The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-27

were eager to assist in the work of
caring for them, as well as to bring
themselves and others of congenial
minds into pleasant social relations in
community where the means of re-
taxation were naturally meager. The
names of but three of them have been
preserved, Benjamin Sheftall, Richard
Milledge and Peter Tondee. The edu-
cation of children left destitute speed
lily became their principal purpose.
Shortly after they had unitel to these
ends, formal organization with a
larger membership was perfected under
the title of ''St. Georges Society,"" with
April %, the calendar day of the can
onization of the tutelar saint of Eng
land" as the occasion of it's annual
meetings, a custom still observed.
When this became 1.-THE Union Society"
does not seem to have been definitely
determined. At some time prior to 1865
1t appears to have assumed the present
name and to have entered more vigor-
ously on the work of caring for the
fatherless, doubtless cooperating with
those engaged in similar duties at Be
thesda. Naturally it's birth has been
ascribed to the first association for
charitable objects in 1850, and its ami
versaries are properly dated from then.
The early minute books and financial
records were lost or destroyed during
the revolutionary war and the society
now possesses very little historical data
prior to 1891.
Among the most interesting incidents
Of its infant life, and one that it's ora
tors Of a half century or more ago
loved to dwell upon, was the
annual meeting held at Sun
bury in 1873. An article or
the society's constitution prescribed
that as long as any three of its mem
bers held regular meetings and OBJ
served it's anniversary, the society
should be regarded as existing with
full rights and privileges. When Sa-
yannah was occupied by the British IN
December, 1878, after the disastrous de-
teat of the Americans, Sunbury, a then
promising town on the coast to the
south also fell into their hands, ana
mere four members of the society VINO
mad been taken prisoners were sent on
parole, Mordecai Sheftall, John Mar
slh' John Stirk and Josiah Powell. AT
Sunbury they remained for three years
Not knowing how the other members
VI me society had Jared, feeling that
BpHn the occupancy of the city by the
5Htlsh its meetings would cease, and
determined, if possible, to perpetuate
~. ,is existence, these four constituted
themselves into the society, held an
nn.yeisary meetings. elected officers and
o"erWise maintained the organization
e Which they were devoted. Their
ri St annual meeting, under such dis
ttlung circumstances, was held on
e c,pIH % 1873. when the following was
'o.Tred on the minutes:
,oby an unhappy fate Of war, the
soslIoers of the Union Society are
f,oe made captives, and others drove
~ am the state; and by one Of the rules
so,.. aald society It Is ordered and re-
sb.V mat so long as three members
sbau De together. the Union Society
r,erl exist: and there being now four
ne "o'is present who being DESTROYS
Inc 'Ich as in them lies. notwithstand-
laed..ni,,y are captives, 10 continue so
The s93ie an institution. have come TO
ns,."lowing resolve. wit: To nom
ole,y ana appoint officers for said So
agrs,i2t The ensuing year, as near and
~ tseDle 70 the rules OF the society
l1s, -, can recoliect. the rules being
I" mialaid:
csrs following were then chosen on
' i9r the ensuing years