Of these, Dr. William James MacNeven and Thomas Addis Emmet, whose names are indelibly written on the pages not only of Irish history, but on the history of New York city and State, became members of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in 1815. Facing Broadway, in the graveyard of historic St. Paul’s, are reared the columns upon which are noted their services to their native country and to their adopted land, flanking on either side the tablet which perpetuates the memory of that other great Irishman, who fell at the siege of Quebec, General Richard Montgomery.
Free from all religious and political characteristics, it is the representative Irish society in the city of New York.
In 1827 it was incorporated by the following act of the Legislature of the State of New York:
CHARTER
OF THE SOCIETY OF
THE FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK IN THE CITY
OF NEW YORK.
“An Act to Incorporate the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick, in the City of New York. Passed February 13, 1827.
“Whereas, the members of a Society instituted for the relief of indigent natives of Ireland, and their descendants, have petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation, the better to enable them to obtain the objects of their association; therefore
“1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, That John Chambers, James McBride, James Magee, Alexander Charters, John Montgomery, John Cauldwell and Daniel McCormick, and such other persons as now are or hereafter shall become members of the Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in the City of New York, are hereby constituted and declared a body politic and corporate, in fact and in name, by the name of “The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick in the City of New York,” and by that name they and their successors, during the existence of the said corporation, shall and may have perpetual succession; and shall in law be capable of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended, in all courts and places whatsoever; and that they and their successors may have and use a common seal, and may change and alter the same from time to time at their pleasure; and also that, by their corporate name, and in their corporate capacity, they and their successors may purchase, take, hold, use and enjoy, sell, lease and convey any estate, real or personal, for the use and benefit of said corporation: Provided, That the annual income of such real and personal estate shall not at any time exceed the sum of five thousand dollars.