History of the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of Hudson County

History: The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick

Forefathers

The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick began in Philadelphia in 1771 at the midst of the foundation of our country. Earliest members include many influential patriots who were devoted to the cause of liberty.

Among the honorary members of the first meeting were John Dickinson and Robert Morris who later signed the Declaration of Independence and General George Washington. The first president was General Stephen Moylan, who was a private secretary to General George Washington. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin also frequented meetings of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick.

Following in the footsteps of the Society in Philadelphia was the Society in New York which was founded in 1784. The New York Society formed to provide relief to the widows and children of Irish soldiers who had served in the American Revolution. Prominent members included Governor Charles Whitman, Mayor John P. Mitchell, Governor Alfred E. Smith, Wilton Lackaye, noted actor, and Augustus Thomas, noted dramatic critic and playwright.

Throughout the 1800s, the Friendly Sons of Philadelphia inspired its members to aid the victims of starvation, eviction, and exile from Ireland. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, charity extended to victims of floods and other natural disasters.

During the early 1900s and amidst warfare, a free and independent Irish state was born. The Friendly Sons provided relief to those who suffered as a result of hostility.

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, or The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland, is an American social organization for Irish-Americans founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), 1771.

General Stephen Moylan was one of society's organizers and its first president. Other founding members included:

Other early members included:

Honorary members included:

The time during which the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick existed, from 1771 to 1798, ---The Men of whom it was composed, some of the most active and influential patriots of the country, including John Dickinson, Robert Morris, Thomas Fitzsimons, Generals Wayne, Irvine, Butler, Thompson, Hand, Cadwalader, Moylan, Knox, and Stewart, Commodore Barry and numerous others, distinguished in the Army, Navy, Cabinet, and Congress, ---the place in which the Society was formed and met, Philadelphia, then the focus of every political and diplomatic movement, the Capitol of the nation, where Independence was declared, national conventions and Congress met, the seat of the confederated Federal and State Governments, the residence of the Foreign Ambassadors and ministers, and occasionally the theatre of war ---all these circumstances of time, persons and place combine to give additional interest, if not importance to its memoirs. The devotion of its members to the cause of liberty rests not on high testimonials of Washington alone, but on the history of the society itself, and of its individual members…

A Brief Account of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick - Samuel Hood 1844

"I accept with singular pleasure, the ensign of so worthy a fraternity as that of the Sons of St. Patrick in this City – A society distinguished for the firm adherence of its members to the glorious cause in which we are embarked."

General George Washington - Honorary Member 1782

Throughout the first century of its existence, the Society inspired its members to aid the victims of starvation, eviction and exile from Ireland. This was especially true in the 1840's when the calamity of the Great Hunger, the starvation due to failure of the potato crop and the evils of an oppressive government afflicted the Irish people. During this period when Ireland's population was decreased by five million, the Society's members worked with members of the Society of Friends and numerous other groups to relieve the starvation suffering. As late as 1879, the Society's minutes show continuing concern for starvation conditions in Ireland.

Toward the end of the nineteenth century, the Society extended aid to victims of floods and natural disasters. The Johnstown flood of 1889, the San Francisco earthquake, the Russian Jewish Relief Fund and victims of the Spanish-American War all received assistance. And the old fidelity to Ireland remained. In 1893, for instance, 308 immigrants from 21 arriving ships received help.

The birth of an independent Irish state was attended with widespread warfare, and in 1920, the Society provided $5,000 for relief of those who suffered due to hostilities.

As conditions under a free and independent Irish government improved life on the island, emigration decreased. The Society encouraged greater interest in ties of friendship between America and Ireland. Such projects as the erection of a statue of Commodore John Barry, Father of the American Navy, in front of Independence Hall, and the Thomas Fitzsimons monument in Logan Circle symbolized the contributions of Irish people to the United States.

In 1954, a biennial scholarship program to enable Irish graduate students to study in the United States was begun. In the first 33 years of this program, 15 graduates of Irish Universities have attained advanced degrees at the University of Pennsylvania as well as at Villanova University. Society grants made possible special studies in radiology for three Irish students at Gwynedd Mercy College and underwrote sabbaticals for four Irish businessmen for studies at St. Joseph's University's Food Marketing Institute.

The scholarship program rates high on the list of the Society's goodwill accomplishments. Students are exposed to a first-rate educational experience as well as an in-depth look at this great country and its people. Mutual benefits are evident in both Ireland and the United States. The program continues to evolve and will offer opportunities for an exchange of students between the two countries. In 1992, the Society initiated a program to sponsor studies in Ireland by students from the Greater Philadelphia area. For details and requirements of the Scholarship Program, write to the Friendly Sons office.

In 1990, the Society commissioned a facsimile of reproduction of the Book of Kells, which was donated to the Irish Library at Gwynedd Mercy College in Gwynedd, Pennsylvania.

That same year, an endowment to aid research in Irish-American studies was begun, an in-depth search of the Irish experience in America, contributions made to society, education, literature and all the arts.

Now in our 4^th century, and over 230 years old, the Society is the oldest incorporated continuously meeting Irish organization in the United States.

The society is an active, vibrant organization of more than 1200 men. Members meet quarterly in the Philadelphia area to conduct Society business, share fellowship and experiences of common heritage.

The Society is, as it has been since its inception, non-denominational and welcomes persons from all religious backgrounds. Citizens of the United States of Irish lineage, over eighteen and of good moral character are eligible for membership.

The Society exists to promote Irish culture, education and provide aid. It performs these duties in the form of scholarships and benevolence as well through events and activities.