St. Augustine Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter for April 2013 Francisco Xavier Sanchez

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1 1 St. Augustine Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter for April 2013 Francisco Xavier Sanchez Francisco Xavier Sanchez was one of Florida s most successful planters whose life and career spanned three separate colonial regimes. His landholdings stretched from the Diego Plains, north of St. Augustine, to the St. Mary s River and west to the St. Johns River. He devoted much acreage to pasturage and forests, and maintained a variety of town properties as well. In 1763 Spain ceded control of East Florida to the British in the Treaty of Paris to end the Seven Years War. In the evacuation that followed, most Spaniards left Florida for Cuba. Sanchez was the only Spaniard with large property holdings to remain in East Florida under British rule. He provided fresh meat to the British garrison but was regarded with suspicion by British Governor Tonyn as soon as Spain joined the war against England in When Sanchez learned that his countrymen were prisoners of the British, he offered to provide both clothing and food, to include fresh meat, from his own supplies. Among those held as prisoners at Fort St. Mark were three signers of the Declaration of Independence: Thomas

2 Heyward, Jr., Arthur Middleton, and Edward Rutledge. When the British freed the prisoners in 1783, Sanchez furnished a ship fully provisioned to return them to their homeland. Sanchez missed the profits generated by later political changes and disturbances, and died intestate on October 3, He is buried in the Tolomato Cemetery in St. Augustine, FL. Francisco Xavier Sanchez is the only known Patriot to have been born in Spanish East Florida and do his service in that territory. As the only native of St. Augustine and Spanish East Florida know to have supported the Patriot cause during the American Revolution and to do his service in that territory, Sanchez was honored with a memorial marker placed in Tolomato Cemetery on April 13, 2013, where he was interred in The dedication ceremony was attended by more than 100 people. The guest speaker for the event was Ron Sanchez, a descendant of Francisco X. Sanchez and a St. Johns County Commissioner. Also participating in the dedication ceremony were Jim Partin of the Gainesville Chapter; Dr. Oscar Patterson III and Rev. David Baker of the St. Augustine Chapter; Mrs. Elizabeth Gessner, president of the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Board; and Fr. Ed Booth of Cathedral Parish. The color guard for the dedication was provided by the JROTC unit at St. Augustine High School. Compatriot Roger Cox, President of the Gainesville Chapter and other Gainesville Compatriots attended the ceremony along with six members of the St. Augustine Chapter and one FLSSAR officer. Also attending the dedication were 24 descendants of Francisco Xavier Sanchez as well as other members of The Los Floridanos Society and the DAR. The marker honoring Sanchez was designed, purchased and placed by the Gainesville and St. Augustine Chapters. The research proving that Sanchez was a Patriot was done by Jim Partin of the Gainesville Chapter. Any male descent of Francisco Xavier Sanchez is therefore eligible for membership in the SAR. Tolomato Cemetery is open to the public on the 3 rd Saturday of each month. 2

3 Sanchez Plaque 3 Sanchez Descendants

David Simpson and Harrison Cassle were inducted into the St.

4 Ron Sanchez, St. Johns County Commissioner, Guest Speaker CHAPTER NEWS New members inducted into SAR: Compatriots Josiah Andrews, William Hunter Camp, David Simpson and Harrison Cassle were inducted into the St. Augustine Chapter of The Sons of the American Revolution during our April meeting. Cassle was inducted in abstentia. Compatriots Andrews, Camp and Simpson are Regular Members of the SAR. Regular Members are those age 18 years or over. They meet all requirements for membership. L to R: Josiah Andrews, David Simpson, Hunter Camp 4

They may vote, hold office at the local, state and national level, serve on committees and participate in SAR governance. They receive The SAR Magazine.

5 They may vote, hold office at the local, state and national level, serve on committees and participate in SAR governance. They receive The SAR Magazine. Compatriot Cassle is a Junior Member of the SAR. They meet all requirements for membership as defined in the SAR s Constitution and in the Bylaws of the National Society but are under the age of 18. A Junior Member is not permitted to vote, hold office, be a member of a committee or participate in SAR governance. They do not receive The SAR Magazine. A Junior Member pays $10 in National dues. There are no State dues for Junior Members. In addition, a Junior Membership requires $35 for fees and dues at the national level and $15 in state fees for processing. We have also received membership certificates for Compatriots Wilson McMullan and Jerry Hanchett. We will induct them at a later date. Veteran recognized: Compatriot Ralph Crews was presented the NSSAR Korean Service Veterans Corps Certificates during the March meeting. To be recognized by the NSSAR for Korean War service, a Compatriot must hold one or more of the following: Korean Service Medal (KSM); Korean Defense Service Medal (KDSM); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM); United Nations Service Medal for Korea (UNSM); and/or the Republic of Korea War Service Medal (RKWS). One or more of these medals must be listed on a Compatriots DD214 or in orders. A copy of the Compatriots DD214 and/or the orders authorizing the wearing of the medal must be submitted to the Chapter president along 5

6 with the completed survey form (next to last page of this newsletter) to be eligible to receive the recognition and certificate. At this point, all Korean War veterans of the St. Augustine Chapter have received the NSSAR certificate recognizing their service. Good Citizenship Certificates Presented: Four 5 th grade students at Otis A. Mason Elementary School were presented Good Citizenship Certificates during the school s awards ceremony on April 5. The certificate recognizes students who exhibit qualities of dependability, leadership, patriotism and upright character. The recipients were (left to right) Demajah Garden, Lily Tillo, Jason Duff and Cailee Watkins. The certificates were presented by Chapter president Dr. Oscar Patterson III. Flag Certificates: If you are aware of a private citizen, a business, a school, a government agency or any other organization that displays the U.S. flag in the proper manner (lighted at night, for example) and for patriotic purposes, please nominate them to receive the certificate. Nominations should be sent to the Chapter president. JROTC Bronze Medals Presented: JROTC Bronze Medals were presented to Outstanding Cadets at Bartram Trail High School, Palatka High School and Interlachen High School during April. Cadet Daniel S. Lookadoo of Palatka High school received the medal during award ceremonies at the school on April 12. Cadet Lookadoo also received a check for $50 for placing 2 nd in the Chapter s essay 6

He received a silver medallion and a check for $100 during award ceremonies on April 11.

7 contest. The medal, certificate and check were presented by Chapter president, Dr. Oscar Patterson III. Cadet Matthew Drabek of Bartram Trail High School was recognized as the Chapter s winner of the Enhanced JROTC Essay Competition. He received a silver medallion and a check for $100 during award ceremonies on April 11. Also recognized at Bartram Trail High School was Cadet Thomas Moroney who received the SAR s JROTC Bronze Medal. The certificates and medals were presented to Cadets Moroney and Drabek by Chapter president Dr. Oscar Patterson III. Cadet Sarah Otten of Interlachen High School was presented the JROTC Bronze Medal as the Outstanding Cadet in her unit during ceremonies on 19 April. The medal and certificate were presented by Chapter president Dr. Oscar Patterson III. No photograph of Cadet Otten is available at this time. L to R: Cadet Lookadoo, Palatka HS; Cadets Moroney and Drabek, Bartram Trail High School MARCH 2013 CHAPTER MEETING The Chapter assembled at 11:00 A. M. for the business meeting at Le Pavillon Restaurant. President Patterson called the meeting to order at 11:00 A. M. 7

8 Members present: Josiah Andrews; L. Edwin Brown; Hunter Camp; Ralph Crews; Stephen Luckau; George McCabe; Bill McPherson; Oscar Patterson; William Roberts; David Simpson; Dean Smith; James Smith; Syd Spink; Bob Tarrant; John Tinny. Guests; Nancy McPherson; Speaker: Dr. Joseph Joyner; Superintendent of Schools St. Johns County Total: 17 Invocation: Given by Compatriot John Tinny Pledge of Allegiance: Led by President Patterson. SAR Pledge: Led by President Patterson. President Patterson presented to Compatriot Ralph Crews the NSSAR Certificate for having served in the Korean War (see p. 5 above). President Patterson performed the Chapter induction ceremony for the three new members. These were Josiah Andrews, David Simpson, and Hunter Camp. William Roberts pinned the rosette on the lapel of each new member. The three new members were welcomed into the Chapter. Pictures were taken (see p. 4 above). President Patterson introduced the speaker Dr. Joseph Joyner, Superintendent of St. Johns County Schools. 8

9 Dr. Joyner has been Superintendent for 10 years. Dr. Joyner said that children play a major role in the future of the country. Education has become a political football and this is causing some loss of local control of the schools. In this country everyone has the opportunity of getting an education thru the public system. Florida schools are 6th in the nation. The US is the top in the teaching of the handicap student. St. Johns County is #1 in the State of Florida and has been for the past several years. There are a number of academies in the local High Schools. These academies cover many career areas. The St. Johns School system is the fastest growing school district in the state of Florida. President Patterson presented Dr. Joyner an Outstanding Citizenship certificate and pin. Minutes: A motion was made and seconded to approve the March 2013 minutes as sent. The motion was approved. Treasurer: The balance was $ and was accepted for record. Vice President: The Florida Patriot had Compatriot McCabe's picture in the wrong Chapter item. It was an oversight. President: The presentation of the Plaque for Francisco Sanchez was done on April 13 in conjunction with the Gainesville Chapter. There were 100 people in attendance with many descendants of Sanchez present (see pgs. 1-4 above). 9

10 Registrar/Genealogist:All the membership applications at National have been approved with the exception of one. He is currently working on two potential new membership applications. Public Safety/Heroism: A presentation to EMS at Putnam Co. will be made April 23, On April 24th there is a presentation at Firefighter/EMS at St. Johns Fire Rescue Headquarters. Later in the day there will be a Law Enforcement presentation at the Putnam Co. Sheriff's Office Awards Ceremony. Even later in the day there will be a presentation at the St. Johns Co. Sheriff's General Staff meeting at the St. Johns Commissioners Office. Chaplain: No report Historian: Compatriot Tinny showed a number of Certificates that are available. He also said that he has the locations of where a compatriot can purchase a Colonial Uniform. There is a place that is local. If you are interested, contact John Tinny. John also said that there are a number of committees that a member could serve on if interested. Boy Scouts: a total of 10 certificates have been sent out to the local troops. JROTC: The state winner was from the Sarasota Chapter. Old Business: The BOM is coming soon (May 3-5). This is where the State Officers are elected. New Business: None Benediction: Given by President Patterson Recessional: Led by Compatriot Roberts. 10

11 The next meeting is 11:00 A.M.at the Le Pavillon Restaurant on May18, The meeting adjourned at 1:30 P.M. The speaker for the next meeting is Chuck Meide LAMP Director at the Lighthouse. Speakers for 2013: May 18, 2013 Chuck Meide, LAMP Director, St. Augustine Lighthouse September 21, 2013 Cheryl Strickland, Clerk of Court, St. Johns County October 19, 2013 Rev. David Baker, Religion and the Revolution President: Vice President: Secretary: Treasurer: Dr. Oscar Patterson III Dean Smith Sydney Spink Robert Tarrant Registrar/Genealogist: Historian: Chaplain: Sergeant-At-Arms: William R. Roberts John Tinny David Hoffman Drew Upchurch Past Presidents Michael H. Charles 1988 George L. Houghtalling 1998 George I. Knowles Syd Spink 1983 John L. Mikel Charles A. Tingley 1999 John D. Tinny William A. Roberts Alan R. Edwards 1991 Harry A. Stowell III 2000 Richard E. Welty 1986 Charles A. Tigley Donald R. Fisher* George E. McCabe III 1987 James A. Keamey John D. Tinny Norman L. Antle 11

St. Augustine Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter for January 2013 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

1 St. Augustine Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Newsletter for January 2013 THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by Francis Bellamy, a member of the American