HISTORY OF SOCIETY
The first active steps toward the formation of the Society were taken on July 4, 1907 at the Jamestown Exposition near Norfolk, Virginia, where descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had gathered upon invitation of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association and the Exposition officials to assist in an impressive celebration of
the one hundred and thirty-first anniversary of the "Immortal Declaration."
After the public exercises of the day over one hundred and fifty
descendants, representing a majority of the fifty-six signers, assembled
in the Pennsylvania State Building on the Exposition grounds and a
temporary organization of the Society was effected.
The meeting was then adjourned to October 19th when a large number of
those who first assembled, and many others, met in the Maryland State
Building on the Exposition grounds, adopted a Constitution and elected
officers for the current year to end July 4, 1908. The officers then
elected were: Mr. Albert McClellan Mathewson of New Haven, Connecticut,
President; Mr. Thomas Jefferson Randolph of Norfolk, Virginia,
Secretary; and Mr. William Shields McKean of Washington, D.C.,
Treasurer.
The First Congress of the Society was convened at Philadelphia on July 3
and 4, 1908, meetings being held in the old State House, generally known
as "Independence Hall," in the room in which the Declaration of
Independence was adopted and signed. The Society has continued an
unbroken sequence of activities and meetings since then.
The Annual Congress of the Society shall be held every year in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whenever possible in Independence Hall, on a
Saturday between May 9th and June 13th or on a July 4th weekend.
WHAT WE DO
Since its founding in 1907 the society has successfully completed a
great many patriotic and commemorative projects.
Annual scholarships are awarded to deserving boys and girls descended
from one of the Signers. Tablets or other memorials have been placed at
birth places, homes, or graves of the Signers wherever such were
unmarked. Through the efforts of the society the grave of Francis
Hopkinson, unknown for over a century, was identified. It sponsored the
preservation of the Frank Willing Leach MSS, containing the lines of all
descendants of the Signers which could be ascertained at the time of
their compilation. Contributions are constantly being made toward the
restoration or preservation of such historic monuments as Independence
Hall itself, St. Paul's Church, Eastchester, N.Y., birthplace of freedom
of the press, the Powel House in Philadelphia, home of the last
pre-Revolutionary and first post-Revolutionary mayor of the city,
Stratford Hall, home of the Lees, etc. The insigne of the society was
presented to the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington in 1933, and
its flag was given to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. It gave
the plate for the leaflet bearing the description of the church which is
handed to all visitors to Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, Va. as a
memorial to the Signers who worshipped there. In March of 1976 a bronze
placque was unveiled in the East Lobby of the Capitol Building in
Washington, D.C. commemorating the fifty-six signers. The placque was
designed and made by Alan Robbins.
Important to our society is its responsibility for drawing public and
government attention to the needs of historical landmarks and to
indicate publicaly by resolutions our non-political support of patriotic
activities in keeping with the high ideals of the 56 Signers.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Any lineal descendant of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence
over 18 years of age, and possessing good moral character is eligible.
Annual memberships and Life memberships are available. Modest enrollment
fees and dues are payable upon application.
