User:RoySmith/drafts/New York Industrial Home Association No. 1

The New York Industrial Home Association No. 1 was created in 1850 by John Stevens, a merchant tailor who lived in New York City. There was a social movement growing around that time, leading to the formation of associations devoted to freeing the working class from needing to pay rent to landlords. Stevens was a proponent of this and organized the association, which was open to "Any person of good moral character and industrious habits, who is in favor of our principles and objects". Members were required to pay $1 per week into a land fund. The association attracted 1017 members and purchased the land which would eventually become part of the city of Mount Vernon, NY, immediately north of what is now the borough of the Bronx but at the time was part of Westchester County. Five farms were purchased, totalling 369 acre for an aggregate cost of $75,342.

A vote was taken to decide on a name for the new town. The leading candidates were Monticello (54 votes), New Washington (24 votes) and Stevensville (12 votes). Unfortunately, the postal authorities rejected the winning name, as a Monticello, New York already existed. A second vote resulted in Mount Vernon (84 votes), Fleetwood (54 votes), and Fairchester (14 votes), with Mount Vernon being selected by unanimous consent. The name Fleetwood came from a parcel of 94 acre which had been purchased in 1853 by John Stevens.

Other cooperative land ownership associations such as this existed during this time. There was a "No. 2" association in the Village of Westchester, and a "No. 3", at an unknown location.