AREA HISTORY:  Society of Social Friends of Lewisberry, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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THE SOCIETY OF SOCIAL FRIENDS, Page 637

The Society of Social Friends. – This was the name of a lyceum formed in the 
year 1827.  Its members were composed of the most intelligent young men and old 
men of the town and neighborhood, for many miles in circumference.  The records 
of this society are still preserved, containing the names of the members and the 
topics discussed in debate.  It continued as an organization for twenty or 
thirty years.  Among the names we found the following: Dr. Robert Nebinger, Col. 
John Rankin, Col. John Steel, Capt. John Thompson, Hon. David Fleming (now of 
Harrisburg), Jacob Kirk (the first county superintendent), Joseph Wickersham, 
Herman Kirk, Elijah Garretson, John Eppley, Joseph Foster, Hervey Hammond, Jesse 
Meredith, Joseph Nichols, William Hammond and Jesse Kirk.  This being an 
abolitionist community before the civil war, the question: “Is slavery a curse 
to humanity?” several times caused spirited debate.  “Should the United States 
encourage protection to home industries?” was another lively topic discussed 
during the Clay campaigns.  It was, without doubt, a literary society that 
enlightened the community.