In relation to yesterday’s post about my Jamaican-born great grandfather, I wanted to show you his “Declaration of Intention” to become a citizen of the United States from 1915:

In general, it seems like pretty standard stuff.

Name: David Powell

Age: 38 years

Occupation: Fireman

Color: White

Complexion: Fair

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Weight: 142 pounds

Color of hair: Brown

Color of eyes: Brown

Other visible distinctive marks: Scar on chin

Place of birth: Jamaica, British West Indies

Date of birth: September 11, 1876

Current residence: 342 29 St., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Emigrated from: Liverpool, England

Vessel name: Civic

Last foreign residence: Liverpool, England

Allegiance renounced: George V, King of Great Britain & Ireland

Port of arrival: New York

Date of arrival: On or about the ___ day of May, 1903

But the last part is interesting:

“I am not an anarchist; I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; and it is my intention in good faith to become a citizen of the United States of America and to permanently reside therein: So help me God.”

So, the two dealbreakers were anarchy and polygamy.

Those were the elements the US wanted most to keep out in 1915.

I guess they’d be disappointed to know that the hit reality show Sister Wives has been running strong since 2010.