The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves

This drawing appears on all membership certificates of the Society.

The Society in Dedham for Apprehending Horse Thieves is one of the "oldest continually existing horse thief apprehending organization in the United States, and one of Dedham's most venerable social organizations."[1][2][3] Since its founding there have been more than 10,000 members including heads of state, Supreme Court justices, governors, popes, professors, generals, and other notables.[4][5]

At one time membership of the "ancient and well known society"[6] was limited to "the pillars of society" and the "very flower and pick of the vigor, manhood and rising youth of the vicinity."[7] It has also been said that "for sheer whimsy, the Society... is without peer."[4] Today it is a tax exempt non-profit social organization[8] that continues to meet "just in case."[9]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference SocietyWeb was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference what was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference oldest was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference globe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference MacDonald was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference both was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference selected was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference tax was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Savings was invoked but never defined (see the help page).