Mailing Address:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Library
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424

Phone:
(843) 953-8016

Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Title: German Friendly Society Records

Collection #: 0019

Dates: 1766-1940

Size: 2 boxes (0.75 linear feet)

Biographical Note: The German Friendly Society, a social and benevolent organization, was founded in Charleston, South Carolina in 1766 by Michael Kalteisen. After petitioning the South Carolina legislature, the society was incorporated in 1791. The society issued stock and made charitable contributions.

Scope and Content Note: Typescript copies (1935-1940) of minutes (1766-1858) beginning with "Finished Minutes" of the German Friendly Society, Volume I (1766-1787) and a set of copies [Rough Minutes?] for 1778-1784. Typescripts also includes Volume III (1803-1814) and a set of copies [Rough Minutes?] for 1805-1808, Volume IV (1814-1823), Finished Minutes Volume V (1823-1828), Volume VI (1828-1833), and Volume IX (1848- 1858) transcribed by various individuals for a W.P.A. project.

Minutes include lists of the names of members attending each meeting, the names of officers and committee members, treasurer's reports, exchanges of stock certificates, lists of the Society's assets (stocks, bonds, real estate, school fund), and other related notes. Included is an inventory of the contents of the Society's lot and building (1817 March 12). Entries note the creation of the Society School (1802), the opening of a female school (1829), and the creation of a library and a museum (ca. 1829).

Subject Headings:

German Friendly Society (Charleston, S.C.) -- Records and correspondence.
Fraternal organizations -- South Carolina -- Charleston.
German Americans -- South Carolina -- Charleston -- Societies, etc.
South Carolina -- History -- 1865-

Inventory:

Minutes Box/Folder

Jan. 15, 1766 - Jan. 17, 1787 1/1

Apr. 15, 1778 - Apr. 14, 1784 1/2

Jan. 19, 1803 - Jan. 19, 1814 1/3

Nov. 13, 1805 - Nov. 2, 1808, Duplicates 1/4

Jan. 26, 1814 - Jan. 22, 1823 1/5

Jan. 29, 1823 - July 2, 1828 1/6

Aug. 6, 1828 - Sept. 25, 1833 2/1

Jan. 19, 1848 - Jan. 13, 1858 2/2