KENTUCKY BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES
UNION BENEVOLENT
SOCIETY
In the 1840s and 50s, many southern states particularly close to the northern border began forming benevolent societies, including Kentucky.
Colored People's Union No. 1 and No. 2Lexington's African Cemetery No. 2 were each formed in 1843 and 1852 respectively, and were amongst some of the most renowned organizations of its kind in the south. These societies, like their northern counterparts, were create to disseminate, support and sustain moral principles, and to foster and encourage civilization. Mentioned on the Early Inceptions page, a primary roles of early black benevolent societies was to assume responsibility of the burial process of its members and provide financial assistance to widowed families. While many whites actually (financially) supported the group but were unaware that the Union Benevolent Society encourage education amongst free and enslaved blacks and actively participated in the Underground Railroad. During the latter part of the century, the Union Benevolent Society continued its support of the black community, organizing the cities first major black convention in 1866 and purchasing land to form . (Kentucky African American Encyclopedia) Lexington's own
Cemetery No. 2
The United Brothers of Friendship,organized in 1861 in Louisville, Ky., had both freemen and slave members. Its founders, Marshall W. Taylor, William N. Hazleton, Wallace Jones, W. H. Lawson, Benjamin Carter, Charles Coates, W. T. Lewis, and Charles B. Morgan established the association to care for the sick, bury the dead. According to their records, U.B.F. worked diligently to serve the black community and moved toward solving the " Negro Problem" using education, wealth, moral and Christian influence. After 10 years, the society slowly extended to other parts of the commonwealth and a Grand Lodge was formed. Important to note, all grand lodge officer positions and delegates were reserved for males only. In 1875, as membership spread to neighboring States, The United Brothers numbered about 4,000 in 1878 and100,000 in 1892 throughout nineteen States and two territories. There were 30,000 members in Kentucky alone with notable populations in Missouri, Texas, and Arkansas, Ohio, Louisiana, Iowa, Alabama, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, West Virginia and Virginia. Temples of Sisters of the Mysterious Ten, the women's auxiliary, were established by the National Grand Lodge at Louisville, in 1818. Membership for the S.M.T. was open to women ages 16 to 50. (Notable Kentuckian African American Database)
UNITED BROTHERS OF FRIENSHIP
OTHER NOTABLE SOCIETIES
