April Toledo Colony Chronicle 2014

Toledo Colony Chronicle
April
2014
Inside this issue:
From our Lt. Gov. &
Mayflower Barn
1,2
Did you know?,
Children’s Corner, &
Whooo is New ?
3
Mayflower Project&
The First Separatist
4
Thanksgiving’s First Rifle 5
Minutes &
6-8
Our April program with Professor Lee Strang
Our Pilgrim ancestors left
England to find a place where
they could worship as they chose.
Today religious freedom in public
life, as well as private life, is also
important.
Please join us on Saturday, April
12, to hear Professor Lee Strang’s
presentation on religious freedom.
Strang teaches Constitutional Law
and Interpretation at the University of Toledo Law School. A
graduate of the University of
Iowa, he also holds an L.L.M.
from Harvard Law School. Strang
is a prolific scholar and currently
is editing a case book on
Constitutional Law. His presentation will begin at approximately
1:15 PM.
As usual, we will gather at 11:30
AM for fellowship, with the meal
being served at noon. Members
of other genealogy and history
societies have been invited to join
us for this timely topic. Please
be prepared to welcome them
and share your interest in the
Mayflower Society. We will meet,
as usual, at the Holiday Inn
French Quarter, 10630 Fremont
Pike, I-75, exit 193 or Turnpike
80/90, exit 64,
Perrysburg.
Professor
Lee Strang
The Mayflower Barn ?
J
“ ordans is a village located in Chalfont St. Giles parish in Buckinghamshire, England, and a notable centre
for Quakerism. The village is the burial place of William Penn, founder of the Province of Pennsylvania,
making it a popular tourist attraction with Americans. Jordans is also the location of the Mayflower Barn,
made from the timbers of a ship, which some sources have claimed came from the Mayflower.
The village has about 200 households and 700 residents with a nursery, primary school, and community
shop. Within the grounds of Old Jordans is the Mayflower Barn on the edge of the Chiltern hills. It is
located in the South Buckinghamshire countryside, about midway between London and Oxford, in the small
village (and associated farmstead) of Jordans. The farm's name seems to date back into the late Middle Ages.
Page 2
Mayflower Chronicles
2014
The Mayflower Barn continued
Russell added onto it in 1624, when he also built a substantial new
main barn with timbers from a ship. In the 1920’s antiquarian
J. Rendel Harris concluded that the barn had been built with timbers
from a ship called the "Mayflower" bought from a shipbreaker's yard
in Rotherhithe and that this was the Mayflower, which carried
the Pilgrim Fathers from Plymouth to New England. However,
Harris' research was speculative and drawn mostly from his claims of
an oral tradition. Moreover, given there may have been up to 37
Mayflowers plying the oceans at the time and the farm's name is older
than the ship, the timbers' origin has not been verified.
In the 17th century the village became a center for Quakerism. One of the oldest Friends meeting houses in
the country is in the village. The cemetery of the house is the burial place of William Penn, founder of
the Province of Pennsylvania, as well as other notable Quakers. Close by the Quaker Meeting House is Old
Jordans, originally a farm house, sold by the Quakers to Rivercrest Investments for development in March
2006.
Jordans Friends Meeting House was built in 1688 shortly after the Declaration of Indulgence. The meeting
room retains most of its original brick, including the bare brick floor, glass, paneling and benches. The Meeting
House suffered a serious fire on March 10, 2005. At that time, the modern extension was virtually destroyed
and the roof of the original 17th century meeting room was severely damaged. The interior of the original
meeting room escaped relatively unscathed, although it did suffer some water and smoke damage.
The well-preserved structure was a tourist attraction, receiving visitors each year from all over the world and
particularly from the Americas but is now privately owned and not open to the public.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jordans,_Buckinghamshire
Did you know?
In 1987, the crew of the
Mayflower II cast a message in a
bottle overboard that was signed by
all of them, including Felix the kitten,
with promise of reward. No one
knew the whereabouts of the
message until it was found at a flea
market earlier this year.
Replica Mayflower sails into
New York Harbor 1957
Mayflower Chronicles
2014
Page 3
C H I L D R E N ’ S Enjoy matching the question with the answer!
If April showers bring May flowers, what did the Mayflower A. Plymouth Rock
O 1.bring?
B. Boy, I’m stuffed
R 2. Why did the turkey cross the road?
3. If the Pilgrims were alive today, what would they be most
C. It was the chickens day off
N famous for?
4. What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
D. Pilgrims
E 5. Why was the turkey allowed to join the band?
E. Their age
R 6. What did the turkey say before it was roasted?
f. Because he had the drumsticks
Whooo is New?
Janet Hitchcock Hussey received her membership
confirmation while wintering with her husband,
Richard, in Florida in January 2009. She had heard
from cousins on her father's side of the family that
they had a Mayflower connection, but no one had
followed up on verification. Janet decided to investigate the possibility and proved they were descendants of William White, Resolved and Susanna
White.
Janet attended College of Wooster, Ohio and graduated from Bowling Green State University with a
B.S. degree in Elementary Education. She taught
fourth grade for a time and finished her employment
as the superintendent's secretary at Perry Local
Schools in Allen County, Ohio. She has spent all of
her life in the Lima, Ohio area except for two years
following graduation from Fremont.
Janet has two daughters by her first husband. Shelee
Zinn Brenneman lives in Hillard and besides an accounting job, she has taught snow skiing winters
since 1973 at Mad River Mt. (Bellefontaine) and
holidays at Vail, CO. Tamra Zinn Cantore lives in
Marietta, GA and is retired from the Weather Channel. Her time is spent volunteering for the Michael J.
Fox Foundation and the Parkinson Unity Walk.
Since Janet no longer skis, her time is spent volunteering at Allen County Museum, church activities,
gardening and continuing genealogy through the
Lima Chapter DAR. She enjoyed ballroom dancing
with her husband when they wintered in Florida.
Janet and Richard live at 3163 Clement Drive, Lima,
Ohio 45806, email- rhussey1@live.com, phone no.419-991-6396.
Harwich Mayflower Project
Have you heard of the Mayflower Project? “It is an exciting new
venture based in Harwich, Essex. Their goal is two-fold; First, to
recreate a working replica of the Pilgrim Fathers’ vessel, The Mayflower. Secondly, to re-establish Harwich as a maritime center for
future generations. At the Mayflower Project, their hope is to
regenerate the skills that have effectively been lost and provide
employment and educational opportunities throughout Harwich
and the surrounding areas. The Mayflower Project hopes to reignite
that passion generated by the original vessel and reconsolidate the
historic links between England, the Netherlands, and the US.
http://www.harwichmayflower.com/joomla/
April 12, 2014 . 11:30 AM
Holiday Inn French Quarter . 10360 Fremont Pike . Perrysburg, OH
$17.00 per person (additional donations may be given to the scholarship fund)
Make your reservations by contacting: Jeffrey Stoll . 5510 Ottawa River RD . Toledo, Ohio 43611
Phone 906-440-5088 or Email willowcove@lighthouse.net
Who Was the First Well-Known Separatist ?
Robert Browne was born about 1550 and was the son of Sir Anthony Browne, a member of the affluent
gentry. Robert was the second son and could not expect a large inheritance. When Sir Anthony died in
1590 Robert received 100 pounds which was a comfortable living thus he did not need to work. Browne
attended Cambridge where he came under the influence of Puritan Prof. Thomas Cartwright who called for
an end to the church’s hierarchy of archbishops, bishops, and courts of church law. Cartwright
was dismissed and went into exile in Geneva. Robert Browne was not the first separatist – there were a few
in London in the 1560’s – but he gave the movement a title “Brownist” because he was energetic, articulate,
and fearless. His preaching put him in jail 32 times. Browne and his followers
started a church in Norwich. They “wiped it free from every corrupting stain
of the Church of England: bishops, ministers, parishes, and tithes.” Browne
was preaching illegally – he had no license. Bishop Freke arrested him and
sent him to London. Lord Burghley got him released and he promptly returned to Norwich and preached as before. In 1582 he went into exile to the
Dutch port of Middelberg. Brown eventually returned to England. He split
with his supporters and became a Conformist. He served as vicar at Thorpe
Achurch for 40 years. Gov. Bradford disowned Browne because he thought
Browne faltered and made his peace with the church authorities.
By Ric Harner
(Ref: “Making Haste From Babylon” by Nick Bunker)
Thanksgiving’s First Rifle: The Mayflower
Wheel-lock Carbine
W
“
hat’s even more American than turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie these days? An Italian gun,
that’s what. The only known surviving firearm that crossed the wild Atlantic aboard the good ship Mayflower, settled with the pilgrims at Plymouth Colony and ultimately helped the first colonists not only survive, but prosper. Meet the Mayflower Gun.
The Gun
Affectionately dubbed the Mayflower Gun and thought of as an American icon, the gun is actually an Italian-made wheel-lock carbine. This single-shot musket was originally chambered in .50 caliber rifle, though
ages of heavy use have worn away the majority of the rifling. Given the combination of natural wear, repairs and modifications, if the gun were to be loaded and fired today, it would require a .66 caliber.
Without the adventuresome spirit of one young man with an eye for quality arms, the Mayflower Gun
would not be a part of our American history today. Enter, John Alden. Alden was around 20 to 21 years of
age at the ship’s departure. However, his original intent was never really to set sail. He was simply hired as
a ships cooper—a barrel maker by trade—at the yard where ships docked. But being a young man with
much hope and courage, he decided to board the Mayflower for its daunting passage. Sometime near debarkation, it is speculated that Alden purchased the firearm used, perhaps from a traveler or mercenary as
was common in those days. Of the guns widely available at that time, this was one of the finest and most
expensive, so certainly young Alden was wise beyond his years. At the time of his death in 1687, the gun
began its long succession of Alden family ownership.
The History
The Alden family dwelling, like the gun, has survived for nearly 400 years. The Mayflower gun was discovered—still loaded, nonetheless—in a secret protective cubbyhole near the front door of the home during a
1924 renovation. The Alden home, which was occupied by family members until the mid-1890’s, is currently a National Historic Landmark in Duxbury, Massachusetts. Though it is certain that other settlers
would have carried similar arms, this is indeed the only known surviving piece, likely because it was tucked
away and forgotten after its years of service had ended...Nearly 400 years have passed since the Mayflower
Gun traversed the Atlantic to forever become a priceless, tangible slice of American history.”
Page 6
Newsletter Title
2014
Minutes November 23, 2013
Toledo Mayflower Descendants
Holiday Inn French Quarter Perrysburg, Ohio
Lt. Gov. Susan Fisher opened the meeting followed by the Pledge of Allegiance given by John MacDonald.
The benediction was given by Sandra Schmitt. We all enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal. After lunch
John led us in the reading of the compact, and Judy Rand took roll call by passing a bowl in which each
member placed a piece of corn and told what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving.
Diana Kiser announced that address cards and signup sheets for State and /or Colony officers were on the
tables. She asked that if anyone needed to update their e-mail , phone or other information that they please
fill out a new card today. Susan Fisher stated that the Colony needs a Corresponding Secretary who will
keep the contact information up to date, and a Publicity Chair to make contact with newspapers and TV
stations. Dessamae Curry stated that she would be retiring as the Benevolence Chair and Historian, so this
is another place where the Colony needs help. Richard Hayes said that the Colony records are currently up
to date. If anyone can help with one of these jobs it would be greatly appreciated.
State Society Positions are also needed. All positions are for 3 years, May 2014-May, 2017. Four State
Board of Assistants’ meetings a year; one Saturday in Jan., March, May, Oct. and the Annual Assembly in
May (same day as the May BOA meeting). Jan.; March , and Oct. meetings are in Columbus. From our
Colony Marge Waterfield, Paula Neiderhauser, Susan Fisher, and Ric Harner all have served on the State
Board . If interested you may ask them for more information.
Judy Rand introduced the new members and distributed pins to Randolph Currie (Oct 2013), Kevin
Dunkelburger ( May 2013)-Roberta Cook accepted for him, and Natalie Wiseman (July 2012). We have
three new Preliminary Members. Heather Pierce and two people who saw our meeting notice in the
newspaper- Bruce Bartlett and Paul Bumpus.
Jeff Stoll announced that we had 42 people in attendance and had collected $574 for lunch and $47 for the
scholarship fund. He then gave the Treasurer’s Report. We have $4,092 in the general fund, $3,706 in the
Scholarship fund, for a combined total fund balance of $7,806.
Sheri Bannister had no report since the July meeting was the Chautauqua outing and the previous minutes
were in the news letter.
Susan announced that Marissa Wilt was the winner of this years Colony Scholarship . This was already
published in the news letter. Rick Wunderley (one of the judges) introduced her. She then read her essay
on “Pilgrims values in my everyday life,” and he presented her with the scholarship.
Paula reported that the new State Assistant Historian is Lee Martin. The State has $4000.00 to spend on
scholarships this year. The essay topic will be “Why did Winston Churchill once refer to the Mayflower
Compact as one of the most remarkable documents in history.” Applications must be postmarked by
March 21, 2014. There will be more information in the fall issue of the “Buckeye Mayflower”.
The State Mayflower Convention will be held in Toledo May 15 & 16, 2015. Our Colony will be host. We
will be needing help to plan and execute.
Newsletter Title
2014
Page 7
Everyone should have received a letter requesting funds for Pilgrim Hall Museum & to finish restoration on the Mayflower II. Send donations to: Pilgrim Society, 75 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 023603891.
Paula thanked Jeff Stoll for his help in reviewing the books for the State Treasurer.
All junior members that are eligible to move up to full membership have been contacted this summer.
Our next meeting will be April 12, 2014 at the Holiday Inn French Quarter , 10360 Fremont Pike,
Perrysburg, Ohio. The speaker Lee Strand, Professor of Law at the University of Toledo, will discuss
Religious Freedom.
Our July meeting will be a picnic at the Mary Jane Thurston park in Wood County near Grand Rapids,
Ohio.
Toledo Colony has a new Jr. Member: Dalton Clark Worth, Gloria J. Finn’s Grandson. Marjorie
Waterfield and the McCarty’s each have new born grandchildren who are applying for junior
memberships. Can’t start too young!
Ric introduced our Speaker Matt Burr. Matt works for Arm and Hammer (the baking soda people)
and is the past President of the Firelands Historical Society in Norwalk. We learned that the Museum
in Norwalk is one of the oldest in the country, founded in 1857. Those of you who were not able to
make the meeting and missed the reason Erie and Huron counties are called the Firelands and why so
many towns in that area are named after towns in Connecticut. It was a very interesting program. You
might want to look up a book “History of the Firelands 1869” or take a trip to the Museum in
Norwalk. You won’t be disappointed!
Meeting adjourned. Submitted by: Sharon Bannister, Recording Secretary
Find us on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/ohiomayflowercolony
Toledo Colony Officers Mayflower Descendants 2013-2016
Chartered June 20, 1940
Lt. Governor &
Susan Fisher
880 Huss Lea LN
Coldwater, MI 49036-7542
517-238-5302 home
517-614-8470 cell
stfisher@dmcibb.net
Deputy Lt. Gov. &
Membership Chairman
Judy Rand
22286 CR M
West Unity, OH 43570-9794
419-924-9602 home
419-572-0957 cell
davejudy1520@yahoo.com
Recording Secretary
Sharon Bannister
1605 Cherry ST
Perrysburg, OH 43551-1615
419-874-5269
Treasurer
Jeffrey Stoll
5510 Ottawa DR
Toledo, OH 43611-2257
419-726-8180
willowcove@lighthouse.net
Assistant Treasurer
Roberta Cook
7155 Meeker RD
Dayton, OH 45414-2035
937-890-4527 home
937-307-3883 cell
Board of Assistants &
JR Member Chair
Paula Niederhauser
8131 Cedar Point RD
Oregon, OH 43616-5883
419-836-8823
dpnieder@toast.net
Elder
Sandra Schmitt
1008 Breezewood CT
Findlay, OH 45840-6517
419-425-5542
sischmitt1008@aol.com
Compact Chairman
John MacDonald
6629 Fawn LN
Maumee, OH 43537-4176
419-868-3039
jmacmass@oh.rr.com
State Webmaster &
Newsletter
Diana Kiser
4781 E TR 138
Tiffin, OH 44883
419-618-0150
troutriver@cros.net
State Recording Secretary
Ohiomayflower.org
sheribann@aol.com