PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION www.amrev.org VOLUME 24 NUMBER 2 SPRING 2014 WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY BALL On Saturday, February 22, 2014, the the Society’s Color Guard, led by Board of Managers of the Pennsylvania Captain Robert R. Van Gulick, made Society welcomed Society members its traditional presentation of the and guests to Overbrook Golf Club in Society’s Colors to President Burke. Villanova, Pennsylvania, to celebrate The invocation, the Pledge to the the 282 birthday of General George Flag, and the National Anthem then Washington. Our traditional “Birthday followed, with traditional toasts made Ball” was exceptionally well attended by our Society’s Vice Presidents. – a “sell out”, in fact – with many Guests then sat and enjoyed a of our city-based Society members and friends making the somewhat wonderful dinner, lively conversation, treacherous journey in the ice and snow and the pleasant company of family out to this wonderful venue, nestled and friends, with the ever-present Joe in the rolling hills (read: golf courses) of the western Main Line. Claffy Orchestra providing a welcomed accompaniment. After dinner and dessert, the band kicked things up President James Burke and his Society officers (pictured above) a notch, and everyone jumped right into dancing until the wee hours. greeted everyone as they arrived, and the evening’s festivities then began with a cocktail hour and generous hors d’oeuvres, as As always, this was a wonderful event, and the Society would like everyone assembled before dinner. At 7:30 p.m. sharp, members to thank Richard L. Walkup, Jr., and his tireless committee for their and guests were asked to take their seats in the Ball Room, and unwavering commitment to making this event a fantastic time for all. ANNUAL CHURCH SERVICE On Sunday April 27th, the PSSR held its annual church service memorable sermon for all. The service concluded with a recession at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, Pennsylvania. The of the Society’s Colors, at which point the attendees departed the annual church service is one of our most well attended family church down the Walk of Colors, and proceeded to a reception at The events, and this year proved likewise again. Radnor Hotel. Attendees and their families enjoyed a wonderful cocktail hour followed The church service gives us all a moment by a light buffet dinner. It was a perfect to pause and reflect in commemoration of ending to a wonderful day of remembrance, the encampment of the Continental Army at commemoration and celebration. Valley Forge in the Winter of 1777-1778, and also serves as a memorial to those Society Our Society is always eager to consider members that have died in the past year. new venues for our Annual Church Service, so please feel free to contact me through The Church service began at 4:00pm with our our office if you have a suggestion for Color Guard Captain Robert R. Van Gulick consideration. And, as always, my sincerest leading the Society’s Color Guard procession appreciation to our committee members for into the church. Greetings were given by all their hard work helping pull this together. the Rector of St. David’s, Rev. W. Frank Allen, and our own Chaplain G. Clayton David M. Humphrey, M.D. Ames, III lead us in prayer and provided a Committee Chairman PAGE 2 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION SPRING 2014 PAGE 3 PENNSYLVANIA SOCIETY OF SONS OF THE REVOLUTION SPRING 2014 RADNOR HUNT PSSR ANNUAL MEETING "FREEDOM IS A LIGHT FOR WHICH MANY MEN HAVE DIED IN DARKNESS" It was a beautiful spring afternoon on Saturday, May 17th, On Thursday, April 17, 2014, our society held its 126th Annual when Society members and guests – and a few thousand others Meeting once again at the Racquet Club of Philadelphia. In Inscription at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary War - descended upon the Radnor Hunt Club in scenic and rural the well-adorned Reading Room, President James B. Burke Soldier, Washington Square, Philadelphia Malvern, Pennsylvania, for the 84th running of the Radnor welcomed almost 100 members to recap the Society’s business Hunt Races, in support of Racing for Open Spaces and the from the previous year, and to elect new officers for the In the cold darkness of February 21, 2014, Washington Square environmental programs of the Brandywine Conservancy. This upcoming year. Under the watchful eye of both the chairmen wore silence like a cloak against the winter’s chill. In the event has become a family favorite for all of our members, with all of the Nominations and Election Committees, and a vote of the Eighteenth Century, the square had been a potter’s field generations getting gussied up in our hats and finery (see Gallery). membership in attendance, the following officers were thus elected: and the burial site for thousands of soldiers who died of wounds or disease during the War for Independence. Independence square As has become customary, our Color Guard welcomed all with James Bradley Burke, President 2pm, July 4th, 2014 an exemplary “tailgate” “up high” on the hill, and put on quite John McLean Blickensderfer, Vice President Out of the night, horses' hooves once again sounded on the a spectacular spread beneath the tent and the Society’s colors. William Murray Gordon, Vice President streets of Philadelphia, mounted soldiers riding past the old The Watson Highlanders The Orpheus Club Choir And, as has also become a fixture, the Younger Members held David McClure Humphrey, M.D., Vice President Pennsylvania State House, now known to most Americans as Bell ringers from D.S.D.I Historical Guest of Honor First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry a complementary tailgate “down low” along the race rail, with Andrew Richard Sullivan, Vice President Independence Hall. The commands echoed from the walls of suds and hoagies for all. Thus, all guests, revelers and punters Ben Ramsey Wolf, Sr., Vice President the newer buildings that now surround the quiet square and alike were able to enjoy a glass full and a substantial nibble Schuyler Colfax Wickes, Secretary its eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Revolutionary whether mingling with dignitaries or cheering the ponies. Robert Jacob McNelly, Esq., Treasurer War Soldier. The horses, nostrils flaring steamy breath, and soldiers, tall in their saddles, turned in formation into the square. Our thanks go out to our Color Guard Captain Robert R. Van Gulick, As is customary, new members elected during the last 12 months, and Harvard C. Wood, IV for once again proving that the Sons do it best. who were in attendance at this Annual Meeting, were greeted by our President and Secretary, and presented their Society rosette and Society membership card. Similarly, 50-year certificates YOUNGER MEMBERS were presented to those 50-year members in attendance. It has been a quiet year so far for the Younger Member Committee, Following the conclusion of the meeting, members were treated to an with just two events on the early calendar. In March, members open bar and delicious light dinner spread. And after a couple of hours, attended a Scotch Tasting at the Armory, and then this past the activity and hospitality descended to the 1889 Bar in the basement 125 ANNIVERSARY month at the Radnor Hunt Races, the Younger Members hosted of the Racquet Club, where many younger members remained until their annual Tailgate along the Rail, with beer, hoagies and (this much later in the evening, enjoying great company and conversation. REGISTER OF MEMBERS year) much more, courtesy of our friends, the Young Troopers. 1988 was a big year for the PSSR, as it marked the 100th anniversary Schuyler C. Wickes of the founding of the Society. A Centennial Celebration Committee But the light calendar of events so far means we have a full calendar of Society Secretary social functions, society mixers and sporting events being planned for was formed with two main charges. The first was to organize a series the remainder of this year. There are a lot of activities being discussed, The Escort Platoon of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry of events to culminate in a formal banquet, worthy of the auspicious so please keep an eye on the Society’s new website (same old URL: CONTRIBUTORS (A Troop, 1/104th Cavalry Squadron, 28th Division PANG), under occasion. The second charge was to satisfy all the necessary steps www.AmRev.org), and also please feel free to join our Younger the command of Captain Tyler Clayton Hathaway (above), fiftieth in the preparation and publication of the Centennial Register. Member Facebook page, where more details will be made available. John M. Blickensderfer captain of the City Troop since its founding on November 17, 1774, David M. Humphrey, M.D. had come to lay a wreath. There were brief remarks. A prayer was That was 25 years ago, and this year marks the Society’s Andrew McReynolds, co-Chairman Andrew R. McReynolds offered from horseback by the Troop’s Assistant Chaplain, the Rev. 125th Anniversary of establishment. The Board of Managers Kipp Gearhart, IV, co-Chairman Lanny R. Patten Sean Edward Mullen, Rector of St. Mark’s Church. The Captain and your Society officers have decided that this would be Andrew R. Sullivan remounted his steed and the formation moved back to Walnut an appropriate time to publish an addendum to the original www.AmRev.org Richard L. Walkup Street on its way to celebrate Washington’s Birthday with its Centennial Register. There are many new members of the Theodore E. Wiederseim 3d traditional champagne supper at the Troop’s Armory on 23rd Street.