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men to 'establish their reputation as leaders in the 

 sphere in which they moved. Always thoroughly 

 loyal to their native land and its institutions, they have 

 proved good citizens in their adopted country, and 

 while not unmindful of their duties and responsibil- 

 ities to the poor and friendless of all nations, they 

 have recognized that " blood is thicker than water," 

 and have used their best energies in assisting their 

 fellow countrymen in distress, and in building up a 

 fund which should yield an assured and permanent 

 income for all time for the beneficent purposes of 

 this Society. 



GOLDSBOROUGH BANYER. 



Mr. Goldsborough Banyer was elected first Pres- 

 ident of the St. George's Society on January 23d, 

 1786. He was born in London in 1724, and came 

 to America about 1737. He was appointed Auditor 

 General in 1 746, and served as Deputy Clerk of the 

 Council for several years. In 1752 he was appointed 

 Register of the Court of Chancery, in 1753 Judge 

 of Probate, and in 1757 he was elected a Trustee of 

 the New York Society Library, holding that office 

 from 1757 to 1764, and again from 1771 to 1788. 

 He remained for several years in the public service, 

 until the termination of British rule, and in the year 

 1786 was elected to the Presidency of this Society, 

 until his removal to Brunswick, near Albany, during 



