Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order records

1791-1898, 1916 D

The Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order, was a fraternal, patriotic and benevolent society founded in New York City in 1786. It was officially organized under a constitution in 1789. From its inception the Society associated itself with democratic principles and the republican form of government established by the American Revolution. The Society played an instrumental role in the development of the Democratic Party in New York during the 19th century, and the name of its meeting place, Tammany Hall, became synonymous with Democratic machine politics in the City. The Society's members influenced local, state and national Party politics into the mid-20th century.

Saint Tammany societies began their existence in the 18th century as social clubs in the American colonies, notably in Pennsylvania, and flourished during the Revolutionary era in association with the American cause. Tammany, or Tamanend, was a Delaware Indian chief and contemporary of William Penn, who later acquired the role of patron saint of America in popular culture.

In its 1789 constitution the Saint Tammany society in New York City identified itself as "Saint Tammany's Society, or Columbian Order," thus acknowledging two patrons: Tammany and Christopher Columbus. The name was changed shortly thereafter to "Tammany Society, or Columbian Order." The Society was incorporated in New York State in 1805 as a charitable organization under the name "The Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order, in the City of New York," the form used in later constitutions. The names "Tammany Society, or the Columbian Order" and the "Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order" were both in common use. The Society established itself as the head of a national order, issuing "dispensations" for the creation of other societies of the same name within New York State and for the main society in other states, including Pennsylvania. These in turn were empowered to establish societies within their own states.

The choice of patrons emphasized the American identity of the Society, which initially required native birth for its officers in contrast to fraternal societies associated with European heritage, such as Saint Andrew's Society, St. George's Society, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Like other Tammany societies, it modeled its organizational structure and culture on an amalgam of Native American and national traditions. Its meeting place was the Wigwam, and its membership was divided into thirteen tribes representing the original thirteen states, led by Sachems. The Grand Sachem was elected annually as its head. William Mooney, its first Grand Sachem, and John Pintard, a wealthy merchant and its first Sagamore, or master of ceremonies, figured prominently in the Society's foundational years.

Early meetings were held in rented spaces at local taverns until the Society acquired property and built Tammany Hall, at the corner of Nassau and Frankfort Streets. Commemorative anniversaries, celebrated with great fanfare, included Washington's birthday (February 22), Tammany's feast day and the Society’s founding (May 12), American Independence (July 4), Columbus's birthday (October 12), and the British evacuation of New York in 1783 (November 25), later joined by the Battle of New Orleans (January 8). In 1790, due to the influence of John Pintard, the Society established a museum with a library and American artifacts; its holdings were eventually dispersed. Early charitable work focused on making donations to the widows and children of deceased members.

In addition to the patriotic fellowship of its meetings and celebrations, the Society made great efforts to inter and honor the remains of the Revolutionary prisoners who died on board the Jersey and other British prison ships at Wallabout Bay in Brooklyn. During the War of 1812 members volunteered to strengthen the fortifications at Brooklyn Heights.

The Society played an instrumental role in the development of the Democratic Party during the 19th century. The Society's anti-Federalist alignment was fully established by the U.S. presidential election of 1800, although it was officially a non-partisan organization. Membership in the years represented in these records included men from all walks of life who espoused republican principles, such as laborers, artisans, attorneys, doctors, merchants, prominent politicians, and members of old New York families.

Although the Society and the Party organization in New York County were distinct entities, they were connected by powerful political and social fellowship. Tammany Hall was used by both the Society and Democratic political organizations and their memberships were highly integrated. Tammany's influence grew as it assisted the City's many immigrants with jobs, housing and citizenship, gaining their voting loyalty in the process. The name Tammany Hall, or simply Tammany, became synonymous with Democratic machine politics in New York, exemplified by the corrupt practices of William M. "Boss" Tweed. In spite of reform efforts, Tammany dominated City affairs by its hold on political patronage and the vote, and it was a powerful force in local, state and national Democratic politics into the mid-20th century.

The decline of Tammany's power has been attributed to several factors, including the election of mayoral candidates backed by reform movements, notably Fiorello La Guardia in 1934; changes in the City's demographics and social welfare policies; regulation of elections and political parties; and the growth of community-based Democratic Party organizations in the City. During its brief renaissance under the leadership of local politician and Grand Sachem Carmine de Sapio in the 1950s, Tammany again fell into disrepute, leading to the apparent demise of the Society in the early 1960s.