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The Founding of the New York Society Origins are always important. In the case of the Sons of the Revolution, this is true in a double sense -- both because the purposes of the Society have remained unchanged since its founding one hundred and ten years ago and because its membership qualifications are linked with its origins. Until the celebration of the Centennial in 1876, the Society of the Cincinnati was a unique organization in the United States because it accorded membership to all Continental officers who had served with honor and resigned after three years' service or been discharged for disability, and membership descended to the eldest male posterity of such officers. At the time of its formation, many saw in it the beginnings of a hereditary aristocracy. The legislature of Massachusetts declared it to be "dangerous to the peace, liberty and safety of the Union" but, with its unusual qualifications for membership, it continued to exist quietly, and in due course served as the forerunner of our Society. The Sons of the Revolution has been called both patriotic and genealogical in character. This seems accurate though not complete. Its genealogical membership limitations explain the use of the latter term. For the former, just as the Cincinnati was formed in an outburst of patriotic feeling at the termination of the Revolutionary War, so our Society grew from a similar upsurge of feeling which became evident as the Centennial of the conflict approached. In 1875 John Austin Stevens, a New York City merchant with strong historical interests, corresponded with the president general of the Society of the Cincinnati in an effort to determine whether its constitution could be amended so as to admit descendants in junior lines rather than simply in the line of the eldest son. When it was concluded that no such amendment could be made, Stevens conceived the idea of forming a separate organization. An initial meeting was held in December, 1875, at which the name "Sons of the Revolution" was adopted. This name is probably little understood by present-day members. It was adopted only after debate and the consideration of many suggestions. It is the fortunate combination of two historic names into one. The "Sons of Liberty" was an organization formed before the Revolutionary War to develop public sentiment favorable to independence. It had branches in each of the original thirteen colonies. At the end of that war, when General Nathanael Greene's southern army was disbanded and its Continental officers entered the South Carolina Society of the Cincinnati, its ineligible militia officers and the equally ineligible enlisted men formed "The Society of the Revolution." This organization acted in the closest affiliation with the Cincinnati. The names of these two earlier groups were merged in 1875 to create the "Sons of the Revolution". Early in 1876 a proposed constitution for the new Society was submitted for adoption. This set forth its purposes as reviving and maintaining the patriotic spirit of the heroes who had achieved the independence of the United States, collecting and securing for preservation historical records and documents relating to the War of the Revolution, and promoting social intercourse and good feeling among the members. This constitution was adopted and subscribed early in 1876, when the organization came into existence. Our purposes remain unchanged today. Written notice was issued of a general organizational meeting to be held on Washington's birthday, 1876. This referred to the membership limitations of the Society of the Cincinnati and concluded that "the approach of the Centennial Anniversary of American Independence is an appropriate time for the formation of a society on a broader basis, which may include all descendants of those who served in the Army of the Revolution." But the founders deemed the response to this call insufficient for a general meeting and decided to await a later date when interest might be greater. In November, 1883 New York celebrated the hundredth anniversary of its evacuation by the British. Invitations were issued for a dinner at Fraunces Tavern on December 4, 1883, the 100th anniversary of Washington's farewell to his officers. In the same room where that scene had taken place, the idea of the Society of Sons of the Revolution was enthusiastically received and acted upon. In May, 1884 the society was incorporated under New York law. Fraunces Tavern, also memorable for meetings of the Sons of Liberty in 1775, became its headquarters. In 1889 the Honorable Hamilton Fish, president general of the Cincinnati, declared that he regarded the Sons of the Revolution as "a younger brother of the Cincinnati, laboring to perpetuate the same principles and inheriting the same memories which belonged to the Cincinnati." Although this was a New York
organization, from the outset it was contemplated that residents of other
states might organize state societies of equal standing. For this reason
a provision for that contingency was inserted into the constitution. It
was, however, considered that persons in other states desiring to take
the society's name and principles should ask permission to do so and thus
enable the original society to ascertain their qualification to incorporate
a similar and co-equal affiliated organization. Thus the organization
was, informally, also a national society.
The Founding of the Pennsylvania Society The times manifested not only strong patriotic feelings but also a national interest in family history and genealogy. There was concern at the increasing numbers of immigrants arriving in the United States. In the mid-1880s a shift in the immigration became marked, from the northern to the less familiar and more poverty-stricken southern and eastern portions of Europe. These changes were contemporaneous with a developing sense of nationalism, in place of sectionalism, and unrest accompanying the rapidly increasing industrialization of the economy. Such times supplied the impetus for the formation of numerous patriotic societies; by 1900 the movement was perhaps even more active than it is today. These feelings were prevalent in Philadelphia as elsewhere. When, in March, 1888, J. Granville Leach was informed that New York had a society composed of descendants of those who had actively participated in the American Revolution, the idea of our Pennsylvania Society was born. Leach's personal journal tells of this event and of the sequel: The organization of this Society came about in this way. In one of my visits to the rooms of The Historical Society in March 1888, John W. Jordan, the assistant librarian, called my attention to the fact that there was an organization in New York, descendants of those who had actively participated in the American Revolution of 1776. We agreed that Pennsylvania should have a similar organization, and discussed the advisability of taking immediate steps toward forming one. Dr. Herman Burgin of Germantown called at the rooms of this Society this same afternoon, and Jordan mentioned the subject to him. Within a day or two I brought the matter to the attention of Major J. Edward Carpenter, Colonel William Brooke Rawle, Richard M. Cadwalader and Samuel W. Pennypacker, after which I being again at The Historical Society, reported to Jordan what I had done, and told him I had no doubt Carpenter, Rawle, Cadwalader, and Pennypacker would join with us in forming the suggested Society. Either that, or the following day, Dr. Burgin called on Jordan, who mentioned the names I had given him. Almost immediately afterwards, Dr. Burgin sent out invitations to Jordan and myself, and the others above named, to meet at his office for the organization of a Society of Sons of the Revolution, which was done. After a short discussion of the advisability of effecting an organization, I moved that we found a society under the name of The Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution. This motion was carried. Brief entries from Leach's diary carry developments forward from this point. Tuesday, April 3, 1888. Met with a number of gentlemen at the office of Dr. Burgin where we agreed to form a society to be called "The Sons of the Revolution," after the fashion of the New York Society. It is to be comprised of descendants of men who participated in the Revolution of 1776…. A committee of five on membership was chosen, of which I was a member. We adjourned to meet at the call of the Chair. April, Saturday 14. At 4 1/2 P.M. met at the rooms of The Historical Society, with the Committee of the "Sons of the Revolution in Pennsylvania," to consider the applications for membership…. We approved [14 applications]. April, Thursday 19. At a general meeting of the Society of Sons of the Revolution held this afternoon at the rooms of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the society was fully organized by the election of permanent officers…. Dr. Burgin, Colonel Dechert and I were appointed a committee to draught a constitution and bylaws. April, Thursday 26. Met Colonel R. P. Dechert and Dr. Burgin at the City Controller's Office, where we considered the matter of a Constitution and bylaws for the "Sons of the Revolution." May, Friday 4. Attended a meeting of the Sons of the Revolution. The Board of Managers met for organization. On my motion, Major J. Edward Carpenter was chosen Chairman of the Board. June, Friday 25. Attended meeting of Society of Sons of the Revolution. Amended the Constitution.
The Formation of the General Society The Leach journal then explains how our General Society came to be formed: At the time the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution was organized there existed, as I have previously mentioned, a Society of Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York…. This body was intended as a national organization, and it was contemplated that, if organizations were formed in other states, the should be formed a chapter of the New York Society. This view of the matter was presented to the Pennsylvania Society at its inception, and a null protest was made by the New York Society against an independent action. We answered this by insisting upon our right to an independent society and urged the New Yorkers to accede to our position and join with us and the few other similar societies then being formed, in the organization of a National Society, to be comprised of delegates from several state societies. Finally, with this end in view, conferences were held by representatives of the New York and our Society, of which I was invariably a member, until a complete scheme of National organization was effected, and a constitution drafted, whereupon a General Congress was called to meet in Washington for the purpose of accomplishing this object named. I had the honor to be a delegate to this Congress which resulted in the formation of a General Society, and the choice of officers for the same…. Ever since these formative
years we of Pennsylvania have continued to enjoy the best of relations
with our brethren of the New York Society. |
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