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Sons of the American Revolution On February 22, the invitation from the Rochester Chapter Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution was extended to the Ladies of the Col. William Prescott Chapter and other Daughters of the American Revolution chapters. As usual, they meet at Spring House, in Pittsford. I have attended these affairs since John Henry Heffner (1986-89) was president, through the presidency of Stephen Amandus Arter (1991-2001) up to the present leader, Stephen Paul Clarke. It is a delight to meet with people who remember and celebrate historical events. Here is some background. At about the time of the Centennial celebrations in 1876, men across the U.S. became interested in and involved with genealogy. From a small start in California, the movement grew until the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized in 1889. The stated goals of the SAR have always been to support patriotic endeavors, to advance knowledge of American history at all levels of public and private education, to record information about the Patriots who in any way served the cause of gaining independence for the American colonies. Membership is open to any and all men 18 years of age or older without regard to race, creed, national origin or political affiliation, provided he can prove descent from a Patriot who in any way served the cause of the Revolution. The Daughters of the American Revolution offers membership for women along the same lines. The SAR was formed on a national level from a loose confederation of state organizations. The national group developed a constitution, by-laws and operating procedures. States developed their own societies within the national framework shortly thereafter, and a New York Society was formed in 1890. There were no local Chapters until Buffalo's was formed in 1893. The Rochester Chapter was formed on July 4, 1893, the second such chapter in the state. Today the Rochester Chapter serves Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Genesee, Livingston. and Orleans Counties within the Western New York region of the Empire State society. Over the past 100 years, the Rochester Chapter has developed an ongoing commitment to a variety of public service programs. They are proud of the Livingston Scholarships presented to students in the Rochester City School District in memory of Sergeant Robert Franklin Livingston who died in a German Prisoner-of-war camp near the end off World War II. There is also the Milliner Good Citizenship certificate and pin available for presentation to one graduating senior in any Monroe County Public high school outside the Rochester City School District. This award is named for Alexander Milliner, George Washington's drummer boy, who lived in Adams Basin between Spencerport and Brockport. His drum is in the DAR House in downtown Rochester. The SAR has also had a long association with the Boy Scout movement, and is particularly proud of the work in the Eagle Scout program. SAR members have assisted with various Eagle projects and the Society sponsors an essay competition that may lead to a significant scholarship for the lucky national winner. Rochester is proud of the Eagle Scouts, now including 2003 honoree Anthony Noto of Greece, who attained 39 merit badges. Other programs include recognition of service by various law enforcement or fire prevention personnel and others who have made significant contributions to the public good. Recently, the SAR's Law Enforcement Award and Certificate have been presented to Monroe County Sheriff Patrick O'Flynn and Livingston County Sheriff John York. The Fire Prevention Award and Certificate have been awarded to Rochester's Fire Chief Floyd Madison, and Robert Faugh, a retired State Trooper and specialist in handling hazardous materials problems. Faugh is the first active State Trooper to be allowed to serve as a firefighter. Both awards are presented in the name of the National Society, but local chapters choose recipients. On George Washington's birthday, or the Saturday closest to it, the Rochester Chapter hosts a luncheon to honor the memory of our first president and recognize a member of the local community who has made significant contributions to the general welfare. The Chapter presents its honored guest with the SAR's Silver Good Citizenship Medal and certificate, the highest honor that can be bestowed by a local chapter without the approval by the National Society. Recent recipients of the Good Citizenship Medal include Monroe County Court Judge John J. Connell and State Senator Richard A. Dollinger. As part of the National Society's effort to locate graves of as many Revolutionary War Patriots as we can find, the Chapter has an outgoing program to locate such graves in this area and identify them fully, photograph the grave stones and report the information to the National Society which compiles all of the material (written and photographic) into a CD which is available to researchers anywhere to locate information about our nation's First Patriots. Pictured are Steve Clarke, Julie Goldstein and Tommy Thompson, at the grave stone dedication for Isaac Campbell, at Pine Hill Cemetery in Rush. The chapter works with descendants and governmental agencies to mark any Patriot's grave that is not already properly recognized. Also it provides information and helps to locate service records to obtain new gravestones from the Veteran's Administration for any Patriot who does not have a proper grave marker. The SAR provides whatever level of guidance and participation the families of such Patriots might like to have to dedicate new grave stones or install bronze markers to indicate service to the causes of the Revolution. It also hosts a picnic for Chapter members, their wives, and our friends of the local chapters of the DAR, which is well attended. The picnic is a popular event that allows members to enjoy each other's company, to share stories about their ancestors, work out genealogical problems and recognize members' accomplishments over the past year. At the 2002 picnic, service pins were presented to members who served the chapter 25 or more years. In August, we honored the work of Roger A. Ruth who had been a member for 65 years. Sadly, Roger passed away shortly before the picnic, but Empire State Society President Bill Woodworth and Rochester President Steve Clarke had the pleasure of presenting his pin and certificate to his widow, Margaret. The SAR is a multi-faceted organization that is proud of what America has accomplished in the past 200 years and is dedicated to the preservation of all the good things that have helped us prosper. Anyone interested in SAR membership may contact the Rochester Chapter President Steve Clarke at 585.293.1678 for more information and copies of the papers needed to provide proof you are descended from a Revolutionary War Patriot. You may contact me at 331.2203 or Roy Goold, Registrar at 585.673.6419. (Many thanks to Steve Clarke for furnishing the itinerary from the Rochester SAR.) Copyright
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