The Israelite House of David is a religious society co-founded by Benjamin and Mary Purnell in Benton Harbor, Michigan, in March 1903. Benjamin Franklin Purnell (March 27, 1861 – December 16, 1927) was born near Maysville, Kentucky. As a child he was fascinated by preaching and learned to read using the New Testament, being raised in a Christian church. His father brought home a "lightning railroad preacher" and had little Benjamin preach to him. Benjamin greatly enjoyed preaching to large crowds, answering any difficult questions they had.