New York African Society for Mutual Relief

The society was organized in New York City in 1808 for the purpose of providing support to ill or unemployed members and their widows and orphans. Its first president was William Hamilton, reputed to be the son of Alexander Hamilton, and its members were well-to-do black men involved in such professions as business, education, and religion. Some prominent members included Cato Alexander, businessman; Abraham R. Lawrence, president of the Harlem Railroad; and Philip A. Bell, editor and publisher of THE COLORED AMERICAN. The Society bought its first building at 42 Baxter Street in New York City in 1820. Later it owned buildings at 43 W. 66 Street and 27 Greenwich Avenue.

The New York African Society for Mutual Relief was a beneficial soci.

Ety for African American men that had its first public meeting on June 6, 1808 and printed their first constitution in that year.

The society is said to have met in secret as early as 1784, but the records do not document its existence this early. Incorporated under the State of New York in March 1810, the Society continued to exist at least into the 1950s, however the records document only into the 1940s. The Society functioned as one of the first fraternal societies that provided sick and death benefits to their members at a time when insurance was not available to African Americans. The membership of the Society was diverse, consisting of men in various professions.

Preeminent early members of the Society include William Hamilton, said to be a descendant of Alexander Hamilton; Cato Alexander, keeper of an inn near Shot Tower (now 23rd St. and 3rd Ave.); Philip Bell, editor and publisher of The Colored American; and Abraham Lawrence, president of the Harlem Railroad.

The Society owned buildings at 42 Baxter (Orange) St., 27 Greenwich Ave., and 41 West 66th St.

Sometime around 1922, two relatd societies were formed, named after past presidents of the Society. They were: the William Hamilton Society and the Eato Aid Society. Financial documents indicate that after a certain time a third of a member's mortuary benefits were paid out from each.

Of the related societies.

The New York African Society for Mutual Relief was a beneficial society for African American men that had its first public meeting on June 6, 1808 and printed their first constitution in that year. The Society is said to have met in secret as early as 1784, but the records do not document its existence this early. Incorporated under the State of New York in March 1810, the Society continued to exist at least into the 1950s, however the records document only into the 1940s. The Society functioned as one of the first fraternal societies that provided sick and death benefits to their members at a time when insurance was not available to African Americans. The membership of the Society was diverse, consisting of men in various professions.

Preeminent early members of the Society include William Hamilton, said to be a descendant of Alexander Hamilton; Cato Alexander, keeper of an inn near Shot Tower (now 23rd St. and 3rd Ave.); Philip Bell, editor and publisher of The colored American; and Abraham Lawrence, president of the Harlem Railroad.

The Society owned buildings at 42 Baxter (Orange) St., 27 Greenwich Ave., and 41 West 66th St.

Sometime around 1922, two related societies were formed, named after past presidents of the Society. They were: the William Hamilton Society and the Eato Aid Society. Financial documents indicate that after a certain time a third of a member's mortuary benefits were paid out from each of the related societies.