Israel Dammon trial
Encyclopedia
The Israel Dammon trial was a court case
which occurred in 1845. The main protagonist, Israel Dammon (1811–1886) (also spelled Damman or Damon), was summoned for disturbing the peace
during loud, fanatical worship in a farmhouse in Atkinson
, Maine
on February 15 of that year. Present were Christians
from the Millerite Adventist tradition.
A transcript
of the trial was rediscovered in the 1980s, revealing a fuller picture of the incident. Of interest to Seventh-day Adventists
, two primary church founders James
and Ellen G. White
are mentioned in the transcript, although they were not under trial themselves and did not appear in court. Dorinda Baker, an alleged early Adventist prophet, was also present at the farmhouse.
, Maine
, United States
(now the Piscataquis Observer; website) was rediscovered and republished in the 1980s. It also mentions Ellen White (then Ellen Harmon):
The Ellen G. White Estate
wrote, "none of the witnesses in the record of Israel Dammon's trial allege any fanatical activity by 17-year-old Ellen Harmon." They do not believe her attendance represented an endorsement.
One witness stated, "I never saw such confusion, not even in a drunken frolic."
Legal case
A legal case is a dispute between opposing parties resolved by a court, or by some equivalent legal process. A legal case may be either civil or criminal...
which occurred in 1845. The main protagonist, Israel Dammon (1811–1886) (also spelled Damman or Damon), was summoned for disturbing the peace
Disturbing the Peace
Disturbing the Peace is the second studio album by Alcatrazz, and is the only one featuring Steve Vai on guitar. One of the singles, God Blessed Video, can be found on the fictional radio station, V-Rock, on Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Weeks on Chart: 7, Peak: #133...
during loud, fanatical worship in a farmhouse in Atkinson
Atkinson, Maine
Atkinson is a town in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. The town was named after Judge Atkinson, a landholder. The population was 323 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
on February 15 of that year. Present were Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
from the Millerite Adventist tradition.
A transcript
Transcript (law)
A transcript is a written record of spoken language. In court proceedings, a transcript is usually a record of all decisions of the judge, and the spoken arguments by the litigants' lawyers. A related term used in the US is docket, not a full transcript. The transcript is expected to be an exact...
of the trial was rediscovered in the 1980s, revealing a fuller picture of the incident. Of interest to Seventh-day Adventists
Seventh-day Adventist Church
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the original seventh day of the Judeo-Christian week, as the Sabbath, and by its emphasis on the imminent second coming of Jesus Christ...
, two primary church founders James
James Springer White
James Springer White , also known as Elder White was a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and husband of Ellen G. White...
and Ellen G. White
Ellen G. White
Ellen Gould White was a prolific author and an American Christian pioneer. She, along with other Sabbatarian Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, would form what is now known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church.Ellen White reported to her fellow believers her...
are mentioned in the transcript, although they were not under trial themselves and did not appear in court. Dorinda Baker, an alleged early Adventist prophet, was also present at the farmhouse.
History
In 15 February 1845, a group of Millerite Adventists led by Israel Dammon met for very lively, exuberant worship. Ellen White (then Ellen Harmon) was present, and was 17 years of age at the time. Israel Dammon was arrested that night for disturbing the peace, and later tried. Ellen White described the incident in Spiritual Gifts vol. 2. A local newspaper account of the trial which was published in 7 March 1845 in the Piscataguis Farmer of Dover in Piscataquis CountyPiscataquis County, Maine
Piscataquis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 17,535, making it Maine's least-populous county. Its county seat is Dover-Foxcroft....
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(now the Piscataquis Observer; website) was rediscovered and republished in the 1980s. It also mentions Ellen White (then Ellen Harmon):
- "There was a woman on the floor who lay on her back with a pillow under her head; she would occasionally arouse up and tell a vision which she said was revealed to her."
The Ellen G. White Estate
Ellen G. White Estate
The Ellen G. White Estate, Incorporated, or simply the White Estate, is the official organization created by Ellen G. White to act as the custodian of her writings, which are of importance to the Seventh-day Adventist Church...
wrote, "none of the witnesses in the record of Israel Dammon's trial allege any fanatical activity by 17-year-old Ellen Harmon." They do not believe her attendance represented an endorsement.
One witness stated, "I never saw such confusion, not even in a drunken frolic."
See also
- Charismatic AdventismCharismatic AdventismCharismatic Adventists are a segment of Seventh-day Adventist Church that is closely related to "Progressive Adventism", a liberal movement within the church.- Music :...
- History of the Seventh-day Adventist ChurchHistory of the Seventh-day Adventist ChurchThe Seventh-day Adventist Church had its roots in the Millerite movement of the 1830s and 1840s, during the period of the Second Great Awakening, and was officially founded in 1863. Prominent figures in the early church included Hiram Edson, James Springer White and his wife Ellen G. White, Joseph...
- Prophecy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church#Early Adventists
- Inspiration of Ellen WhiteInspiration of Ellen WhiteSeventh-day Adventists believe church co-founder Ellen G. White was inspired by God as a prophet, today understood as a manifestation of the New Testament "gift of prophecy", as described in the official beliefs of the church...
External links
- "The Israel Dammon Trial" blog by Jeff Crocombe (bio), a lecturer at Helderberg CollegeHelderberg CollegeHelderberg College is a private higher education institution situated in Somerset West, South Africa, about thirty minutes from Cape Town. It was established in 1893 - the first Seventh-day Adventist College established outside of North America under the name "Union College"...