Guide to the Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.) records, 1867-1960

Descriptive Summary

Creator Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.)
Title Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.) records
Dates 1867-1896,
Dates 1957-1960
Identification CC 33
Quantity 0.5 linear feet (1 manuscript box)
Collection Abstract This collection documents the Scots' Charitable Society in the latter half of the 19th century and in the late 1950s, and is arranged by genre. Annual reports from the late 1950s list officers' and financial reports. Programs/banquets documents detail the 300th anniversary celebration in the late 1950s. Materials related to the Society's constitution and by-laws date from the 19th and 20th centuries, but also include extracts of material that document the Society in the late 17th and 18th centuries. These materials include member lists, meeting locations, and information regarding the Women's Auxiliary Board.
Historical Abstract The Scots' Charitable Society of Boston, Mass., was instituted in 1657. It provided charitable aid to individuals and families of Scottish descent. Aid included rent, food, fuel, clothing, money, shelter, transportation costs, information, and advice. The Society also operated a Women's Auxiliary Board.
Language Material in English.
Location Collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Archives staff for more information.

Information for Users

Access Restrictions

Collection is open.

Copyright Notice

Copyright for materials resides with the creators of the items in question, unless otherwise designated.

Publishing Permission

Please contact the College Archivist with requests to publish any material from the collection.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item: description and date], Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.) records, CC 33, Simmons College Archives, Boston, MA, USA.

Acquisitions Information

Transferred from the Simmons College School of Social Work Library, 1991

Accession number: 2003.034

Processing Information

Processed by Molly Tierney, May 2003

Supervised by Jason Wood

This collection guide was encoded as part of the LEADS project by Arthur Liu, November 2012


Organizational History

As one of the first charitable societies in the United States, the Scots' Charitable Society was instituted in 1657. It was incorporated in 1786 under the state of Massachusetts. The organization's objective: to furnish relief to Scotchmen, immediate descendents and their families and to give them information and advice.(1) According to the Directory of the Charitable & Beneficent Organizations of Boston of 1880, the Scots' Charitable Society was considered as aid for foreigners, "Relieves, after investigation, worthy Scotch people or their families; gives rent, food, fuel, clothing, money; also information and advice. Shelter and aid are given at the Home, and the expense of transportation to friends in America or Scotland is sometimes paid. The Woman's Auxiliary Board distributes clothing, and aids the unfortunate in other ways. Permits for burial in their Mount Auburn Lot given by the Trustees of the Society.(2)

Notes:
1. The Constitution and By-Laws of the Scots' Charitable Society of Boston Cambridge: Press of John Wilson and Son, 1878, 12.
2. Directory of the Charitable & Beneficent Organizations of Boston Boston: A. Williams & Co., 1880, 31.

Collection Overview

This collection documents a charity society from the mid 19th century to the mid 20th century, with significant gaps in the early 20th century. The annual reports are from the late 1950s list officers' information; reports of the President, Secretary, and Treasurer; and financial reports. The Programs/Banquets series document the Society of the late 1950s and includes the program for the 300th anniversary of the Society. This program transcribes the speakers' speeches, lists attendees and events of the evening. The materials of the Constitution & By-Laws series includes: list of members and officers and extracts from the original records of the Society. The extracts reveal operations, activities, and participants of the Society in the late 17th century and early 18th century. Researchers might note of information including: Society's meetings and locations, chronological lists of members and officers from the origination, the Women's auxiliary board, Bi-centennial information, and the wills of certain members of the Society. The 1896 version of the Constitution & By-Laws note incorrect information of previous publications.


Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Charities -- Massachusetts -- History -- 19th century
Charities -- Massachusetts -- History -- 20th century
Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.)
Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.) -- By-laws
Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.) -- Centennial celebrations, etc.
Scots' Charitable Society (Boston, Mass.) -- Constitution
Scottish Americans -- Charities -- History -- 19th century
Scottish Americans -- Charities -- History -- 20th century
Scottish Americans -- Massachusetts -- History -- 19th century
Scottish Americans -- Massachusetts -- History -- 20th century

Collection Arrangement

Collection is arranged into three series:


Related Material


Detailed Description of the Collection

Series I: Annual reports, 1958-1960 (1 folder)

Box 1

  • Folder 1: 1958-1960

    Series II: Programs and banquets, 1957-1960 (1 folder)

    Box 1

    • Folder 2: 1957-1960

      Series III: Constitution & by-laws with extracts from the records, 1867-1896, 1958 (4 folders)

      Box 1

      • Folder 3: 1867, 1878
        • Folder 4: Microfilm, 1878
          • Folder 5: Extracts from the records, 1878, 1896
            • Folder 6: 1884, 1958