Publisher RICHARD T. SPENCER, JR. Email: DSPEN47@aol.com Editor RICK D. HOLLIS Email: tnssar@bellsouth.net Right: Tennessee Society SAR President John E. McCutchen observing Constitution Day 2011 at Morristown with Tennessee Society DAR, Tennessee Society CAR and Tennessee Society SOR. Below: State of Franklin Chapter officers requested that former President Rick Hollis present their charter on behalf of the Tennessee Society SAR. TNSSAR President McCutchen was guest speaker. Tennessee Society SAR Website: http://www.tnssar.org/
SPRING 2011 CONTENTS 2 Our President 3 New State of Franklin Charter Event 4 Gathering at Sycamore Shoals 5 Gathering at Sycamore Shoals 6 Chapter and Color Guard Activities 7 Chapters; Membership Information; NSSAR Congress in Phoenix 8 Color Guard at Hale Springs Inn, Rogersville I am pleased to report your Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is alive, well, and growing. The Tennessee Society is only as strong as the sum of our chapters. Most of our chapters are performing great service to our members, the public, and to the youth of our state. I want to encourage you to continue to support our activities with the local Children of American Revolution (C.A.R.) chapters, the Boy Scouts, and the ROTC programs in your communities. Over the past several months, I have been privileged to John E. McCutchen represent the Tennessee Society at a number of statewide events ranging from a commemoration of 9/11 in West Tennessee to bring greetings on behalf of the Tennessee Society to events in Morristown and Nashville. During September on behalf of the Tennessee Society, I had the pleasure to bring greetings at several patriotic events. On Saturday, September 10 in Morristown, I met with the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Linda B. Jones and attended the DAR s tenth annual Constitution Week Bell Ringing Ceremony. The following weekend, we celebrated the 231 st anniversary of the Gathering at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton. The first event for the weekend was a marking and dedication of the graves of Revolution War Soldiers Colonel John Carter and Captain Landon Carter at the Carter Mansion. On Saturday morning, we honored our forefathers who gathered in Sycamore Shoals to begin their fateful journey to Kings Mountain. We were pleased and honored to have in attendance at Sycamore Shoals the two highest-ranking general officers of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, President General Larry J. Magerkurth (CA) and the Secretary General Stephen A. Leishman (DE). In addition to Compatriots Magerkurth and Leishman, the event was well attended by numerous other national officers and representatives from many state societies, including Vice President General Jim Maples (AL) and National Color Guard Commander Michael Tomme (GA). Afterwards, with Joe and Darlene Chambers, Susan and I escorted PG Magerkurth to Biltmore House and Gardens in Asheville. Then, Susan and I returned to Nashville on Sunday, September 18 to attend the Constitution Day bell ringing ceremony on the grounds of the Capitol in Nashville. On the evening of October 22 nd the Tennessee Society proudly welcomed a new chapter to our organization. The State of Franklin chapter received their official charter at a well-attended Charter and Member Installation banquet in Rogersville at the Historic Hale Springs Inn. Vice President General Jim Maples (AL) and his wife, Linda attended. The Chapter has a great start and is already growing their membership. I would like to speak briefly about our membership and our volunteers. We have a great group of volunteers on both the chapter and state level, and these are the members who continue to make the TNSSAR prosper and grow, I cannot thank them enough. Without the dedication of our members we would not have our great color guard, an updated web site, be able to have events such as the one at Sycamore Shoals, or to have our numerous committees efficiently function. As for our membership, we are continuing to grow. Recently you should have received your notification for your dues, if you have not done so please take a moment and send your check to our treasurer. We would like to be able to announce that we have 1000 paid members in the Tennessee Society as of December 31 st. As the 2011-year-end approaches, Susan and I hope that your Christmas season is filled with good health and abundant blessings. Thank you for all that you do for the Tennessee Society. PLEASE RENEW YOUR DUES BY DECEMBER 31
Top right: President John McCutchen was guest speaker for the occasion. Above: President-elect Charles Dammann swears Dick Burdette as Secretary and Bill West as President. Left: NSSAR VPG Jim Maples (AL) presents the chapter a banner and flag set from the George Washington Endowment Fund. Right: TNSSAR Trustee Rick Hollis presents a $500 check from the Tennessee Society SAR. Left: Ellen Sims brought greetings from the Tennessee Society DAR Below: President Bill West and Secretary Dick Burdette became emotional up when expressing their appreciation to Dr. Joe Chambers of Kings Mountain Chapter for his efforts on their behalf. Photos by Randy Ball Photography
Sam Powell, NC The Gathering at Sycamore Sh ceremony at the graves of Col. Carter. National General Offic General Larry J. Magerkurth, Leishman, Vice President Gene Color Guard Commander Mik General Clark Wiser, and SA CAAH Fundraising Chair Samue President General Larry J. Magerkurth, CA Steve Pittard, NC VPG Jim Maples, AL Photos on this page are courtesy of Janet Crowe Clark Wiser, NC National Color Guard Commander Mike Tomme, GA Front: Mike Mankin (Watauga) and TNSSAR Color Guard Commander Ronni (Kings Mountain), Ellen Sims, President Tim Massey (Watauga), PG Larry M Gary Randles (Watauga), John C. Echerd (John Sevier) and Donny Carson (
oals included a grave marking John Carter and Capt. Landon ers present included President Secretary General Stephen ral James H. Maples, NSSAR e Tomme, former Chaplain R Foundation Vice Chair and l D. Powell. Fort Watauga Fifes & Drum Corps President John McCutchen, TN Gravesite of Col. John Carter and Capt. Landon Carter e Lail (Watauga). Standing: VPG Jim Maples (AL), Dr. Joe Chambers agerkurth (CA), National Color Guard Commander Mike Tomme (GA), SC). PG Larry Magerkurth Lucille and Grace White Jerry Sayers Tim Massey
Park Manager Jennifer Bauer of Sycamore Shoals State Historic Area was announced as the recipient of the TNSSAR Historic Preservation Award by President Rick Hollis at the TNSSAR Annual Meeting in April in recognition of her exceptional leadership in preserving the Fort Watauga area, including the Carter House, and for perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy and triumph of our Patriot ancestors who gave Independence to the American people. Watauga Chapter President Tim Massey presented the Award to Park Manager Bauer during the Gathering at Sycamore Shoals. Joseph Greer and Stones River Chapters jointly marked the grave of PVT Martin Shofner in Bedford County. Color guardsmen honor the service of the Patriot. Middle Tennessee Vice President Colin Wakefield explains what it was like to be a soldier in the Revolutionary War to Boy Scouts. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the Cleveland Daily Banner Newspaper for its support of the Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter SAR. Accepting the awards were, from left, Stephen Crass, editor and publisher of the Banner, also a Chapter member, and Gwen Swiger, associate editor. On right Captain James Stone, Chattanooga Fire Dept and 1st VP of the Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter. The awards were presented at the Chapter's Sept. 8 meeting at the Cleveland Elks Lodge. Members of the Caswel family from around the US gathered in Etowah to help the Hiwassee Chapter mark the grave of Patriot Thomas Caswel. 2012 SAR Membership Dues are currently due. If you have mailed your dues check yet, please remit $53.00 before December 31, 2011. Our goal is to have 100% renewal. Please mail your dues payment to: David E. Johnston, TNSSAR Treasurer 7809 Senate Lane Knoxville, Tennessee 37931
T E N N E S S E E S O C I E T Y S A R C H A P T E R S WESTERN DISTRICT Isaac Shelby Chapter, Memphis Jackson Purchase Chapter, Union City James Madison Chapter, Jackson PROSPECTIVE CHAPTERS Gibson County, Trenton Bedford County, Shelbyville Thomas Kilgore Chapter, Springfield Tennessee Patriot Send submittals for the TENNESSEE PATRIOT to Richard T. Spencer, Jr., Publisher, 376 Sims Lane, Franklin, Tennessee 37067-1893 or by email at DSPEN47@aol.com, or send to Rick D. Hollis, Editor, 521 South First Street, Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 or email at tnssar@bellsouth.net. For questions, you may also contact the Editor by calling 615.812.2648. MIDDLE DISTRICT Andrew Crockett Chapter, Franklin Andrew Jackson Chapter, Nashville Anthony Bledsoe Chapter, Gallatin Christopher Strong Chapter, Charlotte Joseph Greer Chapter, Lynchburg Stones River Chapter, Murfreesboro Tombigbee Chapter, Columbia W. P. Quarles Chapter, Cookeville Valentine Sevier Chapter, Clarksville NATIONAL SOCIETY SAR Headquarters 1000 South Fourth Street, Louisville, KY 40203 502.589.1776 www.sar.org Executive Director Don Shaw Registrar Aaron Adams Librarian Michael Christian Education Colleen Wilson Merchandising Susan Griffin dshaw@sar.org aadams@sar.org mchristi@sar.org cwilson@sar.org sgriffin@sar.org For Chapter and meeting location information, contact Chapter President. For membership, contact Chapter Registrar. WE ARE LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS Are your friends, sons, grandsons, brothers and cousins members? Please encourage them to join SAR! Becoming a Member of SAR has two (2) basic requirements as provided in the NSSAR Constitution and By-Laws: 1. Eligibility for Membership 2. Lineal Descent from a Patriot with Acceptable Service A. A list of SAR Chapters in each State is listed on this Web-site, and an applicant may contact an officer of a Chapter near his home. B. Each State has a member who is designated as the New Member Helper. In most States, this is the State Registrar and he will direct an applicant to a Chapter where the applicant lives, or the nearest Chapter, and forward the inquiry to that Chapter. The Chapter will be responsible for assisting prospective members with the application process. Please consult http://www.tnssar.org/ State Registrar - DSPN47@att.net. 615.591.7373 National Society SAR 122nd Annual Congress Friday July 6 to Wednesday, July 11, 2012 Would you like to be a delegate to our next Annual Congress in Phoenix? The meeting will be held at the Historic Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The Tennessee Society SAR will have more than 20 eligible delegates. We have open seats. To qualify for credentials, please notify State Secretary John Kubenka that you would like to be a delegate by May 15, 2012. His email address is john@kubenka.us. EASTERN DISTRICT Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, Cleveland General Joseph Martin Chapter, Harrogate Hiwassee Chapter, Athens John Sevier Chapter, Chattanooga Kings Mountain Chapter, Johnson City State of Franklin Chapter, Rogersville Stephen Holston Chapter, Knoxville Watauga Chapter, Elizabethton General Society of Colonial Wars Eligibility proof as a descendant of a veteran from 1607 to April 19, 1775 For membership information: Governor William L. Eubank III eubankwf@comcast.net General Society of the War of 1812 Eligibility proof as a descendant of a War of 1812 veteran For membership information: Vice President David E. Eagan jede49@bellsouth.net Sons of Confederate Veterans Eligibility proof as a descendant of a Confederate veteran For membership information: Executive Director Ben Sewell III exedir@scv.org
The Tennessee Patriot Rick Hollis, Editor Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution 521 South First Street Clarksville, Tennessee 37040 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Claude T. Hardison, Jr. John W. Kubenka John C. Echerd Stanley A. Evans Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter Kings Mountain Chapter John Sevier Chapter Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter