Erie County (PA) Genealogy
The Vigilance Committee of Springfield
Contributed by Evelyn Baker
The document below was provided by Evelyn Baker, who has transcribed it from "Erie County Charters", Book #1, page 155. Anyone wishing to comment on this document or provide additional information should contact Evelyn Baker directly.
The Vigilance Committee of Springfield
Charter of Incorporation
Recorded December 1, 1869
Whereas: the following named persons, citizens of this commonwealth
viz:
Z. L. SHERMAN
A. SCOTT
Z. THOMAS
C. W. REED
J. M. STRONG
A. J. THOMAS
M. GOULD
have together with other citizens associated for the purpose of mutually assisting each other in the protection of property and in arresting and bringing to justice any person or persons who shall steal or in any manner destroy the property of any member, and are now desirous to be incorporated. They therefore declare the following to be the objects, articles & conditions of here said association, agreeable, to which they desire to be incorporated: viz:
Art. I - This Association shall be known as the Vigilance Committee of Springfield.
Art. II - The association shall meet annually on the first Monday of June for the election of officers & for the transaction of any other business they may deem necessary when met.
Art. III - The officers shall consist of: A President , 4 Vice Presidents , Secretary , Treasurer , and such other officers as the wants of the association may demand.
Art. IV - The business of the Association in the recess of the Annual Session shall be transacted by an executive committee consisting of the President & Vice Presidents.
Art. V - There shall also be elected at the Annual Session, a Captain, 2 Lieutenants and 24 Minute Men.
Art. VI - The President, Treasurer, Captain, & Lieutenants shall be elected by ballot; all other officers & Minute Men, by acclamation, & shall hold office for the term of one year & until others are elected in their stead.
Art. VII - Any vacancies which may occur shall be filled by the Executive Committee for the residue of the term.
Art. VIII - The revenue of the Association shall be for defraying the necessary expenses thereof & shall be for derived from fee for membership, assessments, & other methods as hereafter provided.
Art. IX - At each Annual Session, the Executive Committee shall ascertain as nearly as possible what amount of money in addition to fees for member ship will be necessary to meet the necessary expenses of the current year and such amount shall be assessed per capita upon the members, provided a majority of the present members approve.
Art. X - The association may enact such By-laws as may be necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this Constitution and to regulate proceedings of its officers & committees & to provide for the safety of the funds and properties provided that the same do not, in any way, contravene any article of this constitution.
Art. XI - No part of this Constitution or of the By-laws shall be amended, altered, annulled, or suspended, nor shall any addition be made thereto, except at the Annual Session and in the manner hereinafter provided.
Art. XII - A proposition to amend shall be presented in writing at the Annual Session & be signed, by at least 5 members, & if approved by a majority of the members present, it shall be adopted.
Art. XIII - Any person may become a member by subscribing to the Constitution & By-laws & paying into the Treasury, the sum of $1 and enrolling his name, except as provided by the By-laws.
And now, to wit, November 25, 1869, the within Article of Association, having been presented in open court & the court being satisfied that the order of application & notice has been complied with, & no cause has been shown to the contrary, it is hereby decreeded & declared that the persons herein named, shall according to the Articles and conditions in said instrument set forth & contained become & be a corporation or body politic, & further direct that said Charter of Incorporation shall be recorded in the office for recording deeds in the County of Erie & on being so recorded, the persons named in said instrument within, shall according to the objects, articles, & conditions, in said instrument set forth & contained, become and be a corporation or body politic, in law & in fact, to have continuance by the names, style, & title, in said instrument provided & declared. Per Curiam
And now, so met Sept. 3, 1869 the court having perused and examined the within instrument & the objects, article, & conditions, as set forth therein, appearing lawful & not injurious to the community, is directed to be filed in the office of the Prothonatory & notice to be inserted in the Erie paper for 3 successive weeks that application has been made to the Court of Common Pleas to grant said Charter of Incorporation. Per Curiam
Notice on the matter of Incorporation of :
The Vigilance Committee of Springfield
November term 1869 in the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, Pa. In pursuance to the order of the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County Made on the 3rd day of September 1869, notice is hereby given that Application has been made to said Court to grant a Charter of Incorporation
To the Vigilance Committee of Springfield.
If no sufficient reason is shown to the contrary At the next term of Court, the Charter will be granted.
C. P. ROGERS, Prothonotary
Erie County, Pennsylvania
Personally appeared before me, J. R. GRAHAM, Editor of the Erie Weekly Gazette, who being duly sworn according to law, doth depose & say that the forgoing notice received insertion in his paper for three consecutive weeks & it further saith not.
J. R. GRAHAM Sworn & subscribed before me November 25, 1869.
C. P. ROGERS, Prothonotary
In the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, Pennsylvania
November term - 1869
In the Matter of the Incorporation of:
The Vigilance Committee of Springfield
Petition presented in open court & the Court having perused & examined the objects, articles, and conditions therein set forth and contained and the same appearing lawful & not injurious to the community, it is directed to be filed in the Office of the Prothonotary & notice be inserted in the Erie Gazette for 3 successive weeks that application has been made to the Court of Common Pleas to grant said Charter of Incorporation . Per Curiam
November 27, 1869
Proof of notice by publication filed & now to wit Nov. 25, 1869.
The Court, being satisfied that the order of publication & notice has been complied with & no cause having been shown to the contrary it is ordered & decreed that the persons herein named shall according to the articles and conditions in said instrument set forth and contained become and be a corporation or body politic & further direct that a Charter of Incorporation shall be recorded in the office for recording deeds in the County of Erie and on being so recorded the persons named in said instrument shall according to the objects, articles, & conditions in said instrument set forth & contained, become & be a corporation or body politic, in law & fact, to have continuence by name, style & title in said instrument provided & declared.
Per Curiam
From the Record
Witness my hand & seal of said Court at Erie
30th day of November, 1869
C. P. ROGERS, Prothonotary
This page was last updated on Thursday, January 17, 2002 .
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