| House Of David |
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The House of David commune reached the peak of its operations in 1907-1927. Difficulties arose in the 1920s, as the Detroit Free Press and other newspapers began running articles attacking Purnell, who was accused of violating the commune's oath of Celibacy . Purnell was tried in Berrien County for "public immorality," and 13 young women, placed under oath, confessed to having had sex with the Patriarch . The trial led to Purnell's expulsion from the commune in 1927 , and the former leader died in 1929 . The group suffered further splintering after his death and ultimately split into two groups. One group, run by Benjamin Purnell's wife Mary, remained successful until her death at 91 in 1953 . The group has since declined, but still has a few dozen members. EXTERNAL LINKS
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