The Vermont Patriot. A D a y o f H i s t o r y i n G r a f t o n. R e t u r n t o t h e B o s t o n T e a P a r t y

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1 Volume 2, Issue 1 January 2007 The Vermont Patriot N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E V E R M O N T S O C I E T Y, S O N S O F T H E A M E R I C A N R E V O L U T I O N A S P E C I A L T H A N K Y O U F O R T H E G E N E R O U S D O N A T I O N S T H A T C O M - P A T R I O T S H A V E G I V E N F O R T H E M A N Y E N D E A V - O R S O F O U R G R E A T V E R M O N T S O C I E T Y T H A N K Y O U!! I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : Bennington in California 2 CAAH 4 Do Your Homework! 4 Gravemarkings 3 Looking Back 2 Montpelier Meeting 4 VTSSAR to Host 2 A D a y o f H i s t o r y i n G r a f t o n Compatriots of the Vermont Society convened on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11th in Grafton, Vermont. This historic town, beautifully maintained and preserved, was abuzz on this day as the Vermont Society met at the well-known Old Tavern at Grafton. After a business meeting at Homestead Barn with its elegantly rustic wood, the compatriots dined at Phelps Barn, enjoying a lovely deli buffet. Compatriots then visited the Grafton Museum a charming bastion of local President Fallon travelled to Boston on December 10th and enjoyed an educational day. The weather was unseasonably warm. Compatriots from VT, NH, and MA met at the Green Dragon Tavern as a launching point. The Green Dragon dates to 1657 and history-with its displays of local soapstone, clocks, and other treasures of local pertinence. Gravemarkings Compatriot Thomas Elgan, a board member of the Grafton Historical Society, did much to make the day a success. He was the liaison between the Vermont Society and the Grafton Historical Society. The Grafton Historical Society did a tremendous job coordinating the gravemarkings at Burgess and Middletown Cemeteries, Grafton. The VT Society and its Color Guard R e t u r n t o t h e B o s t o n T e a P a r t y was also the launching point in 1773 as colonists gathered to protest a British tax on tea. The Old South Church was the site of a reenacting debate over the Boston Tea issue: one felt like it really was Among those attending the events were Compatriot and were greatly honored to participate at the invitation of the historical society. Members of the Color Guard assisted with the placement of the handsome markers and the rich balsam wreaths. The following 12 Revolutionary War veterans were memorialized: At Middletown Cemetery Asa Fisher; Bartholomew Fuller; Elijah Phelps; Edward Putnam; Miles Putnam; John Smith; Joseph Thatcher; John Weir; John Wooley At Burgess Cemetery William Stickney; Peter Tarbell; Hezekiah Wetherbee. A reception followed the gravemarkings at the Chapel building in town. Thank You to all participants & organizers!! Mrs. Roger Floyd of NH; former PG and Mrs. Hank McCarl; and Compatriot and Mrs. Geoffrey Colby and Geoffs mother, Ruth. A grad student from Emerson College interviewed Compatriots McCarl and Fallon about the significance of the Boston Tea Party.

M o n u m e n t a t N o y a n, Q u e b e c, C a n a d a w a s C o n s t r u c t e d b y V e r m o n t S A R The Vermont Society, SAR, through special cooperation with the Canada historic sites and

Patriot Baker was killed in August 1775, whthe first American the first American killed in Canada during the Revolutionary War.

President of the VTSSAR, John McCullough was special aidesde-camp to Pres. Benjamin Harrison during his visit to P a g e 2 Bennington for the ceremonies. Pres. Harrison stayed at the McCullough family home in North Bennington during his visit.

2 M o n u m e n t a t N o y a n, Q u e b e c, C a n a d a w a s C o n s t r u c t e d b y V e r m o n t S A R The Vermont Society, SAR, through special cooperation with the Canada historic sites and monuments board, donated a stone edifice in memory of Vermont patriot and leader of Vermont forces, Remember Baker. Patriot Baker was killed in August 1775, whthe first American the first American killed in Canada during the Revolutionary War. Looking back at the History of the Vermont Society, SAR The Bennington Battle Monument at Bennington was dedicated on August 13, VTSSAR played a major role in the festivities. President of the VTSSAR, John McCullough was special aidesde-camp to Pres. Benjamin Harrison during his visit to P a g e 2 Bennington for the ceremonies. Pres. Harrison stayed at the McCullough family home in North Bennington during his visit. Compatriot McCullough later served as Governor of Vermont. President Harrison was also an SAR Compatriot. FROM EAST TO WEST The Vermont Society acknowledges the work of the San Diego Chapter, SAR in remembering the sailors of the USS Bennington who lost their lives as a result of an engine explosion aboard their ship at San Diego Bay on San Diego Chapter, California SAR and Vermont Society, SAR July 21, The San Diego Chapter conducts memorial ceremonies annually. Pres. Fallon will represent VTSSAR at the cemetery at Point Loma, California in July. We are inviting compatriots and their wives of the San Diego Chapter to visit Vermont for the NE Dist. Leadership Conference in May 2008 promoting fellowship and fraternal connection between the two groups. USS Bennington Monument at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, California VTSSAR Color Guard at Bennington Battle Monument, Bennington, Vermont C o n f e r e n c e t o b e h o s t e d b y V T S o c i e t y i n M a y The Vermont Society looks forward to hosting, in cooperation with the New England District, the New England District Leadership Conference, scheduled for May 16th, 17th, and 18th, The proposed location is the delightful Basin Harbor Club. Along the historic shores of Lake Champlain at Vergennes, the Basin Harbor Club offers a suitable backdrop for a get-together of this magnitude. It is hoped that compatriots from throughout New England and NSSAR leadership will be in attendance, along with fellow compatriots of the San Diego Chapter, California, SAR. Leadership classes, a cruise with historical narrative, a formal banquet, church ser- vice, and informal sightseeing are among the planned activities. Vice-President General-elect & Vermont Compatriot Rev. David A. Hockensmith (right) is Chairman for the New England District Leadership Conference. Thank You, David!!.

3 P a g e 3 C e n t e r f o r A d v a n c i n g A m e r i c a s H e r i t a g e The Vermont Society SAR invites you to show your support for this important effort. An impressive research center and repository of U.S Historyit will be more than a buildingit will be a testimony to the achievements of our great nation and an assurance that our American heritage will be preserved and heralded. Over $1,000,000 has been raisedbut more funds are needed. To be built in Louis- ville, Kentucky where NSSAR headquarters is locatedthis beacon of American Historical light will shine with any amount of support you desire. Donations may be sent to: Center for Advancing Americas Heritage NSSAR 1000 South Fourth Street Louisville, KY Please make checks payable to: The SAR FOUNDA- TION G r a v e m a r k i n g s April 21st, 2007 Patriot Adoniram Parrot, Riverside Cemetery, Plattsburgh, New York, 1:00 pm May 19th, 2007 Patriot John Tuthill, cemetery near Congregationalist church, Westminster West, Vermont, 10:00 am 13 Patriots, Saxtons River Cemetery, Saxtons River, Vermont, 12:00 noon July 2007 Patriots of Morgan, Vermont August 4th, 2007 Patriot Ethan Allen, Green Mount Cemetery, Burlington, Vermont; Compatriot William Van Patten, who donated land for the Ethan Allen Tower and encouraged the building of it will also be memorialized. T o m M c K e n n a & D A R C o o r d i n a t e G e n e a l o g y w o r k s h o p s GENEALOGY WORK- SHOPS The Vermont Societies of the DAR and SAR will present free genealogy workshops on Saturday, February 10 th, 2007 at the Aldrich Public Library in Barre. The schedule is: 10:00 10:30 Welcome and Introductions 10:30 11:20 Census Records by Robert Rodgers, Vermont Society Registrar. 11:30 12:20 Military Pension and Service Records by Tom McKenna, SAR. 12:20 1:20 Free light lunch and DAR/SAR panel about their application processes plus answers to any genealogy questions. 1:30 2:15 Vermont Town Records by Ruth Finn, DAR Everyone is welcome and anyone who believes they may be eligible to join the SAR or DAR is especially encouraged to attend. The light lunch includes coffee but you are welcome to bring any supplementary or special diet items you desire. The Aldrich Public Library is a three-story, yellow-brick building at 6 Washington Street (Route 302). It is opposite the park with the knelling statue of Youth. Compatriot Stephen Seachord was a judge for Poster Board & Multi- Media entries at a History Fair sponsored by the Plano ISD (TX) on November 18, We commend Compatriot Seachord s work in promoting the study of history in schools! Major General Samuel Fletcher of Townshend, Vermont is a patriot ancestor of Compatriot Derrick Fallon. At the beginning of the war, Fletcher was at the Battle of Bunker Hill. In July 1775, the New York Provincial Congress appointed him lieutenant. He P a t r i o t P r o f i l e was with the Continental Army at Cambridge. Returning to Townshend, he was captain of the Militia; he commanded a volunteer company to reinforce the army at Fort Ti. In 1778 he was colonel of a Cumberland County, VT regiment. He was at the Battle of Ben- nington. Fletcher became the head of all Vermont forces, rising to the rank of Major General. Submissions to The Vermont Patriot are welcome!! Please submit to: Arnold E. Fallon, Jr., Editor & Publisher of The Vermont Patriot 68 Bank Street North Bennington, VT arniefallon@yahoo.com The Vermont Patriot is distributed via or mail: Jan., April, July, & Oct.

4 P a g e 4 W a s h i n g t o n s B i r t h d a y M e e t i n g S e t f o r S a t. F e b r u a r y 1 7 t h a t C a p i t o l P l a z a H o t e l, M o n t p e l i e r, V e r m o n t Compatriot Thomas McKenna is organizing a great meeting in Montpelier! This is a meeting you dont want to missa very full day is planned! The ladies of VTSSAR are asked to bring items they wish to donate for the basket that we will be bringing to the National Congress in Williamsburg in July for the Center for Advancing Americas Heritage fundraiser. The theme for Vermonts basket is: Vermonts Important Role in the Revolution. Suggested items are: books about Vermonts role in the Revolution, brochures from historic sites in Vermont, non-perishable items that are native to Vermont, and items that are Vermontmade. Ladies are asked to bring their items to the display table located in the Ethan Allen Room of the Capitol Plaza Hotel at 9:45 am. The ladies will then go to the Vermont Historical Society, directly across the street from the hotel, for a tour of the historical society. Admission is $3.00. The ladies will return to the hotel at about 11:30 am. Attending ladies are asked to respond to Becky Fallon at tfchange@yahoo.com or Gentlemen will convene at 10:00 am in the Ethan Allen Room for the business meeting. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon. There will be a possible award presentation at about 12:45 pm. At 1:00 pm, Robert Rodgers, Registrar of the Vermont Society, will speak about the memorializing of patriots in a speech entitled Patriot Recognition at the Gravesites and Online. Compatriot Rodgers, a certified genealogist, is Director of the Institute on Vermont History at UVM. Compatriot Charles Foell II will be sending out e- mail and paper invitations for this meeting. We look forward to seeing you! C o l o r G u a r d THE VERMONT SOCIETY COLOR GUARD WANTS YOU!! Also known as the Green Mountain Regiment, the VTSSAR Color Guard is a visible way to honor our ancestors! Parades, presenting colors, gravemarkings, and memorials are among the many activities of the Color Guard. You will be receiving recruitment information soon to be included within Montpelier meeting mailing. You are invited to participate! Compatriot Mak Keyes is the Commander. Should you wish more information, please contact Sergeant Geoffrey Colby at colbydrypowder@hotmail.com. D o Y o u r H o m e w o r k! B r i n g Y o u r F a c t s t o t h e M o n t p e l i e r M e e t i n g o r s e n d t h e m t o P r e s. F a l l o n Compatriot Fallon has been spearheading an effort to create a curriculum supplement for Vermont schools. Schools will be able to contact the VTSSAR and welcome compatriots and their assistants to spread the word about Vermont Revolutionary War History and also herald the contributions that our VTSSAR compatriots have made over the years. If you are aware of a Vermont fact: it may concern a patriot of Vermont; a rev war skirmish that occurred in Vermont; a story of Vermont industry during the Revolution; a fact about a prominent VTSSAR compatriot PLEASE SHARE IT!! This will be the backbone of our visiting curriculum. This curriculum, in the truest sense of the term, will inspire an interest in history for our teachers and students. Many thanks to Liisa and Geoff Colby for their suggestion about a prepared question and answer format for our visiting curriculum. Should you know of a school that would benefit from a visit or if you are interested in participating as a volunteer presentor (hopefully in period dress) please contact Pres. Fallon. All volunteers will be given training in school protocol. Schools will be charged a $50. fee. facts to arniefallon@yahoo.com N e w W e b s i t e W e b m a s t e r C h a r l e s F o e l l i s c r e a t i n g a n e w V T S S A R w e b s i t e. W a t c h f o r i t!

M e m b e r s h i p B r o c h u r e i s a v a i l a b l e e - m a i l P r e s.

Colby and Commander Keyes at Burgess Cemetery, Grafton, VT, Veterans Day

Moderator at dais, Old South Church, Boston IN FRONT OF GREEN DRAGON VT, NH, &

10, 2006 A r n o l d E. F a l l o n, J r.

5 M e m b e r s h i p B r o c h u r e i s a v a i l a b l e e - m a i l P r e s. F a l l o n a t a r n i e f a l l o y a h o o. c o m Sgt. Colby and Commander Keyes at Burgess Cemetery, Grafton, VT, Veterans Day Vermont Society SAR Memorial to Remember Baker at Noyan, Quebec, Canada Moderator at dais, Old South Church, Boston IN FRONT OF GREEN DRAGON VT, NH, & MA Compatriots en route to Old South Church, Boston, on Dec. 10, 2006 A r n o l d E. F a l l o n, J r. 6 8 B a n k S t r e e t N o r t h B e n n i n g t o n, V e r m o n t The Vermont Patriot Newsletter of The Vermont Society, Sons of the American Revolution

The Vermont Patriot. C h a p l a i n - G e n e r a l H o c k e n s m i t h i s H o n o r e d

The Vermont Patriot. C h a p l a i n - G e n e r a l H o c k e n s m i t h i s H o n o r e d Volume 1, Issue 1 July 2006 The Vermont Patriot T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E V E R M O N T S O C I E T Y, S O N S O F T H E A M E R I C A N R E V O L U T I O N P r e s i d e n t & M r s. F a l l