M I N N E S O

News of Yesterday Reported Today Thursday November 12, 1778 MINNESOTA turning and firing his pistol re- his weapon in her temple. field working when he spot- ter, Abigail, who wasn’t to be peatedly at Brant. His powder The garrison was under ted the Indians, he realized he found. Although the Indians was wet, and the pistol misfired daylong assault by Tories and was cut off from the house. He prowled the woods around her, each time. Finally, the Mohawk Butler’s rangers. The Indians headed into the woods, hiding she and the children remained chief hurled his tomahawk hit- avoided the fort, always fear- until the attackers moved on. hidden until the next day. Abi- ting Alden in the head, killing ful of cannon shot, especially When he returned, his house gail had escaped also, but as him instantly. Brant tore his grapeshot. They preferred kill- was on fire, and he found his she was trying to rejoin her scalp from him before he hit ing, plundering and laying wife and three of their children mother the next day, she was the ground. waste to the village and out- inside, murdered. His fourth, a intercepted and did not survive. The massacre of the Wells skirts. They had no opposition, girl of ten years old, although Col. Colin Campbell was away family was particularly bar- since they outnumbered the mangled and left for dead, was from the village when the at- SAR Salute THE MINNESOTA SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION NEWSLETTER • www.MinnesotaSAR.org • SPRING 2019 baric. One story claims one of garrison force more than two to still alive. After putting out the tack started, but hurried home the Tories boasting he killed one. Those inside the fort saw small house fire, he carried his when he heard the alarm gun the unarmed Mr. Wells as he the futility in venturing out to girl to the doorway, tending her from the Fort. He arrived to MNSAR Members Who Served in the Military prayed. A better source states try and stop them. wounds. He noticed a straggling find his property destroyed, a Past President COL Ronald McRoberts had coordinated the presenta- that Butler killed Wells, which Other Cherry Valley fami- party of attackers approaching. member of his household killed tion of NSSAR War Service Medals and NSSAR Military Service Med- is more likely. lies who suffered the Indians, He just had time to hide, when a and his wife and four children als during the Washington Observance and Luncheon Meeting. 17 of As the Indians broke into the and equally vicious Tories, in- Tory sergeant named Newberry carried away as prisoners. the 22 recipients were present: The War Service Medal and certificate was awarded to Allen Dean Shepersky. The Military Service Medal and house, Wells’s sister, Eleanor, cluded the Rev. Samuel Dunlop ran up to the door, and with a Certificate were awarded to Geoffrey Bodeau, Arthur Finnell, David tried to hide in a woodpile. She and a Mr. Mitchell. Mrs. Dun- shout, drove his hatchet into the Sources: Foster, Jay Franklin, Wayne Halvorson, David Hawley, Marvin Jansma, was intercepted by Little Beard lop was killed outright, shar- head of the little girl. William Langston, Ronald McRoberts, Robert Neese, Randall Nelson, who grabbed her, took his tom- ing the fate of her sister, Mrs. Several other families were Revolutionary War Almanac, Thomas Scherer, Larry Sisk, Rehn Smith, Thomas Sneed, and Craig ahawk from his belt, and aimed Wells. Mr. Dunlop and another cut off by the Indians, and in by John C. Fredriksen, Whiting. The other five will be mailed: War Service to Michael Huttner; his tomahawk at her head. A daughter would have been mur- all, 32 settlers of Cherry Valley Infobase Publishing, 2006 and Military Service to Bruce Humrickhouse, Ethan Read, Douglas Tory, ranger Peter Smith, once dered but for Little Aaron, a – mostly women and children – Stewart, and Leland Swanson. The assemblage rose with applause for https://revolutionarywar. a servant in the Wells house, chief of the Oghkwaga branch were killed. In addition, 16 sol- all these fine gentlemen for service to our country. us/year-1778/battle-cherry- jumped in front of the Indian of Mohawks. Little Aaron led diers died. Some of the inhab- valley-massacre/ to stop him, claiming she was the aged, infirm old man to a itants escaped, but many were his sister. Eleanor knew some doorway, where he stood be- wounded and/or taken prisoner. https://www.

words of the Mohawk language side him for protection. Indians Mrs. Clyde, the wife of myrevolutionarywar.com/ and begged the Indian for mer- tried to take his clothes, but the Colonel Clyde, who was not in battles/781111-cherry-valley Members MNSAR New

cy. With one hand, the Iroquois sachem stopped them. the area at the time, reached the pushed the Tory away from the Mr. Mitchell’s situation deep woods with all her chil- Color of Splash A

girl and with the other, buried was even more tragic. In the dren except her oldest daugh- American Eagle American

the American Revolution American the A Splash of Color on Influence its and Freemasonry

A Message from the MNSAR Color Guard MNSAR Membership Report

New Members were welcomed during the Washington Day Military the Color Guard Commander Steven Hyde presented a report in Served Who Members MNSAR promoting the MNSAR Color Guard. He reported on the Color Observance and Luncheon. SAR Secretary-Treasurer John

Hallberg Jones presented the certificate and rosette to new

Guard’s activity during 2018 including the annual Wayzata Chap- Luncheon and Observance

ter C.A.R. “flying pancake” Independence Day event. member Harry Hust. Other new member certificates will be Washington George Annual

mailed. Robert Allison was presented the certificate and star for

... S AR NS

He ended by saying, “at the end of the day, you can rest assured M lute

that... another approved supplemental application. MAJ Geoffrey R. a

Bodeau, M.D., was presented with the certificate and insignia I the de i WE THE PEOPLE of the United States, ns in Order to form a more perfect Union, for 25 years of membership. establish Justice,

insure domestic Tranquility, New Members:

Name Patriot provide for the common defence, REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS Michael W. F. Huffner...... Thomas Eldredge promote the general Welfare, Harry Agar Hust...... Enos Day and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, Michael Dennis Kalos...... Anthony Hoffman (as we) do ordain and establish (the) Constitution for the United

Tristan Alexander Kalos...... Anthony Hoffman States of America! 55406-3743 MN Minneapolis,

John Spencer Kalos...... Anthony Hoiffman

Mark David Nelson...... John T. Headley Parkway Minnehaha East 2700 Share with family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors, the Revolution American the of Sons Supplemental Application Approved:

challenge of the preamble and getting involved in this Society.” Robert W. G. H. Allison...... William Gwin, Sr. Society Minnesota MINNESOTA

SAR Salute News of Yesterday Reported Today Thursday November 12, 1778 Freemasonry and its Influence on the Cherry Valley Massacre Cherry Valley, New York – surrounded the village meet- Adam Hunter woke up look- alarm in the village. American Revolution Yesterday a combined Loyal- ing house. It was garrisoned by ing into a ring of Tories and Continuing to evidence his ist/Indian Force under Captain 300 soldiers of the 7th Massa- Indian faces. Walter Butler arrogance and ignorance, Alden Minneapolis, Minnesota – exclusively, drawn from the Walter Butler and Chief Joseph chusetts Regiment of the Con- recognized the sergeant. Hunt- still did not believe it was an at- 42 members of the Minne- manual tools of stonemasons – Brant ravaged the American tinental Army, commanded by er realized in fear that he was tack of force. He insisted it was sota Society SAR, along with the square and compasses, the Settlement at Cherry Valley, Colonel Ichabod Alden. looking into the face of the man likely the work of a lone strag- spouses, guests, and members level and plumb rule, the trow- New York. They attacked un- As October wound down, he once guarded in an Albany gler. Before he could call in his of the Society of the Sons of the el, among others. A moral les- der the cover of a rainstorm and Alden became convinced there home who had escaped and scouts or organize a defense, Revolution in the State of Min- son is attached to each of these surprised the garrison under would be no concentrated at- very nearly caused his demo- the Indians were upon them. nesota, gathered for the Annual tools, although the assignment Colonel Ichabod Alden, who tack on Cherry Valley until pos- tion. Unfortunately for the set- Washington Day Luncheon. is by no means consistent. The was killed along with over 40 sibly the following spring. After grilling Hunter and the tlers, before entering the vil- The total attendance was 82. meaning of the symbolism is soldiers and settlers. On November 8, Alden re- prisoners for about an hour they lage, Butler halted his rangers Jax Café had prepared their taught and explored through ceived a hastily written mes- got all the information about the so they could check their fire- signature walleye pike for the ritual. The Seneca Indians were an- sage from Fort Schuyler, warn- settlement they needed, Butler arms. Their powder was wet. group, with a vegetarian alter- Many colonial mayors and gered by accusations that they ing that Tories and Indians and Brant moved toward the Some reports claim the pause native for those desiring such, politicians were Freemasons. had committed atrocities dur- would attack his post. valley. They camped on top of was intentional, allowing the and a delightful white choco- Each of the original thirteen ing the July Battle at Wyoming As it was late in the season, a thickly evergreened hill about Senecas, the most ferocious of late raspberry mousse dessert. colonies had Masonic Lodges. Valley, Pennsylvania, lead by settlers who brought their be- a mile southwest of the village. the Six Nations, into the van- Kevin Everett Sullivan, Vice 41 percent of General Washing- Minnesota SAR Color Guard, honored guests from Masonic affilia- Colonel John Butler of Butler’s longings to the fort for protec- Snow fell that night, turning guard of the attack. The rang- President of the Minneapolis ton’s staff were Freemasons, as tions and George Washington’s sword – a gift from Layfayette. Rangers. The lurid propaganda tion that summer had already to rain by morning. The valley ers might have been able to Chapter and member of the was George Washington. associated with the accusations taken them back to their homes. was covered with thick mist curb some of the Seneca thirst MNSAR Color Guard, as well It can easily be shown that ton’s presidency. George Wash- Paul Revere from the year 1800 against the Seneca in particular Now, with the warning, when and fog. The attackers moved for blood. The evening before as a member of numerous Ma- in many ways the revolution- ington was inaugurated as Pres- and remains in their collection angered them, as did the colo- they asked Alden for permis- quickly and silently toward the Butler had cautioned his men sonic organizations, gave an ary ideals of equality, freedom, ident of the United States with to this day. nists’ destruction of Unadilla, sion to bring their valuables village. against unwarranted cruelty. outstanding illustrated address and democracy were espoused a Bible from St. John’s Lodge, Sullivan introduced eight Onaquaga, and Tioga. The back to the fort, Alden scoffed Officers of the garrison were Instead, the Senecas imme- on “Freemasonry and its Influ- by the Masonic fraternity long administered by Chancellor and guests from Masonic affilia- Wyoming Valley attack, even at the warning, calling it an lodged with families near the diately surrounded the Wells ence on the American Revolu- before the American colonies Grand Master of New York, tions including the Scottish Rite though Chief Joseph Brant was “idle Indian rumor” and turned fort. And, with continued assur- house, and, with several Tories, tion.” began to complain about the in- Robert R. Livingston. The dol- of Freemasonry. They brought not present, fueled among his them down. He assured the set- ances by Colonel Alden that it slaughtered the entire family. Freemasonry is the world’s justices of British taxation. The lar bill, boasting Washington’s with them a Sword given to opponents the view of him as a tlers he would; “...post vigilant was too late in the season for an They killed Robert Wells, his oldest fraternity having started revolutionary ideals expressed face, is known to display Ma- George Washington from the particularly brutal opponent. scouts and be at all times pre- attack, everyone relaxed. Alden wife, his brother and sister, in England in 1717. They trace in the Bill of Rights, the Dec- sonic symbols, such as the all- Marquis de Lafayette. Brant then joined forces pared to warn them of any ap- and Lt. Colonel Stacy stayed John and Jane, three of his sons, their origins to the local frater- laration of Independence, and seeing eye and scroll. Sullivan ended his disserta- with Captain Walter Butler (the proaching danger.” with Robert Wells, a respected Samuel, Robert, and William nities of stonemasons, which the writings of Thomas Paine, On September 18, 1793, tion with the Closing Charge of son of Colonel John Butler), On November 9, Alden sent judge of the county, who was and his daughter Eleanor. The from the end of the fourteenth were ideals that had come to President George Washington, Freemasons performed by one leading two companies of But- scouts in various directions. a close friend of Colonel John only survivor of the family was century regulated the qualifica- fruition over a century before dressed in his Masonic apron, of his guests. ler’s Rangers commanded by Those who traveled down the Butler, (Walter’s father). About a son John who was at school in tions of stonemasons and their in the early speculative lodges leveled the cornerstone of the Captains John McDonell and Susquehanna unknowingly 20 regular soldiers also stayed Schenectady. Ironically, Robert interaction with authorities and of the seventeenth and eigh- United States Capitol with the Next Meeting William Caldwell for an attack walked directly into the face of at the Wells farm. Knowing Wells had taken his entire fam- clients. The degrees of Freema- teenth centuries, where men sat traditional Masonic ceremony. The Minnesota SAR’s annu- on the major Schoharie Creek the enemy. On their third night where all the officers were ily to safety in Schenectady sonry retain the three grades of as equals, governed themselves George Washington passed al Constitution Day Luncheon settlement of Cherry Valley. out, one group of 10 men made staying, the attackers started to some months before, but re- medieval craft guilds, those of by a Constitution, and elected away in 1799 at the age of 67. will be held at Jax Cafe on Sat- Butler’s forces also included a serious mistake. Sergeant infiltrate the village, intending turned home when the danger Apprentice, Journeyman or fel- their own leaders from their He was honored with a Mason- urday, October 19, 2019. 300 Senecas, probably led by Adam Hunter also didn’t be- to creep up on the officer’s bil- of attack appeared over. low (now called Fellowcraft), midst. In many ways, the self- ic funeral ceremony, and buried Minnesota author Alan either Cornplanter or Sayen- lieve there would be an attack lets. However, on the outskirts Alden attempted to escape and Master Mason. governing Masonic Lodges of with his apron. In the midst of Lathrop will present a history queraghta, and 50 British Army this late in the season, and was of town, an Indian fired at two from the Wells house. He was Freemasonry describes it- the previous centuries had been Washington’s death, Martha from his book, “A Surgeon soldiers from the 8th Regiment tired of cold, fireless nights. He men, killing one and wounding chased down a road for some self as a “’beautiful system of learning laboratories for the Washington sent a lock of the with Stillwell” – about Dr. John Grindlay and combat medicine of Foot. told his men to build a large fire the other. Although seriously distance by an Indian. Brant morality, veiled in allegory and concept of self-government. president’s hair to the Grand in the China-Burma-India The- Cherry Valley had a pali- and they all slept beside it for wounded, the survivor rode to repeatedly shouted for his sur- illustrated by symbols”. The It is clear that Freemasonry Lodge of Massachusetts. It has ater during WWII. saded fort (constructed after warmth. They woke up the next the Wells house warning Colo- render. Alden refused, making symbolism is mainly, but not played a large role in Washing- been kept in an urn made by Brant’s raid on Cobleskill) that morning as prisoners. nel Alden and sounded the a fatal mistake by stopping, News of Yesterday Reported Today Thursday November 12, 1778 MINNESOTA turning and firing his pistol re- his weapon in her temple. field working when he spot- ter, Abigail, who wasn’t to be peatedly at Brant. His powder The garrison was under ted the Indians, he realized he found. Although the Indians was wet, and the pistol misfired daylong assault by Tories and was cut off from the house. He prowled the woods around her, each time. Finally, the Mohawk Butler’s rangers. The Indians headed into the woods, hiding she and the children remained chief hurled his tomahawk hit- avoided the fort, always fear- until the attackers moved on. hidden until the next day. Abi- ting Alden in the head, killing ful of cannon shot, especially When he returned, his house gail had escaped also, but as him instantly. Brant tore his grapeshot. They preferred kill- was on fire, and he found his she was trying to rejoin her scalp from him before he hit ing, plundering and laying wife and three of their children mother the next day, she was the ground. waste to the village and out- inside, murdered. His fourth, a intercepted and did not survive. The massacre of the Wells skirts. They had no opposition, girl of ten years old, although Col. Colin Campbell was away family was particularly bar- since they outnumbered the mangled and left for dead, was from the village when the at- SAR Salute THE MINNESOTA SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION NEWSLETTER • www.MinnesotaSAR.org • SPRING 2019 baric. One story claims one of garrison force more than two to still alive. After putting out the tack started, but hurried home the Tories boasting he killed one. Those inside the fort saw small house fire, he carried his when he heard the alarm gun the unarmed Mr. Wells as he the futility in venturing out to girl to the doorway, tending her from the Fort. He arrived to MNSAR Members Who Served in the Military prayed. A better source states try and stop them. wounds. He noticed a straggling find his property destroyed, a Past President COL Ronald McRoberts had coordinated the presenta- that Butler killed Wells, which Other Cherry Valley fami- party of attackers approaching. member of his household killed tion of NSSAR War Service Medals and NSSAR Military Service Med- is more likely. lies who suffered the Indians, He just had time to hide, when a and his wife and four children als during the Washington Observance and Luncheon Meeting. 17 of As the Indians broke into the and equally vicious Tories, in- Tory sergeant named Newberry carried away as prisoners. the 22 recipients were present: The War Service Medal and certificate was awarded to Allen Dean Shepersky. The Military Service Medal and house, Wells’s sister, Eleanor, cluded the Rev. Samuel Dunlop ran up to the door, and with a Certificate were awarded to Geoffrey Bodeau, Arthur Finnell, David tried to hide in a woodpile. She and a Mr. Mitchell. Mrs. Dun- shout, drove his hatchet into the Sources: Foster, Jay Franklin, Wayne Halvorson, David Hawley, Marvin Jansma, was intercepted by Little Beard lop was killed outright, shar- head of the little girl. William Langston, Ronald McRoberts, Robert Neese, Randall Nelson, who grabbed her, took his tom- ing the fate of her sister, Mrs. Several other families were Revolutionary War Almanac, Thomas Scherer, Larry Sisk, Rehn Smith, Thomas Sneed, and Craig ahawk from his belt, and aimed Wells. Mr. Dunlop and another cut off by the Indians, and in by John C. Fredriksen, Whiting. The other five will be mailed: War Service to Michael Huttner; his tomahawk at her head. A daughter would have been mur- all, 32 settlers of Cherry Valley Infobase Publishing, 2006 and Military Service to Bruce Humrickhouse, Ethan Read, Douglas Tory, ranger Peter Smith, once dered but for Little Aaron, a – mostly women and children – Stewart, and Leland Swanson. The assemblage rose with applause for https://revolutionarywar. a servant in the Wells house, chief of the Oghkwaga branch were killed. In addition, 16 sol- all these fine gentlemen for service to our country. us/year-1778/battle-cherry- jumped in front of the Indian of Mohawks. Little Aaron led diers died. Some of the inhab- valley-massacre/ to stop him, claiming she was the aged, infirm old man to a itants escaped, but many were his sister. Eleanor knew some doorway, where he stood be- wounded and/or taken prisoner. https://www.