Dartmouth College. Society of Social Friends
The Society of Social Friends was established in 1783 as a literary society whose main purpose was to manage a student library. In 1786, a rival group, the United Fraternity, was formed by members seceding from the Society. Conflict between the two societies existed for many years and resulted in many records being destroyed prior to 1805. There was additional interference by the faculty of the College who sought more control over Society property. The Society library was also attacked in 1817 by faculty of the state-established Dartmouth University in an attempt to seize its books. After this tumultuous period, the literary societies on campus worked together to bring speakers to campus, including Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman, and, in 1874, the Society agreed to combine its library with those of other literary societies and place them within the College Library. Meetings of the Society become infrequent after the transfer of the library and cease altogether before the end of the 19th century. The Society reconvened in 1903 -1904 to dissolve the organization.
Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:
Dartmouth College, Society of Social Friends records
DO-2
Collection
Identifier: DO-2
Overview
Founded in 1783 as a literary society whose primary function was maintaining a student library, the Society of Social Friend's records comprise meeting minutes, correspondence, constitutions, financial documents, reports, library circulation records, diplomas, and bookplates. The Society was dissolved in 1904.
Elijah Parish letter
Mss 804167
Collection
Identifier: Mss 804167
Scope and Contents
Letter from Elajah Parish in Byfield, to Social Friends, regarding purchase of books through writer.
Sanco Panza proposal
Mss 804267
Collection
Identifier: Mss 804267
Scope and Contents
Letter from Sanco Panza at Dartmouth College to Social Friends in which he proposes a plan of prize declamations in Latin and Greek for promotion of college interest in these languages.
Social Friend and United Fraternity report
Mss 814590
Collection
Identifier: Mss 814590
Scope and Contents
Report of the Committee regarding membership.
Social Friends and United Fraternities amendment
Mss 815615.1
Collection
Identifier: Mss 815615.1
Overview
In English.
Social Friends and United Fraternity
Mss 799258.1
Collection
Identifier: Mss 799258.1
Scope and Contents
Social Friends and United Fraternity articles.
Social Friends and United Fraternity articles
Mss 799258
Collection
Identifier: Mss 799258
Scope and Contents
Social Friends and United Fraternity of Dartmouth College articles of Conferation with special reference to joint library.