Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1857-1866

Association Vo. 1 1-5mo 1857 27-12 mo 1866 1st to 101 Mtg

Proceedings of the Mutual Improvement Association

From 5/1-1857 to 12/27-1866, 202 meetings recorded.

Members' Names and Residences E. D Bentley, -- Bloomfield. M. Farquhar, -- Cedar Lawn. S. A. Gilpin, --- Mount Airy. R. E. Gilpin, ---- Brierly. D. A. Lea, ---- Springdale. B. J. Lea, ---- Lea's Mill. (A. E. Hartshorne Lea Wood) H. J. Moore, - Plainfield. (M. M. Miller) S. E. Pierce, --- Black Meadows Jane Porter M. L. Roberts, - Sherwood. L. G. Thomas, --- Ashland. E. G. Thomas Cherry Grove

1857 5th month 1st.

Agreeably to previous invitation from Mary L. Roberts, a member of the women of Sandy Spring. desirous of promoting their own and each others' improvement, held a preliminary meeting, at the house of B. Rush Roberts, to form a society, and adopt such regulations as seem likely to conduce to that object.

There were present, Mary L. Roberts, Hadasseh J. Moore, Sally Ann Gilpin, Lydia G. Thomas, Rachel E. Gilpin, Edith D. Bentley, Deborah A. Lea, Helen M. Trump & M. Farquhar.

The last named was appointed secretary, and requested to make minutes of the meeting and further proceedings.

The following propositions were then made and concurred in.

1st. That our society be called "The Mutual Improvement Association."

1st year 2 Sherwood

2nd. That our members be limited to 15 persons: who are to meet at the house of each in rotation, on the last 4th day in each month, taking the names in alphabetical order. The hour of meeting to be 3 P. M. from the 4th to the 9th months, inclusive, and during the rest of the year at 2 P. M., in order to allow sufficient time before supper, - which, it is recommended, should be simple - and early.

3rd That we shall consider it a duty to attend these meetings and to endeavor to contribute in some way to their object, and exert ourselves accordingly.

4th That we shall offer for the benefit of the Association such information as we may have obtained - by experience or otherwise - in any way calculated to elevate the minds, increase the happiness, lighten the labor, or add to the comfort of one another, or our families or neighbors.

5th. That each member be called on by name for some communication;- when she may either ask for information on any subject she thinks it desirable to discuss, or give information which she has in any way acquired, of the