county, Va.  Joseph Barnard [sic] Lynch, the richest man on the island, claimed to have been visited by an angel during a trance and to have been told that he was "sanctified."  He began preaching his doctrine and soon had a number of followers.

   There are a score of bands known to be in existence to-day.  Lynch, the leader, and Sarah E. Collins, the "head deaconess," are located at the river landing near this town, where they were visited by a correspondent of the Sunday World.

       TWENTY IN ONE ARK.

   There were about twenty of the band at the ark when the correspondent and a photographer visited them.  The ark did not seem large enough to hold such a number, but it was said that several men were absent in the country soliciting contributions while others were on the river catching eels.

       THEIR "FELLOW-WATCHMEN."

   Another regulation of the Sanctified Church is the system of having "fellow-watchmen."  This regulation requires each male member to have the wife of another member as a "fellow-watchman," and they must daily retire to a private spot where they "watch and pray."

   Single women are not allowed to become "fellow-watchmen," and a man's wife cannot act in such a capacity.  She must be the "fellow-watchman" of some other man.

   This doctrine has been the rock on which the Church was split several times, as some of the deluded members refused to subscribe to it, and have deserted because Lynch insisted that it should be enforced.

   The glaring iniquity of this idea is apparent.  "The Sanctified Band" is a free-love society, and the "fellow watchman" arrangement permits the grossest improprieties without fear of detection and under the cloak of sanctity.  Single women are prohibited from becoming "fellow-watchmen" in order to prevent interference from the authorities.  So long as all the "fellow-watchmen" are married interference on the part of law officers is not feared."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 4 September 1896, on page 4, column 1, under the heading: "STATE NEWS.  -  The trial of the assailants of the Sanctified Band at Cannon's Ferry in Chowan county, took place last week before Justice Forehand.  Both parties were represented by able counsel and the trial attracted much public interest.  However that trial may result, there should be a trial of the leaders of the Band as a public nuisance, a religious blasphemy, and disturbers of the good order and decency of the community.  They have outraged and disturbed the peace of every community where they have located."

From The Fisherman and Farmer of Edenton, North Carolina on Friday, 4 September 1896, on page 2, column 5:

"THE TRIAL  -  Of Those Who Attacked The Sanctified Band.  -

   One of the greatest trials ever witnessed in Chowan county took place last Saturday, when nearly a thousand people met at Mr. Caleb Ward's house to hear the trial of the parties who attacked the Sanctified Band on the Chowan river, every man being armed with either a gun, rifle or pistol.  At 12 o'clock the trial was called, W. M. Bond representing the citizens, and T. G. Skinner appearing for the "saints," but owing to the warrants being drawn wrong the trial soon ended, and all the parties under arrest being released - the cost, amounting to about $50.00 being thrown upon the Sanctified folks to pay.  The cost was placed into the hands of officers for collection, but before the officers could reach the river the Sanctified folks and their arks had left for parts unknown.  They were last seen passing Edenton bay Sunday afternoon.

   LATER:  -  All of the men have been rearrested and the great trial will be held today.

   Things are hot and it is fortunate that the Sanctified people left when they did."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 11 September 1896, on page 3, column 3, under the heading:  "NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES.  -  CAMDEN.  -  The Sanctified Band that was driven off from Chowan county is anchored now at the lower end of this county, afraid to land."

From The Evening News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware on Monday, 14 September 1896, on page 1, column 7, under the heading:  "LOCAL BREVITIES.  -  The sheriff of the county in which Chincoteague Island is located, has given notice that to-morrow he will offer for sale the "Sanctified Band" Church."

From The Baltimore Sun of Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, 14 September 1896, on page 2, column 7, under the heading:  "VRIGINIA AFFAIRS.  -  It is reported that a number of the sanctified band operating on the Chowan river, North Carolina, have been drowned by the boat which they were in springing a leak and going down before assistance could be rendered."

From The Evening News Journal of Wilmington, Delaware on Monday, 21 September 1896, on page 2, column 4, under the heading:  "PENINSULA NEWS PARAGRAPHS.  -  The "Sanctified Band" Church, at Chincoteague, Va. has been sold by the sheriff."

**From The Daily Herald of Delphos, Ohio on Tuesday, 29 September 1896, on page 3, column 6:

"FANATICS FEAR A FLOOD.  -  Another Noah Who Has Already Four Arks and Quite a Following. -

Colerain, N. C., Sept. 26. -  One hundred and twenty people are making preparations here for the coming of another flood, scheduled for Christmas day next.

   It is the belief of Joe Lynch and his Mormonistic followers that the only solution to the modern complication of social problems and human incongruities is the total submersion of the earth beneath another flood, and that the sooner the good people of the earth build their little arks the better for them.

   Three weeks ago it suddenly occurred to Noah that on Dec. 25 there would be another flood.  That was up the Chowan River, 10 miles from here.  He lost no time in imparting the information to his illiterate townsmen, who, along with some illiterate townswomen, betook themselves to the modern Noah and prayed for his protection.  Young girls and young women joined the band.  Framers sold their plantations to less excited people who were willing to run the risk of having them ruined by water.  Wives left their husbands and children and the whole neighborhood was in a state of chaotic domesticity.  

   Lynch had four arks made, and called his chosen flock together.  Like all great theories, however, Lynch's did not bear universal credence, and the theorist had his troubles.  They began with the conversion of Matilda Petty, an unsophisticated country girl, poor but respectable.  Against the protests of her father she took up her abode in the ark of safety.  Sympathizers with the parents offered their assistance for revenge.  They suggested that a good dose of tar and feathers was what Lynch desired.

   At the smell of smoke and powder Noah Lynch concluded to put to flight with his "sanctified band."  His message was, "Depart ye hence; delay not, for the enemy cometh."  They weighed anchor and for three days floated down the sound.  Finally they drifted into the mouth of the Chowan river, and Saturday they set anchor at this place.  

   "Angels of the Sanctified Band" are being sent out among the people.  The young folks seem to be impelled to follow them by some hypnotic spell.  Young converts are easy.  Parents are indignant.  Lynch's method is rather Mormonistic.  The people of the town are making preparations for an appeal to the law of force for the removal of the band from this vicinity."  

  ** The above article appears in several papers, but only in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.  -  The arks were in existence for over a year before this "reported" vision.  -  Seems like someone took a few facts and whipped up a big soufflé of a story. Then, in the next few months, a New York newspaper enlarged further on the above story, changing the night attack on the Chowan River and the death of the woman that night.  This story was reprinted from Maine to Louisiana, across the Midwest, and in papers on the west coast. **

From The Roxboro Courier of Roxboro, North Carolina on Wednesday, 30 September 1896, on page 1, column 4, under the heading:  "STATE NEWS.  -  It is reported at Raleigh that the remainder of the Sanctified Band near Edenton, that did not leave with the others, were drowned on the night of the 10th inst.  The boat they were on sprung a leak and went down before they could be released."

**  From The News and Observer of Raleigh, North Carolina on Sunday, 11 October 1896, on page 10, column 5:

"FOUR ARKS AND A NEW NOAH.  -  Carolina Fanatics Preparing for the Coming of a Second Flood.  -   The ark is prepared.  The modern Noah has arrived.  The chosen few are being gathered.  The second flood is due December 25.

   The is the belief of Poe [sic] Lynch and the one hundred members of his "Sanctified Band," down in Eastern Carolina. The Chowan River is a small stream, but deep enough near Currituck Sound to bear up the four arks of the modern Noah.  A short distance to the east lie the treacherous rocks of Hatteras.

   After a three-mile ride in a row boat in a crooked river, the waters suddenly widen, forming a pond-like harbor.  Upon the left bank the forest sets well back from the shore, leaving an open space of sandy desert.  Here Joseph Lynch fastened his arks.  A more isolated spot would be hard to find.  The few inhabitants of this region live miles back from the dense river borders, and are generally of an illiterate class to whom deaths and  births are of very little concern.  These are the people so ready to accept the modern Noah's faith.

   Young girls and young men joined the band.  Their homes knew them no more.  Farmers sold their plantations, deserted their families and followed the band.  Wives left their children and husbands at home.

   Then came the first trouble for Noah Lynch.  It began with the conversion of Matilda Petty, an unsophisticated, pretty country girl, poor but respectable.  She took up her abode in the ark of safety.  Her father's grief knew no bounds.  The story spread until every one within ten miles knew the fate of a virtuous and upright girl.  Friends offered their assistance for revenge.  They would tar and feather both Lynch and his colleague, Sarah Collins, burn the arks and annihilate the "Sanctified Band."

   As the appointed time drew near, old muskets and rusty pistols were polished and loaded.  But Lynch somehow heard of the plot, and one night told the band of the danger.  His message was:  "Depart ye hence; delay not, for the enemy cometh."  They weighed anchor and floated down to the Sound.  For days they floated in the desolate Currituck Sound.  Finally they drifted into the mouth of the Chowan River and arrived at their present resting place, probably the desolate section upon the North Carolina coast.  Here they have rested since the 1st of August.

   "Angels of the Sanctified Band" were sent out among the neighbors, inviting them to the meetings.  Many came, but few returned to their homes without a vague unrest within their breasts.  The hypnotic spell took a more firm hold upon the young men and young girls than upon their parents, and they went again and again.  Converts were easy.

   All went well until another poor young girl named Lizzie Bell Pearsall suffered the same fate of Matilda Petty after she joined the "Sanctified Band."  The band now numbered 120 souls. The more conservative people became alarmed, and finally a letter was sent to Governor Carr, at Raleigh, N. C., asking for help.  Then the neighbors of the Pearsall family, who had lost a daughter, decided to help themselves.  The formalities of the law were too slow.

   'Twas Friday night, August 20, a great revival was going on.  The hand clapping, shouting and praying became louder.  They were in the middle of the song:

  Don't you want to go ober dere,

  Where de sanctified band stays;

  If yer duz, my dear brother,

  You'll hab to get on de ark;

  Come 'long, brothers, git on de ark;

  Come 'long, sisters, git on de ark.

   The song was interrupted by the sentinel, who announced the distant patter of many horses' feet.  The meeting ended, and Joe made the unbelievers go ashore, and the sanctified ones prayed before seeking a refuge.  But not once did Lynch, or his band flinch.  They all repaired into the ark.  The flood came but it was not of water.  The rattle and crash of firearms, the bullets pattering against the ark, told Joseph Lynch and his followers that the Carolina Regulators had arrived.  In the melee Patty Watkins, one of the loudest shouters in the "Sanctified Band," was struck by a bullet and died within half an hour.

   With solemn ceremony she was buried, and many tears were shed at her grave.  Sunday morning the arks moved down the stream about ten miles.  The neighbors promise not to molest them so long as they confine their Mormonistic ways among their own crew, but they were warned not to set foot on land to uphold "sanctification."  -  New York Journal."  **  This article, also, spread across the nation. **

From The Baltimore Sun of Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, 9 November 1896, on page 7, column 4, under the heading:  "EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA.  -  The Notorious Sanctified Band.  -  Seven members of the notorious Sanctified Band have just returned from North Carolina to Chincoteague Island, whence they migrated more than two years ago.  These peculiar people have been leading a sort of roving life ever since they left the island, living in a floating ark on the sounds along the North Carolina coast.  They say that when they first went to North Carolina they were kindly treated, but that persecution soon arose on account of their religious opinions and practices and they were driven from place to place.  At times they had to flee for their lives before infuriated crowds, who threatened to burn their ark and beat them to death.  These strange people came to Chincoteague Island some eight or ten years ago from Delaware and New Jersey.  They established a community on the northern part of the island, where they built a church costing several thousand dollars.  Joseph Lynch, John Workman and Saddie [sic] Collins were their leaders.  There doings became so questionable that they were indicted and tried in Accomac County Court, and the ringleaders were convicted on the charge of conspiracy and being nuisances and fined and sentenced to a short imprisonment.  They were released on  bail pending a motion for a new trial, but as soon as they could do so they sold all their real property and all their personal property that they could not take with them and left the island with all their followers for North Carolina.  Their church building was sold at public auction some time a go for about $120.  They have been gradually drifting back to Chincoteague, and if they undertake to revive their former practices there, trouble will surely result."

From The Fisherman and Farmer of Edenton, North Carolina on Friday, 13 November 1896, on page 1, column 7:

   "The Sanctificationists.  -  Some of the sanctified band, which figured so conspicuously in a pitched battle with citizens at Montrose, N. C., have drifted back to Chincoteague Island, Va., where they were located two years ago.  Some of them fared roughly at the hands of the enraged Chincoteaguers, while others were indicted, and it is not probable that their work will now be prosecuted there with any degree of success."

Two articles from The Washington Progress of Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina on Tuesday, 17 November 1896; the first on page 1, column 5:

"A NEW RELIGIOUS CRUSADE.  -  Old Beaufort Invaded - The Ark of "Christ's Holy Sanctified Church" in Our Midst.  -  POLITICS AT A DISCOUNT - ALL CLASSES SEARCHING THEIR BIBLES.   -   Aurora, N. C., Nov. 9, 1896.  - MR EDITOR  -  Some five weeks since there arrived at Oregon, about six miles from this place, a large flat bottom boat 70 feet long and 17 feet wide, with a platform running all around.  On the boat is a house the entire side of the boat, this house is divided into a kitchen in each end and a reception room in the centre and twelve small bedrooms with two berths in each as in a steamboat.  On the boat are about thirty persons, twenty adults, balance children of all ages, the adults are about equally divided, men and women.  This boat (called by the irreverent "Noah's Ark") is in charge of the Rev. James B. Workman, assisted by Rev. Charlotte H. Gray, who are ordained ministers of "Christ's Sanctified Holy Church"   They have held many meetings and much excitement has been manifested through the neighborhood, quite a number have professed a belief in the doctrine preached.  They say that their mission here is not to destroy other churches, but to preach the doctrines of Christ's Sanctified Holy Church and help to build up the cause of Christ on earth.  On last Sunday they held an open air meeting at Thomas's Store, about four miles from this place where there were a very large crowd in attendance estimated at about one thousand with at least one hundred buggies.  The services were conducted by the ministers assisted by other members of the band, some six women preaching and exhorting with about the same number of men taking part in the service, with singing, clapping hands, jumping and in other ways expressing their happiness, there were also a number of new converts that made short talks expressing their great relief from the burden of sin.  In fact it was a meeting long to be remembered and of much interest to all present, whether they came for curiosity or not.  On yesterday your correspondent by invitation visited their quarters, obtaining a copy of their discipline, their mode of operations, etc.  They claim to be plain uneducated people, working for their living reclaiming no money for their preaching, but laboring for their daily support.  We found the women doing washing, picking cotton, peas, kitting nets etc., the men ditching or doing any farm or mechanical work they could get, the main employment of the men however was fishing and catching eels which they ship to the northern markets and so far as we can learn, they have been in this community an honest hard working set of men and women.  In their religious belief we understand that they believe in Christ's Sanctified Holy church here on earth, that this church was organized 1887 in Virginia and are an offshoot of the Methodist church, that they believe that no one can be saved without sanctification and holiness which Christ taught while on earth, that in most of the forms in their discipline are from the Methodist whilst some are from the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers.  In this church there shall be no difference made in the sexes as to ministers and officers but male and female alike shall have general rights to fill any office or position in the church.  That there shall be no salary named for ministers in accordance to the command of Jesus in St. Mark.  That no person will be into full communion who does not pay his honest debts, that no person will be received that votes to license any person to sell intoxicating liquors jewelry, etc. etc.  In short they believe in an organized church, Jesus Christ, the Trinity, the Lord's supper, matrimony, class meetings, but above all a sanctified and holy life and that it is possible to obtain that blessing without which there is no eternal life.  The above is the statement as given me as to their belief and as such I submit it to your readers." 

     The second article on page 3, column 4:

"THE SANCTIFIED BAND.   -   We give on another page [shown above] an interesting communication from our Aurora correspondent in regard to the "Sanctified Band" now making headquarters at Oregon.  The discription [sic]of the band and its religious teachings are entirely different from the discription [sic] given by other correspondents and newspaper reports.  It is the same band that moved from Virginia and located near Columbia, Tyrell county, met so much opposition from the people that they had to flee to escape mob violence, it being charged against them, that they advocated the breaking of the marriage vow with impunity and sought to entice members of the female sex to join them at the sacrifice of virtue.  For this they were mobbed in Tyrell county and removed to this county.  The discription [sic] given of them by our correspondent, and he is one of the most intelligent citizens of the county, does not warrant any such accusations, but that they are as industrious, hard working people, wedded to their peculiar religious tenants and are an innocent, harmless people.  -  We understand they are creating much excitement in the section they reside in, and numbers turn out to hear them discuss their doctrines.  We were shown a copy of their discipline and failed to see anything peculiarly wrong in their teachings.  We ask our readers to read that communication, it will at least be interesting and is from the pen of a witness that gives an unvarnished statement of facts as they came under his observation and is not controlled by the newspaper reports he has read."

From The Baltimore Sun of Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, 23 November 1896, on page 8, column 3, under the heading:  "EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA.  - 

   "Chincoteague.The real estate of Joseph Lynch, the ring-leader of the once notorious "sanctified band" of Chincoteague, was sold one day last week at public auction and was purchased by E. P. Timmons, of Philadelphia.  Lynch is now a fugitive from justice in North Carolina, having been convicted of conspiracy in the County Court of Accomac three years ago."

From The Washington Gazette of Washington, North Carolina on Thursday, 26 November 1896, on page 2, column 5, under the heading of "Makelyville Items.

   The most interesting feature around here is the Sanctified band.  They claim to be perfect, sinless and holy.  They say they never have an evil thought, nor have they committed a sin since they were sanctified.  They sing and slap and jump very much like the old colored folks did before the war.  It is reported that they are people of no character and have been driven from every place at which they have stopped.  A few nights ago they preached at Makelyville and Eld. M. F. Haskett asked them for thirty minutes to discuss the subject with them and they would not grant it, he then made an appointment and asked them to attend and discuss it with him, promising them an equal division of time but they would not come.  Mr. Haskett then preached on the subject of sanctification and sin which was a clear presentation of the matter.  He quoted the language of Christ when he said there was none good but God and several passages from the apostles showing that the doctrine of sanctification is an untaught question.  These people are having some following but the better element of the people are against them.  It is thought that in a few days they will weary of the novelty of the thing and pull up their ark and go hence.  We are willing to give heart and hand to all that tends to build up and to elevate our young people but when anything tends to demoralize them we are one of the first to raise our voice against it."

From The Baltimore Sun of Baltimore, Maryland on Monday, 7 December 1896, on page 8, column 2, under the heading:  "EASTERN SHORE OF VIRGINIA.  -  The members of the "sanctified band" that have returned to Chincoteague Island from North Carolina, have settled in their old homes, on the northern part of that island, and are said to be holding meetings and reviving their former religious rites and practices.  The report of their doings has created much indignation among the people of the island, from which they were exiled several years ago.  If the islanders cannot by legal means suppress them it is probable they will be driven off."

From The Weekly Economist of Elizabeth City, North Carolina on Friday, 18 December 1896, on page 2, column 1, a letter:

"SHILOH, N. C., Dec. 14, '96.   Col. R. B. Creecy.

SIR:  - Mr. A. K. Leary, a Populist, who was elected as Chairman of the board of County Commissioners last Monday, Dec. 7th, is a Lynchite.  At the bull pen (tabernacle) near Old Trap, yesterday he was jumping and slapping as well as any of the best trained Lynchites.

   What a humiliation old Camden has come to.  A chairman of the board of Commissioners, a follower of the detestable gang headed by Joe Lynch and Sadie Collins.  O! ye gods turn your head and weep! What a successor we have for that true Southern Gentleman, George Riggs!

INDIGNANT CAMDONIAN."

*****  There will be another post with more newspaper articles, but it might take me a month or more to pull it together.  *****