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TABLE OF CONTENTSInventory |
Guide to the Grand Army of the Republic, Jamaica Post No. 368 Alfred M. Wood Post Records
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Descriptive Summary | ||
| Creator | Grand Army of the Republic. Alfred M. Wood Post No. 368 (Jamaica, New York, N.Y.) | |
| Title | Grand Army of the Republic, Jamaica Post No. 368 Alfred M. Wood Post Records, | |
| Dates: | 1889-1956 | |
| Abstract: | The collection consists of approximately 350 to items, of these about 50 being miscellaneous newspaper clippings. Also Included are a few photographs and some printed items such as small booklets or sheets. The collection is arranged into eighteen series. | |
| Extent: | 4 boxes, 2.3 cubic feet | |
| Identification: | G-12 | |
| Location: | The material is located in the Archives at Queens Library. | |
Historical/Biographical Note
The Jamaica Post No. 368 of the Grand Army of the Republic was formed in 1889, and probably chartered that same year. The Post was also known as the Alfred M. Wood Post. A booklet issued May 1, 1890 containing the By-Laws of the Post is among the items in this collection, said by-laws explaining in detail various rules and regulations. There were about two dozen chartered members, but no membership figures are known for other years, but it is doubtful if it ever was very great. The exact time when the Post ceased to officially function is not known, but it was probably during the late 1940s or early 1950s, when, of course, with the great passage of time, all veterans of the Civil War had died.
As with most other posts of this nature, one of the highlights of the year was the celebration of Memorial Day in May when tribute to the memory of fallen military men was paid. There were also other concerns, of course, many of these probably being centered around the welfare of members, that is, the paying out of death benefits and similar.
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Scope and Content Note
The collection, unfortunately, is not a large one, and perhaps uneven. It can only give an indication of what the activities of the Post were for only a partial period of its existence. It lacks most of the internal records, that is, membership cards carrying full particulars about each member, as well as most of its general correspondence.
The collection consists of approximately 350 to items, of these about 50 being miscellaneous newspaper clippings. Also Included are a few photographs and some printed items such as small booklets or sheets. The collection is arranged into eighteen series.
Though some membership applications, minutes of meetings and similar type fundamental records are found, no one series appears to be a complete one, and many gaps exist. The records are essentially those which one officer of the organization, Arthur Lowe, had gathered together and saved while serving his term of office. The earlier dated records were those which he probably inherited when he assumed office. Each series will be described more fully below. Mr. Lowe held office during the latter period of the organization’s life, that is, from about the mid 1930’s to disbandment.
Incorporation Documents - Herein are found the following items:
By-Laws of Jamaica Post No. 368 Department of New York G.A.B. Dated Jamaica, Long Island, May 1, 1890. This item is in proof-sheet form, bearing many hand-written corrections. It consists of title page and six sheets.
List of Charter Members, Jamaica Post No. 368, G.A.R. This is handwritten list and contains twenty-five names. Dated Oct 5, 1889
Printed notice dated Jamaica, L.I., July 16, 1889 inviting veterans to a meeting being called for "forming a Post of the G.A.R.". The verso contains a hand written note (9 lines) pertaining to another similar meeting. It is signed by the chairman, John Fleming, and the secretary, Walter Mac Smith.
A.L.S. of the secretary, Walter M. Smith to the Adjutant General of the G.A.R. of New York State, dated Aug 26, 1889 enclosing "application for Charter for Post G.A.R. with headquarters in the village of Jamaica, Queens County, N.Y."
A.L.S. from (J. Smith?) to Commander John Fleming enclosing "the ‘copy' of the By-Laws of the 'Post’ which were adopted at the last encampment." Dated Apr 28, 1890
Charter granted to the Post and signed by the Department Commander and Assistant Adjutant General, dated Sep 21, 1889. The names of twenty charter members are listed ca. 16x20" (Oversized)
As part of this series, there are also found eight other items which date back to the very earliest days of the post's existence (one, a committee report regarding the celebrating of Memorial Day is undated, but appears to be from the early period). These consist of some rough minutes, and some reports, all handwritten and dated 1889, 1890, and 1897
See also Series, Printed Items for printed by-laws and other items which possibly were used during very early period of incorporation such as, for example, the small cards bearing instructions for Induction ceremonies.
Minutes Volumes (including related) - There are four volumes in this series.
Volume marked as being No. 1 is titled Post Orders and Resolutions and Adjutant's Book of Minutes. A note inside front cover states "Charter granted Sep 21st, 1889". Minutes begin with first meeting which was held in the Town Hall on Oct 12, 1889. Last is for Sep 25, 1894.
Similar to the preceding volume and marked as being No.2, Oct 9, 1894 to Oct 3, 1901. All minutes apparently maintained by an adjutant.
This book is extremely fragmentary. This time Lowe is the adjutant. Period covered is Feb 2, 1927-May 4, 1931. An additional page dated Apr 26, 194? apparently indicates that Lowe was County Treasurer of the G.A.R. He was ill at this time. (Not this but one of the books had at least one page torn)
Small volume though fairly a full one which contains the minutes of regular meetings of the Memorial and Executive Committee, Queens County, G.A.R. (could this be a different group?) May 14, 1921-May 3, 1930.
Membership Applications - This file contains 59 applications all of uniform nature. Besides name and address (name of village only) the following information also given: age, place of birth, occupation, and Information regarding service in the War such as name of regiment and length of service. Applications are signed by a "Comrade of the Post", this is, the individual recommending the application and members of the Examining Committee. Dates of the applications are apparently all in the 1890s.
Membership Roll Volume - Volume practically empty. 120 names are contained giving signatures, residence (by village only for the most part) and date. Dated 1889-1926, though relatively few for later dates.
Transfer Cards - Certificates from a number of posts issued to members who were transferring from these posts to presumably the Alfred M. Wood Post. These certificates or cards as they were called are basically of the same size and are primary 1889-1890, with a few dated for the years 1891, 1892, 1893, 1895, 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1906, 1912, 1914 and 1916.
Account Book - Ledger (account book) for period ca. 1889-1908. Contains an index. Entries are very brief. Also a very full book.
Death Volume - This volume is actually an account book in format but was utilized to list the deaths of members. All names are in alphabetical order. Information provided includes unit in which individual served and length of service; rank; and death date and place of burial. However, not all names have all this information.
Disability Pension Certificates - Seven pension certificates (dated in the l890s plus one 1912) issued by the United States Secretary of the Interior to various veterans or their widows. Information given includes rank and regiment in which served, Injury involved and amount of pension.
Miscellaneous Certificates - Two of these are Certificates of Service which give both entry and discharge dates of veterans (dated 1890 and 1901). Another item is an Honorable Discharge from the United States Navy, dated 1891. Three certificates dated in the l860fs, the other two in 1909 and 1912. ca. 8 items
Report of Adjutant and Quartermaster - These reports are in the form of printed long sheets and are dated from 1892 to 1917. For 1892 to 1894 they were labeled simply as Adjutant Reports, and format was slightly different. Essentially what these reports provide are a recapitulation of membership figures, said recapitulation giving number of members including figures of those mustered in during the period and those lost by death or transfer. Names of individuals mustered in or out are given, as well as some pertinent information regarding them. The verso of the form was used as well as a financial re port listing "Receipts”, "Disbursements”, "Report of Relief Fund" and "Value of Property. ca. 43 items
Arthur Lowe Correspondence - A small file of letters (overwhelming, letters received, with a very few copies of letters sent), for the most part dated 1939-1940, a few somewhat earlier or somewhat later. The majority of this file apparently deals with attempts by Mr. Lowe to compile a comprehensive list of all dead Civil War veterans, presumably of Queens County. The next somewhat sizable amount is dated 1928 and are typed carbon copies of letters sent, for the most part, by David Llewllyn, Post Commander to two or three individuals regarding the Memorial Day Parade. These carbons apparently retained by Lowe as secretary, ca. 40-50 items
As indicated, Mr. Lowe started sometime around 1939 to compile a comprehensive list of dead Civil War Veterans -at least those from Queens County. These lists are found in this file in various format, that is, typed, for the most part, but sometimes handwritten. Perhaps the handwritten ones were compiled by someone else years earlier, and then incorporated by Mr. Lowe. One interested in these lists should also consult the correspondence file since a few of these letters have names attached to them.
Miscellaneous Correspondence - Three letters dated 1912 and 1917 addressed to the Post during the time that Lowe was not an officer. One of them, encloses "specimens of notes issued by the Confederate States of America”. Also in this file are to be found about a dozen envelopes, some bearing post office cancellation dates ca. 1895 to 1918, addressed to the post or various officers. Whereabouts of the letters originally found in the envelopes is not known. Perhaps some may now be in the Miscellaneous Series, but this is by no means clear.
Printed Items - SERVICES FOR THE USE OP THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC by the G.A.R. Headquarters. Includes services to be used on such occasions as Memorial Day Exercises, Installation of Officers and Burial of the Dead. Two different copies, one published 1908 and one 1917, both 71 pages.
Ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic. Published by the G.A.R. Headquarters in 1913. 32 pages
By Laws of the Post. This was published at Jamaica on May 1, 1890 and consists of 18 pages. (7 copies)
Rules and Regulations and Rites of Order of the National Encampment. Pub by the G.A.R. Headquarters in 1890 (43 pages)
Three small cards on which are printed' what appear to be induction formulas. These are variously labeled as Senior Vice-Commander (2 copies), Junior Vice-Commander and Muster-In. Not dated but probably 1890s-1900. Also another slightly smaller card apparently listing the order in which various business of the Post should be taken.
A Broadside of the Gettysburg Address which bears at the bottom the caption -Presented by Alfred M. Wood Post No. 368, G.A.I. David Llewellyn, Patriotic Commander. (2 copies)
Leaflet titled Gettysburg pub by the U.S. Government in 1949 describing that National Park (3 copies)
Muster Boll of the Post (1 long sheet folded into small booklet form) for the year 1895. (11 copies)
Memorial Day Parade and Exercises. Leaflets listing the various units taking part in the parade, and other pertinent in formation. Available for 1918, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927 and undated.
Small cardboard music sheet bearing words and music of 3 religious and patriotic songs.
Poem titled "Bound to Save the Flag or Die", by H.O. Woodruff member of the post. Copyrighted 1896. Nine stanzas printed on sheet
General Orders No. 1, May 10, 192?. Sheet printed on both sides listing instructions for Memorial Day Parade and Observances. Issued from Headquarters of the G.A.R., Office of the Grand Marshal, Jamaica Town Hall
Roster of 50th and 15th Regiments, New York State Volunteer Engineers. Issued July 1894 by the Secretary, Sam B. Williams of Rochester, N.Y. 39 pages
Order No. 2 issued by the United War Veterans of Queens. One sheet folded into booklet form listing Instructions for Memorial Day Parade. Two different colors though format is the same. Undated, but perhaps 1953 since inserted into the order is a sheet containing the program for the 1953 Memorial Day Services of the United War Veterans of Queens, Inc.
Booklet of ten pages titled "Information For And Duties of Post Patriotic Instructors of the Grand Army of the Republic11, by John B. Lewis. Pub in Boston 1912.
Memorial Day Observance of the United War Veterans of Jamaica, 1928. One sheet folded into booklet form.
Broadside in color with some illustrations titled “TO THE MEN WHO SAVED THE UNION”. Undated
General Orders No.2 issued by the Citizen's General Committee Memorial Day Parade. Undated.
Small booklet titled VETERAN'S REFERENCE BOOK issued with the compliments of the New York Tribune in 1891.
Pamphlet published by the National Park Service titled “Abraham Lincoln From His Own Words and Contemporary Accounts”. 1956. 55 pages
Pamphlet titled “The. Picnic of 1898. Lest They Forget”, edited by Department Commander Ben Rosenberg, and issued by the Department of New York United Spanish War Veterans. 1940? 26 pages
Pamphlet titled “The Iliad of the Forgotten War”, by Maurice Herbert Cowan. Pub in 1940, reissued in 1948 55 pages
Book titled The Lost Battalion by "Buck Private" McCollura. Pub 1919, reissued 1929. 140 pages
Photographs - About half a dozen photographs or pictures, most of which are unidentified. Two are group pictures showing several veterans, and were probably taken in the 1920s or 1930s. Also included is a portrait painting (perhaps charcoal?) in poor condition of an unidentified man.
NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS and tear sheets - Some 50 to 60 newspaper clippings or tear sheets ail in one way or another carrying news of veterans, their activities and related subjects. They appear to be all from local newspapers and are dated ca. the 1920s to the 1950s.
Soldiers Monument Fund - The Post was involved in setting up a Fund to create a fitting memorial to servicemen who had served in the Civil War. There is little doubt that other individuals or groups were also involved, for eventually a "Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Association of Jamaica" was formed. This very fragmentary file consists of but a few items. Among these is a contemporary copy of the "original subscription list and of certain blanks used in the collection of the Fund May 22/94”, signed by John Fleming, the Commander of the Post. Also included is what may be the original list; and a Resolution (perhaps a draft?) regarding the removal of the Monument from its original Hillside Avenue location to a proposed one on Jamaica Avenue opposite the King Manor. These are probably all dated in the 1890s. Also as part of this file but concerning an entirely different monument -the Soldier's Monument in Flushing is a photograph of the 1866 cornerstone laying ceremonies and photocopies of a broadside issued in 1866 for the same occasion.
Miscellaneous Items - Among these are found some samples of stationery used by the Post; a listing of various committees to be appointed, probably for a Memorial Day Exercise; a 1919 broadside calling attention to a meeting of the Citizens’ General Committee; one or two items referring to other posts; manuscript titled “Lines Written for Flag Day, June 14, 1911” by George E. Tilley; very rough scribbled notes on the back of envelopes or note paper; and a manuscript of several pages listing a chronology, probably of some of the activities undertaken by the post during the 1890s, ca. 20-30 items
Non-Textual Items - A gravel, presumably used at meetings.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Creator of item, date of item (if known), identification of item, if a photograph its control number. The Grand Army of the Republic, Jamaica Post No. 368 Alfred M. Wood Post Records, Archives at Queens Library, Queens Borough Public Library.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions. Manuscripts are only available in the Archives at Queens Library, please call (718) 990-0770 for hours. Manuscript users will be required to complete the division's Manuscript Usage Form and deposit their photograph identification or Queens Borough Public Library card with a staff member. The identification will be returned to the user after she/he has returned the material. Manuscript users will deposit all their personal items behind the reference desk. Manuscript users must use the division's loose sheets of paper for note taking. To reiterate, no pen of any type is permitted. Paper and a pencil are available upon request. Manuscript users may be required to use special handling procedures depending on the conditions of the material.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
- Archives at Queens Library
- Queens Borough Public Library
- 89-11 Merrick Boulevard
- Jamaica, NY 11432
- Phone: (718) 990-0770.
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Access Points
Subject Organizations:
- Grand Army of the Republic. Alfred M. Wood Post No. 368 (Jamaica, New York, N.Y.)
Subject Places:
- Jamaica (New York, N.Y.)
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Inventory
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
