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

VOLUME 24 NUMBER 3 FALL 2014

Signers of the Declaration of Independence John Tamny spoke about the same political Let Freedom Ring and BJ Gunn, assistant Superintendent of and economic challenges facing us today Celebration Independence National Historical Park. that our forefathers faced 238 years ago.

Independence Day in wouldn’t After lunch, Society Color Guard Captain Finally, just prior to the 2p.m. annual Liberty be complete without our Let Freedom Ring Robert R. Van Gulick, after consulting Bell ringing ceremony, we were all briefly celebration and the annual tapping of the with meteorological experts and present transformed back to the period in history by Liberty Bell. The bell tapping ceremony officials, determined that the weather would Ben Franklin, reminding us about the actual honors both the anniversary of the adoption of cooperate, and the annual parade could experience of being here in Philadelphia the Declaration of Independence, and the 56 proceed as planned. The Color Guard, led by the day independence was proclaimed. Our signers, and for the 45th consecutive year the Captain Van Gulick, paraded proudly from Society president, James B. Burke, and Pennsylvania Society has brought visibility Society Hill, through Philadelphia’s Historic the assembled dignitaries, under escort of and ceremony, pomp and celebration to this District and up towards Independence Hall, troopers from the First Troop Philadelphia wonderful event. with streets closed to traffic, gusty winds and City Cavalry, marched up to the bell ringing the whipping flags unfurled for our families, ceremony. The bell tappers included 9 A capacity gathering of Society members, friends and public celebrants lining the route descendants of signers of the Declaration families and guests met at the Sheraton and following enthusiastically. The Watson of Independence: Alexa Read Scholl, Society Hill in Philadelphia and were Highlanders Pipe and Drum led the parade descendant of George Read of Delaware, welcomed by cocktails and a sumptuous up and through the gathering crowds, where and Isiah Ron Bainbridge, Jacob James luncheon. We were pleased to be joined at the Society Colors were then presented to Bainbridge, Justin Hard Bainbridge, Erin lunch by some VIP guests including John everyone in attendance. Grace Daily, Kenneth Jacob Daily, Charles Tamny, political economy editor at Forbes, Joseph Wahlig, Rory Hayes Wahlig and Bernard Buckley, president of the Friendly B.J. Gunn, assistant Superintendent of Elizabeth Rebecca Welch, all descendants Sons of St. Patrick, Joseph Dooley, president Independence National Historic Park of John Hart of New Jersey. The whole day General of the National Society of Sons of welcomed us all on this festive day, as was a blustery and spectacular success, and the , Mrs. William members of the Orpheus Club Choir a great time was had by all. Wood, vice president of Descendants of the provided spirited patriotic music. In addition, —Philip V. Jenks, LFR Chairman PAGE 2 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2014 PAGE 3 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2014

South of Philadelphia, waiting in the Delaware Bay, sat a fleet of defend the Indians against the Paxton Boys, and the Paxton Boys and Valley Forge British ships carrying the army’s much needed supplies. General Lancaster Chapter Update were never captured or prosecuted. On Friday August 29th Theodore E. Wiederseim 3rd, Special Howe gave orders to sail the fleet up the river to provide new Our Annual Meeting - Gorgeous spring weather welcomed Projects chairman and historian, sSSR, Robert Reynolds Van provisions to his occupying troops. All that stood between the twenty-five members and guests of the Lancaster County Chapter Independence Day Celebration - On Sunday, July 6th, forty-one Gulick, Jr., Captain of the Color Guard and PSSR member Peter British and the likely defeat of the American Revolution was the to the eighty-ninth annual meeting of the Chapter at the Meadia Chapter members and guests attended the Chapter’s annual celebra- Morgan Adams toured small Fort Mifflin. The Americans forces had secured Fort Mifflin, Heights Golf Club on May 4th, 2014. After welcoming remarks, tory picnic at the Lancaster Liederkranz. The attendees enjoyed National Historic just below the city and across the river from New Jersey’s Fort the invocation, and the Pledge grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and consumed the usual picnic Landmark Fort Mifflin Mercer, and by this time in the fall of 1777 approximately 400 men of Allegiance to the flag, the salads and desserts along with appropriate libations. No program, with Fort Mifflin were garrisoned at this fort, charged with the duty of holding the attendees enjoyed cocktails and no speeches, no bands, no burning sun! Just relaxation and fun with Executive Director British off “to the last extremity” so that General Washington and lunch before the main business family and friends. Elizabeth Beatty. The his exhausted army could successfully move into “winter quarters meeting. Sons have contributed in the safety of Valley Forge”. Future Events - On September 27th, the Chapter will celebrate in the past to the main The highlights of the meeting the 237th anniversary of the day that Lancaster was the capital of gate restoration, It was here, on the frozen, marshy ground within the walls of a stone were the election of officers for the new of America, as the Colonial Congress met and continues their and wood fort, that the American Revolution produced a shining the 2014-2015 term, recognition in session in Lancaster on that day. A program in Binns Park and relationship in support moment. Cold, ill and starving, the young garrison of 400 men at of the recipient of the Jack a luncheon following in the Hamilton Club is planned. In addition, of restoration efforts. Fort Mifflin refused to give up. The valiant efforts of the men at Fort Loose Scholarship Award, and the annual fall meeting of the Chapter is planned for mid-November. Mifflin held the mighty British Navy at bay, providing Washington a very interesting presentation The location and agenda are to be determined. To understand the and his troops time to arrive safely at Valley Forge where they shaped on the massacre of the last of the —James Henry Martin, Regent importance of Fort a strong and confident army. This battle escalated into the greatest Conestoga Indians in Lancaster Lancaster Chapter Left to right: Elizabeth Beatty, Robert R. Van Gulick, Jr., bombardment of the American Revolution, and one that many say City.The new officers and Mifflin, and the Peter Morgan Adams and Theodore E. Wiederseim 3rd relationship it had with changed the course of American history. Executive Committee members Valley Forge and General Washington’s army encampment there James Henry Martin, Regent are: during the winter of 1777, we need to take a look back a little further It was a siege of numbers: 2,000 British soldiers and sailors against in history. Pennsylvania, and to a greater extent Philadelphia was 400 American militia. Almost 250 British cannon on eight British Regent James Henry Martin CONTENTS founded and governed by Quakers, who held firmly to their religious ships lead by HMS Somerset’s 64 cannons, against just ten American Vice Regent George Edward LeFevre concerns of a standing military. Thus, Philadelphia was by far the cannon at Fort Mifflin. But for nearly six weeks in the fall of 1777, Secretary Peter Laurence Hill Byrne Celebration of Independence 1 most significant colonial city without any significant fortification American troops at Fort Mifflin frustrated British naval attempts Treasurer Peter Laurence Hill Byrne Fort Mifflin and Valley Forge 2 or defenses. to re-supply their occupying forces in Philadelphia. Early in the Registrar William Wistar Hamilton III morning on November 10, 1777, the British took definitive action Solicitor John Eric Buckwalter, Esq. Lancaster Chapter Update 3 4th of July Gallery 4 to reach Philadelphia via the Delaware. Daybreak brought a rain of Executive Committee John Herman Bowman, M.D. By the 1740s, it ranked as the richest British port in the New World. NJSR/PSSR Washington Crossing 5 cannon fire upon Fort Mifflin beginning the largest bombardment Executive Committee Silas Kendrick Eshleman III, As such, French and Spanish privateers regularly entered the Obituaries 6 of the Revolutionary War. Under the direction of French M.D. , threatening the city. So a young Benjamin Franklin, America's Liberty Tree 6 during King George’s War of 1744-48, decided to raise a militia on Francois de Fleury, an engineer and tireless worker, the Americans The Jack Loose Scholarship Award is presented annually to a New Members & In Memoriam 7 his own accord, mainly because the leaders and legislators of the worked each night to repair the damage of the day. Millersville University junior, senior, or graduate student who is Calendar of Events 8 city decided to take no action themselves to defend Philadelphia. pursuing current research on the American Revolution. The award He raised money to create earthwork defenses and to buy artillery. But on November 15th, against what were reportedly 1,000 memorializes our former regent and treasurer, John Ward Willson cannon balls fired in just one hour, the siege escalated, British At the end of the war, commanders disbanded the militia and left Loose. The recipient of this year’s award is Stephen Burciaga, a Marines climbed into the crow’s nest of HMS Vigilant and threw derelict the defenses of the city. So in 1771, as the city rose in Millersville graduate student who is planning to continue his studies protest against British economic policies and import taxes, and at hand grenades at the soldiers in the fort. The siege was working. at Millersville. Mr. Burciaga thanked the Chapter for establishing CONTRIBUTORS the suggestion of the secretary of state for the colonies, Pennsylvania Exhausted, cold and out of ammunition, Major Simeon Thayer the award and briefly reviewed his research on counterfeit currency Peter L. H. Byrne governor John Penn commissioned the designing of defenses for evacuated Fort Mifflin’s garrison to , with muffled oars as a weapon in the Revolution. the city. He intended a fort on Mud Island to help to regulate traffic after nightfall. Forty men remained at the fort and set fire to what William H. Dutcher III Robert M. Flood III entering and exiting the port, and so, finally, as much for economic was left before making their way across the Delaware to join their The featured speaker for the day was Mr. Jack Brubaker, newspaper J. Kipp Gearhart IV and civil reasons, as much as military reasons, Fort Mifflin was built. comrades. They crossed to New Jersey around midnight leaving Fort columnist and author. Jack has written The Scribbler, a column Philip V. Jenks Mifflin ablaze, but the flag still flying. And by this time, General exploring the history, culture and humor of Lancaster County, for Andrew R. McReynold So, fast-forward a few years – the American Revolutionary War is Washington and his army had arrived safely at Valley Forge, and more than three decades. He has authored a dozen historical books James H. Martin in full tilt. The British have marched triumphantly into Philadelphia prepared for the winter ahead. It was too late for General Howe and and magazine articles, including “Down the Susquehanna to the Schuyler C. Wickes after defeating Washington at the Battle of Brandywine, and during the in Philadelphia to mount any pursuit. Chesapeake” and “Remembering Lancaster County”. Theodore E. Wiederseim 3rd the last days of September in 1777, a strategic dilemma faced General William Howe, commander of the British army. Surrounded A British officer remarked, “the behavior of the enemy…did them Mr. Brubaker discussed his latest book, Massacre of the Conestogas: Photography by rebel forces from the north, east and west, his troops were honor, nor did they quit the place ‘till their defenses were ruined, On the Trail of the Paxton Boys in Lancaster County (PA). The Amanda Muckle in desperate need of supplies—gunpowder, clothing, food, and and the works rendered to rubbish, setting the works in a blaze when Paxton Boys massacred almost all of the peaceful Conestogas in Schuyler C. Wickes munitions. Without these items, the capture of Philadelphia might they could defend it no longer.” their settlement in Manor Township and then returned days later to become meaningless, and the British would be unable to “pursue massacre the remaining Indians, who were in protective custody and destroy” Washington’s army before winter. —Schuyer C. Wickes, Editor in the Lancaster jail. No one in Lancaster at the time attempted to PAGE 4 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2014 PAGE 5 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2014

Andrew R. McReynolds 4th OF JULY and the Board of Managers GALLERY Invite you to celebrate

The Musket Ball 2014 Saturday, October 11th Merion Golf Club Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

Music provided by the highly acclaimed Jason Kendall Production Come out and enjoy an elegant evening of jovial conversation, drink and sumptuous food

NJSR and PSSR Celebrate New Hope that included the historic Parry House. A valuable piece Washington Crossing the Delaware of artwork hangs in the Parry House that was donated by the PSSR in approximately 1950. A cannon demonstration was on the schedule On June 21st, 2014, the PSSR joined the NJSR in commemorating as well as boat rides across the Delaware to reenact what occurred George Washington and the Continental exactly 236 years ago. While crossing Army’s crossing of the Delaware the Delaware two nesting American that departed from New Hope to bald eagles were spotted. Lambertville on June 22nd, 1778. After the crossing, Washington and his Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres were troops made their way to Monmouth, held at NJSR member Richard New Jersey. In Monmouth, General Cushing’s home. Mr. Cushing’s Washington led the Continentals in beautiful residence overlooks one of the largest land battles against the canal and Delaware River in British General Charles Cornwallis and Lambertville and was a great venue. his forces. The battle involved over Also, NJSR took great pride in 25,000 men. offering their special Fish House Punch to the PSSR members in Charles Scammell, president of the Left to right: Robert M. Flood III, William H. Rorer IV attendance. NJSR, spoke at the PSSR’s annual and Charles Scammell, president of the NJSR. meeting in April 2014. Mr. Scammell remarks included an invitation The day concluded with a spectacular dinner at the Lambertville for PSSR members to attend this special event. House with additional lectures highlighting the significant Revolutionary history that took place in Lambertville. Prior to The PSSR contingent included William H. Rorer IV and Robert dinner president Scammell’s daughter entertained members with M. Flood III. The day’s activities began with a riveting lecture outstanding guitar play and vocal renditions of music for all listeners. highlighting the details of Washington’s journey from Valley Forge to his encampment near New Hope. The momentous crossing It should also be noted that PSSR members Rorer and Flood visited involved over 7,000 troops, cannons, horses and provisions to the grave site of Herbert C. Rorer, president of the PSSR and captain Lambertville followed by the route to Monmouth. of the Color Guard. Herbert C. Rorer was the grandfather of William H. Rorer IV. Following the lecture, the participants experienced a walking tour of —Robert M. Flood III PAGE 6 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2014 PAGE 7 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2014

Dr. George Marshall Kent died on Monday, June 16, George Frederick Johnston of Lancaster, Pennsylvania 2014 at age 86. An orthopedic surgeon, he served the Lancaster died peacefully on September 3, 2014 at age 91. Born in Ft. Morgan, Community for over forty years. Educated at Blair Academy and Colorado, George graduated from Ft. Morgan High School, the IN MEMORIAM Williams College, he went on to receive his medical training at University of Colorado with a B.S. in Chemistry; the Institute of Temple University Medical School from which he received his Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois; and the M.D. degree in 1951. strategic management Course, Name Born Died Elected Columbia University, New After his internship and York. surgical training, he became William Braun Dietrich 9/29/42 5/14/10 10/10/63 a captain, U.S. Army After a distinguished career Robert C. Hutton 6/16/26 5/29/14 4/12/51 Medical Corps. Assigned during World War II in the George Frederick Johnston 12/8/22 9/3/14 10/12/78 chief of Orthopedic Section U.S. Naval Air Corps, in 1947 at Ft. Jackson, S.C., after George joined Armstrong George Marshall Kent 2/2/28 6/16/14 6/10/76 which he established his World Industries, Inc. in James Edgar Musslewhite 5/24/23 7/12/14 6/9/05 private practice in Lancaster Lancaster as a marketing in 1959. He served on the representative in the Floor David Horton Scott 12/26/41 8/13/14 10/9/75 active staff of Lancaster Division, where he remained Scott Edward Wardell 11/4/76 7/4/14 12/12/96 General Hospital and until retiring in 1988 as chief courtesy staff of St. Joseph planning officer, leading their and Community Hospital, worldwide strategic planning now Lancaster Regional process. Hospital. George F. Johnson Dr. George Marshall Kent George was very active in the community, included being president In addition to Dr. Kent serving of the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster, president of the Donegal as our Lancaster Chapter regent, he also served as our Chapter’s Society, and president of the Hamilton Club. In addition to serving as This Newsletter is published by the chaplain for many years. A long-time member of the Cleosophic regent of our Lancaster County Chapter of PSSR, he had been active Society, he served as its president in past years. He was a Pennsylvania Society of as a member of the Lancaster County Historical Society, Rotary former patron of the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra and former Sons of the Revolution Club of Lancaster, Cliosophic Society, Lancaster Pirates, Lancaster New Members Elected member of Rock Ford and the Lancaster Historical Society, now Country Club, and the Military Officers Association of America. LancasterHistory.org. He was a member of the Lancaster Pirates and Office Hours was on the Board of the Edward Hand Medical Heritage Foundation Monday - Friday George was the husband of Dawn Kindler Johnston. They would Matthew John Barlow, Jr. , M.D. at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Hamilton Club. 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. have celebrated their 65th anniversary in October 2014. He is Dr. Kent enjoyed golf and tennis, having been on the tennis team at Norman Woodrow Hillegass Phone survived by his wife, their two sons, and 6 grandchildren. Williams. He loved music and history, thus his keen interest in the William Clement Regli 215-545-1888 —Peter Laurence Hill Byrne, Secretary preservation of early medical artifacts and their history. William Conrad Wolffe Fax Lancaster Chapter 215-545-1777 America's Liberty Tree Email 50 Years of Membership [email protected] The new Museum of the American Revolution, to be built right There is a storied history of the American Elm as a symbol of Phone Let Freedom Ring Elected in 1963-64 here in Philadelphia, will be the first of its kind being a national our liberty. In the years leading up to the American Revolution, a 1-800-330-1776 museum dedicated to the entire story of the American Revolution. mature elm tree near the Common became a gathering place Email Let Freedom Ring The museum is being built right in the heart of Philadelphia’s historic for patriots, where they discussed American ideas of liberty and John Linerd Conarroe, Jr. [email protected] district. And we, the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution, planned resistance to British tyranny. They called the elm the Liberty Joshua Harrison Howard have been asked to be a part of the ceremonial groundbreaking. Tree. Soon, Liberty Trees were designated in towns throughout the colonies as powerful symbols and gathering places. Sabin Golardi Howard Newsletter Committee The groundbreaking ceremony, on Thursday, October 9, will feature John William Knepley Schuyler C. Wickes, Chairman Pennsylvania governor Tom Corbett, noted commentator Cokie As a side note, while the official ceremonial groundbreaking will be Thomas Dunlap Knepley Peter L.H. Byrne Roberts, and others. This groundbreaking will also include a “soil held on October 9, the careful excavation work at the site has already James Lewis McVey, Jr. Dr. James B. Congdon enriching ceremony” for the Liberty Tree, a young Valley Forge begun, and it is proving to be an absolutely fascinating snapshot of Earl Stanley Vollmer, Jr. Richard R. P. Di Stefano, Esq. American Elm tree, which will be nurtured between now and when the Colonial and Revolutionary War periods, with the unearthing Harold Newell Williams Wm. Murray Gordon it is planted at the opening ceremony of the museum in the future. of many period artifacts and architectural details from building that James S. Hayes III, Esq. Michael Buckley Wray The roots of this young tree will be enriched, with the PSSR’s have sat on that site over the last 250 years. You can follow all the Dr. David M. Humphrey contribution, with soils collected from battlefields, encampments, exciting details of this landmark project at the museum’s website, Reverend Wayne Evan Yeager Daniel I. Murphy, Esq. homes and other sites where the American Revolution was fought www.amrevmuseum.org Coleman Sellers VI and won. —Schuyler C. Wickes, Editor PAGE 8 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION FALL 2013

Calendar of Events 2014

11 October Musket Ball 16 April PSSR Annual Meeting Merion Golf Club The Racquet Club of Philadelphia Ardmore, PA Philadelphia, PA

Early December Younger Members Holiday Party 26 April Valley Forge Church Service with Colonial Dames of America Location TBD Location TBD 16 May Radnor Hunt Races Mid December Naturalization Ceremony Radnor Hunt Club Federal Courthouse Malvern, PA Philadelphia, PA Monthly Events 2015 Second Thursday of Each Month 21 February Washington's Birthday Ball Board of Managers Meeting Union League The Union League of Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Philadelphia, PA

Please consult the PSSR new website www.amrev.org for current details

Return Service Requested Service Return

.114 No t i erm P

J J N n, to n re T

d Pai

Philadelphia, PA 19107 PA Philadelphia,

tage s o P S U

121 South Broad Street - Suite 1910 Suite - Street Broad South 121 l i a M ss la -C t s r Fi

orted s re P Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution the of Sons of Society Pennsylvania