The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-02
EARLY HISTORY OF
SAILORS BETHEL,
Seamen's Friend Society Organized
80 Years Ago This Week.

Seamen's Friend Society Organized
80 Years Ago This Week.
Brunswick, Dec SO.-Editor Morning
News: I have just read in your to-
days issue of the interesting Christ
mas Tree" given at the Seamen's Bethel,
that magnificent brick structure, which
takes the place of the old Cannon
carpentershop on st. Julian street, and
] am reminded that l promised Mr.
Iverson the interchangeable chaplain and
superintendent; and several other gen.
tlemen, that / would give them infor-
nation about the early history OF this
society. Mayor Herman Myers says
in his very interesting and historical
report of Savannah. unfortunately the
early records of the Savannah Port
Society have been lost or destroy
ed" and gives the presidents since
1874.
The ladies of the different religious
congregations of Savannah on Dec.
10, 1914 met in the lecture room OF
the Independent Presbyterian Church
in behalf of the seamen of the port.
The meeting was constituted by choos-
ing Mrs Aldrich Moderator and my
honored mother. Mrs. v. G. Burroughs,
secretary. After due elaboration a
constitution was read and adopted ar
ticle by article.
Article /. The name of this associa-
ton shall be The Female Seamen s
Friend Society of Savannah.
Articles to the number of seven were
adopted, and are preserved. The meet
ing adjoined to Saturday, Dec. Il.
on that date an adjourned meeting of
the ladies of the various religious con-
gregations of Savannah was held in
the lecture room of the Independent
Church and was organized by the elec-
ton of the following officers.
Mrs. l.. M Preston, first directress.
Mrs Crabtree. second directress.
Mrs. Williams, third directress.
Mrs. Aldrich. treasurer.
Mrs V. G.. Burroughs. recording
secretary.
The meeting adjourned to Monday,
Dec 80. just fifty-nine years tonight.
AT that meeting, twenty-four man
ayers were chosen. and there names
were among the best and most promi-
nent ladies of Savannah. When sub
scriptions were called for, the first
check was given by Mr.. G. b. Lamar,
500; and after that, Mr.. Robert
Hutchinson, SOS: Mr.. Geo. w. Ander-
son, $50; Geo. Anderson, $40; Mrs.
Geo w. Anderson, $40; Charles Green,
$50: Mrs. Charles Green, $40; Mrs.
Jno Stoddard $40: A T. Millar, $40;
Mrs. B. e. Stiles, $40; Mrs. Washburn,
$40: Mrs. N. A. Hardee, $40, and
manv others.
In February, 1S45, the sailors house
was opened with Capt. Duncan as SUI
perintendent. He left during the sum-
mer and Mrs. Kirk. the matron, was
elected to fill his place. Oct. Is, 1916.
Capt. Orrin c. Parker, arrived and
took charge of the house. He was rec
ommend by the Rev. Mr.. Yates Of
Charleston, and gave the association
perfect satisfaction. He remained in
charge of the home until just before
the Confederate War. The home was
comforta BILE. The reading room over
looked the Bay and Jefferson streets.
In May 1861, the following ladies were
elected officers:
Mrs. V. G. Burroughs, first direc-
tress.
Mrs. Padelford, second directress.
Mrs. Fairchild, treasurer.
Mrs. Williams, third directress.
Mrs. Rowland secretary.
With a full board of twenty-four
managers.
w. Berrien Burroughs.