The Franklin Society
Founded in 1800 by influential men of Lexington (John Alexander, Andrew Alexander, Thomas L. Preston, John Leyburn), the society was originally named the “Belles Lettres.” They met weekly on Saturdays to gather and discuss different topics. Not much is known about the early society. However, in 1804 the name switched to the Union Society for unknown reasons. A formal constitution was written and offices of president, librarian, secretary, and treasurer created. Meetings were held every Saturday evening with fines for absences and disorderly behavior. In 1807, the name changed again to the Republican Society, but the constitution remained the same. The Republican Society was short-lived as it was soon renamed the Literary Society of Lexington in 1808.
In 1811, the name changed one last time to the Franklin Society. Not only did Benjamin Franklin publish the Pennsylvania Gazette and help found the University of Pennsylvania, but his name suggested, “usefulness, seriousness, intellectuality, and, above all, patriotism.” The name change provoked a statement of purpose at the beginning of the constitution, “We the members of the Franklin Society desirous to improve our minds, cultivate friendship, and promote the public good, do form ourselves into a permanent society for which we ordain and establish this constitution.” The Society continued accumulating members and petitioned the Virginia General Assembly for a charter of incorporation in 1815. On January 30, 1816, the Franklin Society and Library Company of Lexington was officially incorporated. This first meeting was held June 22, 1816 at Washington College. Samuel McDowell Reid was elected president under the new charter and constitution.
Early meetings were typically held in member’s homes while the small library was housed in Ruff’s hat shop. In 1826, the Hall Committee passed a motion to establish a building. The Franklin Society bought a lot on the corner of Jefferson and Nelson street. The intended price was $600 but the final price was well over that amount when the building was completed in 1829. The first major donation ($200) came from John “Jockey” Robinson. The Franklin Society covered the rest with initiation fees and stocks and by leasing part of the building. Franklin Hall was enlarged in 1855, plunging the society further into debt. Meetings were then held and the library housed in Franklin Hall. Under the care of librarian John Fuller, the library expanded dramatically. He visited the libraries at Washington College for inspiration and acquired a large array of books to supplement weekly debates.
The Franklin Society debated a variety of topics. Society members were consumed with lots of political questions.
Is not slavery a political and social evil to the south and north? (July 20, 1850)
Is it probable that Virginia will ever regain her former position among the States of the Union? (Nov. 9, 1850)
Would it be good policy for Virginia to adopt the system of public schools now in operation in the New England states? (April 2, 1853)
Has any state a right to secede from the Union? (July 22, 1854)
Religious questions were also relevant in the Scotch-Irish town.
Is Roman Catholicism compatible with a republican government? (May 17, 1851)
Is total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks a moral duty? (May 17, 1851)
Moral and Philosophical questions were also often the subject of debate.
Is language the vehicle of thought? (May 12, 1853)
Is the crusade against intemperance justifiable? (May 12, 1853)
Is thought independent of language? (May 12, 1853)
Despite the serious nature of the society, there was also a fair share of light discussions.
Does falling in love contract or enlarge a man’s heart? (1856)
Is it rational to pray for rain? (Nov. 30, 1872)
Are bachelors and old maids a nuisance to society? If they are, which is the greatest? (April 16, 1808)
The Civil War provided material source for new topics.
Was the seizure of Mason and Slidell by the United States Government an insult to the British Flag and contrary to the Laws of Nations? (Nov. 23, 1861)
Is it probable that the war will continue beyond this winter? (1862)
The Franklin Society heavily debated contemporary issues during the Reconstruction era.
Would the repudiation of the national debt be expedient? (1868)
Will the advantages secured to the US by her recent territorial purchases justify the national expenditure for the purchase? (1868)
Is it advisable for the Southern states to pay less attention to the cultivation of cotton and sugar, and more to manufactures and the production of corn, grain, and pork? (Nov. 26, 1870)
The Franklin Society briefly paused during the Civil War but reconvened after the war. The Franklin Society Library was the only library saved during the war because of their librarian, John Fuller, who barricaded the door to Franklin Hall (Preston 1866). Following the war, Fuller took it upon himself to “collect the books which had been taken by them from various libraries and scattered in the Town and country. I succeeded in collecting over six hundred volumes many of which were without known owners. I supposed our Society becomes the owner until called for and identified.” Membership skyrocketed after the war ended. New members included Governor John Letcher, Francis H. Smith, William Pendleton, and Robert E. Lee (honorary). Students from VMI and Washington College were encouraged to join and participate. In 1870, the charter was renewed and set to expire whenever the stockholders desired it.
The librarian of 46 years, John Fuller, died in 1876. Fuller was the biggest advocate of expanding the library and acquiring new books and his death marked the decline of the Franklin Society. The library upkeep waned and the weekly debates grew more unpopular and less frequent. The last question was debated on March 8, 1886. In 1887, Franklin Hall was leased to the YMCA. Books remained in the hall and the lease was surrendered in 1890. In 1891, the Franklin Society met and agreed to dissolve the society. Washington and Lee University agreed to pay off the Franklin Society’s debt in exchange for their library. Shareholders would still be allowed access to the books, which should be explicitly labeled. Washington and Lee University would also be expected to create an annual $300 Franklin Society Scholarship. Franklin Hall was later sold in 1909.