Fox property purchased by Society

History - Newark

Fox property purchased by Society
Spiritualism Birthplace Here
Bought by Society for Shrine

Courier-Gazette, Thursday, December 4, 1947

Hydesville, the crossroad birthplace of Moderm Spiritualism just north of Newark may soon be to Spiritualists what Cumorah Hill, south of Palmyra, is to the Mormons.

The site of the Fox cottage, where the famous mysterious rappings were heard by the Fox Sisters on March 31, 1848, was recently purchased by the Rev. J. Bertrand Gerling of the Universal Psychic Science Temple of Rochester in behalf of the Fox Memorial Society which has plans of erecting a shrine on the plot of ground.

The Fox Memorial Society was formed in January 1946 at Hudson, Ohio, by Mrs. Marian Sanford Pond, former Newark resident for the purpose of acquiring, maintaining and protecting the Hydesville site now so neglected, according to society officials. Mrs. Pond last July published her book, "Time Is Kind," a dramatized story of the origin of the cult.

With a membership of 300, the organization has as its main purpose the perpetuation of the names of the founders of Modern Spiritualism, the three Fox Sisters -- Leah, Margaretta and Kate. The 1948 date marks the 100th anniversary of the first manifestations heard by the sisters in the little Hydesville cottage which was purchased in 1916 by Benjamin F. Bartlett and moved to Lily Dale, NY, where it has been restored and has since become one of that community's leading attractions.

Since the cottage was moved away a granite marker has been the only means of identifying the historic spot. The marker was placed there in 1927 by Mrs. Mercy Cadwallader of Chicago, a former editor of a Spiritualist paper called the "Progressive Thinker." She erected the marker at her own expense and through the years nothing has ever been done to keep the place from neglect and desecration.

Spiritualists throughout the United States and other countries are planning to observe this centennial year of 1948 in various ways. In Rochester plans are being laid for the observance which will take place in July. Plans also include a trip to the J & P Rose Gardens here and a visit to Hydesville with a special program arranged for the occasion.

It is the intention of the Fox Memorial Society to proceed at once with plans to improve and beautify this plot of ground which is of such deep interest to Spiritualists everywhere and which is visited every year by many people.

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