The Rise and Influence of the New York African Society for Mutual Relief, 1808-1865 (1998)

The Rise and Influence of New York African Society for Mutual Relief, 1808-1865The history of African societies of New York City shows that early African aid associations performed critical social functions in black communities of Manhattan and Brooklyn.(2) The ephemeral New York African Society (ca. 1784) established tradition of African-American cooperative institutions and its influence was a motivating factor in formation of New York African Society for Mutual Relief (NYASMR). The NYASMR quickly became black New York's leading secular association and it helped to guide organizational life of black communities of Manhattan and Brooklyn. Partly because of African Society for Mutual Relief's success, black people turned to aid associations to meet specific charitable, social, and educational needs.On 6 June 1808, a meeting of black men at Rose Street Academy in Manhattan gave rise to New York African Society for Mutual Relief. In preceding months, a group of black men -- led by William Hamilton and William Miller -- began devising means to administer assistance to those of their friends, whom vicissitudes of time or freaks of fortune might reduce to want. Several sessions were held to plan organization's structure, and original agreements limited membership to mechanics of color. That focus was intended to avoid fate of earlier African society which was in process of folding under financial strain. But after more mature deliberation, gentleman concluded, that to open door for admission of all moral characters of color, would be to lay a foundation for improvement of morals among us, wrote an officer.(3)On June 6, constitution was adopted and officers were elected. William Hamilton was to be president, John Teasman was vice-president, Daniel Berry was named treasurer, Henry Sipkins was secretary and Adam Carman his assistant, while Daniel Brownhill, Adam Ray, James McEwen, Henry Rouse, Samuel Charley, Richard Tankard, Samuel Clause, Benjamin Slighter, and Peter Vogelsang served on first Standing Committee. With a clear sense of uncertain future of black people in Northern states, they declared:We undersigned subscribers, duly reflecting upon various vicissitudes of life, to which mankind are continually exposed, and stimulated by desire of improving our condition, do conclude that most efficient method of securing ourselves from extreme exigencies to which we are liable to be reduced is by uniting ourselves in a body, for purpose of raising a fund for relief of its members.The first act of constitution stated that they would thereafter be distinguished by name of `New York African Society for Mutual Relief' and membership was open to men of good moral character.(4)The African Society for Mutual Relief became leading association in black Manhattan. Ninety-seven men were initiated into NYASMR in its first year. While promising to meet monthly, pay dues, and assist members, their widows, and children when in need, these men made society more than a self-help organization.The members quickly assumed a public role. In January 1809, members sent a petition for incorporation to State Legislature. To strengthen our compact, to consolidate our interest, and to raise us to dignity of a body politic, is how secretary Peter Vogelsang described effort. They put together all necessary paper work and twice had Mayor DeWitt Clinton carry their petition to Albany. Clinton employed his eloquence, till both houses went into a decision in your favor, Teasman reported to members. On 23 March 1810 New York African Society for Mutual Relief was incorporated by an act of Legislature. Three weeks later, when news arrived by stage, members determined that it was worth celebrating. They wanted to parade, but a few white men asked to meet with them to express their fear that the authorities would be entirely powerless to protect you on streets, and you would be torn in pieces by howling mobs. …