From the Archives: Court Records:
Constitution of the Benevolent Equal Rights Society, July 1, 1858

Petition for the Incorporation of Benevolent Equal Rights Society

Recorded July 3, 1858

Whereas the following named persons citizens of this Commonwealth viz. James Grant, James Titus, John Grisham, have together with other citizens associated for the purpose and object of forming a beneficial or mutual aid Society and have for that purpose formed a Society in the City of Erie, County of Erie, State of Pennsylvania agreeably to the provisions of the Act of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania entitled “An Act to confer on certain associations of the citizens of this Commonwealth, the powers and immunities of Corporations or bodies politic in law.” They therefore declare the following to be the objects articles and conditions of their said association agreeably to which they desire to be incorporated viz.

Constitution of the Benevolent United Equal Rights Society

Whereas in every period of time all civilized nations have been benefited by the institutions of Law and order, and the Declaration of Independence declares that “All men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,”

We being American born citizens and desiring to be law abiding people and to be known as such do for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, ordain and enact the following Constitution …”

Signed by the trustees

James Grant
Samuel Hickerson
James L. Titus
Hamilton E. Waters
Washington Williams
James Davis
John Graham
Allen Dorsey
Samuel Blake
James C. Titus