Tallmadge Day Stated Meeting and Optional Dinner

Every January, SRNY commemorates the birthday of Frederick Samuel Tallmadge, whose generosity enabled the Society to acquire Fraunces Tavern in 1904.

Frederick Samuel Tallmadge (1824–1904) was a New York City lawyer and member of many clubs and societies including the Union Club, the New-York Historical Society, and the Order of the Cincinnati. Tallmadge gave twenty years of faithful service to the Sons of the Revolution as the Society’s second president. His ancestors included Colonel William Floyd (1734–1821), a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge (1754 –1835), best known for his leadership of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolutionary War.

Tallmadge was interested in seeing the Society purchase a building for its headquarters.  A property on 55th Street was bought in 1901, and the Morris-Jumel Mansion was considered, but Tallmadge had his eye on Fraunces Tavern. After years of negotiating with the building’s owner, an offer was made and accepted in 1904.  On his deathbed Tallmadge signed the contract for the purchase of Fraunces Tavern, his last official act. 

In his will, Tallmadge left the Society his valuable library and many Revolutionary War relics as well as his home at No.23 Gramercy Park. Tallmadge’s sister and residuary legatee Mrs. Mary Seymour allowed the property to be sold in order to pay the debt incurred in the purchase of Fraunces Tavern.  In return she requested that Fraunces Tavern be made a memorial to her brother who so wanted the Society to own the building. Albert Weinert, a sculptor well known for his Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument in Chicago and ornaments in the Library of Congress, was hired to design a plaque.  The tablet placed on the exterior of Fraunces Tavern designates it the Frederick Samuel Tallmadge memorial.

The Board of Managers of Sons of the Revolution℠ in the State of New York, Inc. celebrate his birthday (January 24th) annually in commemoration of his long service and generous gifts.