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  GRAPHIC MEDAL FROM THE PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA, 1876-1900
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GRAPHIC MEDAL FROM THE PATRIOTIC ORDER SONS OF AMERICA, 1876-1900:

The Patriotic Order Sons of America (P.O.S. of A.) is one of America's oldest patriotic and fraternal societies still in existence. It once had several hundred Camps (lodges) with several thousand members in the United States of America and its territories, but is now only found in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New Jersey and Louisiana. Its motto is "God, Our Country and Our Order."

The organization's predecessor had two separate parts for boys and men. The "Order of the Junior Sons of America", was open to American boys aged sixteen to twenty-one years of age. It was founded on December 10, 1847 in Philadelphia, PA, by Dr. Reynell Coates, a surgeon, scientist, statesman, naturalist, teacher, poet, lecturer and essayist. Coates wished to found a fraternity for American boys to serve as what he called a "High School of American Patriotism."

Upon turning twenty-one, their membership would be transferred to the "United Sons of America", the parent organization. While the parent organization, the United Sons of America, had dissolved in the 1850's, the Junior Sons of America continued on. Dr. Coates devised the Order on the Masonic lodge system, with local units called "Washington Camps," meeting around fraternal altars on which the Holy Bible was placed. Each Lodge was called "Washington Camp" a tradition started by Dr. Coates to honor the great "Father of Our Country," General George Washington.

When the American Civil War (1861-1865) broke out, the first Pennsylvania volunteer regiments were members of the Junior Sons of America. So many members volunteered that only one Camp in Pennsylvania remained active. Some camps enrolled into the Union Army as a whole, proving their loyalty and patriotic love of Flag and Country.

The Order disbanded and fell apart throughout the newly-formed Confederate States of America, and its Camps south of the Mason Dixon Line disappeared.

This badge was probably made between 1876 and 1900. Its two star images create one of the most interesting visual presentations I have ever seen on a 19th century medal.

Mounting: Stitched to 100% cotton rag mat and placed behind u.v. protective glass in a gilded molding that dates to the same period as the medal.
   
Primary Color: red, white, blue
Earliest Date: 1876
Latest Date: 1900
For Sale Status: Sold
Price sold
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