Item #27969 [ manuscript notebook ] Constitution and Rules of Order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight Wareham, Mass, 1861. Mechanics Union No 8.
[ manuscript notebook ] Constitution and Rules of Order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight Wareham, Mass, 1861
[ manuscript notebook ] Constitution and Rules of Order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight Wareham, Mass, 1861
[ manuscript notebook ] Constitution and Rules of Order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight Wareham, Mass, 1861
[ manuscript notebook ] Constitution and Rules of Order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight Wareham, Mass, 1861

[ manuscript notebook ] Constitution and Rules of Order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight Wareham, Mass, 1861

Wareham, MA: self published 1861-1871. First Edition. Not paginated but [132] pages. 4 x 6 inches. Thin leather covered wraps, worn, spine slanted. A holographic notebook marked "The Property of the Mechanics Union No 8 Wareham Mass" on the front flyleaf, and fully used (a few pages excised in rear). The first date is 1861 and the last 1871. Written in ink, pencil, and finally purple and blue inks. Generally readable throughout. Good. Boards. [27969]


The manuscript begins with the Constitution and rules of order of the Mechanics Local Union No Eight, Wareham, Mass, 1861. Qualifications include being a "mechanic of good moral character, and believes in a Supreme Being." Ballots will pass with only one black ball, but two or more will result in rejection. Provisions are made for visiting members, dues, sick support, meetings, officers, duties of officers, traveling cards, etc etc. 18 articles in all. Followed by 19 rules for conducting the Union, an example of a traveling card, an example of a certificate of membership, and form of withdrawal. Following that is a list of members and the dates of their initiations (from April 5, 1860 through 1870, with one page apparently excised).

The balance of the notebook contains meeting minutes, including the establishment of this local union by a group of delegates from Taunton MA. The original records "not being properly taken care of are lost" (dates Apr 5 to Sept 18th). Issues are taken up at meetings like whether boys can grind their own mooreing knives (they cannot), new Brothers voted in, support for others (like the Nailors of Agawam), correspondence to be sent to other branches, etc. Also votes about where and whether or not to work ("Voted that we will not go to work on the 20 percent dock."), rent and rooms, appeals to other unions since they aren't on a "dock" (clock?). While not tremendously detailed, it does provide insight into some of the issues facing the union through the war years.

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