Two passports

 Passport documentation is a useful source of information from the past. Below are passport applications for the first two presidents of the incorporated Watch Tower Society.

Charles Taze Russell

The application below was made from the Society’s Arch Street Bible House address on April 7, 1903.

It tells us the CTR was 5 feet, 10 and a half inches in height and that his hair was brown and grey. He was 52 at the time. His occupation is given as minister and editor. The affidavit on his behalf was signed by A E Williamson of the same address. Albert Edmund Williamson was a director of the Watch Tower Society between the years 1900-1908. He left association with Watch Tower over the new covenant controversy,

Joseph Franklyn Rutherford

The next application was made from 15 Hicks Street, Brooklyn in 1910 by Joseph F Rutherford.  He gives his occupation as attorney and counselor at law.  He lists as dependants on the same passport his wife, Mary M Rutherford and his son Malcom C Rutherford (here spelled Malcolm). It gives JFR’s height as 6 feet 2 inches.

JFR has given his birthdate as November 8, 1869. Years later, when applying for another passport he had to provide some sort of proof for this date, and his elderly mother had to sign an affidavit. See the next article on this blog.