General Society of the War of 1812

GENERAL SOCIETY OF THE WAR OF 1812 -  The General Society of the War of 1812 is a genealogical society that was founded in 1894 as an umbrella organization for several existing societies for descendants of veterans of the War of 1812.

Founded on September 14, 1814, the General Society War of 1812 traces its origins to the huge collection of American militia companies which were called to meet the British thrust at Baltimore following the occupation of the National Capital.  Many of these separate state organizations came together forty years after the Battle of New Orleans to lobby for land grants and other benefits for the veterans. "On January 9, 1854, (a day after the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans), a group of over 1,500 War of 1812 veterans from across the United States met in convention in Congress Hall in Philadelphia, having responded to a call issued by Joel Barlow Sutherland (1792-1861), an 1812 veteran and former Congressman from Philadelphia. Ostensibly called to draft resolutions pertaining to bounty land benefit legislation, the veterans assembled in Philadelphia acknowledged the need for an organization for mutual support and to perpetuate the history of the War of 1812.  From this convention, the Society of the War of 1812 was founded and Sutherland was elected its first President."

Any male person above the age of twenty-one years, who participated in, or who is a lineal descendant of one who served during the War of 1812, in the army, navy, revenue-marine, or privateer service of the United States, offering proof thereof satisfactory to the State Society to which he may make application for membership, and who is of good moral character and reputation, may become a member of this Society when approved of by said State Society, under such regulations as it may make for passing upon applications for membership.  Women may apply to the United States Daughters of 1812.