The Washington Benevolent Societies (the "WBS") were grass-roots political clubs set up from 1808 to 1816 by the Federalist Party in the U.S. to electioneer for votes. The first branch of the organization was set up in New York City, in opposition to the older Tammany Society.[1] An early membership certificate of group indicates that this branch was "instituted in the City of New York, on the 12th day of July, 1808."[2][3] The President of that first WBS was Isaac Sebring (perhaps the Federalist merchant described in "The Old Merchants of New York City)[4] and Secretary was Guilian C. Verplanck.[5][6] The New York branch of the society met at Washington Hall.[7]
Ribbons
Societies were also formed in Rhode Island in 1810, as the threat of warfare loomed.[8]
Citing a July 6, 1812 edition of the "Federalist" newspaper in New Jersey, it has been reported[by whom?] that: "Coinciding with the first state peace convention, the initial public appearance of the Washington Benevolent Society in New Jersey occurred in Trenton on July 4, 1812."[9] The WBS helped pioneer electioneering techniques in a democracy. "The promise of participation in the parade and receipt of the badge of the Society had been used as part of the Trenton Society's membership drive, for the Federalists were interested in gaining as many members as possible."[10] Ribbon badges with George Washington's portrait and the words "Pro Patria" ("For Country") printed on silk or vellum were issued to members of the Societies. "Silk ribbons bearing Washington's portrait issued by the society are among the earliest mass-produced partisan objects in American political history."[11] In addition, members of the group were often given printed with copies of "Washington's Farewell Address".
Into the Age of Jackson, an oration on Washington's Birthday,[12] February 22, was commonly delivered before the Washington Benevolent Societies in various states, and sometimes it would be printed.
Notesedit
^"Washington Benevolent Society Medal". coins.ha.com. Heritage Auctions. Jan 8, 2014. from the original on April 9, 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
^George Washington, "Washington's Farewell Address to the People of the United States," Published for the Washington Benevolent Society, New-York, Printed by J. Seymour, At Washington's Head, No. 118 Pearl-street, 1808.
^Institution, Smithsonian. "Washington Benevolent Society Medal". Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
^Walter Barrett, "The Old Merchants of New York City," Carleton (1862)
^Robert William July, "Essential New Yorker, Gulian Crommelin Verplanck," Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press (1951)
^Butterfield, Kevin (2010-01-01). "Unbound by Law: Association and Autonomy in the Early American Republic". All Theses and Dissertations (ETDs). doi:10.7936/K7XW4GWJ.
^William Alexander Robinson, "The Washington Benevolent Society in New England: a phase of politics during the War of 1812", Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society49(1916) pp 274ff.
^Rudolph J. Pasler and Margaret C. Pasler, "The New Jersey Federalists," p 144 (Associated University Presses, Inc., 1975) ISBN0-8386-1525-2.
^Keith Melder, "Hail to the Candidate Presidential Campaigns From Banners to Broadcasts," p 65, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington & London (1992) ISBN1-56098-178-4
Harlan H. Ballard, "A forgotten fraternity," Collections of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society3 (1900) pp 279–98.
David Hackett Fischer. The Revolution of American Conservatism: The Federalist Party in the Era of Jeffersonian Democracy (1976) ISBN0-226-25135-7
February 15, 2024
washington, benevolent, societies, were, grass, roots, political, clubs, from, 1808, 1816, federalist, party, electioneer, votes, first, branch, organization, york, city, opposition, older, tammany, society, early, membership, certificate, group, indicates, th. The Washington Benevolent Societies the WBS were grass roots political clubs set up from 1808 to 1816 by the Federalist Party in the U S to electioneer for votes The first branch of the organization was set up in New York City in opposition to the older Tammany Society 1 An early membership certificate of group indicates that this branch was instituted in the City of New York on the 12th day of July 1808 2 3 The President of that first WBS was Isaac Sebring perhaps the Federalist merchant described in The Old Merchants of New York City 4 and Secretary was Guilian C Verplanck 5 6 The New York branch of the society met at Washington Hall 7 RibbonsSocieties were also formed in Rhode Island in 1810 as the threat of warfare loomed 8 Citing a July 6 1812 edition of the Federalist newspaper in New Jersey it has been reported by whom that Coinciding with the first state peace convention the initial public appearance of the Washington Benevolent Society in New Jersey occurred in Trenton on July 4 1812 9 The WBS helped pioneer electioneering techniques in a democracy The promise of participation in the parade and receipt of the badge of the Society had been used as part of the Trenton Society s membership drive for the Federalists were interested in gaining as many members as possible 10 Ribbon badges with George Washington s portrait and the words Pro Patria For Country printed on silk or vellum were issued to members of the Societies Silk ribbons bearing Washington s portrait issued by the society are among the earliest mass produced partisan objects in American political history 11 In addition members of the group were often given printed with copies of Washington s Farewell Address Into the Age of Jackson an oration on Washington s Birthday 12 February 22 was commonly delivered before the Washington Benevolent Societies in various states and sometimes it would be printed Notes edit Washington Benevolent Society Medal coins ha com Heritage Auctions Jan 8 2014 Archived from the original on April 9 2023 Retrieved 13 April 2023 George Washington Washington s Farewell Address to the People of the United States Published for the Washington Benevolent Society New York Printed by J Seymour At Washington s Head No 118 Pearl street 1808 Institution Smithsonian Washington Benevolent Society Medal Smithsonian Institution Retrieved 2023 04 09 Walter Barrett The Old Merchants of New York City Carleton 1862 Robert William July Essential New Yorker Gulian Crommelin Verplanck Durham N C Duke University Press 1951 Butterfield Kevin 2010 01 01 Unbound by Law Association and Autonomy in the Early American Republic All Theses and Dissertations ETDs doi 10 7936 K7XW4GWJ Request Rejected historicpittsburgh org Retrieved 2023 04 09 William Alexander Robinson The Washington Benevolent Society in New England a phase of politics during the War of 1812 Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society 49 1916 pp 274ff Rudolph J Pasler and Margaret C Pasler The New Jersey Federalists p 144 Associated University Presses Inc 1975 ISBN 0 8386 1525 2 Paslers The New Jersey Federalists p 145 Keith Melder Hail to the Candidate Presidential Campaigns From Banners to Broadcasts p 65 Smithsonian Institution Press Washington amp London 1992 ISBN 1 56098 178 4 Request Rejected historicpittsburgh org Retrieved 2023 04 09 Secondary scholarly sources editHarlan H Ballard A forgotten fraternity Collections of the Berkshire Historical and Scientific Society 3 1900 pp 279 98 David Hackett Fischer The Revolution of American Conservatism The Federalist Party in the Era of Jeffersonian Democracy 1976 ISBN 0 226 25135 7 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Washington Benevolent Societies amp oldid 1207299002, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
