The Wolverine Minute Man

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1 The Wolverine Minute Man Newsletter of the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution September, 2012 Message from the President As I sit down to write this message, there is a fall chill in the air, prompting me that our wonderful summer weather is most likely behind us. I hope you have enjoyed your summer as much as my wife Kristin and I have. As I prepare to go to the fall leadership conference in Louisville Kentucky, I am reminded there is an old saying that goes something like. you get out as much as or more than you put into an organization Over the years the MISSAR compatriots have experienced just that. Some have put in a great deal of time and effort and others not so much. I believe you would agree, it is up to each individual to make that decision. Remember, we are an organization of people who make good things happen. The participation level is up to you. It is truly an honor to serve as your 79th President in The Michigan Society Sons of The American Revolution. For nearly 122 years, MISSAR compatriots have inspired the communities where they live with the principles on which our nation was founded, they maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, as well as carry out the promises expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution, provide recognition for public service, and honor, respect, and support veterans just to name a few of the patriotic activities. These activities have embodied the spirit and culture of SAR. MISSAR As your President, I hope to enhance the patriotic activities you are involved in throughout the state. Over the next several months, I look forward to meeting with many of you to get a sense of how MIS- SAR can better enhance our patriotic mission and impact the larger community. I truly believe the more helpful we can be to our community, our region, and our Nation, the better MISSAR will be as well. As you consider what types of activities you are interested in participating in, review the list below and think about becoming engaged and making a difference this year. -Read and contribute to our Wolverine Minuteman (Published Quarterly) -Join a committee of your interest. Committees listed on our website. - Become an Officer of your Chapter or at the State level -Join the Color Guard, buy a uniform or help sponsor one for someone, research patriot graves, and participate in grave dedications (Contact Color Guard Commander Gerald Burkland) - Volunteer to talk at a local school or civic association -Support and help with Chapter and State wide activities - Recommend good people for awards, help present the awards - Write about your patriot ancestor and publish it on our website - Consider becoming a century club member and donating $ or more - Seek out a business or individual who fly s the American Flag properly in front of their home or business and ask your Chapter to present them with a Flag Certificate. The above activities are only a few suggestions to consider which will make a difference to MISSAR. Working together; we can propel MISSAR to even greater heights! I end this message with the thoughts of a real revolutionary soldier named David Morris who pleaded at a patriotic meeting held at Troy, Ohio, July 4, May the precious blood that was spilt Between the years 1775 and 1783 as a Sacrifice for our liberty and independence be Forever commemorated. William G. Vette, President MISSAR 1

2 MISSAR Officers and Trustees, Office Name Chapter President William G. Vette River Raisin 1 st Vice President Joseph C. Williams Detroit Metro 2 nd Vice President Dr. Robert Sprague Paul Emery Treasurer Joseph C. Conger Northern Michigan Secretary Laurence T. Herman Oaks Chancellor Donald Shaw Paul Emery Genealogist Allan Treppa Huron Valley Registrar Robert Wagel Saulk Trail Historian Vacant DAR/CAR Liason William Timoschuk III Paul Emery MISSAR Trustees Stuart Shuster Richard Steele Tom Pluess Thomas Fountain Gerald Wall Charles Barr II Rodney Wilson Bernie Wagers Donald Reifert Detroit Metro Detroit Metro Huron Valley Huron Valley Northern Michigan Northern Michigan Oaks Oaks Paul Emery 2

3 Trustees continued Gerald Burkland Don Nutt Doug Leftler Vernon Potts Robert Heydon Richard Santer James Bergenham Paul Emery River Raisin River Raisin Sauk Trail Sauk Trail West Michigan West Michigan NSSAR Trustees National Trustee Alternate Trustee Joseph C. Conger Gerald Burkland 3

4 Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution Century Club 2012 Charles Barr II * General Fund Joseph Conger * General Fund John Crissman General Fund Wayne Denniston * General Fund Harold Golding Youth Scholarship Awards Robert Heydon * ROTC & Scouts Frank Hones * Veterans Fund Robert Koller * General Fund Ervin Ladd General Fund Ivan Ludington General Fund Gordon MacNeil * General Fund Gary Peters Eagle Scout Douglas Rasmussen * General Fund Jerry Reed Sr * Color Guard William Vette * Color Guard Gerald Wall Youth Scholarship Awards Bernie Wagers II * General Fund Gary Wooden * General Fund Thomas Catallo Veterans * denotes previous donor to Century Club. Thank you for your generous contribution 4

5 MISSAR Chapter Presidents 2012 Detroit Metropolitan Chapter Stuart B. Shuster Paul Emery Chapter Gerald Burkland Huron Valley Chapter Tom Pleuss River Raisin Chapter Jerry Reed Jr. Northern Michigan Chapter Gerald Wall Sauk Trail Chapter Robert A. Wagel Oaks Chapter Robert Koller West Michigan Chapter Glen H. Gilbert If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams 5

6 Ireland, and Eleanor Darnall Carroll, of English descent, at the large plantation which Eleanor Darnall had inherited from her family. He spent his early years at the family home, sited on thousands of acres in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. (Several acres are now associated with the house museum known as Darnall's Chance, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.) His older brother Daniel Carroll became one of only five men to sign both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the United States. John Carroll Catholic Bishop John Carroll was educated at the College of St. Omer in French Flanders. (This was established for the education of English Catholics after discrimination following the Protestant Reformation in England. During the upheavals following the French Revolution, the college migrated to Bruges, and then Liège before finally settling at Stonyhurst in England in 1794, where it remains.) Attending St. Omer with him was his cousin Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who was to become the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first United States Senator from Maryland. Signer Declaration of Independence First United States Senator from Maryland Last surviving signor of the Declaration of Independence John Carroll, (January 8, 1735 December 3, 1815) (95) was the first Roman Catholic bishop and archbishop in the United States serving as the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is also known as the founder of Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic university in the United States, and St. John the Evangelist Parish of Rock Creek (now Forest Glen), the first secular parish in the country. Among the major educational concerns of Carroll were the education of the faithful, providing proper training for priests and the inclusion of women in higher education (something he had encountered resistance to). As a result, Carroll orchestrated the founding and early development of Georgetown University. Administration of the school was entrusted to the Jesuits. Carroll died in Baltimore on December 3, His remains are interred in the crypt of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which can be visited by the public. John Carroll was born to Daniel Carroll, a native of Article submitted by Compatriot Joseph Conger 6

7 Flags in the MISSAR Color Guard Quiver by Joseph Conger/wikipedia Compatriots! When you attend a Joint meeting of the MISSAR you will notice a change and emphasis on the new flags procured by our Color Guard. They have obtained new flags, poles and floor stands. Flag in the Color Guard Arsenal are: American (flown of Capitol), Betsey Ross, Gadsden, Commander & Chief, Bunker Hill, George Washington's personal, George Rogers Clark, Green Mountain Boys, Rhode Island Regiment, State of Michigan and a signed Robert Heft American Flag. This is the story of one these flags: George Rogers Clark was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He served as leader of the Kentucky militia throughout much of the war. Rogers Clark to help capture Vincennes, Indiana, from the British during the American Revolution. Colonel Clark instructed his men to reproduce the Flag in quantity, then mounted on poles, tree limbs (whatever was available) then March around the Fort at Vincennes. Never exposing all of his 172 troops, at any time, to the British; the idea was to give the appearance of a large 1000 man American force. Some of the men would pass in sight of the British, then duck out of sight then rush back to make another past, waving the banners. The trick worked as the British surrendered the Fort within two days. British commander Colonel Hamilton turned away, with a tear in his eye after asking Clark the question, Where are all your men? Clark s answer was right in front of you. One of the original flags is displayed at the George Rogers Clark s Museum in Vincennes, IN. George Rogers Clark Flag This Flag was designed & used by the Regiment of Lt. Colonel George 7

8 delanceyplace.com 7/4/12 - The Revolution and Debt Relief In today's encore excerpt - the American Revolution was a form of debt relief: "In England, statutes decreeing imprisonment for debt date to the thirteenth century. The point wasn't to lock you up as the proverb had it, 'A prison pays no debts' but to terrify you into paying, to avoid incarceration. Nine times out of ten, that's just what happened, which is why the practice prevailed in most parts of the early modern world and, in the seventeenth century, travelled, with English common law, to America. A 1641 Massachusetts law known as the 'Body of Liberties' closely followed English practice, declaring of the insolvent that 'his person may be arrested and imprisoned where he shall be kept at his owne charge, not the plantife's till satisfaction be made.'... There were no terms: you weren't sentenced for a month, a year, a decade; you stayed in jail until your creditors were satisfied. "This didn't work that well in the New World. As many as two out of every three Europeans who came to the colonies were debtors on arrival: they paid for their passage by becoming indentured servants. Early on, labor was so scarce that colonists who fell into debt once they got here paid with work; there was much to be done, and there weren't many prisons. In 1674, a Massachusetts court ordered Joseph Armitage, who owed John Ruck twenty-two pounds, to serve as Ruck's servant for seven years. (What relieved the colonies' labor scarcity and spelled the end of debtor servitude was the rise of the African slave trade.) The colonies were also a good place to go to run away from your debts. Some colonies were, basically, debtors' asylums. In 1642, Virginia, eager to lure settlers, promised five years' protection from any debts contracted in the Old World. North Carolina did the same in Creditors, in any case, found it all but impossible to pursue fugitive debtors across the Atlantic. (Not for nothing did Defoe's Moll Flanders, born in London's Newgate Prison, sail to Virginia.) Then, there was an early version of a farm subsidy: Connecticut and Maryland forbade the prosecution of debtors between May and October and released prisoners to plant and harvest on the unassailable argument that 'the Porest Sort of the Inhabitants' were often 'undone in that they cannot be at Liberty to make their Cropps.'... James Oglethorpe, a member of Parliament,... had an idea: what about just shipping the miserable wretches across the ocean? In 1732, he founded Georgia, a colony intended as a refuge for debtors released from English prisons. "This only strengthened a prevailing perception: that the colonies' relationship with England was that of a debtor to a creditor. By the seventeen-sixties, sympathy for debtors had attached itself to the patriot cause. Weren't all Americans debtors? Whenever New York's Sons of Liberty held a banquet, they made a show of sending the leftovers to the city's imprisoned debtors. Virginia planters like Jefferson and Washington were monstrously in debt to merchants in London. A creditor was 'lord of another man's purse'; hadn't the British swindled Americans out of their purses, their independence, their manhood? This, anyway, is how many colonists came to view their economic dependence on Britain. Declaring independence was a way of canceling those debts. The American Revolution, some historians have argued, was itself a form of debt relief.... "Debtors in New York used to be locked up in the garret of City Hall, at the corner of Wall Street, in a cramped nook under the eaves. From its dormers, they would lower shoes, tied to a string, to collect alms from passersby. (Debtors' prisons in other cities and towns had what were called 'beggars' grates,' iron bars through which prisoners in cellar dungeons could extend outstretched palms.)" From Delancy Place, July 4, 2012 author: Jill Lepore, Title: "I.O.U." Publisher: The New Yorker Date April 13, 2005 "In London, debtors' prisons filled. And then they teemed. 8

9 Celebrating 160 Year History ( ) of Michigan s Oldest Restaurant The White Horse Inn The White Horse Inn was established in 1850 by Lorenzo Hoard ( ) is the oldest restaurant in Michigan that still does business the way it was intended. Located in Metamora, which was then described as "a beautiful little town in the spring and summer, being blessed with an abundance of large shady maple trees." Lorenzo purchased the existing village store, once a stagecoach stop. The stagecoach period ended around YEAR OLD HISTORY When the White Horse Inn opened in 1850 Thirteen years earlier, in 1837, Michigan became the 26th state, 1850 Levi Strauss made his first blue jeans and the paper bag was invented, 11 years later in 1861, the American Civil War began and Lincoln was elected President, 26 years later in 1876, the telephone and refrigerator were invented, 29 years later in 1879, the light bulb was invented, 60 years later, in 1910 gas was 10 cents a gallon and the Metamora Village speed limit was 8 miles per hour. 9

10 In 1850, Lorenzo Hoard ( ) purchased the Historic White Horse Inn which was an existing general store. He named it the Hoard House and began operating as a boarding house charging 50 cents for overnight guests, restaurant, general store and stagecoach stop. (The stagecoach period ended around 1910.) The "big event" of daily life during that period was when the passenger train's whistle (in 1870 s) would blow. Once the villagers heard that 6:10pm whistle the town would seem to "come alive". Everyone would go to the train depot to see who would board and also come off the train, watch them unload milk cans and they would follow the mail up to the Post Office and sit around visiting and waiting for their mail to be distributed. After the mail, they would go down to the White Horse Inn, sit in the captain's chairs and talk until bedtime. The White Horse was also a stop for the Underground Railroad, a network of smuggling routes that helped slaves make their way from the south to friendlier places in the north. The History of the White Horse includes the names of some of the earliest pioneers. Daniel Ammerman built the Inn in After several changes of ownership, it passed to the Hoard family. By 1858 Hoard was paying $50 a year in taxes on the Inn. About 1872, the Michigan Central Railroad built its line through Metamora and Hoard received a franchise to feed and house overnight passengers. By 1874, Metamora had 271 residents.the Hoard House was listed in the 1876 Atlas of Lapeer County as having "good accommodation for travelers. Feed and stabling for horses." Lorenzo Hoard died in Family managed the Hoard House until it was 10

11 sold in 1906 to William Detter and Samuel Miller. This partnership presented the sale of liquor to their customers. The late Gilbert Olds bought the inn about 1917 for $2,200 and kept it until 1922 or He was remembered by the villagers for going around without wearing shoes. Frank Peters, owned the inn during most of the Prohibition Era. He made the White Horse a financial success by promoting breakfast specials. It was Mr. Peters who changed the name from the Hoard House to the White Horse after he saw a restaurant in Detroit with the same name. Article submitted by Compatriot Joseph Conger Gerald Burkland, MISSAR Color Guard Commander with Tim Wilkens,owner of The White Horse Inn 11

12 Wolverine Minute Man News Round Up Minutes Highlights Northern Michigan Chapter, MISSAR, June 23, 2012 The meeting was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by President Gerald Wall at the Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Traverse City. Present were Compatriots: Ervan L. Amidon, Charles Barr II, Roger Benter, Joseph Conger, Harry Olson, John Sawyer, William Severns (Robert Kirkwood Chapter in Delaware}, Gerald Wall and Frederick Workman. Guests were David Paulus, David Pennington, Jackie Severns, David Smith, and Cheryl Workman. Excused: Vice President Eugene Selden. The Secretary announced a quorum was present. President Wall led the Chapter in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The invocation was given by Compatriot Joseph Conger followed by the S.A.R. Pledge. Minutes of the April 21, 2012, meeting were distributed and had been previously mailed to the membership. Joseph Conger moved to approve the minutes as written. Seconded by Roger Benter. Motion carried unanimously. The treasurer s report was given and accepted as written. Program Mr. David Pennington spoke on the topic Early Days of Interlochen. David is the great nephew of Willis Pennington who provided the land for Michigan s first state park at Interlochen in Willis provided additional land in 1927 for the National Music Camp now known as the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Mr. Pennington s illustrated talk covered the three stages of development of Interlochen and the Grand Traverse area: Lumbering, Camping, and Recreation. Sixty pictures were shown, but thousands more may be seen at the History Center in Traverse City or viewed at Pause for Lunch 12

13 Committee Reports: Joseph Conger represented the Chapter at the Grand Traverse Area Genealogical Society on June 21, 2012 and will do the same at the Grand Traverse Veterans Coalition meeting. President s Announcements: Three new member applications have been submitted and are pending. DAR son Mike Looney of Grayling, and DAR member Dan Bacon of Custer have inquired about membership. Northern Michigan Chapter welcomes our newest member Thomas D. Catallo currently living in Singapore. Nine of the Chapter s thirty six members live out of state. Compatriot Catallo is also our newest member of the MISSAR Century Club. The Chapter has four members of the Century Club including Compatriots Catallo, Joseph Conger, Charles Barr II, and Gerald Wall. The Patriots Day celebration on April 21, 2012 is now on video. The DVD will be shown at a future meeting. The event was also featured in the Grand Traverse Insider publication. Compatriot Curtis Menard presented a George Washington Portrait to the Dollar Bay Schools. They in turn sent the Northern Michigan Chapter a ohto of the student body sitting in front of the portrait. (editor s note, this photo was featured in the June edition of the Wolverine Minute Man) The Chapter paid half of the $ cost. A flag certificate was presented to Compatriot John Sawyer. Compatriots Dr. Roger Benter and Jerry Wall, along with David Paulus fly the Flag twenty four hours a day and have it lighted at night. They will receive their Flag certificates at the next meeting. The NSSAR sponsored George Washington Vigil will be held on September 8, Reservation forms are available at missar.org The Northern Michigan Chapter will hold a joint meeting with the MISSAR Board of Managers on October 6 at the Traverse City Elks Club Two American Flags of significance will be raffled off at this meeting:first Prize: U.S. 50 star flag flown at Bargram, Afghanistan with certificate Second Prize: American Capitol Flag. (flown over the U.S. Capitol} from Congressman Dave Camp. Garritt Bakker, 2009 Northern Michigan Chapter, MISSAR, and NSSAR Eagle Scout Essay winner has signed and accepted the offer of appointment to the Naval Academy and will be in- 13

14 inducted into the Naval Academy on June 28 in Annapolis, Maryland. Jow Conger led the Chapter in the S.A.R. Pledge. President Wall declared the meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Charles W. Barr II, Secretary, Northern Michigan Chapter, MISSAR Important Dates October 6, 2012, 11:00 a.m. : Joint meeting MISSAR/Northern Michigan Chapter at the Elks Club. Reservations required. Cost is $20.00 per person payable to the Northern Michigan Chapter. Wives and guests are invited. October 6, 2012, 4:30 p.m.: Social event at Harbor West Yacht Club. October 6, :30 p.m. : Dinner of soups and salad, choice wines, and desert. Donation of $15.00 per person. The Conger s are preparing this dinner. Recognitions at the 122 nd National Congress The Michigan Society Sons of the American Revolution was well represented at the National Congress held in Phoenix Arizona in July. Congratulations are in order for three MISSAR Compatriots who were awarded Liberty Metal Awards for service in the area of new member recruitment. The individuals are: Richard A. Steele, with pin Walter Timoschuk III, with metal Laurence Herman, with metal The Michigan Society was also honored with the CAR Activities Award for

15 Oaks Chapter News Rededication of Gravesites of Revolutionary War Patriots George Horton and Benjamin G. Loomis On the recent picture perfect day of August 18, 2012, at 1 p.m., The MISSAR Color Guard, The MISSAR Oaks Chapter, and the DAR Stoney Creek Chapter joined with the VFW Post 3908, the Rochester Historical Commission, The Rochester Avon Historical Society, The City of Rochester, and interested public, in rededicating the grave sites of Revolutionary War Soldiers George Horton and Benjamin Loomis. The Ceremonies were led by Rod Wilson past president of both the MISSAR Oaks Chapter and the Rochester Avon Historical Society. Both graves are located in Mount Avon Cemetery in Rochester Michigan. Mount Avon Cemetery is the oldest cemetery in Oakland County and contains the graves of four Revolutionary War Patriots. The MISSAR Color Guard provided the appropriate sword salute, the VFW provided an honor guard and a gun salute and the DAR provided recognition from their organization.. 15

16 Oaks Chapter Grave Rededication Continued Also present at the ceremonies were descendants of the patriots who were given the opportunity to make remarks to the crowd. As the graves were dedicated they were decorated with wreaths from the DAR Stoney Creek Chapter, and from the MISSAR Oaks Chapter along with Bennington Flags. AT the conclusion of the ceremony all in attendance were invited to stay and enjoy some light refreshments. 16

17 Message from the Editor, Welcome to Michigan autumn and the beautiful change of season we all enjoy in our Winter, Water, Wonderland. I would like to take this chance to echo the sentiments our President, Bill Vette expressed in his message from the President on the first page of this edition of the Wolverine Minute Man. Now is the time to get involved in your MISSAR. Whether it be serving on a committee, volunteering for a task, or taking on the responsibility as an officer in your chapter or the state your involvement really makes a difference. As always, I really do need your contributions of articles and photographs of your local chapter s activities. I would like to see every chapter represented in the Wolverine Minute Man, but I can only do it with your help. I wish you all a great fall season. Sincerely, John Crissman, Editor johncrissman17@gmail.com 17