Southern Maine Sons of the American Revolution

02/14/2018

In addition to my membership in the Sons of the American Revolution my application was approved for The Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy through Rev Joseph Parke, my 7th great grandfather. He was born at Newton, Mass., March 12, 1705, and died at Westerly, R. I., March 1, 1777. He married Abigail Greene, June 15, 1732. She died Oct. 19, 1772, age 68. He was a graduate of Harvard in 1724; received the degree of AB., and subsequently that of A. M. He was a Congregational minister in Westerly, RI. On a tombstone near where the meeting house stood is the inscription: "In memory of Rev. Joseph Park, who died March 1, 1777, He was a faithful minister of the Gospel, a great patriot, a kind husband, tender parent, a great friend to the widow and fatherless and an excellent neighbor." '

09/08/2016

September 9. 1776
Name 'United States of America adopted by Congress on this day: "Resolved, That in all continental commissions, and other instruments, where, heretofore, the words 'United Colonies' have been used, the stile be altered for the future to the "United States.'

06/29/2016

Maine Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

06/25/2016

This is the SAR crew at the Burnham Tavern, one of the oldest buildings in Eastern Maine having been built in 1770. It was here that Jeremiah O"Brien and his cohorts planned the capture of the British ship Margaretta.

06/24/2016

The Maine Sons of the American Revolution recently presented an award to Eagle Scout Collin Jones, the state winner of the SAR Eagle Scout Contest for the 2015 contest year. He is now entered in the national contest, whose winners will be announced the second week in July at the 126th Annual National Congress in Boston. The first three places will receive a total of $20,000. The contest required a complete record of the boy's leadership service for his years in the scouting program as he earned his way all the way to eagle, his leadership and service to his school,community, and church, a genealogy chart of his family, and a written essay about a Revolutionary topic. Collins was about women in the Revolutionary War. Collin, whose parents are Carol and Trevor Jones, lives in Gorham, and will be attending RPI(Rensselaer) in New York next year. Collin is shown receiving the SAR Eagle Scout certificate from David Manchester, member of the Southern Maine Chapter Maine SAR. The award included an Eagle statue, cash, maps of the Revolutionary War, and a solid silver American Eagle one ounce coin.

06/24/2016

The Maine Sons of the American Revolution recently presented an award to Gorgon McCulloh, the state winner of the SAR Essay Contest for the 2015 contest year. He is now entered in the national contest, whose winner will be announced the second week in July at the 126th Annual National Congress in Boston. The national winner will receive a $6000 cash award. This contest is open to any high school student. The entry consists of an written essay on any patriot topic related to the American Revolution era. Gordon explained how the Colonial's rugged individualism and the formation of a balance of power type government was to give birth to the American Democracy. Gordon, who lives in Kennebunk, has been going to school in Limestone,ME at the Maine School of Science and Mathematics, and will be at the Air Force Academy in Colorado next year.

Gordon is shown receiving a map of the Revolutionary War from David Manchester, Vice President of the Southern Maine Chapter of the Maine SAR.
Also included is a cash award.

06/17/2016

http://www.revolutionarywarnewjersey.com/new_jersey_revolutionary_war_sites/towns/morristown_nj_revolutionary_war_sites.htm

A list of Revolutionary War sites in Morristown, New Jersey. The historic sites in Morristown NJ include Ford Mansion, Jockey Hollow, The Green, Arnolds Tavern, the Thomas Paine Monument, and the Norris Tavern.

06/13/2016

We have a meeting tomorrow morning June 14 at 9:30 AM at the Baxter memorial Library, 71 South St. in Gorham, Maine

06/02/2016

https://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/salem_poor.html

In the Massachusetts State Archives is a petition to the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, stating that in the "late Battle at Charlestown," a man from Colonel Frye's Regiment "behaved like and experienced officer" and that in this man "centers a brave and gallant soldier." This documen...

06/02/2016

June 2. 1776
Like many of the men under his command, American Major General John Thomas dies of smallpox near Sorel, in Quebec, Canada. From the "American Revolution Day by Day" at https://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/revolution_day_by_day.html

04/15/2016

Local chapter of Sons of American Revolution ramps up recruitment drive - By Walter Lunt

Monday, April 18, is Patriot’s Day which commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord near Boston in 1775. It signifies the emergence of American independence and is celebrated chiefly in Maine and Massachusetts. For David Manchester the 241st Patriot’s Day marks the “run-up decade” to America’s 250th anniversary, or quarter-millennial (also referred to as semiquincentennial). Manchester, who is past president of the Southern Maine Chapter of the Maine Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) wants to utilize the intervening years as a time to significantly increase numbers in the organization. SAR is a proud and exclusive group of citizens who can trace their roots back to a Patriot in the struggle to win independence from Britain.


“One doesn’t have to have an ancestor who fought in battle,” Manchester hastens to point out, “anyone who served the cause qualifies.” He says some SAR members can trace their family back to shadowy figures who ran intelligence missions, provided ammunition, printed hand bills or sold provisions to the military.

Documented proof, however, is required. Typical sources include birth/death/marriage certificates, town and census records and town, county or state vital statistics publications. One source, particularly helpful to many, according to Manchester, is the Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (1905), available at the Maine Historical Society in Portland.

Manchester traces his own family roots back seven generations to Stephen Manchester, a founding member of old Windham (New Marblehead) and a Revolutionary War soldier.

“Upon hearing the news of conflict in Lexington/Concord, Manchester joined a Windham militia group and marched to Boston,” David Manchester said.

Local records reveal there were 91 men from Windham who served in the American War of Independence, according to Manchester. Of those, 32 are interred in Windham cemeteries, 30 are buried in other towns or states and 29 are listed as unaccounted for.

“We are looking for (their) descendants to join (SAR) and get recognized,” said Manchester, and added, “If anyone thinks they may have (Patriot connections), we will help trace back their ancestry.”

The Southern Maine Chapter of SAR was formed one year ago and meets regularly at Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham. In addition to regular business, the meeting often features speakers on history and genealogy. The chapter has about 15 active members, but thanks to Manchester, who was recently awarded a medal from the national organization in recognition of his recruitment efforts, the number is expected to go up. A second chapter formed last year in Bangor. Both are affiliated with the 175 member Maine Sons of the American Revolution.

All affiliates and the national SAR sponsor essay contests on leadership and patriotic themes. Boy Scout Eagle Scouts and high school boys and girls can be awarded up to $10,000 for winning entries.

After nine more Patriot’s Days, Manchester foresees SAR and its chapters will be intensely involved in 4th of July celebrations around the state. SAR will undoubtedly contribute with parades, color guards, flintlock muzzle loading demonstrations, Patriot workshops and, hopefully, more SAR members celebrating their heritage.

For additional information on SAR, contact David Manchester at [email protected], or 892-6830.

http://frontpage.thewindhameagle.com/2016/04/local-chapter-of-sons-of-american.html

03/03/2016

"Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature."
Benjamin Franklin