It is unnecessary to here record the many deeds of heroism performed by the Sons of Liberty, the "Liberty Boys," the "Minute Men" and the members thereof. They will be found emblazoned upon every page of the history of the American Revolution.
In many localities the Sons of Liberty adopted the title of "Sons of Saint Tamina," or "Saint Tamina Society," and set apart the first day of May as their anniversary.
We quote from the Official History of the Great Council of the United States, page 158, as follows:
"In this year, 1771, and for many years later, there existed in the town of Annapolis a society called the 'Saint Tamina Society,' who set apart the first day of May in memory of Saint Tamina, their patron saint, whose history is now lost in fable and uncertainty. It was usual, on the morning of this day, for the members of this society to erect in some public location in the city 'a May-pole,' and to decorate it in a most tasteful manner with wild flowers, gathered from the adjacent woods, and forming themselves in a ring around it, hand in hand, perform the 'war-dance' with many other customs which they had seen exhibited by the 'Children of the Forest.' It was also usual, on this day, for such of the citizens as chose to enter into the amusements, to wear a piece of buck-tail in their hats, or in some conspicuous part of their dress. General invitations were given out, and a large company usually assembled during the course of the evening, and whilst engaged in the midst of a dance, the company would be interrupted by the sudden intrusion of a number of the Saint Tamina Society, habited like Indians, who, rushing violently into the room, singing war songs and giving the 'whoop,' commenced dancing in the style of that people. After this ceremony, they made a collection of money, and retired evidently well pleased with their reception and entertainment."
At a later date the day for celebration was changed from the first day of May to the 12th, which is now observed as "St. Tamminy's Day."
After the close of the Revolutionary War, the object for which they had banded themselves together having been accomplished, the Sons of Liberty, or Saint Tamina Societies, became less prominent in public affairs, and it was the differences of opinion among the citizens as to the permanent form the government should take that brought them again to the front as a political organization with the addition to their motto of "FRIENDSHIP."
The Saint Tamina Societies, or Societies of St. Tammany, as they were variously called, became quite powerful in the political affairs of the young nation and were organized in all parts of the country from the close of the Revolutionary War up to as late as 1820.
The only record we find of this Society in Kentucky is in Ranck's History of Lexington, from which we quote the following:
"A St. Tammany Society was instituted in Lexington about this time, 1811, and continued to exist up to 1820. The 'Wigwam' was in the second story of a building which stood on the corner of Main and Broadway. The sons of St. Tammany often paraded through the streets disguised as Indians, and magnificent in red paint, feathers, bows, tomahawks, and war clubs. It was one of the most noted Democratic organizations in the West. Thomas T. Barr, Richard Chinn, and others successively filled the office of 'Sachem.' We give verbatim one of the Society's orders, viz.:
St. Tammany's Day.—The Sons of St. Tammany, or Brethren of the Columbian Order, will assemble at the council fire of their great wigwam on Tuesday, the 12th of the month of Flowers, at the rising of the sun, to celebrate the anniversary of their patron saint.