Mayflower Lynes
The Mayflower Lynes
Society Of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Delaware
Editor: Harline Dennison
Volume 54
Fall 2012
www.mayflower
-de.org
[email protected]
GOVERNOR’S GREETINGS
My wife Marion and I were delighted that so many of you could join us for the Spring
Reception on Sunday May 20th at our home, Crooked Billet, in Greenville. As those of
you who attended learned, the property was deeded by William Penn to Adam Stedham
who built his small two room stone home there in 1684, and whose son, William, expanded that home in 1702 to become a tavern and inn that he called "Crooked Billet". It
stood on the corner where the old road from Kennett to Wilmington and Centre Road
intersected. “Crooked” Billet was a name frequently given by medieval English taverns,
when a bent stick, then called a billet, was hung over the tavern doors to advise travelers,
few of whom could read, that ale and perhaps food and straw for a bed could be found
inside. General Washington and his army rendezvoused at Crooked Billet on September
9, 1777, shortly before heading out the Kennett Road and crossing the Brandywine into
Pennsylvania at Pyles Ford to meet the British in the Battle of the Brandywine on September 11th. Crooked Billet continued to operate as an inn until 1811 when the Kennett Road was moved to the
northeast to become a toll road known as the Kennett Pike, leaving Crooked Billet about 2000 feet back from the
new road. No longer fronting on the road, Crooked Billet became a farm and passed to the duPont family in 1864
where it has remained since then. At our Spring Reception the weather cooperated, giving us a beautiful sunny
day. We enjoyed wine and hors d'oeuvres, while touring the gardens and house.
We have had a very successful year of membership growth, adding eleven new members including, I am pleased
to report, a number from the families of our current members. Membership development must continue to be one
of our important tasks, if we are to remain a healthy and active society. Again, I urge all of you to encourage your
children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and cousins who are Mayflower descendants to join us and take an active
role in supporting our programs and mission.
Our mission is, of course, the preservation of the heritage handed down to us from our Pilgrim forebearers, most
importantly through the education of Delaware's school children. Our society works with the Delaware Department of Education, and with Delaware's public, private and parochial school teachers. We provide to teachers of
fourth and fifth grade students in all of our schools free lesson plans and teaching materials, including books and
videos that tell the story of the Mayflower, Plymouth, and the democratic traditions of self-governance in America
that began there.
This is my last Lynes message to you, as your governor, as my three year term expires in November. I extend special thanks to members of the Board of Assistants for their work and stewardship in enabling us to continue to improve our educational programs, to expand our support of Delaware's public libraries to which we donate books
relating to the history and the genealogy of the Pilgrims, and to support historical programs throughout Delaware
that enlighten us all. I have been privileged to serve the Society, and thank all of you for your warm encouragement and generous support.
Faithfully, Kai Lassen
Mayflower Lynes
SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER
DESCENDANTS
IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE
0FFICERS 2011 -2012
GOVERNOR
JOHN KAI LASSEN
DEPUTY GOVERNOR
BARBARA G. WELCH
SECRETARY
D. GEOFFREY GAMBLE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
BARBARA L. WIDEMAN
TREASURER
LESLIE KEATING SWANSON
HISTORIAN
JOHN CHARLES VICTOR
ELDER
JOHN L. CROSSAN
CAPTAIN
GREGORY J. WEINIG, ESQ
SURGEON
JAMES T. DORMAN
COUNSELOR
DAVID M. BRADFORD
JR MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
PAIGE B SULLIVAN
ASSISTANT
ELIAZBETH ANNE HAPPOLDT
ASSISTANT
MARSHALL EARLE BAKER
PAST GOVERNOR
CHRISTINE B. CROSSAN
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
EDUCATION
EVENTS
FINANCE
LIBRARY
MEMBERSHIP
PUBLICATIONS
DR. SUSAN SMITH BUNTING
MARY CROSSAN CRISCULOLO
MARSHALL EARLE BAKER
ELIZABETH ANN HAPPOLDT
MARSHALL EARLE BAKER
HARLINE DIANE DENNISON
GENERAL SOCIETY
DEPUTY GOV. GENERAL
ASSISTANT GENERAL
NOEL H. KUHRT, JR
ROBERT J. HANSON, JR
***************************************
NEW MEMBERS
RONALD FRANCIS AUGUST III Elected 4/10/ 12
Gen # 84292 DE #406 Alden-13
SAMUEL F. DUPONT BAYARD Elected 6-28-12 Gen #
84574 DE # 407 Bradford-11
LINDA KAY KEELER( CHILDRESS) Elected 8-01-12
Gen # 84731 DE # 408 Hopkins-13
DECEASED MEMBER
MARY MCFARLIN Gen# 24533 DE # 50; Assistant
Secretary 1976-1981; Historian 1986-1997; AG 1994 1958 Charter Member
***************************************************
The First Thanksgiving, 1621, by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
Modern version
In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread Sovereign
Lord King James, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain,
France, and Ireland, King, defender of the Faith, etc.
Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, and advancements of the Christian faith and honor of our King and
Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents, solemnly and
mutually, in the presence of God, and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body
politic; for our better ordering, and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to
enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal laws,
ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to
time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for
the general good of the colony; unto which we promise
all due submission and obedience.
In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our
names at Cape Cod the 11th of November, in the year of
the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, 1620.
Although the original document has been lost, three versions exist from the 17th century: printed in Mourt's
Relation (1622), which was reprinted in Purchas his
Pilgrimes (1625),hand written by William Bradford in
his journal Of Plimoth Plantation (1646), and printed
by Bradford's nephew Nathaniel Morton in NewEnglands Memorial (1669). The three versions differ
slightly in wording and significantly in spelling, capitalization and punctuation. William Bradford wrote the
first part of Mourt's Relation, including its version of the
compact, so he wrote two of the three versions. The
wording of those two versions is indeed quite similar,
unlike that of Morton. Bradford's hand written manuscript is kept in a vault at the State Library of Massa-
Mayflower Lynes
Nancy Cooch, Sally Harrison
Kai Lassen, Geoffrey Gambel , Marshall Baker
Nancy Lefevre, Jean Stone, Karen Kuhrt, Aimee Kuhrt
Thomas & Dorothy Brandenberger
Tom A. Stevens, Tom S. Stevens
Kai Lassen, Tom A. Stevens, Marshall Baker
John Tepe, Christine Crossan, Kai Lassen, Robin Crossan
Kai Lassen, Jean Stone, Marshall Baker
Mayflower Lynes
COMPACT DAY SPEAKER
GOVERNOR GENERAL
BRUCE CAMPBELL MAC GUNNIGLE
Bruce Campbell MacGunnigle is our 32nd Governor General. He has been a
member for 40 years, joining the Rhode Island Society at the age of 24, the first
in his family to do so. He is a descendant of Elder William Brewster, James Chilton, Francis Cooke, Edward Fuller, Stephen Hopkins, Thomas Rogers and Richard Warren.
Bruce was elected governor of the Rhode Island Society at the age of 39, becoming the youngest governor in that state society’s history. He has been elected as
Member-at-Large of the Executive Committee, Captain General, Assistant Governor General and now Governor
General – more General Society Offices than any other member in our 115-year history. Bruce served as Congress
Planning Chairman at four General Congresses, and is the author of Mayflower Families, Volume 4 – Edward
Fuller.
After he retired as a jewelry findings manufacturing company executive, he worked part time for his hometown as
the Main Street Manager, working with 200 small businesses and, among other things, organizing award winning
street festivals on Main Street. He is now writing a column on historic houses in his local weekly newspaper. He is
the Governor of the R.I. Society of Colonial Wars, a past president of both the R.I. SAR and Huguenot Societies,
and a member of the R.I. Founders and Patriots and the SAR.
Bruce and Kate, his wife of 39 years, are the parents of Douglas and Alison, both members of the Rhode Island
Society.
SOCIETY REPORTS
GENERAL SOCIETY
The General Board of Assistants met on September 8 in Mount Laurel, New Jersey with 160 total attendees from
40 State Societies. Assistant General Robert J. Hanson, Jr. and Deputy Governor General Noel H. Kuhrt, Jr. represented the Delaware Society. Governor General Bruce C. MacGunnigle reported that the fireproof vault for our
84,000 applications was completed; that a one year study of temperature and humidity data collection throughout
our Mayflower House has begun to determine equipment needs for the preservation of our antiquities; and that the
Five Generation Project is expanding to a sixth with mention of the birth of the seventh. He also announced that
Thomas M. Colligan has been hired for the new position of Executive Director of the General Society. His primary
functions are to supervise day to day operations through management of staff, establish a fund raising program and
support the General Board of Assistants and the Executive Committee in conducting the society's business. Treasurer General Donald T. Studley reported that our net assets, not including the Mayflower House, other buildings
and their contents, rose $255,000 over 2011 to total $7,226,000. The 2013 budget of $856,500 is $146,800 higher
than 2012. Historian General Paul S. Bumpus reported that 1,132 membership applications have been approved so
far this year and that approval at the General level now averages only three weeks. He thanked by name those 11
states, including Delaware, that have saved the General Society digitizing cost by donating their digital membership records. Alice C. Teal reported the 400 page Mayflower Quarterly Diamond Jubilee is finally at the book
binders soon to be distributed to prepublication purchasers. Historic Sites Chairman, Barbara L. Williams, announced that the a May 18-31, 2013 tour to England and Holland will cost $3,340 per person plus air fare.
The September, 2013 General Board of Assistants meeting will take place in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Submitted by: Noel H. Kuhrt, Jr., Deputy Governor General
Mayflower Lynes
ware Public Archives, and the First State Heritage
NOMINATING COMMITTEE—Proposed Slate of
Park. For more information call Ann Happoldt at 302
Officers
The Nominating Committee of the Society of Mayflower 724-3924. Submitted by: Ann Happoldt
Descendants in the State of Delaware hereby submits its
slate of candidates to stand for election at the 54th Annual
LINEAGE ORGANIZATIONS
Meeting of the Society on November 17, 2012:
Governor
Deputy Governor
Treasurer
Historian
Elder
Captain
Surgeon
Assistant
Barbara G. Welch
Gregory J. Weinig
Andrew W. Edmonds
W. Andrew Cottle
Robert J. Hanson, Jr.
John L. Crossan
Samuel F. duPont Bayard
Harline D. Dennison
Society of the War of 1812
BICENTENNIAL
This year marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812, a
war in which the British hoped to reverse the results of
the American Revolution and to bring their former colonies under British dominion. British troops seized
All candidates named above have agreed to serve if elect- Washington DC, burned the White House, attacked
ed. Submitted by: Noel H. Kuhrt, Nominating Commit- Baltimore, New Orleans and sent fleets into the Great
tee Chairman
Lakes to attack to great cities bordering those lakes.
Our victory in 1815 saved our country from returning
to colonial status.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
The State of Delaware has become a member of a 46-state The General Society of the War of 1812 was formed in
consortium that has adopted Common Core State Stand- 1894, though its origins date back as far as 1814 when
ards (CCSS). Although CCSS implementation necessi- veterans of the then continuing war formed a Defendtates the revision of math, reading, and writing curricula, ers organization to commemorate the Defense of Ft.
social studies will not be involved in the curriculum re- McHenry in Baltimore and dedicate a memorial there.
form initiative. A call to the Delaware Department of State Societies for the War’s veterans were subsequentEducation revealed that the social studies curriculum is ly formed, the first in Maryland receiving its charter in
controlled by the state’s Social Studies Coalition. The 1842, followed by Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massagroup has the authority to recommend courses and en- chusetts and New York. By the 1890s, few veterans
dorse units written by non-Social Studies Coalition mem- were still alive, and the state societies were expanded
bers. Hence, I have forwarded a copy of Mayflower and to include the male descendants of the War’s veterans,
Me to Dusty Shockley, the Social Studies Coalition chair, the General Society was formed by these State Sociefor review. If approved, the unit will become a part of the ties to bring them all into one organizational body.
official Delaware Recommend Curriculum and will sub- Delaware has at present no State Society, and the
sequently be regularly used throughout the state by stu- War’s descendants in Delaware are therefore membersdents at a particular grade level. Further updates will be at-large of the General Society.
provided when available. Submitted by: Dr. Susan Smith
As stated by the General Society, “The objectives of
Bunting
the Society are the collection and preservation of rolls,
records, books, and other documents relating to the
LIBRARY COMMITTEE—Delaware Archives Event War of 1812; the encouragement of research and the
The Colonel Haslet Chapter (DAR) and the Caesar Rod- preservation of historical data, including memorials to
ney Chapter (SAR) are holding a “Meet-and-Greet” event patriots of that era in our national history; the caring
at the Delaware Public Archives in dover on Saturday, for the graves of veterans of the War of 1812; the cherDecember 8, 2012 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The pur- ishing, maintenance and extension of the institutions of
pose is to help people learn how to join and apply to line- American freedom; the fostering of true patriotism age societies. People will work one-on-one with a geneal- love of country. In carrying out these objectives, the
ogist. The Research Room will be available for further State Societies hold meetings for their members and
research. The DPA has Ancestry.com available on its guests at which programs relating to the War of 1812
computers and other sites that can be accessed. There will and intelligent patriotism are presented. Over the years
be a tour of DPA and its holdings. There is a Civil War the membership has been fortunate in attracting gentleand War of 1812 display. This event is presented in conjunction with the Division of Historical Affairs, the Dela- Continued onto 2nd column next page
Mayflower Lynes
NEW MEMBERS
Linda K. Childress Keeler is a 14th
generation descendant of Stephen Hopkins. She and her husband, Dennis, have
lived in Wilmington for over 25 years.
Their home built in 1912 is listed on the
National Registry of Historic Places.
They also enjoy spending time at their
home in Rehoboth Beach. After 37 years
of teaching in Illinois, Iowa, Texas and Pennsylvania, she is
now retired from her career as a secondary Theatre and English teacher. Linda is an avid genealogist.
LINEAGE ORGANIZATIONS
War of 1812 Society Continued from previous page
men of high caliber, intelligence and gracious demeanor. The General Society and its affiliated State
Societies are sensitive to the high ideals espoused by
our Founding Fathers and they feel the duty that ever
vigilant defense of our nation and its Constitution entails.” Submitted by Kai Lassen
Samuel F. du Pont Bayard, a native
Delawarean, is an 11th generation descendant of Governor William Bradford,
and a cousin to many of our Delaware
Society’s current members who descend
from Elizabeth Bradford duPont. Sam’s
Father, James Asheton Bayard, and his mother, Nancy Lenning Bayard, were both Charter Members of our Society. Sam
grew up in Wilmington, attended Tower Hill School, graduated from The Lawrenceville School, from Lafayette College,
and from the Delaware Law School. Formerly with the Law
firm of Biggs and Battaglia, he is the founder and President of
Rockford Leasing Company, a financial services company
serving individuals and small businesses. He and his wife
Melissa live in Greenville. Their son, Jamie, will graduate
from Bard College next spring, and their daughter, Peggy, will
gradate next spring from the Tatnall School.
COMPLETED VOYAGES
Mary Bradford McFarlin (1919-2012),
a 10th generation descendant of Governor
William Bradford and 11th generation descendant of Stephen Hopkins, was a Charter
Member of the Delaware Society since its
inception fifty four years ago. She served in
many leadership positions and was most
well known as our Historian, a position held from 1986
until 1997. She also served as our Assistant Secretary from
1976 to 1981, and as our Assistant General in the General
Society in 1994. Mary was born in Wilmington, Delaware
and was a graduate of PS DuPont High School and the University of Delaware. She was a community leader, active in
the Girl Scouts and her church, the Newark United Methodist
Church, and other community organizations. She was a talented painter and organist and a gifted athlete. Mary's four
children, Margaret "Pegi" Slack of Bonita Springs, FL, Linda
M. Moore (David) of Bear, Samuel "Eddie" McFarlin IV
(Marie) of Bear, and Judy A. Walls (Jay) of Middletown,
survive her and are all Life Members of our Society. Her
generous spirit and leadership and her dedicated service will
long be remembered.
Ancient and Honorable
Artillery Company
'facta non verba' Deeds Not Words
This is the third oldest chartered military organization
in the World, and the oldest in the Western Hemisphere! The rich tradition of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company can be seen in its Museum
Headquartered in Faneuil Hall, Boston, the Company
boasts one of the finest military museums in the United States.
Chartered in 1638-The First Military Company
Chartered in the Western Hemisphere
As the settlements, which followed the landing at
Plymouth increased and spread, there was no organized military force for protection. There were only
local volunteer companies and there was no joint action or centralized authority. Many of the settlers of
Boston had been members in England, of the Honourable Artillery Company of London (organized and
chartered in 1537) and it was natural that the military
training they had received in that Company should
lead them to form a similar organization in the new
country. In 1637 the Company was formed for instruction in discipline and tactics. Governor Winthrop
granted a Charter in March 1638, and on the first
Monday in June following, an election of Officers was
held on Boston Common. Since that time, the Company has maintained the tradition of holding their annual
elections on the Boston Common on the first Monday
in June by casting their votes on the Drum Head.
For more information contact: Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts Armory,
Faneuil Hall , Boston, MA 02109, 617 227 1638.
Mayflower Lynes
FYI:
EARLY PILGRIM CUSTOMS
“These inventories are recorded in the Old Colony records, beginning A.D., 1633. They are very minute and
enumerate not only the houses, lands, and live-stock,
but also all household and farm utensils, also books,
and every article of furniture, or apparel, and far furnish ample material for an accurate judgment of both
habits and customs of early times, and the tastes, culture, and worldly condition of the early colonists. In
the light of these inventories, many articles, inconsiderately claimed by their possessors to have been
brought to New England in the Mayflower, must be
referred to the later period. It will not be safe to exhibit
a china or porcelain teapot or mug as a Pilgrim relic,
when no article of either china or porcelain is to be
found in those tell-tale lists before 1660. the fact that
tea was a rare luxury in England as late as 1657, and
was sold at the rate of 6 pounds per pound, fortifies the
story which these inventories tell.
Neither were forks used in England when the Pilgrims
let it; and travelers of that period speak of the use in
Italy of forks instead of napkins as a new and curious
one. The English were in the habit of holding the food
in a napkin with the left hand, while with the right they
cut it with a knife and carried it to the mouth. A habit
now esteemed vulgar was once universal, and, like
many a good old Saxon word, has been borne down to
the present generation on the undercurrent of the uncultivated and unrefined portion of society. It was the
back of the knife, however, which entered the mouth,
and the protuberance on the back of old-fashioned
knives, which doubtless many now living have seen, is
a relic of an old custom which lingered after the habit
of eating with a knife disappeared. We accordingly
find in early inventories large numbers of napkins and
entire absence of forks. Chairs were, in early Pilgrim
days, articles of luxuries, and up to 1630, the inventories contained a smaller number than is probably now
claimed to have been part of the burden of the first
ship.” Descendants of George Abbott of Rowley, MA and His
Joint Descendants with George Abbott, Sr of Andover, MA, Vol.
************************************
PRIMARY SOURCES FOR "
“THE FIRST
THANKSGIVING" AT PLYMOUTH
There are 2 (and only 2) primary sources for the
events of autumn 1621 in Plymouth:
Edward Winslow, Mourt's Relation: "Our harvest
being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice
together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors;
they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little
help beside, served the Company almost a week, at
which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our
Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and
amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with
some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained
and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer,
which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on
our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And
although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this
time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far
from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”
William Bradford, Of Plimoth Plantation: "They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to
fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being
all well recovered in health and strength and had all
things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed
in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about
cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good
store, of which every family had their portion. All the
summer there was no want; and now began to come in
store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place
did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was
great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many,
besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of
meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian
corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards
write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in
England, which were not feigned but true reports."
**********************************
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Brownscombe
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by
Brownscombe
Mayflower Lynes
A Thanksgiving Sharing
THE ANNUAL MEETING AND
COMPACT DAY LUNCHEON
The cookies known as "Joe Froggers" were a favorite of the Mayflower
voyagers and the generations that followed them. The families back home
originally prepared them. those who had baked the cookies usually cut their
initials into each cookie as a fitting remembrance as the miles separated
each family member. The "Joe Froggers" were stored in barrels on ship for
sometimes several months. Even so, they were always soft and tasty. This is
attributed to one ingredient to be found in the recipe.
Here is the recipe for "Joe Froggers" Cookies
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 17, 2012
11:30 am
1 cup shortening
2 cups dark molasses
3/4 cups water
1 tsp. cloves
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 Tbsp. ginger
1 Tbsp. salt
1/4 cup rum (more if desired)
7 cups flour
VICMEAD HUNT CLUB
Cream shortening and sugar until light. Dissolve salt in water and mix with
rum. Add baking soda to molasses. Sift flour with spices. Add liquid ingredients alternately with flour mixture to creamed mixture. Stir well between
additions. Dough should be sticky. Chill overnight. In the morning, flour
board and rolling pin. Roll dough 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut with cutter
(each cookie should be the size of the inside of a coffee cup.) Bake in 375degree oven from 10 to 12 minutes.
Borrowed from The Missouri Compact Fall/Winter 2012 newsletter
Society of Mayflower Descendants
In the State of Delaware
Barbara Wideman
600-35 Wildel Avenue
New Castle, DE 19720-6114
Visit us at: www:Mayflower-de.org
FIRST CLASS