THE STANDARD ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE ALCOHOL PROBLEM, vol. 3, p. 1292,
reports that the Independent Order of Good Samaritans and Daughters of
Samaria was founded in New York city in February 1847.  At first it was a
male-only order, but in its second year it began to admit women.  It also
became the first fraternal society in the United States, according to
SEAP, to admit African Americans to membership.  It was believed at the
time to have a larger proportion of reformed drunkards in its membership
than any other temperance order.  It included a juvenile branch.  Its
membership was reported in 1876 as about 11,000.

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Jack Blocker
History, Huron College, University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario N6G 1H3 Canada
(519) 438-7224, ext. 249 /Fax (519) 438-3938