1812The Female Reading Society was organized.People and Communities, Local Organizations, Women's History

The society held its first meeting on March 11, 1812, and was attended by Sarah Smith, Mary Phelps, Nancy Cutein, Lucy Coffin, Hannah Whittemore, and Abigail Parran “for the purpose of forming a religious charitable society.” During their regular meetings, all the members worked on sewing garments for the poor, except one, who read aloud to the others. They received so many book donations that they appointed a librarian.