sentences:  On March 17, 1784, a group of New York City's Irish officers who had served in the Continental Army formed the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in the City of New York.Its founder and first president was Daniel McCormick, a merchant who was one of the first directors of the Bank of New York.Branches of the Society have also been founded in cities such as Cincinnati, Detroit, Providence, San Diego, and Spokane.