List of original members of the Society of the Cincinnati facts for kids

The Society of the Cincinnati is a special group started by officers who fought in the American Revolutionary War. It was formed in 1783, right after the war ended. These officers wanted to stay connected and remember the friendships they made during the fight for American independence. They also wanted to make sure that the sacrifices made by soldiers were never forgotten.

The Society was named after Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a Roman farmer who became a great leader and then returned to his farm after saving Rome. This showed that the officers were dedicated to their country, not to gaining power for themselves.

Many important people were founding members of this Society, including George Washington, who was the first President General.

Founding Members from the United States

Many officers from the Continental Army and Navy joined the Society of the Cincinnati. They came from all thirteen original states. Here are some of the notable members from different states.

Connecticut's Founders

Connecticut had many brave officers join. Some important members included Benjamin Tallmadge, who was a spy for George Washington, and Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., who later became a governor.

Delaware's Founders

From Delaware, officers like Caleb Prew Bennett and David Hall were among the first members. They had served with distinction during the war.

Georgia's Founders

Georgia's founding members included General Lachlan McIntosh and Samuel Elbert. These leaders played key roles in the southern campaigns of the war.

Maryland's Founders

Maryland contributed many officers, such as John Eager Howard and Samuel Smith. These men were known for their courage in battle. Otho Holland Williams was also a prominent member.

Massachusetts's Founders

Massachusetts had a large number of founding members. Key figures included Henry Knox, a chief artillery officer, and Benjamin Lincoln, who accepted the British surrender at Yorktown. Rufus Putnam was also a notable member.

New Hampshire's Founders

New Hampshire's members included Henry Dearborn, who fought in many major battles, and John Sullivan, a general who led important campaigns.

New Jersey's Founders

New Jersey's officers, like Elias Dayton and his son Jonathan Dayton, were active in the Society. Joseph Bloomfield also became a governor of New Jersey.

New York's Founders

New York had many influential members. These included Alexander Hamilton, a key advisor to Washington, and Aaron Burr. Generals like Philip Schuyler and James Clinton also joined.

North Carolina's Founders

From North Carolina, General Jethro Sumner was a leading figure. Other members like William Polk also helped establish the Society.

Pennsylvania's Founders

Pennsylvania's members included General Anthony Wayne, known for his daring attacks, and Arthur St. Clair. Naval hero John Paul Jones was also a founding member from Pennsylvania.

Rhode Island's Founders

Rhode Island's most famous member was General Nathanael Greene, one of the war's most skilled commanders. James Mitchell Varnum was another important officer from Rhode Island.

Virginia's Founders

Virginia, being George Washington's home state, had many important members. Besides Washington himself, key figures included Henry Lee III (Light-Horse Harry Lee) and Daniel Morgan, a brilliant tactician.

Founding Members from Other Countries

The Society also welcomed officers from other countries who helped America win its independence.

French Supporters

Many French officers who served with the Continental Army became members. This included the famous Marquis de Lafayette and Comte de Rochambeau, who commanded the French forces in America.

Polish and Swedish Members

From the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Tadeusz Kościuszko was a founding member. He was a military engineer who helped build important defenses. Two Swedish officers, Count Axel von Fersen and Baron Curt von Stedingk, also joined through the French Society.