A religious community, founded in New York State in 1848 and originally embracing primitive Christian beliefs and radical social and economic ideas, later relaxed. It became a joint-stock company in 1881.
A utopian religious community, founded in New York State in 1848 and originally embracing primitive Christian beliefs and radical social and economic ideas, later relaxed. Successful in various commercial enterprises, it was formed into a joint-stock company in 1881.