The Widows' Society in Boston was founded in 1816 by Mehitable (Mrs. Jonathan) Amory, with a sum of eight hundred and fifty dollars and sixty three cents, and incorporated on June 12, 1828. The purpose of the Society was to aid "poor, infirm, aged widows and single women of good character". The Society elected Vistitors, who were each assigned a group of beneficiaries to call on and disburse cash to, at least twice every three months. The Visitors also submitted names and addresses of potential beneficiaries to the Board for approval at the quarterly meetings. Occasionally, the Society would sell craft items (knitting, needlework, etc.) which the elderly women had made, returning all the money to them. The Society was funded by memberships, donations, legacies, and other gifts as well as interest income from savings, stocks, and bonds. In the early 1890's an "emergency fund" was established to provide beneficiaries with lump sums of money in times of need. Other organizations which contributed funds to the Society include the Austin Fund and the Society of Bible Readers.
From the description of The Widows' Society in Boston papers [electronic resource]. (Simmons College). WorldCat record id: 48592370
