Description:

Washington George

Washington Benevolent Society Membership Booklet During War of 1812

This intriguing copy of George Washington’s Farewell Address includes the constitution of the Mount-Holly, New Jersey, Washington Benevolent Society, and a membership certificate for farmer Restore S. Lamb. Also included is a ribbon badge printed in red and blue with an image of Washington, two flags, and a public school.

[GEORGE WASHINGTON.] Membership book in the Washington Benevolent Society of Mount-Holly, Burlington County, New Jersey, ca. 1813. Includes membership certificate for Restore S. Lamb of Springfield, the Constitution of the Society, Washington’s 1796 Farewell Address, a chronological sketch of Washington’s life, and a biographical sketch of Washington. 48 pp., 3.75" x 6". Title page missing; some foxing of interior pages; cover worn but intact.

Excerpts

“This Certifies that Restore S. Lamb of Springfield has been regularly admitted a member of The New-Jersey Washington Benevolent Society in the County of Burlington, instituted on the 12th day of March 1813. Rich. Cox President. John Dobbins Jr. Secretary.”

“To cultivate and extend the spirit of union, charity, and fraternal affection, which ought at all times to attach and endear to one another the citizens of a free country, and which is a sure pledge of individual happiness and national safety—to diffuse information, and to cultivate principles of moral and political conduct, essentially connected with our rights, our duties, and our welfare, as men and citizens—to cherish the remembrance of the services and patriotism of the illustrious Washington, whose existence was a blessing, and whose counsels are an inestimable treasure to his beloved country; whose whole life was a continued and glorious example; ‘a burning and shining light’ of pure benevolence, disinterested philanthropy, and universal charity and beneficence....”

“We, the subscribers, agree to form ourselves into an association to be called The Washington Benevolent Society of Mount-Holly, in the County of Burlington and State of New-Jersey, and to be governed by the following regulations.”

“Article 1. Each member, at the time of his admission and subscribing to these articles, shall pay to the Treasurer, for the use of the society, the sum of One Dollar, and such further sum annually as from time to time shall be prescribed by the bye-laws, provided such annual payment shall not exceed, in the whole, the sum of One Dollar.”

Historical Background

The Federalist Party established Washington Benevolent Societies between 1808 and 1816 as local political clubs to encourage voting. Apparently, the first Washington Benevolent Society in New Jersey was organized at Trenton on July 4, 1812. Most local societies issued ribbon badges with George Washington’s portrait on them. These ribbons were among the earliest mass-produced partisan objects in American political history.

Local Washington Benevolent Societies met quarterly or more frequently and always annually on February 22, Washington’s birthday, for festivities, often including a procession and an oration. Major Richard Cox (1755-1816), a veteran of the Revolutionary War, was the president of the Mount Holly Washington Benevolent Society.

Restore S. Lamb (1788-1867) was born in New Jersey to Jacob Lamb and Elizabeth Shinn Lamb. In 1822, he married Mary Ridgway (1795-1837), and they had at least four children. In 1846, he married Rhoda Osborn (1794-1880) in the Quaker Meeting. In the 1850 and 1860 censuses, he is listed as a farmer in Burlington County, New Jersey.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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