USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > An Historical sketch of the origin and progress of the Society of the Sons of St. George : also the charter, by-laws, and permanent resolutions, together with an alphabetical list of the members and associates, list of officers, etc., for one century, from April 23, 1772 to April 23, 1872, to April 23, 1897 > Part 2
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In the year 1821 we find that the Society received a Circular from the Commissioners on Pauperism, requesting certain in- formation relative to the usages and general conduct of the So- ciety ; and we deem it proper to publish both the Circular and the Reply of the Treasurer ; as the able document of the late Joseph Bell, Esq., in answer to the queries of the Board of Com- missioners, developes in a very lucid manner the general usages and practice of the Society, and embraces very interesting statis- tical information, which may be useful as a guide on future occa- sions, and will afford the members a comprehensive view of the" operations of the Society for a given time.
CIRCULAR.
The Commissioners appointed by the Governor, under an Act of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed on the 2d of April, 1821, have directed the following in- terrogatories to be submitted to the charitable societies of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia, with a request that they may be pleased to furnish such answers as their knowledge shall enable them to give in respect thereto. An early compliance with the wish of the Commissioners will essentially contribute to their qualification for the discharge of the important duties devolved upon them.
Ist. When was your Society instituted ? How many belong to it ?
2d. What sum has been expended annually since its institu- tion ?
3d. How are the funds created ?
4th. Do you distribute money or clothing ? State the propor- tions.
5th. The average number relieved ?
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6th. State whether males, females, adults, children, sick, or infirm, if possible, and how many of each for a series of years ?
7th. If any, what number of children do you educate gratui- tously, and at what annual expense ? Be pleased also to state what, in your opinion, are the causes which produce the necessity for the relief which you distribute.
Signed by order, and on behalf of Board of Commissioners on Pauperism.
Signed, ROBERTS VAUX,
President.
Attested, THOMAS M. PETTIT,
Secretary.
PHILADELPHIA, May 25th, 1821.
ANSWER.
In compliance with the wish of the Commissioners on Pauper- ism, requested in the Circular of their Board, dated the 25th May, 182I, addressed to the Treasurer of the Society of the Sons of St. George, and received the 13th ult., I now furnish the follow- ing answers to the interrogatories therein put, which, from my knowledge, I am enabled to give in respect thereto, viz .:
First. "The Society of the Sons of St. George, established at Philadelphia for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in dis- tress," was instituted on the 23d of April, 1772, as a voluntary association, and so continued until the 16th January, 1813, when it was incorporated and became known in law, from which period to the 23d January, 1821, (a series of eight years), those answers are formed.
About one hundred resident members now contribute ; distant: ones do not.
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JAMES ALLEN
Treasurer, 1843 to 1854, and 1858 Vice-President, 1855 to 1857 President, 1859 to 1874
Second. There has been expended annually, as follows :
From 23d January, 1813, to 23d January, 1814,
$410 50
1814, 60
66
66
66 1815, 1816,
414 50
66
1815,
1816,
66
66
1817,
345 50
66
66
6 1817, 1818, 66
66
1818,
418 00
649 16
66
66
1819,
66 1819, 66 1820,
636 29
66
66
1820,
6
66
1821, 445 25
$3754 87
Making in the aggregate three thousand seven hundred and fifty-four dollars and eighty-seven cents expended for charitable purposes in eight years, or an average of $469.36 per annum.
Third. From the quarterly contributions of members, and the interests upon funds and donations invested.
Fourth. In money, chiefly. In some instances where clothing, wood, etc., is thought to be more beneficial, such are purchased and given in lieu of money.
Fifth. Six hundred and thirty-eight adults, and five hundred and thirty-two children have been relieved, exclusive of twenty- two cases stated "with a large family of children," which, not being ascertained, may be one hundred children more.
Sixth. Of the preceding 638 adults, 276 were males and 362 females; the sexes of the children being unknown, as also the number of sick or infirm.
During the following years, were relieved, viz .:
Years.
Adults. Males. Females. Children. Families of Children.
1813
42
IO
32
24
3
1814
62
16
46
18
5
1815
48
16
32
21
2
1816
63
23
40
64
0
1817 -
62
32
30
46
2
1818
IIO
56
54
109
I
1819
135
71
64
I18
7
1820
116
52
64
132
2
638
276
362
532
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Females, 362
No. unknown.
-
638
Seventh. From the style and title of this Society it will be per- ceived that the education of children was never contemplated. To succor the unhappy stranger arriving from England, with
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435 67
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some timely advice or pecuniary assistance, whereby he might not only be saved from ruin, but perhaps become a useful mem- ber of society, was the primitive object of its establishment. And many there are of agriculturists, manufacturers, artificers, and persons of no trade or calling, who have derived incalcul- able benefits therefrom, by advice given them or employment procured for them, without standing in need of pecuniary aid. Such are not embraced amongst those stated in the preceding answers to have had relief.
The Society, however, has not confined its usefulness to per- sons immediately arriving from England; it has extended benevolent designs to " Englishmen, the sons of Englishmen, their widows and children," without respect to their time of residence here, or whether the parents were both born in Eng- land, or where their children were born. The causes which pro- duce the necessity for the relief distributed are, in my opinion, the want of assistance to remove strangers to places for settle- ment or employment, or being disappointed in their expectations of meeting friends, to remove them where they had relatives or friends-old age or infirmities, sickness, accidents, the want of employment, or other exigency beyond their controls, rendering them unable to support themselves, or in many instances their numerous families of children. My reasons for forming this opinion, are founded upon my knowledge of the Society granting no relief to applicants unknown, without appointing a committee of investigation, and if found to be unworthy the authorized re- lief is withheld.
So, also with the Stewards, or Committee of Eight, two of whom are constantly on duty to receive applications for advice . or assistance, and who are authorized to grant pecuniary relief to a limited amount between the quarterly meetings of the So- ciety. At the ensuing meeting their distributions are reported to the Society for its information and approbation.
They likewise, with the assistance of other members, attend particularly to finding employment, by soliciting applications, and making arrangements to know of various grades of employ- ment ; in which they have succeeded, to a considerable extent, in supplying and placing those in want. From this experience I take leave most respectfully to suggest for your consideration the propriety of establishing an office or offices for that purpose.
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As employment is a much more desirable and effectual relief than temporary supplies in money, much pains have been taken to obtain the former, in order to preserve the latter for those who are unable to work ; notwithstanding which it is firmly believed that a sum, equal at least to that stated to have been bestowed by the Society, is raised by the voluntary donations of members (when applied to by the Stewards or individual members) to meet immediate purposes, for which the limited resources of the So- ciety are inadequate.
Respectfully submitted, by your obedient servant,
Signed, JOSEPH BELL, Treasurer. To ROBERTS VAUX, EsQ.,
President of the Board of Commissioners on Pauperism.
PHILADELPHIA, July 23d, 1821.
It may be well to remark that since the period of the above document, in 1821, the Society has been gradually gaining strength, and its means of benevolence have much increased, so that its disbursements at the present time, to necessitous English- men, are nearly twice the amount of the average sum paid be- tween the years 1813 and 1820, as specified by Mr. Bell.
Much of the increased means now enjoyed by the Society, has been derived from the magnificent bequest of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore, who was for many years an active and honored member. He died in this city 1825, leaving to the Society one- half of his residuary estate, which amounted to the sum of $8,162.52.
This bequest enabled the Society to extend its charities con- siderably, and it is to be hoped that so good an example will have a due influence on ,the minds of other Englishmen, who have funds at their command, and whose ties of affinity have been destroyed ; after their own blood relations, there are none who have so direct a call upon their sympathies as their own country- men ; and it must be a source of pleasure to the affluent man while living, to know that he has it in his power to distribute aid and succor to these unfortunates, both while he lives and after he has ceased to be. The memory of the good man lives after him, and is not " interred with his bones." The portrait of this great benefactor, which the Society ordered, painted by Mr.
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Neagle, still brings his image before us at our anniversary meet- ings, and aids the imagination while it lingers upon the character of such a man. In order to perpetuate his deeds more fully, we have hereto appended an extract from his will ; and have given a short memoir of his life, as it was delivered before the Society at the anniversary dinner in 1826.
EXTRACT FROM THE WILL.
Item .- I give and bequeath fifty dollars to Frederick Scuder, my man-servant. Moreover, I will and ordain that all my residuary estate, after paying all my debts, legacies, etc., shall be equally divided into two parts, one-half towards the support of the Protestant Episcopale in the State of Pennsylvania, to be paid to the Treasurer for the time being of the Society of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The other half I give and be- queath " the Society of the Sons of St. George, established in Philadelphia, for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in dis- tress," to be paid to their Treasurer for the time being, and applied for the carrying on of the charitable designs of that In- stitution according to the terms and principles of their charter. Furthermore, I will and ordain that for the payment of all the legacies mentioned above, all my property of every kind shall be sold as soon as may be after my death, etc., etc., and I appoint Richard North and John Matthews, Esqs., of the city of Phila- delphia, executors of this my last will and testament : In wit- ness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty- second day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
(Seal.) Signed, .JOSEPH PILMORE, D.D.
The following tribute of gratitude to the memory of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore was delivered at the anniversary dinner at Head's Mansion House Hotel, on the 24th of April, 1826.
MR. PRESIDENT .- Having gone through your customary routine of toasts, on this our festive anniversary, I beg leave to solicit for a few moments, the attention of the Society, to an event which has occurred since our last annual meeting in this
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place ; I mean the death of our late venerable and highly re- spected brother, the Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore, late Rector of St. Paul's Church in this city, whose professional merit, as a zealous orthodox and pious divine, the voice of popular applause, and the testimony of crowded audiences, for many years before his death, loudly proclaimed.
He was born in Yorkshire, on the 3Ist of October, 1739, and emigrated to this country, in the character of a Methodist itiner- ant preacher, in the year 1769. Being a man of vigorous and active intellect, he, after much serious investigation, became ac- quainted with, and of course attached to the doctrines and dis- cipline of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and obtained admis- sion into it first as a deacon, and afterwards as a priest, by the ordination of Bishop Seabury ; as such, he became one of her most zealous advocates, and continued so to the day of his death, which happened on the 24th of July, 1825, in the 86th year of his age. He was elected an honorary member of this Society on the 23d April, 1791. Being a native of England, he uniformly main- tained and cherished an ardent attachment to her government, laws, and established religion ; and was ever ready to assist his countrymen, when involved in difficulties, both with his counsel and his purse ; and with that nobleness of mind, that independ- ence of character, and that integrity of principle, which character- ize true-born Englishmen, he admired, approved, and scrupu- lously conformed to the civil and ecclesiastical establishments of this country ; in which, under different locations, he so many years resided as a useful and exemplary citizen.
Though married, yet, having no children, his domestic ex- penses were small, and he was thereby, through the exercise of temperance and frugality, " that he might have to give to him who needed," enabled to accumulate a very handsome independ- ence, with a considerable portion of which he has generously en- dowed our charitable institution.
It is well known, that no inconsiderable portion of the popu- lation of this city arises from emigrants from England of the middle and lower classes of society, who flatter themselves with the hope of improving their circumstances in a new country. The consequent wide range of embarrassment and distress which many of them experience, from being "unknowing and un- known " in a strange land, naturally occasions the number of
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applicants to our Society to be annually multiplied. When these things are considered, they ought forcibly to operate upon the sensibility, the patriotism, and the liberality of every Englishman; and that they did so upon the heart of our departed brother, he evinced by the largeness of his bequest to us, in a sum estimated to be above $7,000.
May his philanthropy, his generosity, and his patriotism, prove influential upon those of his countrymen who are residents among us, and particularly upon the members of our highly use- ful and benevolent Institution,-" The Society of the Sons of St. George, established at Philadelphia, for the advice and assist- ance of Englishmen in distress."
When so active, useful, and truly meritorious a character is called to his great account, his virtues and benevolent actions should not only be remembered and imitated by his survivors, but occasionally celebrated by verbal acknowledgments. I there- fore beg leave to propose, sir, that we now commemorate in a toast, "The memory of the Rev. Dr. Joseph Pilmore, our late highly respected brother, and bountiful benefactor, and that at our future annual meetings this tribute of respect and gratitude should constitute one of the prescribed toasts of the day."
In 1830 the Society received a bequest of $250 from the estate of Wm. Mackenzie, a citizen of Philadelphia, who was well known for his literary character.
In 1836, we lost one of the oldest and most venerated of our members, in the person of the Right Rev. Wm. White, D.D., and the Society joined with the whole community in the expression of the deepest sorrow for the bereavement. This prelate was or- dained as a Bishop, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in Febru- ary, 1787, and spent a long life in the exemplification of the Chris- tian virtues. Perhaps no other individual ever enjoyed a larger share of the public esteem and love while living, or whose loss was more deeply or more sincerely mourned by the citizens of the whole United States. The Society was honored by the friendship of such a man for so many years. He became a member in 1772, and continued his connection with us until his decease.
About the time of the death of the venerable Bishop, a native of France, Peter Antoine Blenon, died at Hamilton village, near this city; he was born at Sens in 1759, and became a citizen of the United States in 1798. Previous to his decease he made a
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Will, bequeathing the residue of his estate, after some special legacies, to be divided amongst "the institutions of charity and beneficence constituted and established at Philadelphia for the relief of the unfortunate," etc. This residuary estate it is be- lieved amounted to upwards of $100,000. Believing that our Society was entitled to a portion of this fund, the officers of the Society addressed a note to Messrs. Charles Chauncey, Wm. Patton, Godfrey Weber, and A. Durand, executors of the estate, dated 4th January, 1837, laying our claims before them, and accompanied the note with such documents as went to prove the design and practice of our Society. Numerous other Societies, however, incorporated and otherwise, laid claims to the funds, and the executors became puzzled to know which applications should be received, and which rejected. Auditors were ap- pointed by the Orphans' Court to examine these various claims, and they reported in July, 1839, in favor of several incorporated Societies, amongst which our Society is No. 23 on the list. The matter is still unsettled in the Orphans' Court, owing to the liti- gation of those bodies whose claims have not been favorably received by the auditors ; but it is to be hoped that the Court will come to a final determination on the business in a short time. Our Society will no doubt receive a portion of the funds, although we can form no idea of the amount.
Another of our old and respected members paid the debt of nature, in June, 1837. William Young Birch was an active officer for many years, and continued his connection with us until his last hour. He was a native of Manchester, and came to this country in 1793, where he carried on the business of a bookseller for many years, and retired from it with a handsome fortune. At his death he left many legacies, and forgot not the Benevolent Society with which he had been so long connected. He bequeathed to the Society $1,000, which was received from his executors, Messrs. Wm. P. Duane, Isaac Elliott, and Joseph Sill, soon after his decease. His immense residuary fund was left to "the Pennsylvania Institution for the Instruction of the Blind "; and we are well informed that the executors paid over to that institution property to the amount of about $180,000. A more munificent bequest has rarely fell under our notice, and it is a matter of pride to us that we can number him amongst our associates. His remains are interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery,
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over which the Institution have recently erected a handsome monument.
In the year 1837, soon after the accession of her majesty Queen Victoria to the throne of Great Britain, the Society determined to memorialize her majesty to sit for her portrait, to Mr. Thomas Sully, the artist, who departed for England in October of that year, carrying with him the memorial ; which declared that the Society wished " to place it in a conspicuous situation as the means, at the meetings of our Society, of cherishing the recollec- tions of the country from whence we sprung." The portrait was finished in April, 1838, and subsequently brought to this city by the artist. The portrait was soon after exhibited by the Society, and brought into its funds a considerable sum ; and has since graced the anniversary dinners of the Society by its beauty as a work of art, and its admirable similitude to the Sovereign of the British Empire, who continues to reign in the hearts of her people.
,
We have now brought the proceedings of the Society down to the present day, and we have reason to congratulate ourselves that it is in a prosperous condition. Its ability of doing good has been doubled since the demise of Dr. Pilmore, and until the present year, it has been gradually increasing its investments. Still its means are very often found inadequate to meet the urgent demands of the destitute and forlorn Englishman and his family, and during the past winter the Stewards have been obliged to turn away many poor people who were deserving of relief. The Stewards, who thus feel themselves debarred from giving assist- ance as the agents of the Society, have often been found con- tributing to the relief of their unfortunate countrymen from their own private purse ; and it affords the writer much gratification to give publicity to their liberal and benevolent co-operation in the work of Christian charity.
This fact reminds us also of the virtues and of the active phil- anthropy of those co-laborers of ours who have gone to "that bourne from whence no traveler returns." It is a tribute due to the memory of our venerated friends and fellow-members to men- tion that the Society will ever bear in grateful remembrance the services of Robert E. Griffith, Joseph Bell, William Page, Joseph Todhunter, Richard North, Thomas Astley, John Vaughan, and Elijah Dallett ; and their characters are bequeathed to us as a
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guide and example worthy of imitation, both as members of this benevolent association and as members of the great human family.
January, 1854.
" At an adjourned quarterly meeting of the Society held November 6th, 1856, it was unanimously
" Resolved, That the Secretary be authorized to have printed for the use of the members, an edition of 500 copies of the pam- phlet, containing the Charter, By-Laws, etc., and that the His- torical Sketch, List of Members, etc., be corrected and continued to the time of publication."
In performing the duty assigned in the foregoing resolution, the Secretary has few incidents of importance to add to the in- teresting Historical Sketch from the pen of a former Secretary.
By the death of Mr. Thomas Elkins on the 6th October, 1854, the Society lost one of its most valuable members of nearly 14 years' standing. The deceased acted as a Steward for 5 years, and in 1851, in consequence of the great increase of duties de- volving upon the Stewards, it became necessary to appoint an Agent to act as the almoner of the Society, which office Mr. Elkins was induced to accept and filled, to the end of his useful life, with zeal and integrity, combined with active sympathy and kindness to the distressed.
On the 2d November, 1854, the Society was called to mourn the sudden death of its respected President, Joseph Sill, Esq., who had been upwards of 25 years a member; during that time he had served as Steward 2 years, as Secretary 8 years, as Vice- President 6 years, and as President 7 years, performing the duties of these offices with credit to himself and honor to the Society. Mr. Sill died lamented by all who knew him, leaving a bright example of benevolence and Christian courtesy to all who had the happiness of his acquaintance.
In the progress of time, as the operations of the Society were greatly enlarged, several provisions of the original Charter were found to be inconsistent with the altered circumstances of the Society, although entirely appropriate to its early government.
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To remedy this inconvenience, an application was made to the competent authority, for an amended Charter, which was granted by the Court of Common Pleas, on the 7th June, 1856, and is. published herewith.
The Society has regularly and quietly continued its ministra- tions to the unfortunate and destitute emigrant from the land of our fathers. In consequence of the great increase in immigra- tion, the claims upon the Society have been much more numer- ous, and during the year which terminated January 23d, 1856, the sum of $2,637.02 in money, was distributed through its agency, besides a considerable quantity of provisions and clothing contributed by the members and others.
At a stated meeting of the Society held July 23d, 1872, it was unanimously
" Resolved, That the printing committee be authorized to have printed 1,000 copies of the Historical Sketch of the Society, to- gether with the address of the Rev. Dr. Suddards, delivered at Grace P. E. Church, on the Centennial; also, the poem written by the Rev. Wm. Newton, recited at the Banquet ; to be embellished with the Banner; and each member to be presented with one copy; all extra copies to be charged for at cost price."
In performing the duty assigned in the foregoing resolution, the committee would only call attention to a few incidents, to show the continued operations of the Society.
During the crisis of 1857-58, the Society was enabled to re- lieve many of the distressed ; as will be seen from the following report.
Number of loaves of bread distributed during the winter, . 24,970
Half tons of coal, II7
Number of families relieved for same period,. . 1,288
Situations obtained, 172
Visits made by the Agent, 513
Amount collected for Bread fund, $771.00
Total amount expended, $2,461.21
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In 1861 the Society was called to mourn the loss of one of its. oldest members-John Wright, Esq., elected October 23d, 1842, -- who always manifested a great interest in the Society ; and bequeathed to the Society one-ninth of $50,000. The amount was received in July, 1862,-less tax and interest.
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