Salem Female Charitable Society
353 Essex Street
In July of 1801, after attending a conference on “Female Charities,”
several Salem women met to discuss the viability of forming such
an organization in their city that would be run by women, for women
and children. They determined that the “proper objects”
of their charitable work were “aged needy widows, and destitute
females who had known the comforts of better days. With these were
united such poor children as would be happy under the restraint
of virtue, and could be instructed for usefulness, with good hopes.
The aged females were to be relieved annually from a fund for that
purpose. The children were to be placed under the entire direction
of a Governess, who could instruct them in every thing adapted to
domestic usefulness, and who could encourage habits of industry,
economy, and sober life.”54
The Society’s first directors were Sarah Fisk, first directress;
Lucretia Osgood, second directress; Lydia Nichols (see S23),
treasurer; Abigail M. Dabney, secretary; managers included Sarah
Crowninshield, Sarah Dunlap, Hannah Hodges, Deborah Hovey, Euncie
Richardson, Hannah Robinson, Hannah Ropes, and Elizabeth White.
Their motto was “Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, And
though a late, a sure reward succeeds.” As the women were “impressed
with the influence upon all charitable and public associations,”
their meetings often featured sermons delivered by local clergy.55
In 1803, Reverend Thomas Barnard preached at their annual meeting,
applauded this sentiment, and went on to say, “Ye, my female
friends, feel her Spirit! In all the forms of society ye make your
publick appearance: With your Directresses, Managers, and Members:
With your Governess, and the Children of your affectionate charge!
When ye first formed, I will confess to you, I, with many others
whose judgement I respected, felt averse to your society. We thought
Charity might be better ordered. But upon a deliberate view of your
Constitution, I change my opinion.”56
The reverend went on to praise the organization’s many successes
— including founding the “Asylum House” for orphans
(see S47).
Notes
54. By-laws of the Salem Female Charitable
Society, 1801.
55. Ibid.
56. Thomas Barnard, A Sermon Preached Before
the Salem Female Charitable Society in the First Church of Salem,
July 6th, 1803 (Salem, Mass., 1803), 18.
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