Title	James M. Henderson Anti-KKK Oath
Description	Henderson's signed oath stating he was never a member of the Ku Klux Klan or "other disguised body of men."
Historical Note	The first Klan was founded in 1865 by veterans of the Confederate Army. Its purpose was to restore white supremacy in the aftermath of the American Civil War. The Klan resisted Reconstruction by intimidating "carpetbaggers", "scalawags" and freedmen. The KKK quickly adopted violent methods. The increase in murders finally resulted in a backlash among Southern elites who viewed the Klan's excesses as an excuse for federal troops to continue occupation. The organization declined from 1868 to 1870.
Date	1869
Place	McMinn County (Tenn.)
Transcript	James M. Henderson Anti-KKK Oath State of Tennessee McMinn County I James M. Henderson, do solemnly swear that I have never been a member of the organization known as the Ku Klux Klan, or other disguised body of men, contrary to the laws of the state; and that I have neither directly nor indirectly aided, encouraged, sup-ported, or in any manner countenanced said organization: So help me God. James M. Henderson Sworn to & subscribed before me, April 27th, 1869 Wm.G. Horton Justice of the Peace in and for McMinn County, State of Tennessee Franchise Oath I do furthermore solemnly swear that I have never voluntarily borne arms against the government of the United States, for the purpose or with the intention of aiding the Rebellion, nor have I, with any such intention, at any time, given aid, comfort, counsel, or encouragement to said Rebellions, or to any act of hostility to the Government of the United States. I further swear, that I have never sought or accepted any office, either civil or military, or at-tempted to exercise the functions of any office, either civil or military, under the authority, or pretended authority, of the so-called Confederate States of America, or any insurrectionary State, hostile or opposed to the authority of the United States Government, with the intent and desire to aid said Rebellion; and that I have never given a voluntary support to any such government or authority: So help me God. James M. Henderson Sworn to and subscribed before me April 27th, 1869 Wm G. Horton Justice of the Peace in and for McMinn County State of Tennessee
Transcript Link	http://tsla.tnsosfiles.com.s3.amazonaws.com/digital/teva/transcripts/33961.pdf
Collection Name	Record Group 319
Education Tags	5.23 8.86 Ku Klux Klan Reconstruction Civil War and Reconstruction
Subjects - LCSH	Ku Klux Klan (19th Cent.) Freedmen Reconstruction (U.S. history, 1865-1877) African Americans - Crimes against Race relations
Subjects - TGM	Bonds (Negotiable instruments); Oaths
Owning Institution	Tennessee State Library and Archives
ID#	33961
Digital Type	Still Image
Digital Format	TIFF
Media Type	Documents Text
Copyright	No copyright - United States: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
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