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California Society Sons of the American Revolution Serving the High Desert, Mountains, and Inland Empire Corridor October 2005 Volume 13 Issue 10 page 1

Color Guard a hit at the Boy & Girl Scout Stampede

An estimated three hundred boys and girls visited our encampment at the Scout Stampede, held on Sept 24, at the Glen Helen Recreation Area in San Bernardino County. They heard discussions on the uniforms, weapons, and flags that were used in the Revolutionary War, and experienced using a quill pen to sign their name on the Company roll book as they were “enlisted” in the Continental Army. Children and parents were treated to demonstrations of loading and firing of muskets throughout the day, applauding when the muskets boomed. By the end of the day we had exhausted our supply of cartridges, printed literature, and energy. We also manned an information table with material about the Sons of the American Revolution Eagle Scout Recognition and Scholarship Program. It was an ideal venue for showcasing these outstanding programs. While some Scoutmasters and Parents were familiar with the programs, a large majority of those who heard the presentation were not aware of either program, and many whose sons were Eagle scouts and had celebrated their 19 birthday, were disappointed that they were not eligible for the Scholarship program. Hopefully, our efforts will stimulate a greater interest in the program in the future.

John Ford, Richard Maynard, and Dave Diefendorf John Ford enlisted the new “recruits” into the posed for pictures with the youth during the day. Continental Army.

October 2005 The Redlands Guardian Page 2

Thanks to Dave DeSoucy for arranging the appearance of the Redlands Guard at the BSA Stampede.

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President Col. Willard Langford, Genealogist USAF (Ret) Shawn Price 669 Center Crest Drive 11595 Butterfield St. Redlands, Ca 92373 (909) 792-8939 Lo Chapter News [email protected] (

1st Vice President Welcome new member, Erick Diefendorf, who was installed at the Col John E. Ford III September meeting. Erick’s sponsor was his father David Diefendorf. USAF (Ret) Allen Diefendorf, Erick’s grandfather, was also a member of the Redlands Chapter. Erick can claim the title as the only third generation 1736 Parkview Redlands, CA 92374 member of our chapter as well as the youngest. (909) 794-2899 For those who were not at September meeting, you missed an J.fordflier@verizo outstanding program which was presented by compatriot Charles Frye. n.net Charlie assembled a power point display on the Battles of Bennington and Saratoga. Included were photos, and maps with animated features Vice President depicting the movements and strengths of the British and American Youth forces during the battles. The research and detail of the subject was Services& Webmaster excellent! Charles Kiel Ardith James will be our guest speaker in October. Her topic will PO Box 162 be, “The Patriot Founder of the United States Cost Guard Academy”. Highland, CA 92346 (909) 862-8237 If you have had the opportunity to hear one of Ardith’s presentations [email protected] you know that it will be educational and entertaining. You don’t want to miss it. Vice President Nominations for Officers for 2006 will take place at the October Membership meeting. If you wish to nominate someone for a position, please confer Willard (Bill) Buchanan with the individual prior to the meeting. Please note that the October 1320 Garden St. meeting will be on the 29th, due to the Color Guard participating in the Redlands, Ca. 92373 909) 798-4501 Marching Thru History Event on the 22/23 of Oct. Election of Officers [email protected] for 2006 will be held at the November 19th meeting, and installations will take place at the meeting on December 17. The Dec. meeting will Secretary-Treasurer be a Christmas Brunch, with entertainment provided by Harold Lerner Henry A. (Jim) James and his Madrigal Singers. Our wives will be our special guests for this 820 Cajon St. event. We will need to have firm reservations by Dec. 3. Redlands, Ca 92373 Wil l (909) 792-7227 [email protected] * * * * *

“No people will tamely surrender their Liberties, nor can any be easily

Registrar subdued, when knowledge is diffused and Virtue is preserved. On the Dan Hall Contrary, when People are universally ignorant, and debauched in 603 Palo Alto Dr. their Manners, they will sink under their own weight without the Aid Redlands, Ca 92373 (909) 798-1188 of foreign invaders.” Samuel Adams (in letter to James Warren, 4 November, 1775). October 2005 The Redlands Guardian Page 3

Joseph Brant - Mohawk, Loyalist, and Freemason 2 Generated by Foxit PDF Creator © Foxit Software http://www.foxitsoftware.com For evaluation only. Joseph Brant was one of the most extraordinary Native Americans to have lived. He was born in 1742 on the banks of the Ohio River to Mohawk parents while they were on a hunting trip. They named him Thayendanega, meaning “he places two bets”. He was raised at his home, Canajoharie, on the Mohawk River in New York. While still in his early youth, Brant became a favorite of Sir William Johnson, the British superintendent of the northern Indians of America. Johnson was extremely popular with the tribes under his supervision, and especially close to the Mohawk tribes. He was a Mason and former Provincial Grand Master of the New York Colony. After Johnson’s European wife died, he married his former Indian mistress, Molly, who was Brant’s sister. Brant and a number of other young Mohawks were selected by Johnson to attend Moor’s Charity School for Indians at Lebanon, Connecticut, which would in the future become Dartmouth College. Brant learned to speak and write English and studied Western history and literature. He left school to serve under Sir William from 1755 – 1759 during the French and Indian War. He later became a close companion to Sir William and helped him run the Indian Department. He became an interpreter for an Anglican missionary and helped translate the prayer book and Gospel of Mark into the Mohawk language. In 1774, Sir William Johnson died and Brant was appointed secretary to Sir William’s successors, Guy Johnson, and Sir John Johnson – both Masons, who would become leaders of the Loyalist resistance in Northwest New York. The Iroquois League, also known as the Six Nations, was a confederation of upper New York tribes composed of the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas, Senecas, Oneidas, and Tuscaroras. They were an advanced group whose villages contained comfortable homes, and well tended crops and orchards. In August, 1775, the Six Nations held a big council where they debated the role of the Iroquois League in the war between the Colonists and Britain. They concluded that the war was a private affair between the British and the Colonists and that they should stay out of it. Brant feared that the Indians would lose their land in the Colonists achieved independence. He and the Johnsons used all their influence to convince the Indians to fight for the British cause, and ultimately succeeded in bringing four of the tribes, the Mohawk, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca into an alliance with Britain. The Oneida and Tuscarora sided with the Colonists. Brant became the principal war chief of the Indian confederacy and also received a Captain’s commission in the British army in charge of Indian forces. After receiving his appointment, Brant made his first voyage to England where he was well received, and was admitted to the best society. During this trip Brant received the Masonic degrees in April 1776, and had the distinction of having his Masonic apron given to him by King George III. Brant is linked to some of the most notable and infamous battles of the Revolutionary War. The siege of Ft. Stanwix and the battle of Oriskany; the Mohawk Valley, the Wyoming Valley and Cherry Valley massacres; Johnstown; Fort Plain; Fort Clyde; Fort Plank; and on the Western Frontier, all which occurred during the six year period from 1775-1781. The American general Sullivan led a campaign against the Six Nations, destroying their villages and farms and the power of the Indian confederacy. In spite of their defeat by Sullivan, the Iroquois raids persisted until the end of war. For his service to the Crown, Brant was awarded a tract of 675,000 acres on the Grand River in Ontario to which he led 1,843 Mohawk and other Indian Loyalists in 1784. There they settled and established the Grand River Reservation for the Mohawk. Brant devoted the remainder of his life to the interest and moral improvement of his tribe. His children were all well educated, and his sons Joseph and Jacob were sent to Dartmouth. Brant died on November 24, 1807, at the age of nearly sixty five, and was buried by the side of the Episcopal Church he had built. In 1850 Freemasons restored his tomb and placed inscription on it, and erected a bronze statue at Brantford, Ontario in 1886. (Edited from article by George L. Marshall, Jr.)

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(Curtesy of Sons of Liberty Chapter, Liberty Tree )

Registrar’s Report Looking Ahead

Name Application Status Oct 12 Board of Directors meeting Oct 22/23 Marching Thru History event Prado Recreation Area Dave DeSoucy - Working on Application Oct 29 Chapter meeting, U. of R. Commons, 8:30 AM Doug Melzer - Working on Application Nomination of Officers - 2006 Nov 4/5 CASSAR Fall Mgrs. meeting Marc Spittler - Working on Application San Diego

Nov 11 Veterans Day Parade, Palm

Springs - Color Guard

Nov 19 Chapter meeting, Election of Officers, 2006. Dec 17 Chapter meeting, Installation of Officers, 2006, Christmas Brunch

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