In response to the growing number of secret societies, James McCosh stated his position on the matter: Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 212, Folder 22. It appears to imply that the secret handshake of the society will grant its members access to the heavens. ” This image is found on the inside cover of the Sigma Psi Catalogue, 1856. In “ Masonic Lodge Built on Proud Foundation,” an unnamed author writes, “Through our West Gate have come the professor and the mechanic, the student and the clerk, who traveled side by side seeking the great light of Masonry. Several students belonged to Masonic orders throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Princeton’s Masonic Lodge was established in 1765, with Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon both members. The Masons are the oldest, most widespread, male-only organization in the world. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 212, Folder 2.Īlso, Mercer Hall, the only public hall in Princeton at the time, was home of several Masonic lodge rooms until the fire of 1874. Mourning badge for Phi Kappa Sigma, 1863. And, much to the chagrin of faculty, the Class of 1864 wore their secret society badges immediately after graduation. The Greek secret society rosters list hundreds of student members. Though there is evidence of students being disciplined for participating in secret societies, there is also evidence that not every society member was caught. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 212, Folder 12. 1858 membership list for Phi Kappa Sigma. Betts’ name is listed in the 1858 member roster of the organization with an asterisk next to it, probably indicating his death. It is probable that the badge Betts was caught wearing was one from Phi Kappa Sigma. Office of the Dean of the Faculty Records (AC118), Volume 6.Ī letter from 1912 found in his alumni file suggests that after Betts was dismissed in 1855, he might have gone to Nicaragua, where he was eventually killed. One student found to be wearing a badge of a secret society, Samuel Betts, Class of 1856, was “in the pursuance of the Order of the Board of Trustees, dismissed from college.” Selection from the Minutes of the Faculty of the College of New Jersey, October 1, 1855. However early they were discovered, students and faculty were in constant debate about the impact of these societies, with the faculty eventually vowing disciplinary action to those involved in them. Historical Subject Files (AC109), Box 212, Folder 18. Student pledge to withdraw from all secret societies except the American Whig and Cliosophic Societies and not to join any other secret society while students at Princeton, November 17, 1832. However, the Princeton University archives contain written letters from students to faculty, pledging to resign from secret societies that date back to 1832. The presence of secret societies was not fully made known until around 1852, with the rise of Greek life on campus. These secret societies ultimately changed social life at Princeton, and sparked a debate about whether or not the school should discourage them. Others, however, were more underground and became closely-kept secrets. Many of them were well-known among students and faculty alike. As time passed, though, more and more alternatives to these two clubs began to emerge. In the 1760s, these two clubs were the biggest part of social life at the college, and students usually joined one or the other. The two societies merged in 1928 and is now known as Whig-Clio. These were “the well-meaning club” and “the plain-dealing club,” which eventually evolved into the Whig and Cliosophic societies that we still recognize today. A couple of decades after The College of New Jersey (which became Princeton University in 1896) was first established, there were only two known social clubs in existence at the school.
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