The Magazine Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution By signing the Declaration of Independence, the fifty-six Americans pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Nine died of wounds during the Revolutionary War, Five were captured or imprisoned. Wives and children were jailed, mistreated, or left penniless. Twelve signers’ houses were burned to the ground. No signer defected. Their honor, like their nation remained intact. Vol. XXVI I hope you and your families have continued to stay safe. I encourage you to get the vaccine as soon as possible in accordance with the guidelines. The sooner we get vaccinated the sooner we will be able to return to holding in person events. Our joint Chapter meeting hosted virtually by the Thomas Nelson, Jr chapter was held on Saturday, January 9. VASSAR President Bill Schwetke attended virtually and conducted the officer installations for both chapters. Bill provided an inspirational account of how an individual, in this case sentinel Billy Flora, a free Black Patriot at the south end of the Great Bridge, made a difference during the Battle of Great Bridge on December 9, 1775. As the British advanced 6 abreast across the narrow bridge, Flora stood his ground to fire 8 rounds before retiring to the breastworks. This slowed the British enough to allow the main Patriot force to man the breastworks, stop the British advance and cause them to retreat back across Great Bridge. He closed by challenging the attendees to make a difference for their respective chapters and the Virginia Society. The VASSAR annual meeting, a virtual event, will be Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6. We will send the meeting info out as soon as we receive it, but please take the opportunity to attend virtually to learn about the workings of the Virginia Society from the comfort of your own home. Our February speaker is Cliff Fleet whose bio is in the newsletter. I would encourage all to attend to learn how Colonial Williamsburg is facing its current challenges and to show him our appreciation for the partnership with CW. Other virtual event opportunities in February include the Crossing of the Dan on February 20th and the Leedstown Resolution event on February 27th. Secretary Milt Holt will Eblast the details out to you once we receive them. Please review the separate articles concerning mentors and judging for the Virginia History Day. There are many ways that you can support the chapter and our outreach goals. I encourage you to be an active participant. I welcome your suggestions and comments on how to improve our chapter. Feel free to contact me at any time. You may also attend our virtual Board of Managers meetings on the first Monday of each month at 10 AM. Just let me know a couple days in advance so that I can send you the Zoom invitation. I will close by echoing Bill Schwetke’s challenge to select an activity of interest to you and make a difference in 2021. Roger W Cross, III www.williamsburgsar.org Page 1 Chapter News Monday February 1, 2021 10:00 BOM meeting by Virtual ZOOM February 5-6 VASSAR Annual Meeting will be a Zoom meeting. Snipped by Harley’s puter Saturday February 13, 2021 Installation of 2021 Officers was conducted by VASSAR President William Schwetke using 12 PM ZOOM Chapter meeting Zoom. www.williamsburgsar.org Page 2 Cliff Fleet is president and CEO and the Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell distinguished presidential chair of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. A corporate executive, teacher, community volunteer, board member and consultant, he has enjoyed a broad and deep career with leadership roles across a variety of disciplines and organizational sizes. Whether leading from the head of the board room table, meeting with union leaders, teaching undergraduate students or navigating a triathlon course, Fleet has the rare ability to quickly understand and adjust to the dynamics of any setting in business or the community, where he gives generously of his time. His talk will be on the Progress of Colonial Williamsburg today and into the future. Most recently, Fleet served as chair of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and as president and CEO of 22nd Century Group, Inc., a biotechnology company. After leaving PM USA, Fleet advised numerous businesses and nonprofits as a managing partner at SIR, a strategic management consultancy based in Richmond, Virginia. A native of Virginia, Fleet earned four academic degrees from William & Mary, including graduate degrees in history, business administration and law, a distinction shared with approximately 14 other alumni since the university was established in 1693. Fleet enjoys learning new things and teaching, and he has a strong passion to develop people and serve the community. www.williamsburgsar.org Page 3 Registrar's Corner DID YOU KNOW? The Genealogical Research Library at SAR headquarters in Louisville, Ky., was just awarded Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice Award for 2020. Although temporarily closed due to Covid-19, the library is a must visit when in the area. CHAPTER UPDATE: We have four applications in the pipeline waiting final approval, including one final submittal by Ron Losee, plus one supplemental. There is lots of current interest and activity with seven applicant files in progress, including two sons of DAR members, a memorial application, two supplementals and two other potential prospects. Hunt Berryman - Registrar Email: [email protected] Seeking your assistance and hopefully possible input for our monthly meetings. "Speakers Wanted" If you have heard or know of a speaker who you think the membership (and guests) would be interested in hearing at one of our luncheons next year, please contact VPres. Steve Mcguffin at [email protected] Your serious interest and potential response to this matter will be greatly appreciated! www.williamsburgsar.org Page 4 CHAPTER AWARDS The Chapter Nominates Jan Brown for VASSAR’s Good Citizen Award The Williamsburg Chapter has nominated the Rev. Jan Brown for VASSAR’s Good Citizen of the Year Award. Jan is a truly remarkable woman. She is an ordained Deacon serving as the Archdeacon of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia and Deacon at Williamsburg’s Bruton Parish Church. One of Jan’s proudest accomplishments is the Spirit Works Foundation Center for the Soul, a community recovery organization that she founded. The Foundation delivers services for children, youth, and adults living in recovery from the disease of addiction. Deacon Brown enjoys a special relationship with our SAR Chapter. On several occasions she has delivered an inspiring sermon at the annual 4th of July Service of Prayer and Thanksgiving cohosted by the Chapter and Bruton Parish Church. Jan has always been responsive to requests from the Chapter to offer prayers as well as sermons at SAR sponsored events. The Chapter was pleased last July to present Jan Brown with its SAR Bronze Good Citizenship Medal. It is our hope that the Virginia Society will agree with the Williamsburg Chapter and honor a highly deserving Jan Brown with VASSR’s Good Citizen of the Year Award. The award is scheduled to be announced later this month. www.williamsburgsar.org Page 5 Virginia History Day 2021 District 6 Hampton Roads If you are interested in supporting the Williamsburg Chapter’s youth educational goals, please consider volunteering to be a judge for Virginia History Day 2021. Additional details are provided below. Tom Campbell and I participated last year and found the experience very rewarding. You can choose the category and age group that you would like to judge when you register as a judge. I chose the video documentary category and was very impressed with the quality of the submittals. The winning documentary can be viewed at the link below. I think you will be impressed. https://youtu.be/4B2vUfpPc0k All student projects will be related in some way to this year's NHD Theme, which is “Communication in History: The Key to Understanding”. All 2021 VHD contests will be held virtually due to the pandemic. As a reminder, there are no specific qualifications necessary to serve as a VHD judge. All that is required is a general interest in history, the ability to give quality feedback to students, and the ability to be kind and supportive to young people. The platform that is being used is user friendly. You will be invited to a training session on how to navigate the judging platform later this spring. Judging for the District 6 (Hampton Roads) contest will take place between March 9th and March 14th. Judges will be able to view and evaluate student projects at their own leisure during this window. Student interviews will take place on Sat, March 13th. All judges need to be available for several hours that day. There will be more precise information on how long the interview process will take once the Coordinator knows how many students have registered for the contest. To register as a judge for the contest, simply go to the District 6 or State Contest websites (linked here) and click "Create Account" --> "Judge" on the tool bar at the top of the screen. A digital flyer with general information is attached. This is a great way to safely support the chapter when we all are not traveling and spending more time at home. If you have any questions, please contact me. Roger Cross www.williamsburgsar.org Page 6 www.williamsburgsar.org Page 7 The Battle of Cowpens was an engagement during the American Revolutionary War fought on 17 January, 1781, between American Colonial forces under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan and British forces under Lieutenant Colonel Sir Banastre Tarleton, as part of the campaign in the Carolinas (North and South ).