Society Saturday - Descendants of Early Quakers

On Friday afternoon of Lineage Week, the National Society Descendants of Early Quakers has their annual tea.  This is a group of men and women who can trace their ancestry to a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) prior to 1835. 

Although the organization has no official ties with the Quaker religion, they do try to reflect some of its terminology and practices.  For example, they do not make motions or vote, but instead, "Agree in Unity".  The Officer titles are unique as well.  For example, there is a Presiding Clerk, a Recording Clerk, and a Keeper of the Common Fund.

The Presiding Clerk was Marlene Wilkinson.  She led the meeting through the reports of officers, an election, and a decision to make a charitable donation to Earlham College in Indiana (a Quaker school).

The program was given by Rick Hollis on "Cultivating Simplicity" and was very informative .

After the program, the officers for 2013-15 were installed by Past Presiding Clerk Carole Belcher.  The new National Presiding Clerk is David Stringfellow.

 

www.earlyquakers.org



Society Saturday - Daughters of American Colonists

National Society Daughters of American Colonists meets at the beginning of Lineage Week.  Due to other commitments I was only able to attend their Candlelight Supper on Tuesday evening.

This is a formal banquet with candle votives on the table, but there is more lighting in the room than just candlelight.  At the beginning of the banquet, there is a candle lighting ceremony.  Three candles are lit:

• The first represents the past - our ancestors - and is usually lit by an Honorary President or Honorary Vice President
• The second candle is the present - what our society is doing now - and is lit by a current National Officer
• The third candle represents the future - and is usually lit by the National President of the Children of the American Colonists.  (CAC is sponsored by DAC).

 After dinner, there are introductions of those seated at the head table.  The introductions are somewhat unique - in addition to the usual name and title, the person giving the introductions will tell something educational.  This year, we learned about state trees.  For example, when the National President Carole Holt was introduced, we learned about the Western Hemlock, the state tree of  her home state, Washington.

 

 

 

After introductions, we had our program.  Dr. Henry Miller of Historic St. Mary's City gave a very interesting program about some of the women who lived in Early Maryland.  He of course, spoke of Margaret Brent, the first woman in the colony to not only speak before the legislature, but to ask for the right to vote.  He told the story of Anne Wolseley Calvert, wife of Philip Calvert, an early leader of the colony.  He also spoke of several lesser known women who each contributed in her own way to the establishment of the colony.

 

 



 www.nsdac.org

Society Saturday - First Families of Maine and New Hampshire

On Tuesday of Lineage Week, two societies meet jointly for a tea.  They are the Order of the First Families of Maine (OFFME) and the Order of the First Families of New Hampshire (OFFNH).

OFFME was founded in 2003 to honor the memory of ancestors who settled in, owned land, or conducted business in what is now present-day Maine prior to 1652. 

Similarly, OFFNH was founded in 2009 to honor the memory of ancestors who settled in, owned land, or conducted business in what is now present-day New Hampshire prior to 1680.

There is an overlap of membership between the two organizations, and similar missions.  Both organizations donate to historical charities in Maine and New Hampshire, respectively.  Because of this, they have a joint meeting every April.

 

OFFNH Governor General, Marlene Wilkinson called the joint meeting to order.  After their business was concluded, OFFME President General Kimberly Nagy presided over the OFFME business meeting. 

 

 

This was an election year for OFFME, and the new slate of officers was installed.  New OFFME President General Timothy Finton was installed, and the members enjoyed refreshments and fellowship.

 

 

www.homestead.com/offme

 

 

www.homestead.com/offnh



Society Saturday - Children of the American Colonists

Tuesday morning of lineage week started with the Friendship Breakfast of Children of the American Colonists. 

The Children of the American Colonists is an organization for boys and girls age birth to 22.  The objects are patriotic and educational.  Members trace their lineage to a colonist who rendered civil or military service to the colonies prior to July 4, 1776.

Every year, the Society chooses a project to fund that reflects its purpose.  National President Anthony Panei told us about his national project. He is raising money to restore the old schoolhouse at St. Clement's Island in Maryland.

http://www.nsdac.org/nscac/

Society Saturday - Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company

National Lineage Week started on Monday with the Annual Rendezvousof the National Society Women Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company.

This lineage group consists of lineal descendants of the famous Massachusetts military company.  President National Beverly Sceery presided as the National Officers, Chairmen, and Court Presidents gave t heir reports.

At the Banquet, our speaker was Dr. Nancy Bazar who told of her quest to confirm the history of her house as a stop on the underground railroad.

After the program, new officers were installed.  Jeannine Kallal was installed as the new President National.  She will lead the society for the next 3 years.
 

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~azwdaha/index.html

Society Saturday - Indian Wars in Alabama

The Illinois Chapter of the Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars was honored to have our Governor General visit us for our March meeting.

Governor General Shelby Dean Ward is from Alabama and gave us a very interesting program about how the Native American conflicts helped shape history in Alabama as well as much of the southern US. 

The members of Illinois CSDIW with Governor General Ward and State Governor Schleinzer

The Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars is an organization that will celebrate its 25th anniversary this fall.  Membership is through lineal descendant from a Native or immigrant American ancestor who participated in any capacity in actual hostilities, one against the other, or in any other activity with each other, during the period May 14, 1607 to 1900.  In other words, anyone who fought for or against Native Americans in any conflict from the Pequot War (1637) through the Apache Wars (1900), or anyone who worked with Native Americans as a trader, missionary, interpreter, etc.

CSDIW has one charitable function - they provide Scholarships to Native Americans who are attending college with a career goal of providing education or social service to other Native Americans.  The scholarship is funded by donations.  When a member makes a donation of a given amount, they receive a pin as a thank you gift.  Four Illinois members donated this year, and received a small pony pin from Governor General Ward.

Four members received pony pins from Governor General Ward.

 

http://illinoisdiw.homestead.com/

Society Saturday - Happy Birthday to DuPage DAC!

At our Spring meeting of the Illinois State Daughters of the American Colonists, we had 2 things to celebrate!

First, this meeting was the official visit of our National President, Carole Rambo Holt.  Carole gave a very interested presentation about St. Mary's City in Maryland, the site of her National Project.  Although I have actually visited the archealogical site there, I learned a lot from her presentation. 

One fact that I found especially interesting was that a woman, Margaret Brent, actually spoke up for her rights.  She was unmarried, and owned property.  She was appointed executrix to the estate of Lord Calvert, Governor of the colony in 1647.  She acted as his attorney and appealed to the colonial legislature in 1648 - asking for "Vote... and Voyce".  Although this request was not granted, she is still regarded as the first female in Colonial America to lobby for her own rights.

State Regent Jane Schleinzer, National President Carole Holt, DuPage Chapter President Lorna Wright

Mrs. Holt's proposed project is to build a pavilion shelter at the historic site for the use of school groups.  It is to be named the "Margaret Brent Pavilion".

The other celebration was the anniversary of the organization of DuPage Chapter, DAC (the hostess chapter for the meeting).  We had a special Anniversary Cake for our dessert.

National President Carole Holt cuts the cake as DuPage Chapter President Lorna Wright, page Callah McLeod, and State Regent Jane Schleinzer look on

 

 

www.nsdac.org