The Grange movement originated in the United States, founded as a secret order for farmers, much like the Free Masons or Oddfellows, to promote the goals of farmers, educate, communicate, and to work together for the betterment of all members. Both men and women were admitted. In Canada, the national body was known as the Dominion Grange. The Maritime area became known as the Maritime Provincial Grange, with most membership in Nova Scotia. The Prescott Grange, no. 718, at Port Williams, Kings County was founded circa 1880. Its members consisted of local farmers and the organization supported the re-vamping of the financial methods of credit and the price system used by many Canadian farmers. The group also did some trading and selling of agricultural goods as a co-operative. Due to political differences at the national level the movement lost support and finally ceased operations by the 1920s.