General Society of the War of 1812 facts for kids
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| Named after | The War of 1812 |
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| Established | September 14, 1814 |
| Founded at | Baltimore |
| Type | Patriotic organization |
| Legal status | Nonprofit corporation |
| Headquarters | Aberdeen, New Jersey |
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Region served
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United States |
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Official language
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English |
| Publication | The War Cry |
| Affiliations | Daughters of 1812 |
The General Society of the War of 1812 is a group based in Aberdeen, New Jersey. It's also called the Society of the War of 1812. This organization was started in Baltimore in 1814. It helps people remember the War of 1812 and its history. It is a patriotic group that focuses on the past.
Contents
Remembering the War of 1812
How It All Started
The Maryland Society of the War of 1812 was formed in Baltimore. This happened on September 14, 1814. It was just two days after the Battle of North Point. Soldiers who fought in that battle started the group. They had helped defeat British forces there.
Later, the Pennsylvania Society of the War of 1812 began. This was in Philadelphia on January 9, 1854. A group of veterans met at Independence Hall. They answered a call from Joel B. Sutherland, a former member of Congress.
These veterans wanted to talk about land given to soldiers. They also saw a need to organize nationally. This would help them support each other. It would also keep the history of the War of 1812 alive. They met again in Washington, D.C. a year later. President Franklin Pierce welcomed them at the White House. They also talked to members of Congress. They wanted to get a law passed to help veterans. This law, the Bounty Land Act of 1855, passed on March 3.
Joining Forces
On April 14, 1894, the Maryland and Pennsylvania societies met. They gathered in Philadelphia to create a larger, general society. They decided to use the September 14, 1814, date as their start. This was when the Maryland Society first began. Since then, the General Society has grown. It now includes 33 State societies across the United States.
Who Can Join
This society welcomes men as members. To join, a man must be a direct descendant of an American veteran. This veteran must have served in the War of 1812. This means a son, grandson, or great-grandson, and so on. The veteran must have been on active duty during the war.
Important Members
Many notable people have been members of the society. Here are some of them:
- Brigadier General Charles W. Abbot
- Major General John R. Brooke
- Major General John Cadwalader
- Brevet Major Augustus P. Davis
- Admiral of the Navy George Dewey
- Rear Admiral John D. Ford
- Major General Adolphus Greely
- President Benjamin Harrison
- Brigadier General Tiemann N. Horn
- Major General Marshall I. Ludington
- The Honorable Martin O'Malley
- Major General Theodore S. Peck
- Brigadier General Edmund Rice
- Brigadier General James M. J. Sanno
- Major General Joseph Wheeler
- Brigadier General William S. Worth
