JEFFERSON COUNTY, TN - MISC - Tennessee Manumission Society
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	Tennessee Manumission Society, Jefferson County, TN, 1815

From Goodspeed's History of Tennessee, page D19 & D20:
The first branch of the Tennessee Manumission Society was organized at Lost 
Creek Meeting-house in Jefferson County on February 25, 1815.  On that day 
eight persons met for the purpose of forming themselves into a society, under 
the style of the Tennessee Society for promoting the Manumission of Slaves.  
These persons were Charles Osborne, John Canady, John Swan, John Underwood, 
Jesse Willis, David Maulsby, Elihu Swan and Thomas Morgan.  The constitution 
adopted for this society was as follows:
Article I
Each member is to have an advertisement in the most conspicious part of his 
house, in the following words, viz.: "Freedom is the natural right of all men, 
I therefore acknowledge myself a member of the Tennessee Society for promoting 
the manumission of slaves."
Article II
That no member vote for a governor or legislator unless he believe him to be 
in favor of emancipation.
  
Article III
That we convene twelve times at Lost Creek Meeting-house.  The first on the 
11th of the third month next...shall proceed to appoint a president, clerk and 
treasurer, who shall continue in office twelve months.
  
Article IV
The required qualification of our members are true Republican principles...and 
in form of ...and that no immoral character be admitted into the society as a 
member.