Recognizing and honoring the 250th Anniversary of the Society of the Sons of St. George for its longstanding contributions to the English American community in Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, The Society of the Sons of St. George, established for the advice and assistance of Englishmen in distress, was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Saint George’s Day, April 23, 1772; and

WHEREAS, During this time, Philadelphia was the second largest English-speaking city in the world after London and was the second city in the American colonies to establish such a society; and

WHEREAS, The Society is an affiliate member of the Royal Society of St. George, the Premier Patriotic Society of England, founded in 1894 whose Royal Patron is Queen Elizabeth II; and

WHEREAS, The Society’s chapter in its act of incorporation was approved by the Pennsylvania assembly on April 6, 1791; and

WHEREAS, Since its founding meeting at Patrick Byrnes Tavern on Front Street below Walnut Street, the Society of the Sons of St. George has flourished over centuries to include prominent Philadelphians such as Benjamin Franklin, his Excellency Governor Richard Penn, Robert Morris, Bishop William White, the first Episcopal Bishop in the state of Pennsylvania, as well as other area residents who all shared a love of their local community and English heritage; and

WHEREAS, The Society carried out its charitable mission through the American Revolution and the War of 1812, and was active in the 1900s providing support to British war brides in World War I and World War II; and

WHEREAS, As one of the oldest hereditary societies established in 1772, the Society of the Sons of St. George remains a vibrant, 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of Philadelphia’s English American community and advancing English-focused educational opportunities for those living in the Philadelphia region; and

WHEREAS, The Society of the Sons of St. George recently expanded its support for young people through contributing to the growth of the St. James School and through providing scholarships and programs at educational institutions including Arcadia University and the Philadelphia Outward Bound School for students of British descent to attend school in England; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby recognizes and honors the 250th Anniversary of the Society of the Sons of St. George for its longstanding contributions to the English American community in Philadelphia.

RESOLVED FURTHER, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Society of the sons of St. George as evidence of the respect and admiration of this legislative body.

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