Tennessee Pilgrims
Newsletter of the
TENNESSEE SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS
Summer 2014
Volume 1, Issue 2
Mayflower Anniversary Approaching
Important Message
Do you have children or grandchildren in school? Do you know
of a teacher or school where you
could ask to give a short presentation? Now is the time to make
plans to visit a classroom before
Thanksgiving.
This is the time of year that we
need to be thinking about bringing the message of the Mayflower
Voyage and the Pilgrims to the
school children. Most schools are
not teaching the students about
this important and historic event
which is the foundation of our country’s roots. The sacrifices of these ancestors and the conditions they
endured have been lost to many younger generations.
Many schools and teachers welcome Mayflower members to bring this message to the children. We just
need to plan ahead so they can put it in their schedules.
Herb Gould, our Education Chairman, has materials and information to make it easy and simple for you.
Some people do this alone, some with others, or in a group. Some like to dress up. Regardless, it is fun
and rewarding to see the excitement and interest it brings to the children.
If we do not do this, who will? Do we want this important part of history to be forgotten?
Please contact Herb Gould with any questions you may have and for the materials he can provide.
[email protected] 931.721.3204
Visit our website for further resources http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnsmd/education.htm
Page 2
Tennessee Pilgrims
Summer 2014
Greetings From Your Governor...
Dear Members,
On a recent trip to Niagara Falls, I saw photos of the construction on the
“Honeymoon Bridge” over the Niagara River in 1897. As I looked at the conditions these workers endured, I thought back to our ancestors in early Plymouth and the conditions in which they lived.
If you had to go back to the 17th century and live under the conditions that
existed that first winter in the Plymouth Bay Colony, what would you miss
most? Now suppose you could take three things from life today back with
you and only three things. What would you take?
Our life is so much easier than our forefathers and we have them to thank for
that. Will we make life better for our children and grandchildren as they did
for us?
~Herb Gould, Governor
2014 Nominating Committee
Governor Gould has appointed the committee to nominate the 2015-17
officers for the Tennessee Society. The committee members are
Margaret “Peggie” Sides, Dennis C. Klotter and Roger L. Young.
Nominations will be made for the following positions: Governor,
Assistant Governor, Secretary, Treasurer, Historian, Captain, Elder,
Counselor and Surgeon. Committee chairs will be appointed by the
in-coming Governor.
In addition to these state society officers, the committee will make a
nomination to the General Society for the Deputy Governor General
(DGG) and Assistant Governor General (AGG) to serve on the General Society Board of Assistants.
All officers will be expected to attend the state Board of Assistants’ meeting as well as the spring and fall meetings of the Tennessee Society. The
DGG and the AGG will be expected to attend the General Society Board of Assistants’ meetings and the
General Congress.
If you wish to suggest someone to be considered for an office, or if you would like to be considered for an office, please contact one of the committee members.
Margaret “Peggie” Sides [email protected]
Dennis C. Klotter [email protected]
Tennessee Pilgrims
Summer 2014
Page 3
Tennessee Mayflower Society
2014 Annual Spring Meeting
The annual meeting and luncheon of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Tennessee,
was held on Saturday, April 12 at the Rothchild Catering and Conference Center in Knoxville. The
guest speaker was Gregory Byrd, History Professor at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee. He presented the program, “Availability of and use of Scripture in 1620’s America”.
Thank you to Tom and Rosemary Kendrick for the arrangement of our speaker and location.
Mark Your Calendar for November 8, 2014
The November meeting will be held in the Nashville area. It is held across the United States where
members gather to commemorate the arrival of the Mayflower on November 9, 1620 at what is known
today as Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts. The entire voyage from Plymouth England to Plymouth
harbour was 2,750 miles and the journey took the Mayflower approximately 66 days to complete.
Twenty six men and three women of the original 102 passengers aboard the Mayflower have descendants. Genealogists estimate that today, there are over twenty million living persons who descended
from the twenty nine Pilgrims. You may be one of them.
For more information visit the website at http://www.tnmayflower.com/
Above: Gregory Byrd and
Above:
Roger Young
Katie and Martha Wike,
Dr. Sidney Wike, (Martha’s father)
Right: Joy Angelelli
and Robin McMillan
Steve Jepson (Martha’s husband)
$100 Awarded to Winner
The Tennessee Society of Mayflower Descendants is conducting a logo design contest for individuals of all ages.
The logo we currently have on our state pin is the same as
many other states with the exception of the state name.
We are looking for a logo that is unique to our Tennessee
Mayflower Society.

The winning logo design will become the property of the Tennessee Society of
Mayflower Descendants and will be used as the official logo on our website,
newsletters, stationary, and other items.

Designs must be the original work of the artist.

The winning logo will be chosen by the Tennessee Mayflower Society board.

Entry deadline is September 1, 2014

Mail drawings, paintings etc., or email electronic jpg, pdf files, etc. to:
Jan Lokensgard, 1207 Carnton Lane, Franklin, TN, 37064
[email protected]
Applications Approved 2014
Welcome New Tennessee Members
Frederick Jones, membership # 86,473; ancestor Francis Cooke
Cathy Johnson, membership # 86,914; ancestor John Alden
Sue Groves, membership # 86,967; ancestor Richard Warren
Pat Walker, (transferred from Vermont) membership # 59,926; ancestor Myles Standish
Diane Webb, membership # 86,968; ancestor William Brewster
Wendy Butt, membership # 86.994; ancestor Stephen Hopkins
Please Note Our New Website Address:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnsmd/
Young Pilgrims Corner
Family Tree submitted by Ella Gould, age 7
*************
If your child has a picture or family tree to submit to our next newsletter
Please send to the editor via email or mail
Jan Lokensgard
1207 Carnton Lane, Franklin, TN 37064
[email protected]
Shh! Be very, very quite. I am hunting forebears.
The Society of Mayflower Descendants in Tennessee
Board of Assistants Meeting
Saturday, March 8, 2014, Nashville, Tennessee
The meeting was called to order at 10:01 am.
Those in attendance were: Governor Herb Gould, Deputy Governor Jan Lokensgard, Secretary/Treasurer
Karen Wery, Historian Peggie Sides, Elder Patti Hughes, Captain Dennis Klotter, and guests Roger Young
and Susan Gould.
The meeting began with trivia concerning the size of the Mayflower. It is estimated that it was about 113 feet
long.
The spring meeting will be held at the Rothchild Catering and Conference Center in Knoxville. Professor
Gregory Byrd will present the program on the use and availability of scripture. Up to Saturday, there have
been 10 reservations for the event.
The nominating committee has been appointed. Roger Young, Dennis Klotter, and Peggie Sides will make up
this committee. Jan requested information on the members that will be selected as officers to put in the
newsletter that she is working on.
Next on the agenda was discussion about the 2020-2021 Celebration Planning Questionnaire.
1.
Does your State Society intend to plan and organize a 2020 celebration for your membership? SMD
in Tennessee plans to visit students at the schools. Peggie stated that she gave a presentation (what
passengers had to endure, etc.) for a 4th grade class. Jan brought up that it would be helpful to have an
agenda along with reference materials to take to schools. Herb mentioned that Thanksgiving week is a
good time to go into the schools.
2. The General Society is reviewing a 2020 theme for marketing, sales, and promotions before and
during the 2020-2021 celebrations. The Committee is considering “Celebrating 400 Years”, “New Horizons”, and “Exploring New Horizons”. Do you like one of these? Or, what additional slogan or theme
do you recommend being considered? Herb passed out a letter of what the Connecticut Society is
doing. Jan suggested a Tennessee logo.
3. Should the 2020 banquet encourage attendees to wear Pilgrim and /or Wampanoag costumes? It
was agreed upon that colonial attire be worn and colonial food be served.
4. The 2020 Committee is contemplating the addition of content materials to the GSMD’s website.
For example: a 2020 Blog, artwork for various student projects; sales items that are suited for Junior
members; promotion of pilgrim activities by other organizations. The GSMD is seeking input for
content materials that would enhance awareness amongst members and prospective members. The
BOA members agreed that the 2020 section of the web site should be open to all.
5. Several well-known tourist attractions are popular in the Town of Plymouth, and other neighboring
towns of Plymouth County, MA, which can afford us with the opportunity to add a commemorative
plaque and/or venue to hold ceremonial events. Do you feel that a special 2020 commemorative
event is a wise use of the GSMD’s time and resources? The BOA felt that it was a good idea.
Board of Assistants Meeting continued...
6. GSMD members may have the opportunity to participate in a 400th Pilgrim Anniversary event. How
do you rate the importance of the General Society to provide information for the purchase of tailored
pilgrim costumes; the promotion of marching units for the Pilgrim’s Progress type events; and the
display of historic pilgrim information in the states and the 2020 General Congress? On a scale from
1 (low importance) to 5 (high importance). The BOA members chose this to be of high importance.
7. One of the tenants of the GSMD’s mission is education about our ancestor’s heritage in colonial
America, and awareness of genealogy amongst the public. The display of artifacts, collectibles, photographs, memorabilia, and posters would be needed. Would your State Society contribute to or sponsor such a traveling exhibit in 2020-2021? The BOA discussed an exhibit at the National Archives or
Museum.
8. The Mayflower Compact is a significant pillar of democracy in the New World. What means should
be used to recognize the Mayflower Compact? The BOA suggested that the Mayflower Compact
could be promoted in schools.
The 40th General Conference will be held September 5th – September 10th in Plymouth. Dennis Klotter will
be attending. If Todd Hughes does not attend, Roger Young will go in his place. Herb Gould will be a delegate. At least 3 more delegates may attend. Anyone can attend. It was suggested to make hotel reservations
now. Meetings are held during the day. There may be evening activities. More information is on the website.
There are 31 Junior members as of 31 December 2013. Six of the Juniors will age out in 2014. These young
men and young women should be invited to join the Mayflower Society. Herb will let Peggie know who will
age out.
Governor Gould proposed Historian Peggie Sides be reimbursed for a computer she purchased to use for her
position in the SMD in TN. A motion was passed. Karen will write Peggie a check. Peggie read the Historian’s Report. We have had two new members approved by Plymouth so far this year. There are three papers
waiting approval in Plymouth, and four papers are in working condition on her desk.
Peggie has submitted a paper that is solid, but Paul Bumpus, Historian General, has said there are too many
people with similar names. Roger suggested that the Governor General and Counselor General be contacted.
There was some discussion on a new process of prospective member payment to Plymouth. Being there will
be new officers come September, it was suggested that payments continue as they are for the time being.
Jan reported that the SMD in TN has a free website on Rootsweb.
It is http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnsmd/.
A newsletter will be done quarterly.
New Mayflower brochures are available to place in libraries, etc. Herb suggested that 100 copies be ordered.
Mayflower pins will be available at the spring meeting. There are eleven available to purchase. Jan suggested
using the pin as the Tennessee logo.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:15 am.
Tennessee Mayflower Society Officers 2011-2014
Governor:
Herb Gould
[email protected] 931.721.3204
Assistant Governor: Jan Jordan Lokensgard [email protected] 615.614.3551
Secretary:
Karen Wery: [email protected] 615.446.3246
Treasurer:
Karen Wery: [email protected] 615.446.3246
Historian:
Peggie Sides: [email protected] 615.383.4797
Elder:
Pattie Hughes: [email protected] 615.279.9692
Captain:
Dennis C. Klotter: [email protected] 615.338.5302
Surgeon:
Lisa Lewis: [email protected] 423.364.3848
Junior Membership: Herb Gould:
Education:
[email protected] 931.721.3204
Herb Gould: [email protected] 931.721.3204
Webmaster and Newsletter: Jan Jordan Lokensgard [email protected] 615.614.3551
National Officers to the GSMD Congress
Deputy Governor General (DGG):
Dennis C. Klotter
Assistant Governor General (AGG): Herb Gould
GSMD Congress
Fortieth Mayflower General Congress
Plymouth, Massachusetts
September 5-10, 2014
For more information visit the General Society of Mayflower Descendants
https://www.themayflowersociety.com/
Please Update Your Email Address and Personal Information
If your email address, or any other personal
and/or contact information has changed,
please notify our secretary ASAP
Thank you
Karen Wery
[email protected]
Mayflower Trivia
Storms During the Voyage
About mid-voyage of the Mayflower’s journey across the Atlantic, a bad storm developed. At one
point a young passenger, John Howland, a servant to John Carver, was swept overboard. He was
able to grab hold of some ropes or lines and hang on until the crew was able to rescue him.
Howland went on to live a long life at Plimouth Plantation. One of the signers of the Mayflower
Compact, his descendants have been traced to Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and George Bush,
actor Humphrey Bogart, and Mormon founder and religious leader, Joseph Smith, Jr.
During another fierce storm half way to America, the storm cracked one of the massive wooden
beams supporting the frame of the ship. Luckily, there was a “great iron screw” in which the
passengers had brought aboard that helped raise the beam. It was most likely a horrifying and
frightful time for them all and a great answer to their fervent prayers.
Mayflower at Sea by Margeson
Connecting Mayflower Descendant Members
If you would like to place something in our newsletter,
contact the editor, Jan, [email protected]