Patti -- This sounds like an early labor union. You don't say what time period it was, but for many years labor unions were secret organizations because there was no right to organize for better wages and/or working conditions. Union activity was instead considered a conspiracy in restraint of trade, an offense punishable by a long prison term. As I recall (very dimly), this was true through a good part of the 1800's -- maybe longer. Judith Werner Hayward, California, USA >Has anyone ever heard of the Organizational Council of American >Mechanics....(I might have the first name wrong)????? I was told by a >librarian that it was a secret organization..... -----Original Message----- From: SHuskies <nikki@cde.com> To: NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com <NJESSEX-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Monday, March 29, 1999 12:56 Subject: Re: O.C. A. M....secret organization???? >Has anyone ever heard of the Organizational Council of American >Mechanics....(I might have the first name wrong)????? I was told by a >librarian that it was a secret organization..... > >All I know for sure is that it was an organization that left my Great >Grandfather's widow $500 when he died.....and that about 70 of the members >from the Monmouth county area showed up for his funeral at Mount Pleasant in >Matawan. > >Also does anyone have the addresses for the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in >Matawan or the Freneau Cemetery where Philip Freneau, the poet, was >interrred????? > >Would greatly appreciate the help! > >:) > >Still lookin' for lost relations! >Patti Heyer >nikki@cde.com > > >==== NJESSEX Mailing List ==== >Visit the Essex County Genealogy Web Site at: ><http://www.rootsweb.com/~njessex/> > >