Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Newsletter Jan 2017 Board of Assistants Governor William Watson Taylor, Jr. Deputy Governor William P. Ulmschneider Treasurer Ronald W. Ulmschneider Secretary Linda K. Becker Historian Todd M. Holden As we close on our 115 th year of existence, I reflect on what our society has done. Your Board of Assistants has taken on a project to increase membership, without which the society cannot grow or even maintain itself. With new membership incentives this past year we have seen significant growth in our society. We hope this Junior Membership Charles Wharton III Elder Peter Sarazin Counsellor & Entertainment Nancy Ellen Wildes, Esq. Captain Russell Winslow Greene Finance Robert Allen Greene Upcoming Events Annual Meeting April 1, 2017 Kirkbrae Country Club, Lincoln, RI Hospitality Carol Wernquest Surgeon Richard Bertini, MD Membership Todd M. Holden Visit us on Facebook: Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Rhode Island 1
Governors Message (Continued from page 1.) trend will continue so that our base membership of 450 will increase. The trend of multi-memberships from one family is encouraged, as well as lifetime membership. One of our goals is to encourage support of Colonial study and research such as support for the Silver Books, published by the General Society, which we have done. There is financial support for Historic Preservation, the repair of the Sarcophagus at the Coles Hill site, funds to purchase Danish White Oak for planking to repair Mayflower II, and funds to continue the repair and restoration of First Church, the site of the Pilgrim First House of Worship, where one would visit during the summer, watching or participating in Pilgrims Progress. We will continue to support the 1620 Club as it enables the General Society to continue their good works. Our speaker events this past year brought new insights on Colonial stone walls by Reverend Bill Eddy, and the position of Church and State from its earliest period to the current position of the State Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, by Peggy Baker, Historian and Director Emeritus of the Pilgrim Museum, Plymouth. We have had good turnout, excellent locations and great meals. We will continue to offer reduced meal cost as an incentive to attend with members and guests along with having formidable speakers and events. Our Board is strong; we are always looking for a few good people with new talents and ideas. However, we would like to expand the Committees we have. If you are interested in continuing the future success of your Society, we encourage you to step forward with your enthusiasm. This is your Society, built on generations of Colonial ethics and standards. Your ancestors created a New World which became our Nation. Please help us continue in preparing for 2020, the 400 th Anniversary of the Landing of the Pilgrims. Governor, Skip 2
April 1957 New York Times article describing the Pilgrims landing on Clarke s Island - the day before they landed at Plymouth Rock on December 21, 1620. 3
A fascinating picture of a set table with the Mayflower looming in the mist. Thanks to Governor Skip Taylor for sharing this gem with us on Compact Day. 4
Pictures from the November 13, 2016 Compact Day at Richmond Country Club in Richmond, RI. 5
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Pictures from the December 18, 2016 Forefathers Day at Quidnessett Country Club in North Kingstown, RI. 11
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Congratulations to these long time members of the Mayflower Society who were honored with certificates commemorating their Mayflower membership anniversary at the Compact Day meeting held on 13 Nov 2016 at the Richmond CC in Richmond, RI. Member Anniversary Ancestor David Clarke 50 Years Richard Warren Cynthia Chase 50 Years George Soule Allan Fisher 45 Years William Bradford Julia Janes 45 Years John Alden Robert Baxter 45 Years John Howland Marian Sinnott 45 Years Stephen Hopkins Priscilla Usher 45 Years John Billington Frances Sherman 45 Years Isaac Allerton Christine Brannon 40 Years John Howland John Stedman 40 Years George Soule Sidney Clifford Jr. 40 Years John Howland Leslie Fasulo 40 Years John Howland Marianne Granger 40 Years John Howland Richard Green 40 Years William Bradford Rosalie Sherron 40 Years Degory Priest Constance Pomeroy 40 Years William Bradford John Wilmot 40 Years John Alden Ann Thorndike 35 Years Peter Brown Reinhard Battcher III 35 Years John Alden William Robinson 35 Years Isaac Allerton Phyllis Zito 35 Years George Soule Justin Potter 35 Years William White Priscilla Phillips 30 Years Francis Cooke 16
Member Anniversary Ancestor Barbara Osborne 30 Years John Howland Josiah Pierce 30 Years William Bradford Patricia Robinson 30 Years Francis Cooke Rosemarie Mello 30 Years John Alden Warren Warner 25 Years William Bradford Jennifer Melson 25 Years Richard Warren Priscilla Baker 25 Years James Chilton Dawna Rogers 25 Years James Chilton Anna Lincoln 25 Years Thomas Rogers Judith Barry 25 Years John Howland Gail Chase 20 Years Francis Cooke Bruce Wilcox 20 Years Richard Warren Robert Greene III 20 Years John Tilley Jacqueline Tetreault 20 Years John Tilley Katharina Bilotti 20 Years William Brewster Patricia Riley 20 Years Stephen Hopkins 17
Looking for something to do on a cold day this winter? Why not visit Pilgrim Hall Museum! 18
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The following article reproduced from a news website describes the status of the Mayflower Commemorative Coin initiative. 21