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 5
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" Philadelphia-The City of Homes ; the Home of Art ; the School of Science ; the Depot of far-reaching and most admir- ably-conducted Railways ; the centre of Manufactories and of Mechanical Skill ; where every child may be gratuitously taught, and every kind of human suffering relieved ; we bless God for her prosperity, and that our lot has been cast in her midst."
MacGregor J. Mitcheson, Esq. responded in a pithy and telling speech ;- enriched by allusions to the achievements of the century in Science, Literature and art, and to the many English-Americans of genius, in this city, who had contributed hereto
" The Memory of our Departed Brethren." .
Was appropriately honored by silence.
" The Judiciary."
Was ably responded to by Chief-Justice Thompson.
" The Armies and Navies of Great Britain and the United States-May they never meet but in the friendly defence of the rights of mankind."
General Meade, the Hero of Gettysbury, in responding said, that although his doing so might seem somewhat strange, yet no man could more cordially accept the sentiment than he did ; and in a careful speech, he paid a well-timed compliment to his brother officers in the English Army.
5I
" The Sister Societies of Every Nationality." Responded to by Horatio Gates Jones, Esq.
" The President of the Society."
Given by General Patterson, and being very warmly received, was responded to by Frederick Fairthorne, Esq. at the request of the President.
" The Clergy, Bar, and Press."
Found a respondent in the editorial representative of " The Age."
" Woman-Mother, Sister, Wife."
Happily responded to by Mr. John Hulme.
The several speeches made evinced on all sides an amount of friendly feeling which seemed a good augury for the future.
The festivities were continued to a late hour, and the company separated, highly pleased with the entertainment.
LINES,
Written by Wm. Waterall, Esq., one of the Society's Stewards.
We hail our Centennial day ! With hearts full of grateful emotion ; To Him who has brighten'd and cheer'd the way, We ascribe all praise and devotion.
A Century of history is ours, And could we read over each page ; It would gladden these fleeting hours, As we tread life's fitful stage.
A Century's work is done ; Generations and members pass'd away ;
Peace, to the noble and good, who are gone To the light of Eternal day.
During all these hundred years, Brothers ! St. George's men, Have you thought of the sighs and tears, That have been healed, again and again?
This day a thousand grateful hearts All over this broad land, And voices from those distant parts, In that far-off better land,
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All seem to say, "Still firmly stand Ye men from that land of beauty, And work together, hand in hand, Faithful to God and duty."
For still they come, the suffering poor, From " England," our beautiful Isle ; Oh still we will greet them with open door, Kind hearts and cheering smile.
During the festivities of the evening, the following telegram was received from the President of the St. George's Society, New York :
NEW YORK, April 23, 1872.
The St. George's Society of New York send their cordial greeting to the Society of the Sons of St. George at Philadelphia, on the Centennial celebration of their Society, and congratulate them on having reached par.
JOHN G. DALE, President, Delmonico' s.
REPLY.
JOHN G. DALE, Esq., President,
Delmonico's, New York.
The Society of the Sons of St. George of Philadelphia most cordially recipro- cate the generous congratulations of the St. George's Society of New York, with their best wishes for abundant means, and little need for the relief of our brethren in distress.
JAMES ALLEN, President, Continental Hotel.
Before the close of the evening, Mr. Mitcheson, with a few pertinent remarks, moved that the thanks of the Society be tendered to the Secretary, Mr. William Underdown, for his very efficient services in arranging the details of our Centennial cele- bration. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
53
ANNUAL REPORT
OF
MR. JAMES R. WEBB
Treasurer of the "Society of the Sons of St. George."
JANUARY 23, 1872.
By Cash Balance from last year, $ 586.25
Interest on Investments,. 1,363.61
Dividends on Investments, 657.50
Ground rent,. 33.76
Cash on ac. of Mortgage, $1,000
" Cash 10 Shares P.R.R., 620
" Cash Donation from J. Code, Esq. 50
" Cash Legacy from Executors of Mrs. Martha Nottman, deceased, ..... $1,000
Less Tax, 50 950
$2,620
2,620.00
Dues from members, etc.,. . 1,106.25
In Trust for " Young Zephyr,". 700.00
$7,067.37
PAYMENTS.
To amount distributed by the Stewards and appro- priated at the Quarterly Meetings, and expenses,. $2,880.93
" Investments during the year, 3,148.59
" Balance, 1,037.85
$7,067.37
54
LIST OF INVESTMENTS.
$5,500 U. S. Loan, 1881 @ 109, $5,949.00
4,500 U. S. Loan, 1865-67 @ 110,. . 4,950.00
7,000 Penn. 6 per Cent. Loan, @ 105,. 7,350.00
1,600 Philadelphia 6 per Cent. Loan, @ 1001/4, 1,604.00
3,290 Lehigh Coal Nav. Co., @ 87, 2,862.00
Ten Shares Bank North America, @ 230, 2,300.00
Five Shares Farmers and Mechanics Bank, @ 125,. . 640.00
Fifty-five Shares Philadelphia Railroad, @ 603/8, 3,320.62
Twelve Shares Bristol & Frankford Turnpike, 400.00
$7,000 P. R. R. consolidated Bonds @ 971/2 1,950.00
Twelfth Street Mortgage,. 500.00
$33.00 Ground Rent, 600.00
Twelve Shares Penn. R.R. @ 603/8,.
724.50
$33,150.12
Cash Balance,
1,037.85
$34,187.97
Of which $724.50 is in Trust for the " Young Zephyr."
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EXTRACTS
FROM THE
CENTENNIAL REPORT.
" The Society of the Sons of St. George," whose Centennial we celebrate to-day was organized in this city of "Brotherly Love," on St. George's Day, April 23d, 1772.
From April 23d, 1772, to April 23d, 1872, there were elected 1,268 members, and 191 associate members. The present mem- bership consists of 329 members and 35 associate members.
The committee desired to prepare a report showing the num- ber of persons relieved by the Society during the century, but found it could not be given with accuracy. Therefore they present a statement of the past ten years, to show what the Society has done in that time.
For the information of those who do not attend the Quarterly Meetings of the Society, or the Weekly Meetings of the Stewards on Monday afternoons, we give the following statement showing the number relieved by the Stewards during each quarter, from 1862 to 1871 ; also the amounts given during the same period. No record is ever made of the amounts given these applicants from individual members-much good is done in this way, which is only known to Him, who noticeth every act of charity, even the " cup of cold water," which will not lose its reward.
56
.
Number relieved each quarter.
Total during the year.
Amount given dur- ing each quarter.
Total during the year.
1862 January,
I34
$239.00
April,
96
126.63
July.
70
89.00
October,
103
403
106.15
$560.78
1863 January,
154
366.06
April,
104
123.60
July,
88
192,00
October,
76
422
324.25
1,005.91
1864 January,
43
190 15
April,
46
152.20
July,
38
152.57
October,
125
252
541.33
1,036.25
1865 January,
143
457.59
April,
66
187.70
July,
77
221.13
October,
156
442
581.74
1,448.16
1866 January,
360
748.38
April,
141
307.86
July,
119
255.00
October,
413
1,033
423.60
1,734.84
1867 January,
187
445.69
April,
97
240.00
July,
85
154.40
October,
29I
660
575.04
1,415.13
1868 January,
231
416.00
April,
100
195.55
July,
105
168.21
October,
232
668
470.00
1,249.76
1869 January,
278
486.00
April,
I34
206.00
July
I35
216.65
October,
286
833
517.50
1,426 15
1870 January,
310
530.68
April,
I73
199.30
July,
131
205.00
October,
64.3
1,257
667.46
1,602.44
1871 January,
196
407.00
April,
IOI
151.30
July,
I2I
191,75
October,
359
777
475.00
1,225.05
6,747
$12,704.47
To which add the amount appropriated at the Quarterly Meeting,
$ 4,722.86
.
$17,427.33
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The following is from one of the Quarterly reports of the Stewards :
Cash given to 530 persons, - $342. 39
" paid for 360 days' board at the House of Industry,
Catharine Street, - 144.00
Meals to 257 persons, 64.25
Groceries,
37.00
Coal and Medicine,
79.82
$667.46
During the same quarter, 4 women were placed in the Lying- in Hospital, and 2 in the Episcopal Hospital. 4I persons were sent to New York, 18 to Baltimore, and 69 to other parts of the country. Many cast-off garments have been distributed at these meetings, rendering great comfort and assistance to those who apply, especially those seeking employment-as many who come to the room are not in a fit state to apply for work.
Our Physicians and Counselors attend cheerfully and gra- tuitously to every case brought before their notice, thereby rendering valuable assistance both to the sick and distressed.
In presenting this brief sketch of the past History and work- ings of the Society, the officers feel that it is a proper time to call attention to the future usefulness of our venerable Society, for though it has attained to such an old age, no one who has par- ticipated in, or witnessed the Centennial celebration, will question the ability of the Society to do more in the future than it has done in the past. Neither will any one who frequents the meetings of the Stewards on Monday afternoons, doubt the propriety of in- creasing our capabilities of usefulness, when we consider the great increase of immigration, and ere long a line of steamships will be running to our own port, bringing many of our fellow-country- men to our city, and we may naturally expect many to our room, for advice and assistance, and it is this class who have just arrived in a foreign land who have a peculiar claim upon our Society .. Shall we not then do all in our power to meet these increasing claims on our sympathy and benevolence ? The Stewards are allowed for the summer quarters 300 dollars, and 500 dollars for the winter quarters, which includes 200 dollars usually appropri- ated for coal ; this amount is generally found insufficient by only giving to each applicant a very small amount. Cases very fre- quently come before the Stewards which require more than they
58
feel at liberty to give-but they do not like sending those per- sons away without doing all they can for them ; generally for these cases a contribution is made by the officers and members present from their private purse-the applicants thereby receiv- ing more from individuals than from the Society's fund. The Stewards should not be compelled to do this-it becomes a Tax on those who are most interested in the Society. It may be asked how can the revenue of the Society be increased-we would suggest :
Ist. To those whom Providence has blessed with abundance, to remember those who come from our native land poor and destitute, and make the Society their almoner, by contributing of their abundance. Doubtless there are many who will be glad to avail themselves of such an opportunity when they are informed that the Society will receive contributions as well as annual subscriptions.
2d. Cast-off clothing will greatly assist the Stewards in their work. Many come to them bare of clothing, and not in a fit condition to seek employment. If the members will kindly think of those and send to the Room-or inform the Stewards or the Secretary where they can send for any garments-they will gladly send for them.
3d. All members can do something. Those who cannot con- tribute more than the $4.00 annually can recommend the Society to other fellow-countrymen and advise every suitable person to become members and unite with us in carrying on the great and important work now devolving upon us.
4th. By becoming life-members. $50 paid into the Society now will increase the permanent fund $3.00 annually or $300 dur- ing the next century.
5th. By remembering the Society in your will.
Respectfully submitted.
For the Committee :
WILLIAM UNDERDOWN,
Secretary.
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CHARTER
To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting : Know ye that we whose names are hereunto subscribed, being citizens of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having associated for the purpose of establishing in Philadelphia a Society for the ad- vice and assistance of Englishmen in distress, and being desirous of acquiring and enjoying the powers and immunities of a cor- poration or body politic in law, according to an Act of Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, passed the sixth day of April, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, do hereby declare, that we have associated ourselves together for the pur- pose aforesaid, by the name; style, and title, and under the articles and conditions following, that is to say :--
ARTICLE I.
That the name, style, and title of this Corporation shall be " THE SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF ST. GEORGE, established at Philadelphia, for the advice and assistance of ENGLISHMEN in dis- tress."
ARTICLE II.
That the members of this Society and such others, being citi- zens of this Commonwealth, as shall hereafter be admitted to or become members of the said Society, shall become and be a Corporation or body politic, in law and in fact, to have continu- ance by the name, style, and title aforesaid, and shall have full power and authority to make, have and use one common seal, with such devices and inscription as they shall deem proper and the same to break, alter and renew at their pleasure .; and by the name, style, and title aforesaid, shall be capable in law to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, in any court or courts, be-
60
fore any Judge or Judges, Justice or Justices, in all manner of suits, complaints, pleas, causes, matters, and demands whatso- ever, and all and every matter or thing therein to do, in as full and effectual a manner as any other person or persons, bodies politic and corporate, within this Commonwealth, incorporated under this Act, may or can do ; and shall be authorized and empowered to make rules, by-laws and ordinances, and to do everything needful for the good government and support of the affairs of the said Corporation. Provided always, that the said by-laws, rules, and ordinances, or any of them, be not repugnant to the Constitution and laws of the United States, to the Consti- tution and laws of this Commonwealth, or to the present instru- ment.
ARTICLE III.
That the said Society and their successors, by the name, style and title aforesaid, shall be able and capable in law, according to the terms and conditions of this instrument, to take, receive, and hold all, and all manner of lands, tenements, annuities, fran- chises and hereditaments, and any sum and sums of money, and any manner and portion of goods and chattels bequeathed to the said Society, to be employed and disposed of according to the objects, articles, and conditions of this instrument, the articles and by-laws of the said Society, or of the will and intention of the donors, and shall have power to rent, or sell and convey any real estate, or other property so bequeathed, or which may have been, or shall hereafter be, acquired by them. Provided always, that the clear yearly value or income of the messuages, houses, lands and tenements, rents, annuities, or other hereditaments and real estate of the said Society and the interest of money by the said Society lent, shall not exceed the sum of five thousand dollars.
ARTICLE IV.
That the mode of choosing members be by ballot, at a quar- terly meeting of the Society, and no person shall be admitted a member unless he be elected by at least three-fourths of the members present, nor unless such member shall have been pre- viously proposed at a quarterly meeting, and his name entered upon the minutes of the Society.
61
ARTICLE V.
There shall be chosen by ballot, at the quarterly meeting in January, in every year, a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, eight Stewards, a messenger and such other officers as may be deemed necessary, whose duties respectively shall be provided for in the By-Laws, to serve for the year ensuing such their election.
ARTICLE VI.
If any of the officers of the Society should happen to die, or remove out of the city, others shall be chosen by ballot, at any quarterly or special meeting, to serve the remainder of the year.
ARTICLE VII.
The stated quarterly meetings of the Society, (one whereof shall be the annual meeting, on "St. George's Day "), shall be held on every, the twenty-third days of January, April, July, and October in every year, unless either of said days shall happen on a Sunday, then the said meeting shall be held on the next suc- ceeding day.
ARTICLE VIII.
As the Society's views are as well to give relief to each other, as to render assistance to distressed Englishmen, and contem- plating that any member of this Society may at some future period (however flourishing or easy his present situation in life,) be plunged into distress by unavoidable accidental misfortune, assistance to such unfortunate member ought as well to be at- tended to, as succoring the unhappy stranger ; and as the Society do not proceed upon narrow principles, but will assist their poor countrymen in a way which will be also advantageous to the community, artificers, and manufacturers coming into this state, and being natives of England or sons of Englishmen shall be encouraged and assisted by the Society, more abundantly than those poor people who are not of any trade or calling.
ARTICLE IX.
And it is agreed and declared that all the property and funds, books, papers, vouchers, and muniments whatsoever, heretofore belonging to the voluntary association of the SOCIETY OF THE
62
SONS OF ST. GEORGE, established at Philadelphia, for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in distress, shall be transferred to and become and be the property and funds of the Corporation hereby established, to all intents and purposes whatsoever, and from and after the establishment of this Corporation in due form of law, the said voluntary association shall be dissolved and cease to exist : Provided always, that the members of the said volun- tary association, being citizens of this Commonwealth, whether resident or honorary, shall be deemed in like manner to be mem- bers of this Corporation, on being admitted by a vote of the Society.
RICHARD SMETHURST, President. JAMES ALLEN, Vice-President. SAMUEL WRIGHT, Treasurer. ELIJAH DALLETT, Secretary.
And now, April the twenty-fourth, eighteen hundred and fifty six ; the amendments to the Charter of " The Society of the Sons of St. George, established at Philadelphia for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in distress," were presented to the Court of Common Pleas, for the City and County of Philadelphia, and the usual order of publication made.
JOS. ALLISON.
In the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia :
And now, April twenty-fourth, A.D. one thousand eight hun- dred and fifty-six (1856,) at a Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of Philadelphia, held at Philadelphia the fore- going amendments to the Charter of "The Society of the Sons of St. George," was presented to the said Court on behalf of the persons therein named, in order that the amendments therein mentioned, might be granted and included in the Charter hereto- fore allowed according to law, and the objects, articles and con- ditions therein set forth ; and now to wit, June seventh, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, the said Court having
63
been satisfied, that the foregoing amendments to the Charter aforesaid, were published according to law, and having perused and examined the same, and that the articles therein contained were not contrary to law or injurious to the community, and no cause having been shown to the contrary : It is ordered and decreed that the persons therein named shall become and be a Corporation, body politic in law and in fact, and that the afore- said amendments shall be included in said Charter with the same force and effect as if granted with the original Charter, and that the said amendments be recorded in the office for recording deeds, etc., in and for the City and County of Philadelphia.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of office this thirtieth day of October, 1856.
SEAL OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF THE CITY AND COUNTY
OF
PHILADELPHIA.
JAS. G. GIBSON, Prothonotary.
Recorded in the Office for recording deeds, etc., for the City and County of Philadelphia, in Miss. Book R. D. W. No. I, page I, etc.
Witness my hand and seal of Office, this seventh day of November, A.D. 1856.
RECORDER'S
SEAL.
R. D. WILKINSON,
Recorder.
64
THOMAS THOMPSON
Vice-President, 1858 to 1861 Treasurer, 1874
FORM OF A LEGACY.
(Drawn by Alexander James Dallas, Esq.)
I give and bequeath to "The Society of the Sons of St. George, established at Philadelphia for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in distress," the sum of . . . * to be paid to their Treasurer for the time being, and applied towards carrying on the charitable designs of the said Institution, according to the terms and principles of the charter.
* Or real estate, &c., described, and invested in the incorporate title as above.
PERMANENT RESOLUTIONS
ADOPTED JANUARY, 1860.
Resolved, That until otherwise ordered, at the future Annual Dinners of the "Sons of St. George," the two regular toasts heretofore drank, being the second and third, viz .:
" The Queen of Great Britain," and "The President of the United States," be discontinued, and there be substituted for them the following, viz .:
England .- The land of our birth may it ever continue to be the glorious land of civil and religious liberty.
The United States of America .- The land of our adoption; may peace and prosperity ever attend her onward course.
65
List of Public Places where the Society Have Held their Meetings.
A particular account of their location may be interesting at this period in an antiquarian point of view, as the sites of many have entirely disappeared in the improvement of the city.
1772, April, Patrick Byrne's Tavern Front St., below Walnut St. 1772, July, Litle's Tavern.
1772, Oct., Mullen's Tavern
1773, April, At the Lodge .
1773, July, Patrick Byrne's Tavern
1773, Oct., Bunch of Grapes
Front St, below Walnut St. ( Third St. between Market and Arch Sts., east side. Old Coffee House, Second St., above Walnut St.
1774, Jan., City Tavern Edwd. Moyston
1775, July City Tavern . Edwd. Moyston
do. do. do.
1787, April, City Tavern Edwd. Moyston do. do. do.
1792, Jan., John Hyde's Tavern
1793, July, Saml. Richardet's Tavern
North Front Street. § Lowth Hall, 25 N. Tenth St.
1796, April, City Tavern Edwd. Moyston,
1804, Jan., Mr. Hardy's Inn .
1806, April, Mr. Foquett's Tavern
1806, July, Mansion House Hotel Wm. Renshaw
1813, July, Mansion House Hotel Wm. Renshaw
1815, July, Washington Hall Hotel Wm Renshaw
1823, July, Franklin House Joseph Head
1824, Jan., Mansion House Hotel . . Benj. Renshaw
1825, April, Franklin Hotel . Joseph Head
1827, Jan., United States Hotel . . Benj. Renshaw
1830, April, Mansion House Hotel . . Joseph Head
1830, Oct., Philosophical Hall . .
1831, Jan., City Hotel .
Thos. Hieskill
1832, July, United States Hotel David Dorrance
1834, July, Adelphi . Robt. G. Herring
1836, Oct., American House 1837, April, Plough Tavern
Wm. B. Watson
1838, April, Merchants Hotel
J. M. Sanderson & Son
Third St., above Market St. Fourth St., below Arch St.
. Chestnut, above Seventh St.
184t, April, Masonic Hall . 1841, July, Merchants Hotel J. M. Sanderson & Son . . Fourth St., below Arch St.
1842, April, City Hotel
Third St., near Arch St.
1842, July, Franklin House Sanderson & Son
Chestnut St., above Third St. Chestnut, below Seventh St.
1846, April, Columbia House
1847, April, Assembly Building
Tenth and Chestnut Sts.
66
Old Coffee House, Second St., above Walnut St. Market St , above Third St.
'T'enth St., near Cherry St. Cor. Third and Spruce Sts. Cor. Eleventh & Market Sts.
Third St., near Spruce St. (N. W. Cor. Washington Square and Walnut St.
Third St., near Spruce St. SN. W. Cor. Washington Square and Walnut St. Chestnut St., below Fifth St. Third St., near Spruce St. Fifth St., below Chestnut St. Third St., near Arch St.
. Chestnut St., below Fifth St. Fifth St., below Walnut St. Sixth St., below Market St.
Robt. G. Herring
Water St., cor. Tun Alley. § Lodge Alley, 2d near Wal- nut St.
1847, July, American Hotel . 1848, April, Washington Hotel Chestnut, above Seventh St.
1849, April, Columbia House
Chestnut, below Seventh St. 1852, April, Union Hotel . Thos. S. Webb Arch St., above Third St.
1853, April, American Hotel
Chestnut St., above Fifth St.
1855, April, Union Hotel .
Evans & Newcomer Arch St., above Third St.
1856, Jan., Mansion House
James London . Eleventh and Market Sts. do do.
1857, April, . . . do do
do.
1857, July, . do . do
do.
1857, Oct., do do
do.
1858, Jan., . . . do. . do do.
1858, April, .. . do . do
do.
1858, July, . . . do . do
do.
1858, Oct., . . do do
do.
1859, Jan., .
. do' .
. do
do.
1859, April, Union Hotel . Arch St., below Fourth St.
1859, July, . . . do
do.
1859, Oct., . do do.
1860, Jan., .. . do do.
1860, April, Continental Hotel . Chestnut and Ninth Sts.
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