Beautiful & Rare Ca 1933 Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Membership Badge Silver by Tiffany & Co

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, officially The Society of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for the Relief of Emigrants from Ireland, is an American charitable and social organization for Irish-Americans founded in 1771. The Society was founded in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), 1771. Among the founders were General Stephen Moylan, aide to George Washington and cavalry commander in the Revolutionary War, and Thomas Fitzsimons, representative of Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress and signatory of the U.S. Constitution, both of whom were born in Ireland. George Washington became an honorary member in 1782. Originally founded as a charity organization with the intent of aiding migrants from Ireland, the organization has since developed a focus on encouraging "greater interest in ties of friendship between America and Ireland," in addition to sponsoring scholarships, cultural events, charity activities, and educational endowments. On March 17, 1784, a group of New York City's Irish officers who had served in the Continental Army formed the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York. Its founder and first president was Daniel McCormick, a merchant who was one of the first directors of the Bank of New York. Branches of the Society have also been founded in cities such as Cincinnati, Detroit, Providence, San Diego, and Spokane.