The name of the central organization of the Democratic party in the City (formerly also in the State) of New York, located in Tammany Hall, in 14th Street, New York. In English use the name has become esp. associated with the political and municipal corruption which at various times has characterized the government of New York.
Tamanen, Tamene, Taminent, Taminy was the name of an Indian chief with whom W. Penn had transactions for land 1683 and 1697. Some time prior to 1771 the name became ‘canonized,’ and from 1772 for about twenty years ‘Saint’ (or ‘King’) Tamina, Tamany, Tammany (generally identified with the chief of Penn’s time) was regarded as the tutelar saint of Pennsylvania and other northern colonies or States, and the day assigned to him, May 1st (Old Style), May 12th (New Style), appropriated to popular celebrations, festive gatherings (often with some benevolent object), etc. From 1782 the name became associated with Societies established on a more or less permanent basis, of which that organized in New York is mentioned in 1787. The one which in 1790 is recorded as the ‘Society of St. Tammany’ and ‘the Sons of St. Tammany and Columbian Order,’ and which in its constitution is claimed to be ‘founded on the true principles of patriotism, and has for its motives charity and brotherly love,’ soon developed strong political activity, and by c. 1810 had become the head-quarters of the Democratic Party (then called the Republican Party) in the State and City of New York. (From notes supplied by Mr. A. Matthews, Boston, Mass.)
1683. in Pennsylv. Archives (1852), I. 62. I, Tamanen … for me and my heirs and assignes doe graunt and dispose of all my Lands Lying betwixt [etc.].
1683. Penn, Wks. (1782), IV. 305.
1771. W. Eddis, Lett. fr. Amer. (1792), 115. The Americans on this part of the continent have … a Saint … The first of May is … set apart to the memory of Saint Tamina.
1772. Pennsylv. Chron., 4 May, VI. 63/2. On Friday … a number of American Gentlemen, Sons of King Tammany, met at the House of Mr. Bryn, to celebrate the Memory of that truly noble Chieftain…. It is hoped … a Society may be formed of great Utility to the Distressed; as this meeting was more for the purpose of promoting Charity and Benevolence, than Mirth and Festivity. Ibid., 15 June, VI. 85/1. The Sons of St. George, St. Patrick, St. Andrew, St. David, and King (or Saint) Tamany.
1773. in Pennsylv. Mag. Hist. & Biogr. (1902), XXV. 446. The natives … have adopted a great warrior sachem and chief named Tammany … to be the tutelar Saint of this Province [Pennsylvania].
1779. New Jersey Jrnl., 4 May, in N. J. Archives, Ser. II. III. 310. Saturday last being the anniversary of St. Tamany, the titular St. of America.
1785. Washington, Diary, 2 May, in Pennsylv. Mag. (1893), XVIII. 412. Accepted an invitation to dine with the Sons of Saint Taminy [at Richmond, Virginia].
1797. New York Jrnl., 3 May, 3/1. Tuesday last, being St. Tammany’s Day (the Tutelar Saint of America) the St. Tammany Society of this City held their Anniversary Meeting, at the Wigwam at Halls. Ibid. (1790), 11 May, 3/3. To-morrow … the annual feast of St. Tammany will be celebrated by the Sons of St. Tammany and Columbian Order, at their wigwam on the banks of the Hudson.
1805. (title) An Act to incorporate the Society of Tammany, or Columbian Order, in the City of New York. Passed April 9, 1805.
1838. W. Irving, in Life & Lett. (1866), III. 126. Yesterday I had a full deputation from Tammany Hall … informing me that I had been … dominated as Mayor.
1850. Whittier, W. Leggett, Pr. Wks. 1889, II. 200. The democratic committee issued its bull against him from Tammany Hall.
b. attrib. and Comb., as Tammany-organization, -ring, -tariff, -ticket; Tammany-ridden adj.
1871. Harper’s Weekly, 11 Nov., XV. 1056. The Tammany Tiger Loose.—What are you going to do about it?
1872. O. W. Holmes, Poet Breakf.-t., vi. (1885), 155. The Tammany Ring … is to take the place of the feudal lord.
1872. Ruskin, Fors Clav., II. xiv. 10. A complete Tammany Ring and lowest circle in the Inferno of the Worst.
1887. J. Chamberlain, in Times (weekly ed.), 14 Oct., 3/1. I cannot accept as desirable … the degradation of the great city of Belfast and the province of Ulster to a Tammany ring in Dublin.
1894. Daily News, 5 July, 5/6. ‘The Tammany Tariff’ … appears to refer to the rates at which certain abuses and violations of the law have in that city been able to enjoy a practical immunity. Ibid. (1899), 29 May, 6/7. Even Tammany-ridden New York has made up its mind to construct a new underground system.
1901. Scotsman, 7. Nov., 4/2. His opponent … was backed by the immensely powerful Tammany organisation.
Hence (chiefly nonce-wds.) Tammanial a., of or belonging to (St.) Tammany; Tammanify, Tammanize, Tammany vbs., trans. to influence or dominate by, or as by, Tammany; whence Tammanied ppl. a., Tammanification, Tammanization; also Tammanyism, the system or principles of Tammany; Tammanyite, one who adopts the methods and principles of Tammany, an adherent of Tammany.
1791. J. Pintard, in Amer. Daily Reg. (N. Y.), 16 May. Before them was borne the cap of Liberty; after following seven hunters in Tammanial dress, then the great standard of the society.
1793. (May 15) in G. Meyers, Hist. Tammany Hall (1901), 10. At Tammanial Hall in Broad street.
1882. Tribune (N. Y.), 5 April. A resolution striking the names of the Tammanyites from the caucus roll.
1893. in Westm. Gaz., 1 Nov., 3/1. For a section of the Press to Tammany London in the interests of the contractors and themselves.
1898. Daily News, 28 March, 7/2. The charge brought against the Progressives of Tammanyfying London.
1899. Westm. Gaz., 14 Feb., 2/3. From all accounts Tammanied New York is anything but an ideal place in which to live.
1903. Daily Rec. & Mail, 11 Nov., 4/3. A charge of paving the way for Tammanyism.
1909. Sat. Rev., 24 April, 518/1. To prevent the Tammanisation of London.
