PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION www.amrev.org

VOLUME 21 NUMBER 3 FALL 2011

LET FREEDOM RING!

The Society held its 43rd annual Let Freedom Ring celebration on the 235th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The festivities began with a delightful luncheon at the Sheraton Society Hill, once again in the familiar confines of The Hamilton Room, where President Benjamin C. Frick made some welcoming comments and traditional toasts were made.

After lunch, the Society Colors were paraded up Walnut Street to Independence Square. The parade was followed by many Society members, and even more members of the public, no doubt drawn to the vocal cadence of the Color Guard Battle Cry.

The colors were presented and posted beneath the unusual sight of scaffolding and decorative scrim adorning the familiar façade of Independence Hall, as our most famous landmark has begun to show some wear and tear, and is undergoing a significant Captain W. Steven Mark leads the Color Guard parade from renovation. One Dock Street towards Independence Square

Regardless, warm weather and blue skies As 2pm approached, the collected dignitaries Shane Wallace, 15, and Melissa Jewel welcomed the crowds of celebrants and proceeded up to the Liberty Bell Center for Wallace, 12 (John Morton). They were onlookers, and the throng was greeted by the ceremonial bell tapping right at 2pm joined at the ceremony by Mayor Michael the jubilant sounds of The Philadelphia EST. This year’s brigade of Bell Tappers, all Nutter and his family, GSR President Terry Boys Choir and Chorale, and our Master of descendants of signers of The Declaration Davenport and his family, and GSR VP Ceremonies, Chris May of CBS Channel of Independence, were: Christopher Haines Richard Patterson. 3. The ceremonies commenced with an Belman, 17, Anneke Erin Belman, 15, and invocation by Reverend G. Clayton Ames Brendan Richard Belman, 10, (all descended III, followed by welcoming words and from Samuel Chase, William Ellery and - Leif A. Zetterberg, LFR Chairman patriotic remarks by Dr. Roy Almquist, Oliver Wolcott); Kelsey Elisabeth Dobyns, - William H. Dutcher III , Luncheon co- “John Adams” in character, Superintendent 16 (Thomas Heyward, Jr.); Angelica Rose Chariman Cynthia MacLeod, and Society President Mason, 14 (Thomas Nelson, Jr.); Alexander - Lanny S. Patten Frick. Hayes Wahlig, 13 (John Hart); Samantha PAGE 2 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011 PAGE 3 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011

Our 42nd annual celebration of Independence Day benefitted from From the Color Guard Lancaster Chapter Update President's Message good weather, at least for July in Philadelphia. Many of us marveled at thoughts of our ancestors in their wool clothing, enduring long Twenty members of the Lancaster County Chapter and their nineteen As Hurricane Irene blew through the Philadelphia area a couple debates on independence, often with the windows closed to prevent of weeks ago, I was amused by our culture of instant and constant guests met for the eighty-sixth annual meeting of the Chapter at the prying ears. The day’s festivities proceeded flawlessly due to the Meadia Heights Golf Club on May 1st 2011. The highlights of the communication. Twenty-four hours a day information on exactly meticulous planning of Chairman Vice President Leif A. Zetterberg, what to expect and exactly when to expect it, even if the information meeting were the election of officers for the 2011-2012 term, and a Vice Chairman William H. Dutcher, III, and the committee. At the very interesting presentation on early American Coinage. was not exactly correct. Maybe our colonial ancestors would have request of the City of Philadelphia, our bell tappers were joined this appreciated warning of approaching hurricanes, but I find that the year by two recently naturalized citizens. volume and the immediacy of news demanding our attention tends The new officers and Executive Committee members are: to obscure what is really important. I hope that you can sit back Regent David Christopher Hill Byrne In September the Society hosted a reception at The Union League Vice Regent Edwin Richard Miller and leisurely enjoy the latest effort of our Newsletter Committee for new and prospective members. The reception was very well and our new Editor Schuyler C. Wickes. We will strive to keep you Secretary Peter Laurence Hill Byrne attended, despite the lingering travel difficulties from Tropical Treasurer Peter Laurence Hill Byrne informed without being too blustery, and we hope you will find some Storm Lee. Yes, there is a weather theme here. We have a number importance in the activities of your Society. Registrar William Wistar Hamilton, III of prospective members who are very interested in the Society and Chaplain Edwin Richard Miller have made good progress on their applications. If you have someone Solicitor Michael Howle Ranck, Esq. The Society recently sponsored the marking of the grave site of you would like to propose, the Society and the Membership Com- Revolutionary War soldiers at the Valley Friends Meeting House, Historian Paul Harnish Ripple, M.D. mittee are anxious to work with you and your candidate to make Executive Committee Silas Kendrick Eshleman, III, M.D. near Park. This project was headed by Harvard C. sure you have smooth sailing. Wood, IV, and Harvard and President Emeritus Curtis P. Cheyney, Executive Committee Joseph Howard Frantz The Color Guard had an excellent turnout for this year’s Let III participated in the ceremony for the unveiling of the memorial -Benjamin C. Frick, President marker on June 19th. Freedom Ring ceremonies. The Guard, led by Captain W. Steven Mark, paraded the colors to Independence Square. They were led One ringing in particular includes a ceremony where veterans from by three pipers and a drum from The Watson Highlanders, and Update every state of the Union gather. Upon reading details of their states’ followed by many members of the PSSR. Along the parade route, The Normandie citizens involvement at the D-Day landings at Normandy Beach, 1st Sgt Richard Walkup and 2nd Sgt Eric Guenther led the Guard each veteran rings the bell in memorial and celebration. The WWII in its newly adopted Cadence Call, which concluded with a rousing - Liberty Bell - Museum is currently considering building a dedicated “Bell Tower” echo of COLOR GUARD across Washington Square. With limited for the Normandy Bell, so that it can be heard the same way it would practice and excellent execution, the Cadence Call certainly turned You may remember this bell, which was first rung here in have been heard 235 years ago, rather than in an enclosed pavilion. a few heads and drafted many more parade followers. Philadelphia at Independence Hall on July 4, 2004, and then was We wish them good luck. at the National Constitution Center for many months. Captain Mark was pleased to have two of his grandchildren with him for this his last year as Color Guard Captain. Pictured with From 2003-2005, the PSSR was integrally involved with bringing Captain Mark are Rebecca Taylor Keys Mark and Reagan Thomas the Normandy Liberty Bell to Philadelphia for the Let Freedom Ring Peery Mark (a life member of the PSSR). ceremony. This bell is an exact replica (prior to the crack), cast in France to the exact metallurgic specifications as the Liberty Bell -Capt. W. Steven Mark and Timothy E. Games in Philadelphia, and was commissioned privately by a Frenchman New Regent David C. H. Byrne in Memory of the US involvement at Normandy, France in WWII. It was gifted to the U.S. by a group of citizens of Normandy. As a perfect replica, the ringing captures the original sound of the Liberty Bell, something that had not been heard in Philadelphia in CONTENTS CONTRIBUTORS quite some time.

However, for several years after LFR 2004 and a short stint at the Let Freedom Ring 1 CONTRIBUTORS Constitution Center, it had no permanent home or sponsor, and President's Message 2 William H. Dutcher III remained in storage in Philadelphia. But since then, we are pleased The Normandie Liberty Bell 2 Benjamin C. Frick, Esq. to share with you that it has found a new home. From the Color Guard 3 Winchell S. Carroll It was donated to the National WWII Museum in New Orleans on Lancaster Chapter 3 Dr. David M. Humphrey Veterans Day - Nov. 11, 2009 by an organization called Normandie Musket Ball 4 Dr. W. Steven Mark Memoire. The dedication was made by Admiral Brac de la Perriere, Liberty Hall 4 Daniel Murphy, Esq. Commander of the French Legion of Honor and President of The End of an Era 4 Andrew R. Sullivan Normandie Memoire, at a ceremony at the museum. Also attending The Capture of a Traitor 5/6 Schuyler C. Wickes the dedication was the French Military Attache and other French This Month in History 6 diplomatic personnel. New Members Elected 7 Photography From Sea to Shining Sea 7 Amanda Muckle Calendar of Events 8 Lanny R. Patten TODAY: It currently resides in the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion at Picture and update courtesy of Tom Czekanski the museum, and is rung on several key occasions during the year. Director of Collections and Exhibits PAGE 4 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011 PAGE 5 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011

and as a result he headed for Chesapeake Bay eventually defeating The Capture of a Traitor Washington on September 11, 1777 at the Battle of the Brandywine Presenting... John Andre and and thereafter taking over Philadelphia while Washington moved By Daniel Murphy, Esq. to Valley Forge. Burgoyne (and his mistress) moved south intending to meet Howe In 1990, my genealogist (Walter B. Smith - now deceased) and I but was surrounded at Saratoga where he surrendered on October spent virtually the entire year researching and documenting my ancestry to show my descent from Stephen Sedore, who fought in 17, 1777. Benedict Arnold’s enterprise was a major factor leading PSSR Musket Ball the Revolutionary War twice, once with the New York Militia at the to Burgoyne’s surrender. The next British foray up the Hudson battle of White Plains (October 22, 1776) River Valley took place on May 30, 1779 when they seized Stony and in all probability again at Yorktown Point, but the Americans, under the leadership 2011 (October 1781) as a member of Hazen’s of Pennsylvania’s own Brigadier General Brigade of the . Anthony Wayne, re-captured it in a night attack on July 16, 1779. Saturday, October 15th Our research led us down several interesting historical paths. One related Around this time, and just prior to the Battle Waynesborough Country Club to an affidavit of September 19, 1833 by of the Brandywine, Arnold had married Stephen’s brother, Isaac Sedore, (then 78 Peggy Shippen, a member of a prominent Paoli, PA. years old) involving an incident set forth Philadelphia family. He felt his exploits at in his application when applying for a Saratoga were not properly recognized by Revolutionary War veteran’s pension, the American command at the Continental in which he stated he was a sentry at Congress, and therefore his being placed in Music provided by the highly acclaimed Jason Kendall Production from Pittsburgh. Peekskill, New York on September 23, charge of the fort at West Point was not nearly sufficient to satisfy his ego. Come out and enjoy an elegant evening of jovial conversation, drink and sumptuous food 1780 when his friends Isaac VanWaert This will surely be a memorable event. (a cousin), John Paulding and David Williams captured British Major John Shortly thereafter, somehow Arnold secretly Andre. John Andre was the messenger managed to communicate with General between British General Clinton in New Howe and General Clinton, who were both SOMETHING IS ROTTEN York City and Benedict Arnold at West stationed in New York, that for a partially Point whereby Arnold was conspiring contingent fee Arnold would arrange for the AT LIBERTY HALL with the British to surrender West Point surrender of West Point for £10,000 pounds to them. A contemporary account by down and £10,000 pounds upon completion This sounds like something the British Loyalists might have said of the surrender. th Isaac Sedore’s superior New York militia 235 years ago. But as many of you may have noticed this past 4 officer, John Yerkes, however, places him July, the Let Freedom Ring celebration at Independence Square was (erroneously called Isaac See) with Yerkes and two others near but To get from Arnold the details about how he conducted beneath the unusual sight of Independence Hall covered not at the spot where Andre was apprehended. would effectuate the surrender of West Point, Clinton sent Major by scaffolding and a replica scrim of the façade of the historic John Andre in a boat up the Hudson. The Americans subjected the building. It's all part of a $4.4 million project to repair and renovate Had Arnold and Clinton succeeded, the British would have boat to heavy gunfire, and Andre disembarked on the west shore of significantly advanced their objective of severing New England the Hudson River while the boat reversed course and turned south. The Downstairs is the historic room where the founders made the from the rest of the revolting colonies. Andre and Arnold met at Haverstraw, New York on the night of Declaration of Independence and Constitution real. But if you head To place the importance of Andre’s capture in proper perspective it is September 21, 1780. Arnold gave his detailed plans for the surrender up into the tower, in an area restricted to the public, you can see a necessary to start a chronology with the battle of White Plains about of West Point to Andre and warned him to hide them in his stocking. grand old lady showing her age. 25 miles north of New York City. As noted above it occurred on October 22, 1776 and essentially was a draw between Washington’s Arnold, knowing Andre could not return to New York City via boat, Inside, that water damage has made some of the wood warp and troops and the British, who prior to this had just ousted Washington also gave Andre a pass through American lines labeling Andre “John rot, and the iron pins used to hold the boards together have rusted, from Long Island and subsequently occupied New York City. From Anderson”. He also urged Andre to discard his British uniform and streaking the tower with rust and mold. Outside there is decay too, The End of an Era then until the Treaty of Paris in 1783 the British controlled New don civilian clothes. This latter move, as things turned out, changed leading to quite a to-do list for the14-month project. York City. Andre’s status from an enemy combatant to a spy. After almost 20 issues of the Society newsletter, Jim Congdon is “The Friends of Independence have generously donated the stepping down as Chairman of the Newsletter Committee, and In late 1776 the British fostered a plan to divide the New England By 10 A.M. on the morning of September 22, 1780 Arnold had placed decorative scrim covering the scaffold so people will still have that he will be sorely missed. His tireless work over the last five years colonies from the Mid-Atlantic and Southern colonies by getting Andre under the guidance of Joshua Hett Smith who, along with iconic image of the tower for their pictures,” said park spokeswoman pulling everything together for the newsletter has kept all of us in- control of Lake Champlain and the Hudson River Valley. a Negro servant, guided Andre in a northeast, clockwise direction Jane Cowley. If all goes to plan, next year’s Let Freedom Ring formed and educated. We want to take this opportunity to thank Their first move was to send General Burgoyne from Montreal via horseback. Amazingly Andre on the strength of Arnold’s pass celebration at Independence Square will be back under the familiar him for all his work, and Sally, we give him back to you in one south to capture Fort Ticonderoga and control Lake Champlain slipped through American outposts at a spot about two miles east presence of the “old, yet new and improved” Liberty Hall. piece, and we wish you many happy evenings together again. and send General Howe north from New York City to subdue the of Peekskill, where he and Smith slept the night of September 22, -The Newsletter Committee Hudson River Valley. Howe’s orders were conflicting, however, again near Compound, N.Y. and finally at Pine’s Bridge after Smith -Schuyler C. Wickes had left him a mile or two beforehand on September 23. PAGE 6 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011 PAGE 7 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011

Shortly before Smith and Andre parted company they unexpectedly encountered American Colonel Samuel B. Webb, who was still on parole having been a British prisoner in New York. Andre, per his This Month... in statement after being captured, recognized Webb but Webb was fooled by Andre's being in civilian clothes. Revolutionary War History New Members Elected this summer

About mid-morning on September 23 Andre encountered the fourth American stop at Clark’s Kill in North Tarrytown, New York. Had Douglas Buchanan Gibson #6227 (5/12/11) (Junior member to Young Adult) he passed through, he would have made it to British lines. Actually October 1777 Second Battle of Saratoga -- Saratoga was the first turning point of this was not an outpost per se but rather Paulding, Van Wart and the war. Revolutionary confidence and determination, suffering from Williams had seen him working his way down the Albany Post Howe’s successful occupation of Philadelphia, was renewed by the Road. They had arrived only an hour before their intent being to Samuel W.M. Griffin #6228 (9/8/11) victory at Saratoga and the surrender of Burgoyne. What is more catch cattle thieves who would try to sell cattle to the British in New important, the Saratoga victory encouraged France to make an open York and pocket the change. The intent of the three Americans was to seize the cattle as contraband and sell it. alliance with the Americans, after two years of semi-secret support. For the British, the war had now become much more complicated. William Spaulding Wood #6229 (9/8/11) Paulding wore a Hessian’s red coat which misled Andre to answer the Americans’ challenge by saying he hoped they belonged to “our October 1779 party.” When asked to specify what he meant by “our party” Andre Siege of Savannah, GA – With the British strategy in the northern Charles Andrew Frick #J387 (9/8/11) said “The Lower Party” to which the Americans replied that they colonies stalling, the British military planners decided to focus their belonged to it. Andre then proclaimed himself a British officer on efforts on the Loyalist-strong southern states, which yielded an special business and to prove his standing showed them his gold immediate capture in 1778 of key southern ports, including Savan- If you know of any Society members that are currently serving in the military, please watch and Arnold’s pass. nah, GA. However, General Benjamin Lincoln, commanding the contact the office and let us know. Continental Army in Georgia, knew that an attempt to recapture Savannah would require naval assistance, and for this he turned to the French navy. But even with superior numbers and the French This Newsletter is published by the naval support, the strategically superior position held by the British Pennsylvania Society of proved to strong, and led to some of the bloodiest fighting in defeat From Sea to Shining Sea: Sons of the Revolution of the Revolutionary War. Let Freedom Ring Office Hours October 1780 Bells rang out around the nation for Let Freedom Ring on July 4. Monday - Friday Battle of Kings Mountain, NC – With significant British success in 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. the southern campaign in Georgia and South Carolina, Lord Corn- In Allentown, PA at Old Zion Church, where the Liberty Bell was Phone wallis, Commander of the British main forces, made clear plans to famously kept for a time, a replica bell tolled 13 times. 215-545-1888 advance into North Carolina and then Virginia. So, he sent Major Fax The Americans made Andre dismount intending to take his Patrick Ferguson with forces into North Carolina to first recruit Loy- In Green Bay, Wisconsin a ceremony at the courthouse drew a crowd 215-545-1777 valuables especially his boots. Between Andre’s stockings and feet alist militia, and then to protect the flanks of Cornwallis’ advancing and in Charlottesville, VA the annual children’s parade featured a Email they found the incriminating papers. Only Paulding could read (tho force. But with limited recruiting success, Ferguson instead caught 13 times bell-ringing moment. minimally) but his perusal caused him and the other six to take the wind of Patriot militias rallying to attack him, and so he began to [email protected] documents to Lt. Colonel John Jameson at Armonk several miles retreat. In doing such, at Kings Mountain at the border of South Phone Let Freedom Ring Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX held a special ceremony and east of their location. Jameson amazingly believed Andre as John Carolina, he was surrounded and surprised by the Patriot forces, 1-800-330-1776 Arrow Rock, MO, a small restored river town, held a parade and Anderson was acting under Arnold’s command and ordered Andre Email Let Freedom Ring and in little more than one hour, the British and Loyalist forces tolled the town bell. taken to Arnold while sending the incriminating documents to were handily defeated. The surprise defeat forced Lord Cornwallis [email protected] Washington who was many miles north of Armonk. The documents to cancel his plans to push into North Carolina, and gave a great Let Freedom Ring Website did not reach Washington until September 24. A side yard of a summer home on Buzzard’s Bay, Cape Cod, MA boost to Patriot morale. had a family ceremony. www.let-freedom-ring.org Meanwhile Jameson and six Americans were escorting Newsletter Committee John Anderson to West Point but on the way encountered a Major October 1781 New York City held ceremonies at City Hall. Schuyler C. Wickes, Chairman Tallmadge who convinced Jameson to return Andre to North Battle of Yorktown -- A decisive victory by a combined assault of Peter L.H. Byrne Tarrytown while the rest of the party proceeded to West Point to American forces led by General and French These are among the hundreds of both public and private sites Dr. James B. Congdon inform Arnold about Andre’s capture but not telling him about the forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army com- around the country where Let Freedom Ring tolled out for July 4. Richard R. P. Di Stefano, Esq. incriminating documents. Tipped off, Arnold and his wife, Peggy, manded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis. The culmination of Wm. Murray Gordon managed to get to the British in New York before Washington read the Yorktown campaign, it proved to be the last major land battle of James S. Hayes III, Esq. the incriminating documents and could act to capture Arnold. the American Revolutionary War in North America, as the surrender Dr. David M. Humphrey of Cornwallis’ army prompted the British government eventually The Americans soon took Andre to Tappen, New York where a few Daniel I. Murphy, Esq. days later he was tried as a spy and executed. - to negotiate an end to the conflict. Coleman Sellers VI PAGE 8 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2011

Calendar of Events

2011 Monthly Events

15 October Musket Ball Second Thursday of Each Month Waynesborough Country Club Board of Managers Meeting Paoli, PA The Union League of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Date TBD Young Members Paddle Tennis Party Merion Cricket Club

2012

18 February Washington's Birthday Ball The Union League of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA

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