1853 – An attractive certificate depicting the Cleveland waterfront attesting to a woman’s insurance policy issued by The Buckeye State Health Association

Cleveland, Ohio, 1853. Unbound. Very good. This partially-printed certificate measures 8” x 10¼” and is dated 14 February 1853. It was issued by The Buckeye State Health Association, headquartered in Cleveland, to Mary Stevens of York, Ohio. The document features an attractive illustration of the Cleveland waterfront.

The document reads in part,

“This Certificate of Membership Provides, that Whereas, Mary Stevens . . . having paid $3.00 . . . has become a member of the above named Association, and is entitled to all benefits arising from the same; which is $2.00 for each and every week of sickness or inability of said Mary Stevens to attend to her ordinary business or occupation. And also, to her share of the annual dividend of the surplus funds, which may have accumulated. . ..

“Provided always, That such sickness, injury or inability, shall have occurred while in the prosecution of a lawful and honest pursuit, and not be the result of improper or immoral conduct of said M Stevens and that it shall not have proceeded from any chronic disease or affection with which said member is now, or heretofore been afflicted. . ..”

. Benefit societies, like The Buckeye State Health Association, were precursors to the modern American insurance industry. Although this one appears to be an independent organization, many were established by non-profit fraternal, religious, immigrant, and worker organizations to provide life and health insurance to contributing male members when they required assistance following family sickness or death. Much less commonly, they provided similar benefits for females.

The certificate does not identify Mary’s “ordinary business or occupation,” however online information identifies her as a housewife. However, her husband’s occupation is listed in the 1860 Census as a “pedler,” so perhaps she also assisted him in selling his goods.

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