SONS OF LIBERTY. In American history, a name applied to an organization extending throughout all the colonies, opposing first the Stamp Act, and afterwards advocating separation from Great Britain. When the Stamp Act (q.v.) was proposed in 1764. loose secret organizations, chiefly of workingmen. were formed in the various colonies to concert resistance. Col. Isaac Barre (q.v.) in a speech in Parliament in February, 1765, used the phrase 'Sons of Liberty,' which was at once adopted by these societies. With the passage of the Stamp Act they took the lead in opposition to its enforcement, and prevented its execution by force. Committees of correspond ence were formed and each colony was kept in touch with the sentiment in the others. Though there was no central organization, the activity of John Lamb (q.v.), Isaac Sears (q.v.). and others in New• York made the Sons of Liberty in that colony perhaps more important than in any other. With the repeal of the Stamp Act. in 1766, the or ganization was dissolved in some towns, hut in others was active in supporting the Non-Importa tion Agreement. As sentiment favoring entire
separation grew in strength. the secrecy was dis carded, and the name was given to the younger and more active patriots. In New York they con trolled the Committee of Safety. and in 1774 the calling of a Continental Congress was, in part, due to them. In Georgia they were called Liberty Boys, and finally drove the royal Governor from the State. In colonies where there was a large Loyalist element the organization was efficient in preserving American supremacy, and was kept up during the Revolution. Afterwards many of the leaders were prominent Anti-Federalists and opposed the adoption of the Constitution. The name was also applied during the Civil War to the Knights of the Golden Circle (q.v.). Con suit: Leake, Life of Gen. John Lamb (Albany, 1850) ; and Dawson, Sons of Liberty in New York (Poughkeepsie, 1859).