8/19/2020 cpwright2@verizon.net Chapter 1 was organized Devember 8, 1896 according to an article published December 9 in the Galveston Daily News. Those who came to Galveston "for the purpose to organize were Hon. Ira H. Evans of Austin, Mr. Cheney R. Prouty of Eagle Pass, Mr. Phillip Lindsley of Dallas, Lieutenant Colonel J. W. French and Major H. S. Killburne of Fort Clark, Mr. Asa U. Grant of Weatherford and Mr. Robert G. West of Austin. Galvestonians who were in attendance were Major Sam M. Penland, Mr. H.B. McGavuck, Mr. Charles T. Allen, Mr. Roland P. Allen, Mr. George T. Allen, Mr. George T. Morgan, Major C. W. Preston, Mr. Lawrence V. Elder and Mr. Edward C. Pitkin." The next meeting in 1898 clarified the relationship of this group between the "Sons of the American Revolution" as organized in 1875, and the "Sons of the Revolution". Somewhere between five (5) and 10 charters have been issued over these 124 years to the chapter. I personally witnessed the one received in 1986, and the one in the photograph from January 2016 and at least one lost in a hurricane while George Dersheimer was President of the Chapter. David, do you have anything to add? P.S. A link to an image of the News article in 1896 can be found in the "Chapter History" page of the chapter web site. ===================================================== http://www.bdgsar.org/i96/i96l09gdn06.pdf The Galveston Daily News, Wednesday December 9, 1896 SOCIETY OF PATRIOTS Organization of a Texas Society of Sons of the American Revolution. OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY. Hon. Ira H. Evans of Austin Chosen President- Number of Galveston Men Elected Officers A number of gentlemen from of the state gathered at the Tremonth hotel yesterday and organized a Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Amoung those whe came here for this purpose were Hon. Ira H. Evans of Austin, Mr Cheney R. Prouty of Eagle Pass, Mr. Phillip Lindsley of Dallas. Lieutenant Colonel J.W. French and Major H.S. Kilburne of Fort Clark, Mr. Asa U. Grant of Weatherford and Mr. Robert G. West of Austin. Galvestonians who were in attendance were Major Sam. M. Penland, Mr. H.B. McGavaek, Jr. Charles C. Allen, Mr Roland P. Allen, Mr. George T. Allen, Mr. George T. Morgan, Major C. W. Preston, Mr. Lawrence V. Elder and Mr. Edward C. Pitkin. The meeting was presided over by Hon. Ira H. Evans, who is a prominent citizen of Austin, being president of the New York and Texas and company and vice president of the Austin Rapid Transit railway company. Mr Evans explained the objects of the society as follows: "The objects are purely patriotic and social. In no respect are they partisan, political or commercial. The members are united by an attractive bond of patriotic and fraternal sentiment. The purpose is, primarlly, to unite and promate fellowship amoung the descendants and perpetuate the memory of the men who, by their services and sacrifices during the war of the American revolution, achieved the independence of the American people. In addition, the society aims to inspire among the members and the community at large a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by our forefathers; to encourage research in relation to the revolution; to acquire and preserve the records of the individual services of patriots of the revolution, and documents, relics and landmarks connected with that historic period; to mark the scenes of the revolution by appropriate memorials; and to celebrate the anniversaries of the prominent events of the war. The society also aims to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to carry out the injuctions of Washington in his memorable farewell address to the American people. "Any man is eligible to membership who, being the age of 21 years or over, and a citizen in good repute, is the lineal descendant of an ancestor, who, while at all times unfailing in his loyalty, rendered actual service in the cause of American independence, either in the armed forces of the revolution, the minute men for the militia, or in civil office, or as a member of a committee of safety or tast association, or as an active and recognized patriot. "The society is the outgrowth of the public celebrations which took place in every part of the United States, beginning in 1876, of the 100th anniversaries of prominent events of the American revolution. The first state society was proposed at a meeting held in San Fancisco, Cal., in October 1875, and was actually organized there July 4, 1876. A large number of societies were formed in subsequent years. The national society was organized by representatives of the various state societies, at a meeting held in New York city, April 30, 1889, the 100th anniversary of the inauguaration of Washington, as first president of the United States, and during the great public celebration of that event. The meeting was held in the identical "long room" in Fratinco's tavern, yet in existence, in which Washington bade farewell to his officers at the close of the revolution. "There are now twenty-nine state societies with an aggregate membership of 3900. "The Sons of the American Revolution have adoped a button, in which the colors are blue and white, which may be worn on all occasions. The society has also adopted a badge of great beauty, modeled, in compliment to American='s French allies in the revolution, somewhat alter that of the Legion of Honor of France. Congress has authorized members of the society in the army and navy to wear the badge on ceremonial occasions." The following nine reasons were advanced as to why people eligible to membership should join the society: 1. The society encourages a revival of public interest in the men, incidents and measures of the American revolution, now often forgotten in the pressure of modern life. 2. It encourages the spirit of disinterested service for the whole country, by preserving from oblivion the public services of a members's own ancestors. 3. By celebrating the important events of the American Revolution, it recalls to memory the objects of that struggle and the principles for which our forefathers fought, as embodied in the declaration of independence, the constitution of the United States and Washington's farewell address. 4. To the youth of the families of members it teaches lessons drawn from the heroism and self-sacrifice of their own ancestors, which cannot fail to make them better citizens. 5. It preserves family traditions and records, priceless in value to general history. 6. In the orginal thirteen states, it leads to the marking of battlefields, routes of maroh and historic sites, by monuments and tablets, and to the preservatin of historic buildings from destruction. 7. In each of the newer states it not only promotes the celebration of anniversaries of the revolution, but also secures a yearly celebration of the anniversary of the admission of the state into the union. 8. It encourages the diffusion among our fellow citizens of foreign birth of a better understanding of the principles of free government and greater love for their adopted country. 9. It bring together in friendly relationship the men of the north, the south, the east and the west. Officers were elected yesterday as follows: President, Hon. Ira H. Evans of Austin, Vice president, C.W. Preston of Galveston, Second vice president, Lt. Colonel J.W. French of Fort Clark, Secretary, R.P. Allen of Galveston, Treasurer, George D. Morgan of Galveston, Historian, S.M. Penland of Galveston, Board of managers, Philip Lindsley of Dallas, R.G. West of Austin, H.B. McGacock and C.C. Allen of Galveston. The meeting adjourned subject to the call of the president.