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 Charitable Marine Society of Baltimore 

The Charitable Marine Society of Baltimore was organized by Baltimore shipmasters at John Baker’s Tavern in Fells Point on the 26th day of June in 1796. The object of the association was to provide relief to the distressed widows and orphans of its members and for other laudable purposes. The Society was incorporated by the Legislature of Maryland in December 1796 with Captain Thomas Elliott of Fells Point serving as the first president and Levin Hall as the first secretary.

Charitable Marine Society is one of Baltimore’s oldest charitable institutions as well as one of the oldest charities in America. Throughout its history, aid to widows and orphans as well as to other charitable causes was made possible by prudent investments, numerous legacies, and generous donations from persons and organizations interested in the work of the Society.

Charitable Marine Society has numbered among its members many of Baltimore’s most esteemed shipmasters, pilots, merchants and others amounting to more than 800 since its founding in 1796. Some of the more notable persons from Baltimore’s historic maritime and mercantile past that were members of the Society included Captain John O’Donnell of the famed East India Company and founder of Canton, William Patterson – incorporator of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, James Calhoun, George Stiles, John Smith Hollins, Edward Johnson and James O. Law – Mayors of Baltimore, Captain Thomas Boyle – blockade runner during the War of 1812, George Brown – shipping merchant and son of Alexander Brown, Captain Jacob W. Hugg – ship owner engaged in the South American coffee trade, Captain William H. Conkling – venerable Baltimore shipmaster and owner, Captains Henry Vaughan and John S. Hebb, founders and presidents of the Association of Maryland Pilots, George Peabody – philanthropist, and Arunah S. Abel – Baltimore Sun founder.

Today, the Charitable Marine Society's membership is composed of persons associated with the maritime industry, the law profession, government, and private business. The Society is guided by a Board of Managers who are elected by the membership annually and who serve voluntarily without remuneration to carry out the Society’s mission. Charitable Marine Society supports those individuals and organizations that are dedicated to historical preservation, environmental protection and educational excellence.