| Formation: | March 17, 1771 |
| Founding Location: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Leader Title: | President |
| Leader Name: | Michael F. Maloney |
| Leader Title2: | Vice President |
| Leader Name2: | Zach Gorman, Esq. |
| Leader Title3: | Treasurer |
| Leader Name3: | Gene McWilliams |
| Leader Title4: | Secretary |
| Leader Name4: | Colleen O'Riordan |
| Website: | http://www.friendlysonsanddaughters.com/ |
The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick/Friends Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick, officially The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland, is an American charitable and social organization for Irish Americans. It was founded in 1771.
The Society was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), 1771.
Among the founders were General Stephen Moylan, aide to George Washington and cavalry commander in the Revolutionary War, and Thomas Fitzsimons, representative of Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress and signatory of the U.S. Constitution, both of whom were born in Ireland. George Washington became an honorary member in 1782.[1] Originally founded as a charitable organization with the intent of aiding migrants from Ireland,[2] the organization has since developed a focus on encouraging "greater interest in ties of friendship between America and Ireland,"[1] in addition to sponsoring scholarships, cultural events, charity activities, and educational endowments.[3]
On March 17, 1784, a group of New York City's Irish officers who had served in the Continental Army formed the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York.[4] Its founder and first president was Daniel McCormick, a merchant who was one of the first directors of the Bank of New York.[4]
Branches of the Society have also been founded in cities such as Cincinnati, Detroit, Providence, San Diego, and Spokane. The Cincinnati branch has an active glee club which has performed hundreds of benefit and goodwill performances for over 25 years.[5]
Each branch operates independently.[2] Originally all-male, the Philadelphia branch first admitted women in 2016.[2] The New York branch plans to admit women to its annual pre-St. Patrick's Day fundraising dinner for the first time in 2018, but has not said whether women will be admitted as members.[2]
General Stephen Moylan was one of the Society's organizers and its first president. Other founding members included:
Other early members included:
Honorary members included:
* Died in office
** Resigned
*** Resigned and removed from Society notifications