The Oneida Community was a utopian end-times faith community founded by John Humphrey Noyes in 1848. Noyes, who had been influenced by the great revivals of the time period and studied for Christian ministry, called his understanding of salvation "Perfectionism." New York History Net says that Perfectionism "saw man as reaching a state of perfection or sinlessness at conversion." Over 300 adherents eventually lived and worked together with Noyes in Oneida, New York. They were known for (and criticized for) their practices of group marriage, birth control via the withdrawal method, and a general equality of the sexes. The inspiration for these practices was a conviction that Christ's second coming had already taken place, establishing God's perfect kingdom on earth, so they endeavored to live in an idealistic state. According to the New York Times, their more secular ideals included "an openness to new ideas, a constant striving for self-improvement, the primacy of reason and the value of curiosity." And yes, Oneida silverware started with these guys.
Sources:
http://www.oneidacommunity.org/
http://www.nyhistory.com/central/oneida.htm
http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/08/03/travel/escapes/03Oneida.html?ex=1348113600&en=badd648514e25585&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
http://www.oneida.com/aboutoneida/the-oneida-story/
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