Organizations in the United States. THE PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES. SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI, The Society of the Cincinnati is the oldest of the patriotic orders in the United States. Like the Order of Maria Theresa in Austria, it is a military society. Its principles, as formulated by the Continental officers of the Revolution in their cantonments on the Hudson in May, 1783, at the close of hostilities in the war for independence, inculcate not only patriotism, but benevolence. Organization was effected on June 24, 1783, at Saratoga Barracks, on the Hudson (Schuylerville, N. Y.), American and French officers joining in the movement. They declared as the object of the association that it was "to perpetuate as well the remembrance of this vast event as the mutual friendships which have been formed under the pressure of common danger, and, in many instances cemented by the blood of the parties." To this end, the declaration adds, "the officers of the American Army do hereby, in the most solemn manner, associate, constitute and combine themselves into one Society of Friends, to endure as long as they shall endure, or any of their eldest male posterity, and in failure thereof, the collateral branches who may be judged worthy of becoming its supporters and members." Thirteen State societies were formed, representing the colonies which had won independence; and one was formed in France under the direct patronage of Louis XVI. The right of original membership was restricted to Continental officers who had served with honor and resigned, or who had been honorably discharged, after at least three years' service as officers, and all those who had served as officers in the cooperating army under Count d'Estaing, or in the auxiliary army under Count de Rochambeau, if they had held or attained the rank of colonel for such service, or who had commanded a ship of war along the American coast. The original members were required to contribute a month's pay to the treasury of the society, and this money formed for each State society a permanent fund, which has been so greatly increased from time to time that, in a manner so quiet and unobtrusive that the world outside of the organization knows nothing of it, a large work of benevolence has been carried on. Pensions are paid every year to necessitous descendants of original members, including many old ladies who might otherwise be compelled to depend upon more public charities. The Pennsylvania State Society erected a monument to General Washington in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, at a cost of $250,000, raised by contributions wholly distinct from the permanent fund. It was dedicated in 1897. Of the thirteen original State societies several became dormant in the early part of the nineteenth century, and the society in France was dispersed during the reign of terror in 1793. All these, with the exception of those in Georgia and France, have been revived, while these two are in process of reorganization. The general society is composed of the general officers and five delegates from each society. Its meetings are held triennially, and the last was at Hartford, Conn., in May, 1902. The next will be at Richmond, Va., in May, 1905. Membership descends to the eldest lineal male descendant, if judged worthy, and, in failure of direct male descent, to male descendants through intervening female descendants. It was ruled in 1854 that proper descendants of revolutionary officers who were entitled to original membership, but who never could avail themselves of it, are qualified for hereditary membership if found worthy on application. Provision is made for honorary membership, and under this provision former President Grover Cleveland, Admiral Dewey, Lieutenant-General Miles and Major-General Howard are enrolled with the New York State Society, and Lieutenant-General John M. Schofield with the New Jersey State Society. The total membership at present is 650. Upon the roll of original members of the Society of the Cincinnati there were borne the names of all the great historic and naval characters of the Revolution, while many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were honorary members, elected for their own lives only. The following is a list of the general officers from the beginnig of the organization: PRESIDENTS-GENERAL. 1783-Gen. George Washington, LL. D., Va. 1844-Brevet Major William Popham, N. Y. 1854-Hon. Hamilton Fish, LL. D., N. Y. VICE-PRESIDENTS-GENERAL. 1784 Major-Gen. Horatio Gates, LL. D., Va. 1844-Hon. Horace Binney, LL. D., Pa. SECRETARIES-GENERAL. 1783-Major-Gen. Henry Knox, A. M., Mass. 1799-Major the Hon. William Jackson, Pa. 1820-Mr. Alexander W. Johnston, Pa. 1857-Mr. Thomas McEwen, A. M., M. D., Pa. GENERAL OFFICERS, 1902-1905. President-General, Hon. Winslow Warren, Massachusetts; vice-president-general, Hon. James Simons, LL.D., South Carolina; secretary-general, Hon. Asa Bird Gardiner, LL.D., L. H. D., Rhode Island; treasurergeneral, Hon. Frederick Walcott Jackson, A. M., New Jersey; assistant secretary-general, Hon. Nicholas Fish, A. M., New York; assistant treasurer-general, Hon. John Cropper, A. M., LL.B., Virginia. PRESIDENTS OF STATE SOCIETIES. New Hampshire, Hon. John Gardiner Gilman, Exeter. Massachusetts, Hon. Winslow Warren, Boston. Rhode Island, Hon. Asa Bird Gardiner, New York City. Connecticut, Colonel George Bliss Sanford, Litchfield. New York. Hon. Nicholas Fish. New York City. New Jersey, Rev. Frank Landon Humphreys, S. T. D., Morristown. Pennsylvania, Mr. Richard Dale, Philadelphia. Delaware, Hon. Thomas David Pearce, Wilmington. Maryland, Mr. Otho Holland Williams, Baltimore. Virginia, Hon. John Cropper, Washington, D. C. North Carolina, Hon. Wilson Gray Lamb, Williamston. South Carolina, Hon. James Simons, Charles ton. Georgia, reorganizing. SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. The Society of Sons of the Revolution originated in New York in 1875, when John Austin Steens and other gentlemen whose ancestors were identified with the American Revolution planned an organization to keep alive among themselves and their descendants "the patriotic spirit of the men who in military, naval or civil service, by their acts or counsel, achieved American independence.'' The practical work designed for the society includes the collection and preservation of manuscripts, records and other documents relating to the War of the Revolution. Eligibility to membership is contined to male descendants above the age of twenty-one years from an ancestor who as either a military, naval or marine officer, soldier, sailor or marine or official in the service of any one of the thirteen original colonies or States, or of the National Government representing or composed of those colonies or States, assisted in establishing American independence during the War of the Revolution, between April 19, 1775, when hostilities commenced, and April 19, 1783, when they were ordered to cease. The New York society was the parent organization, its institution occurring on February 22, 1876. It was reorganized December 3, 1883, and incorporated May 3, 1884. Other Societies were organized as follows: Pennsylvania, April 3, 1888; District of Columbia, March 11, 1889; Iowa, April 19, 1890; New Jersey, January 6, 1891; Georgia, May 22, 1891; Massachusetts, October 1, 1891; Colorado, February 22, 1892; Maryland, April 11, 1892; Minnesota, April 17, 1893; Ohio, May 2, 1893; California, May 8, 1893; Connecticut, May 24, 1893; New Hampshire, June 19, 1893; North Carolina, October 24, 1893; Illinois, December 4, 1893; Missouri, February 22, 1894; Alabama, April 16, 1894; West Virginia, April 19, 1894; Florida, April, 1894; Tennessee, November 24, 1894; South Carolina, September 3, 1894; Kentucky, January 26, 1895; Montana, February 22, 1895; Texas, March 12, 1895; Washington, March 26, 1895; Virginia, June 7, 1895; Michigan, April 17, 1896; Rhode Island, September 26, 1896; North Dakota, February 12, 1897; Indiana, September 30, 1897; Arkansas, February 22, 1901. All of these societies are represented by delegates at the triennial meetings of the General Society Sons of the Revolution, the most recent being held at Mount Vernon, Washington, D. C., on April 19, 1902. The aggregate membership of the societies at that date was 6,087. The list of officers elected follows: General president, Hon. John Lee Carroll, Ellicott City (Maryland society); general vice-president, Garret Dorset Wall Vroom, Trenton (New Jersey society); second general vice-president, Pope Barrow, Savannah (Georgia society); general secretary, James Mortimer Montgomery, No. 102 Front street, New York City (New York society); assistant general secretary, William Hall Harris, No. 216 St. Paul street, Baltimore (Maryland society); general treasurer, Richard McCall Cadwallader, No. 138 South Twelfth street, Philadelphia (Pennsylvania society); assistant general treasurer, Henry Cadle, Bethany (Missouri society); general chaplain, Rev. Thomas Edward Green, D. D., S. T. D., Cedar Rapids (Iowa society); general registrar, Walter Gilman Page, No. 90 Westland avenue, Boston (Massachusetts society); general historian, Henry Walbridge Dudley, No. 23 Michigan avenue, Chicago (Illinois society). SONS OF THE REVOLUTION IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. Among things undertaken by this society during the two most recent meetings of the general body and reported at the last meeting one of the most important is the purchase of a site on the south side of Fifty-fifth street, between Sixth and Seventh avenues, in New York City, where it is proposed to erect a building for the society, to serve as a museum and library as well as for the purposes of headquarters, meeting place and banquet hall. The lot is 50x100 feet in size, and the price paid was $62,000. The work of raising funds for the erection of the building is being pushed forward vigorously. Following is the list of officers of the New York society, the total membership of which is 2,035: President, Frederick Samuel Tallmadge, New York City; vice-president, Charles R. Henderson, New York City; secretary, Morris Patterson Ferris, No. 32 Broadway, New York City; treasurer, Arthur Melvin Hatch, No. 96 Broadway, New York City; registrar, Henry Phelps Johnston, No. 17 Lexington avenue, New York City; historian, Talbot Olyphant, No. 21 Cortlandt street, New York City; chaplain, Rev. Morgan Dix, S. T. D., D. C. L., D. D. Oxon., New York City; assistant chaplain, Rev. Frank L. Humphreys, S. T. D., Morristown, N. J. SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is composed of the lineal male descendants of soldiers, sailors and conspicuous patriots of the American Revolution. Men of collateral descent are not eligible to membership. The society was originally instituted in October, 1875, and was organized July 4, 1876. Its national organization was formed in New York on April 30, 1889. The national society has under its direction and control the various State societies, several of which had been organized before it came into existence. The objects of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men who achieved American independence by the encouragement of historical research in relation to the revolution and the publication of its results; the preservation of documents and relics and of the records of individual services of Revolutionary soldiers and patriots and the promotion of celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries; to carry out the injunctions of Washington in his farewell address to the American people; to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion, and affording to young and old such advantages as shall develop in them the largest capacity for performing the duties of American citizens; to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom; to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for all mankind the blessings of liberty. The officers of the National Society, elected at the annual congress held in Washignton, D. C., April 30 and May 1 and 2, 1902, are as follows: President-general, Hon. Edwin Warfield, Baltimore, Md.; vice-presidents-generals, Hon. Cornelius Amory Pugsley, New York; Captain Samuel Eberly Gross, Chicago, Ill.; Hon. Noble D. Larner, Washington, D. C.; Hon. Howard DeHaven Ross, Wilmington, Del.; Colonel Albert J. Logan, Pittsburg, Pa.; secretary-general, Charles Waldo Haskins, New York City: treasurer-general, Nathan Warren, Boston, Mass.: registrar-general, A. Howard Clark, Washington, D. C.; historian-general, George William Bates, Detroit, Mich.; chaplain-general, Rev. Rufus W. Clark, D. D., Detroit, Mich. EMPIRE STATE SOCIETY, SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Its The Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized February 11, 1899. objects are to perpetuate the memory of the men who, by their services or sacrifices during the War of the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the American people; to promote fellowship among their descendants; to inspire a more profound reverence for the principles of government founded by our forefathers; to acquire and preserve the records of the individual services and sacrifices of the patriots of that war, as well as documents, relics and landmarks; to encourage historical research in relation to the American Revolution and the study of America bistory; to mark the scenes of the Revolution by appropriate memorials; to celebrate the anniversaries of the prominent events of the war; to foster true patriotism; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to carry out the purposes expressed in the preamble to the constitution and the injunctions of Washington in his farewell address to the American people. The total membership of the society, July 31, 1902, was 1,300. The officers elected at the last annual meeting were as follows: President, William Seth Logan; First Vice-President, Edward Payson Cone; Second_Vice-President, William A. Marble; Third Vice-President, Charles W. Wood; Secretary, Louis H. Cornish; Treasurer, Richard T. Davis; Registrar, Tennis D. Huntting; Historian, General Horatio C. King; Chaplain, Rev. Henry Elliott Mott, D. D. DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized in Washington, D. C.. October, 11, 1890, "to perpetuate the memory of the spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence, by the acquisition and protection of historical spots and the erection of monuments; by the encouragement of historical research in relation to the Revolution and the publication of its results; by the preservation of documents and relics, and of the records of the individual services of Revolutionary soldiers and patriots, and by the promotion of celebrations of all patriotic anniversaries." The society was incorporated June 8, 1891, under the Congressional laws applying to the District of Columbia, and on February 20, 1896, it received a national charter, granted by special act of Congress, under which it is authorized to hold real and personal estate necessary to its lawful ends. Under this charter it is required to make an annual report to the Smithsonian Institution, covering its proceedings, and the secretary of that institution is required to communicate to Congress such portions of the report as he may deem of national interest or importance. The headquartes of the society are in Washington, D. C. There are local bodies, designated Chapters, in each of the States of the Union and one in the District of Columbia. The total membership is about 40,000. Membership is open to any woman of acceptable character, above the age of eighteen years, descended from an ancestor who, "with unfailing loyalty rendered material aid to the cause of independence as a recognized patriot, as soldier or sailor, or as a civil officer in one of the several colonies or States, or of the United Colonies or States." All the legislative and judicial power of the society is vested in its Continental Congress, composed of all the active officers of the national society, a State Regent from each State and the Regents and delegates of each organized Chapter in the United States. NATIONAL BOARD OF MANAGEMENT. President-General, Mrs. Charles W. Fairbanks, Indianapolis, Ind.; Vice-President-General, in charge of organization of Chapters, Mrs. Miranda Barney Tulloch, Washington, D. C. (there are ten other Vice-Presidents-General, whose term of office expires in 1903, and ten whose term expires in 1904); Chaplain-General, Mrs. William A. Smoot, Alexandria, Va.; Recording Secretary-General, Mrs. Eleanor S. Washington Howard, Virginia; Corresponding Secretary-General, Mrs. Robert Stockwell Hatcher, Lafayette, Ind.; Register-General, Mrs. Ruth M. Griswold Pealer, Washington, D. C.; Treasurer-General, Mrs. Gertrude B. Darwin, Washington, D. C.; Historian-General. Miss Susan Riviere Hetzel, Washington, D. C.; Assistant Historian-General, Mrs. Green Clay Goodloe, Washington, D. C.; Librarian-General, Miss Julia Ten Eyck McBlair, Washington, D. C.. There are also a State Regent and Vice-Regent for every State in the Union, and one for the District of Columbia. GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS. Lineal descendants of persons who were passengers on the Mayflower on the first trip of that historic vessel to America in 1620 organized a society in New York City December 22, 1894 (Forefathers' Day), which, with similar associations formed subsequently, joined in instituting at Plymouth, Mass., the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. The entire membership of the constituent societies is included in that of the General Society, which holds a congress at Plymouth, Mass., triennially on September 6, 0, S., the anniversary of the Pilgrim departure from Plymouth, England. The constituent societies hold their annual meetings and election of officers on December 21, the anniversary of the signing of the "compact" in the cabin of the Mayflower. These societies, with the respective dates of organization and the number of members in each, are as follows: New York (1894), 694 members; Connecticut (1896), 228 members; Massa chusetts (1896), 712 members; Pennsylvania (1896), 142 members; Illinois (1897), 92 members; District of Columbia (1898), 145 members; Ohio (1898), 45 members; New Jersey (1900), 34 members; Wisconsin (1901), 40 members; Rhode Island (1901), 41 members; Michigan (1901), 31 members; Minnesota (1901), 20 members; Maine (1901), 25 members. Membership in the several societies is open to both sexes. Every lineal descendant over eighteen years old of any of the Mayflower passengers, or of any signer of the "compact" is eligible. The officers of the General Society are as follows: Governor-general, Hon. Henry E. Howland, New York City; secretary-general, Richard Henry Greene, 235 Central Park West, New York City. SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. This society is, as shown in the sketch of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, the parent organization of a federation of associations formed by lineal descendants of the Mayflower Pilgrims for the purpose of preserving the memory, records and history of the men, women and children who landed at Plymouth Bay on December 22, 1620. The officers of the society are as follows: Governor, Hon. William Winton Goodrich; deputy-governor, Rev. Roderick Terry, D. D.; captain, J. Bayard Backus; elder, Rev. Daniel F. Warren, D. D.; treasurer, William Laaman Bull; secretary, Ashbel P. Fitch, Jr.; historian, Richard Henry Greene; surgeon, Gorham Bacon. HUGUENOT SOCIETY OF AMERICA. Descendants of the Huguenots living in the United States are associated in a patriotic and historic organization under the name of the Huguenot Society of America, which was founded in 1883. It is national in its scope, and maintains headquarters at No. 105 East Twenty-second street, New York City, where there is kept a library for Huguenot books, manuscripts, etc. The objects of the organization as set forth in the amended constitution, adopted January 7, 1901, are as follows: "First, to perpetuate the memory and to foster and promote the principies and virtues of the Huguenots; second, to publicly commemorate the principal events in the history of the Huguenots; third, to discover, collect and preserve all existing documents, monuments, etc., relating to the genealogy or history of the Huguenots of America; fourth, to gather by degrees a library, for the use of the society, composed of all obtainable books, monographs, pamphlets, manuscripts, etc., relating to the Huguenots; fifth, to cause to be prepared and read before the society papers, essays, etc., or questions in the history or genealogy of the Huguenots, their settlements, biographies, public acts, influence on the society, arts, commerce and politics of America especially and of other countries where they settled: sixth, to cause to be prepared and published a series of volumes entitled 'Collections of the Huguenot Society of America:' seventh, to establish branches of this soicety in nots have taker refuge." Eligibility for membership includes four classes, as here specified: First, deother American cities and to encourage the foundation of similar societies in other countries where Huguescendants in the male or female line of the Huguenot families who emigrated to America prior to the promulgation of the Edict of Toleration, November 28, 1787, or who left France for other countries than America prior to that date, may be elected as regular members; second, persons who have made the history, genealogy, principles, etc., of the Huguenots a special subject of study and research and have written and published the same, may be elected as regular members; third, persons who have rendered some conspicuous service in the advancement of Huguenot interests may be elected as honorary members; fourth, persons who are residents of foreign countries may be elected corresponding members. Honorary and corresponding members have no vote. The society has subscribed for several memorial tablets, one of which has been placed on the site of the first French Huguenot Church in New York, now comprised in the ground coyered by the Produce Exchange Building. The tablet is on the east wall of that edifice. A second tablet was placed in the present church building known as L'Eglise du St. Esprit in the Fall of 1902, the Bayard family at the same time placing there a tablet in memory of the Huguenot refugee, Rev. Nicolas Bayard; his son, Rev. Lazare Bayard, and the latter's son, Hon. Samuel Bayard, a former Mayor of New York. The officers of the society are as follows: President, Frederic J. De Peyster; vice-presidents (one for each centre of Huguenot settlement), Colonel William Jay, Manhattan; Henry M. Lester, New Rochelle; Rev. Lea Luquer, Long Island; Hon. A. T. Clearwater, New Paltz; Nathaniel Thayer, Boston; Richard Olney, New Oxford; William Ely, Narragansett, Professor Allan Marquand, New Jersey: Colonel Henry A. Dupont, Delaware; Herbert Du Puy, Pennsylvania: Richard L. Maury, Virginia; Rev. Robert Wilson, South Carolina; secretary, Mrs. James M. Lawton, New York City; assistant secretary, Mrs. L. Holbrook; treasurer, T. J. Oakley Rhinelander. GENERAL SOCIETY OF THE WAR OF 1812. The General Society of the War of 1812 was organized on September 14, 1814. What it represents is set forth as follows in the "Preamble" to the constitution which was adopted: "Whereas, In the Providence of God, victory having crowned the forces of the United States of America in upholding the principles of the Nation against Great Britain in the conflict known as the War of 1812; we, the survivors and descendants of those who participated in that contest, have joined together to perpetuate its memories and victories, to collect and secure for preservation, rolls, records, books and other documents relating to that period to encourage research and publication of historical data, including memorials of patriots of that era in our National history; to care for and, when necessary, assist in burying actual veterans of that struggle; to cherish, maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and foster true patriotism and love of country." As it exists at present the society was formally organized by the combination of the societies of the States of Pennsylvania and Maryland. At the first meeting held in Philadelphia on June 19, 1895, the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut were represented. Since that date six other societies have been organized, including one in the District of Columbia. The General Society holds its meetings bi-ennially, while the State societies meet annually, or oftener. Those eligible to membership are male persons above the age of twenty-one who participated in, or are lineal descendants of such as participated in the War of 1812, in the army, navy, revenue marine or privateer service of the United States. In case of the failure of lineal descendants of an actual participant in the war on behalf of the United States one collateral descendant may be admitted; but it is proposed to amend the constitution to provide that such representation of lineal descendants shall be limited to descendants of either brothers or sisters of actual participants in the war. General Officers, 1902-1904.-President-General, John Cadwalader (Pennsylvania Society). Vice-Presidents-General-Captain Henry Hobart Bellas, U. S. A. (Pennsylvania Society); James Edward Carr, Jr. (Maryland Society); Charles William Galloupe, M. D. (Massachusetts Society); Colonel George Bliss Sanford, U. S. A. (Connecticut Society); George Mitchell Wright (Ohio Society); Hon. Charles Page Bryan (Illinois Society); Marcus Benjamin, Ph. D. (District of Columbia Society); Hon. George Comstock Baker (New York Society); Hon. Appleton Morgan, LL. D. (New Jersey Society); James Griffith Longfellow (Delaware Society). Secretary-General-Henry Randall Webb (District of Columbia Society), Washington, D. C. Assistant Secretary-General-Henry Harmon Noble (New York Society), Albany, N. Y. Treasurer-GeneralFrederick Bacon Philbrook (Massachusetts Society), Boston, Mass. Assistant Treasurer-General-William Porter Adams (Illinois Society), Chicago, Ill. Registrar-General-Albert Kimberly Hadel, M. D. (Maryland Society), Baltimore. Md. Surgeon-General-George Horace Burgin, M. D. (Pennsylvania Society). Judge Advocate-General-Hon. Aloysius Leo Knott (Maryland Society). Chaplain-General-Right Rev. Leighton Coleman, S. T. D., LL. D., Bishop of Delaware (Delaware Society). Executive Committee-Hon. Robert Adams, Jr. (Pennsylvania Society); James Davidson Iglehart, M. D. (Maryland Society); James Brown Thornton, M. D. (Massachusetts Society): Rev. Alexander Hamilton (Connecticut Society); Daniel Hosmer Gard (Ohio Society); Charles Cromwell (Illinois Society); James Malcolm Henry (District of Columbia Society): Henry Ketchum Averill, Jr. (New York Society); Oscar Halstead Condit (New Jersey Society); Edward Porter Stacey (Delaware Society). State Presidents and Secretaries.-Pennsylvania-President, John Cadwalader; secretary, Samuel Babcock Crowell, Philadelphia. Maryland-President, John Mason Dulany; secretary, Charles Edward Teale, Govanstown, Md. Massachusetts-President, Charles William Galloupe, M. D.; secretary. Joseph Hiram Starr Pearson, Boston, Mass. Connecticut-President, Hon. Morgan Gardner Bulkeley; secretary, James Barton Bowen, Putnam, Conn. Ohio-President, Orlando W. Aldrich, Ph. D., LL. D., D. C. L.; secretary, Wordsworth Gard, Columbus, Ohio. Illinois-President, William Porter Adams; secretary, Theron Royall Woodward, Chicago, Ill. District of Columbia-President. Marcus Benjamin, Ph. D.; secretary, Henry Randall Webb, Washington, D. C. New York-President, Hon. George Comstock Baker; secretary, Henry Harmon Noble, Albany, N. Y. New Jersey-President, Harry Ferdinand Barrell. Ph. D.; secretary, Adelbert Bancroft Hunt, Ph. D., Bloomfield, N. J. Delaware-President, James Griffith Longfellow; secretary, Fred Holmes Megaw, Wilmington, Del. THE VETERAN CORPS OF ARTILLERY. (Military Society of the War of 1812.) The Veteran Corps of Artillery, constituting the Military Society of the War of 1812, is an association historically connected with the military history of the United States from the beginning of our national existence. The Veteran Corps of Artillery was organized in the city of New York as an independent military organization on November 25, 1790, by officers and soldiers of the War of the Revolution. It was the first organization in the State of New York to volunteer for fleld service under the Act of Congress of February 24, 1807, and the Act of the State Legislature of March 29, 1809, offering its services on October 19, 1809, in view of the then expected breaking out of hostilities with Great Britain. The Corps entered the military service of the United States June 25, 1812, serving until July 2, the same year, and serving again from September 2. 1814, until March 2, 1815. From 1790 until 1814 the Corps was composed entirely of veterans of the Revolution. Subsequently veterans of the War of 1812 were enrolled, providing they had honorable records. The Military Society of the War of 1812 was instituted in New York City January 3, 1826. by officers of the War of 1812, and was consolidated with the Veteran Corps of Artillery January 8, 1848. The Corps was incorporated as a military society January 8, 1892, under the laws of the State of New York and in conformity with the joint resolution of Congress as to military societies. approved September 25, 1890. Membership is limited by law to acceptable male descendants of either veteran original members or of commissioned officers of honorable records in the War of 1812. Annual meetings are held on the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans, this date being fixed by law. The rolls of the Corps show that since 1790 there have been 734 veteran original members, of whom 71 were veterans of the War of the Revolution. The last surviving original member is Hiram Cronk, of Northwestern, N. Y., who entered the United States service August 2, 1814, as a private in Captain Edward Fuller's company, which was detached from the 157th Regiment of Infantry, 13th Brigade, N. Y. State Militia, and served in a battalion of detached militia under Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant Erastus Cleaveland, in defence of the northern frontier at Sackett's Harbor, then blockaded by a British squadron. Mr. Cronk's term of enlistment expired while he was at this point, but he volunteered to remain, and was honorably discharged, with his regiment and brigade, November 16. 1814. Mr. Cronk was born in Frankfort, N. Y., April 29, 1800, and is therefore 103 years old. The officers of the Veteran Corps of Artillery constituting the Military Society of the War of 1812 are: Commandant and ex-officio president, Morgan Dix, S. T. D., D. D. (Oxon.), D. C. L.; vice-commandant and ex-officio vice-president, Asa Bird Gardiner, L.L. D., L. H. D.; adjutant and ex-officio secretary, Howland Pell, room 1001, 25 Broad street, New York City; quartermaster and ex-officio treasurer, Charles Augustus Schermerhorn, 1286 Broadway, New York City; chaplain, Frank Landon Humphreys, S. T. D.; surgeon, George Gregory Shelton, M. D.: paymaster and ex-officio assistant secretary, Charles Isham; commissary and ex-officio registrar. Morris Patterson Ferris; council of administration, Morgan Dix, Asa Bird Gardiner, James Mortimer Montgomery, David Banks, Charles Augustus Schermerhorn, Frederic Gallatin, John Hone. George De Forest Barton, Howland Pell, Thomas Jackson Oakley Rhinelander, Paul Gibert Thebaud, John Butterfield Holland. NAVAL ORDER OF ST. LOUIS. This Order was instituted May 1, 1898, off the Island of Martinique, West Indies, by commissioned officers of the U. S. S. St. Louis, with the object of perpetuating the friendships formed during the participation of that ship in the Spanish-American War, and to place on record the story of those events. The Order was incorporated at Albany, N. Y., July 26, 1899. There is a membership at present of thirteen. The officers are: Senior member, Captain Caspar F. Goodrich, U. S. N.; treasurer, P. A. Paymaster T. Kinsey, late U. S. N.; secretary, P. A. Surgeon R. Lloyd Parker, late U. S. N. NATIONAL SOCIETY OF COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA. An association of women under the name of the Pennsylvania Society of the Colonial Dames of Amer. ica was organized in Philadelphia on April 8, 1891, with an understanding that it was to be part of a national organization of similar character, eventually to be formed. This national society was organized on May 19, 1892, by women representing the States of Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Delaware, the meeting being held in Wilmington, Del., and adjourned, to be renewed in Washington, D. C., on January 11, 1893, when the States of Virginia and Rhode Island were admitted. State societies were formed in Massachusetts, New York, South Carolina, Connecticut, Georgia, New Hampshire and North Carolina, in time to be admitted in April, 1894. It was decided in April, 1896, to admit societies composed of women of Colonial ancestry, organized in non-colonial States, with the result that at the present time there are societies in every State excepting Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, North and South Dakota, New Mexico, Nebraska, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The national society is composed of delegates from these societies, which have an aggregate membership of 4,651. The constitution of the society requires that the members shall be women "who are descended in their own right from some ancestor of worthy life who came to reside in an American colony prior to 1750, which ancestor, or some one of his descendants. being a lineal descendant of the applicant, shall have rendered efficient service to his country during the Colonial period, either in the founding of a commonwealth or of an institution which has survived and developed into importance, or who shall have held an important position in the Colonial government, and who, by distinguished services, shall have contributed to the founding of this great and powerful nation." Among the doings of the various State societies have been the giving of lectures and talks upon American history; the institution of lectures in the public schools, upon Colonial history; inauguration of observances of Flag Day on June 14; the offering of prizes for original pictures upon Colonial subjects, for historical essays by students, etc.; the endowment of lectureships and scholarships in institutions of learning, and the preservation of historic mementos, landmarks, etc. A long list might be made of the historic buildings which this society has saved from obliteration, and of historic sites which it has caused to be suitably marked with tablets. One of these is the old Van Cortlandt mansion, in New York City, built in 1748, which has been restored and suitably furnished as a Colonial museum. On May 21, 1902, the day after the free Republic of Cuba took her place among nations, there was unveiled at Arlington a beautiful shaft, erected by the society to the memory of the soldiers and sailors who fell in the Spanish-American war. The inscription, written by Mr. Richard Watson Gilder, reads: "To the soldiers and sailors of the United States who gave up their lives for their country in the war of 1898-99, with Spain, this monument is dedicated in sorrow, gratitude and pride by the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the name of all the women of the nation." The ceremonies, which were most impressive in their character, were presided over by Major-General John R. Brooke, U. S. A., and the address was delivered by President Roosevelt. The society is now preparing a book to be placed at Arlington, which shall contain the record of all those who lost their lives during the conflict. The officers of the society are: Honorary President, Mrs. Howard Townsend, New York; president, Mrs. Herbert A. Claiborne, Virginia; vice-presidents, Mrs. Samuel Colt, Connecticut; Mrs. Henry F. Le Hunte Lyster, Michigan; Mrs. William Reed, Maryland; secretary, Mrs. Joseph R. Lamar, Georgia; assistant secretary, Mrs. Rosa Wright, Smith, Maryland; treasurer, Mrs. Alexander J. Cassatt, Pennsylvania; registrar, Mrs. Emil Richter, New Hampshire; historian, Miss Annie Hollingsworth Wharton, Pennsylvania. UNITED STATES DAUGHTERS OF 1812. The United States Daughters of 1812 is an organization banding in fraternal interests women whose lineal ancestors served in the civil government, the army or the navy of the United States during the thirtytwo years subsequent to the War of the American Revolution. Eighteen years is the age at which women are eligible to membership, but any girl between ten and eighteen years old, eligible in other respects, can he admitted as a "Junior" member, sharing in all privileges except that of voting. There are a national society and a number of State societies, organized or organzing. The New York society was formed in 1892, and that of Louisiana in 1893. For several years these were the only societies. Each of them undertakes some definite work of a patriotic character, and the national society has begun work looking toward the establishing of a home for women, eligible to membership in the organization, helpless and needy in their old age. The insignia of the society consists of a badge of gold and blue enamel, combining in design the star and anchor, and suspended from a gray and blue ribbon, representative of the army and navy. Headquarters of the National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 are at No. 332 West Thirtyseventh street. New York City. Officers: Charter trustees. Mrs. William Gerry Slade, Mrs. George B. Woodward, Mrs. William Tod Helmuth, Mrs. Jacob George Ullery, Mrs. Edward Roby, chairman; Mrs. William Gerry Slade, New York. president national; Mrs. Western Bascome, Missouri, first vice-president national; Mrs. Sullivan Johnson, Pennsylvania, second vice-president national; Mrs. Nelson V. Titus, Massachusetts, third vice-president national; Mrs. Flora Adams Darling, founder general, director general; Mrs. Leroy Sunderland Smith, New York, recording secretary national; Miss M. Louise Edge, New Jersey, corresponding secretary national; Mrs. Clarence . Jenne, Vermont, treasurer national; Mrs. Robert C. Barry, Maryland, curator national; Mrs. John B. Richardson, Louisiana, historian national; Mrs. Edward Roby, Illinois, charter trustee national; Mrs. George A. Ludin, New York, special secretary national. STATE SOCIETIES. New York, organized 1892, Mrs. William Gerry Slade, president; Louisiana, organized 1893, Mrs. John B. Richardson, president; Michigan, organized 1896, Mrs. John V. Moran, president: Pennsylvania, organized 1896, Mrs. Sullivan Johnson, president; Massachusetts, organized 1897, Mrs. Nelson V. Titus, president; Maine, organized 1900, Mrs. Charles A. Dyer, president; Ohio, organized 1900, Mrs. T. L. A. Grere, president; Maryland, organized 1901, Mrs. Robert C. Barry, president; Wisconsin, organized 1901, Mrs. Charles Catlin, president; Georgia, organized 1901, Mrs. V. A. Arnold, president; Vermont, organized 1901, Mrs. C. F. Jenne, president; Missouri, organized 1901. Mrs. Western Bascome, president; New Jersey, organized 1901, Miss M. Louise Edge, president; Colorado, organized 1902, Mrs. William T. Gauss, president; Mississippi, organizing, Mrs. Mary L. Howe, president; West Virginia, organizing, Mrs. Everett Brosius, president; Illinois, organizing, Mrs. Etta Ayres Read, president; Delaware, organizing, Mrs. Mary F. Ridgeley, president; Washington, organizing, Mrs. Esther Allen Jobes, president; California, organizing, Mrs. Cabell Maddox, president; Texas, organizing, Mrs. Bretton Dans, president. DAUGHTERS OF LIBERTY. The Order of Daughters of Liberty is an organization social and patriotic in its character, and including In its work a beneficiary feature for such members as desire to take advantage of it. This feature is in the form of a funeral benefit. In general the objects of the Order are to promote social intercourse and mutual improvement, visit the sick and distressed, and perpetuate American principles in harmony and conjunction with the Order of United American Mechanics and Junior American Mechanics, to which associations it is auxiliary by adoption. Its motto is "Fidelity, Patriotism. Integrity," and it has adopted as its principle that of "America for Americans," taking a strong position in favor of restricting naturalization of foreigners to a more worthy class of emigrants than now avail themselves of it; in favor of compulsory education, in favor of freedom of worship, and in favor of temperance. Sixteen is the age at which a woman is eligible to membership, and she must be a white woman. horn in the United States or its Territories, or under its flag. The Order originated with the organization of Liberty Council No. 1, in January, 1875, for the sole purpose of assisting Columbia Council No. 5, 0. U. A. M., of Meriden, Conn., in its work. The idea was taken up by other councils of the O. U. A. M., and the new Order spread rapidly. There are at the present time upward of 600 councils, located in twenty-six different States, and having a total membership of more than 50,000. The national officers are: National councillor, Herman W. Rellstat. Trenton, N. J.; national vice-councillor, Judge H. E. McKenzie, Port Ewen, N. Y.; national secretary, W. V. Edkin, Philadelphia, Pa.; national treasurer, G. H. Burton, New York City. The State Council of New York was instituted in 1895 at Newburg, and its officers are: State councillor, Hattie M. Bruen, Brooklyn; State vice-councillor, Louisa Van Zandt, Syracuse; State secretary, J. S. Rose, Brooklyn; State Treasurer, Edward J. Bridges, Brooklyn. |