 W2831 TO MRS. REV. THOMAS BAKER from a church treasurer, Thomas Askew,
Apr 28 1840
To: Mrs. Rev. Baker [Paris, Ontario]
From: Kingston, Ontario Madam,
In acknowledging the receipt of your note enclosing five dollars which the Rev. Mr. Baker has requested you to send to me in aid of the Friends of the St. George's Society of Kingston, I beg you will have the kindness to return him thanks in behalf of the society in whose prosperity he has ever taken so lively an interest and to accept the assurance of my personal respect & esteem.1
I am, Madam
Very Respectfully,
Norman Askew
Treasurer
1 The St. George's Society's "origins go back to 1834 when local newspapers reported that a group of loyal and enthusiastic citizens celebrated April 23, St. George's Day, with an elegant dinner at the British Coffee House, at King and York Streets, and decided to form the St. George's Society of Toronto.
Named after the patron saint of England, the society was founded as an immigrant aid organization and became famous in the city's early years, particularly in the 1800s and early part of the 1900s, for providing food, money and medical services for the city's poor and unfortunate.
It was started as a benevolent organization to help people of English origin but never limited itself in providing help to the needy. It offered help to anyone who qualified for assistance.
Over the years, some of the city's most influential and important leaders in politics, business, education, the arts and philanthropy, as well as many others, have been members.
Its membership today is open to men and women of all cultures who have an interest in getting together to further the English traditions that have helped Toronto become the enviable place it is in which to live.
http://stgeorges.to/html/about.htm
|
