Syracuse Chapter

Empire State Society

Sons of the American Revolution

Dedicated to perpetuating the memory of the men who, by their service or sacrifices
during the War Of The American Revolution,
 achieved the independence of the American People.

                                       Robert Pickett, President                                                    William Billingham, Secretary                     
                                       603 Nottingham Rd.                                                              1827 James St.     
                                       Syracuse, NY 13224                                                             Syracuse, NY 13206
                                        jbpick@twcny.rr.com                                                                 wbilling@twcny.rr.com                                                             

For Information On Joining The Syracuse Chapter
Sons of the American Revolution Contact:
Syracuse Chapter Registrar:

Shawn Patrick Doyle
 
85 Lake Street
Pulaski, NY 13142
315-298-3620
spdinpul@hotmail.com

The Chapter Registrar is available to work with prospective members by appointment.

As town of Richland Historian I keep hours at my office on the 2nd floor above DMV at the H. Douglas Barclay Court House in Pulaski on most Fridays from noon-4 p.m. (best call in advance as one Friday a month I am not there.)



                   Empire State Society:           http://www.sar.org/esssar

                   National Society:                   http://www.sar.org
 




The Syracuse Chapter was organized on October 31, 1896.  The first annual meeting was held December 11, 1896 and Milton H. Northrup was elected president.
The first state president was the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew.  He was a US Senator, Chairman of the Vanderbilt System of Railroads, graduate of Yale College and during the Civil War was adjutant of the 18th Regt. of NY National Guard.






Syracuse Chapter Annual Program Schedule
2009





October 10 Sat 8:00 am  Chapter Breakfast Meeting 603 Nottingham Road





2010





February 20 Sat 12 noon Heritage Luncheon Drumlins Country Club
March 6
Sat
8:00 am
Executive Committee Meeting Cracker barrel Cicero
April 17 Sat 12 noon Chapter Luncheon Meeting Pompey Historical Society









Grave Identification Book

Shawn Doyle has been involved in a Revolutionary War grave identification project as part of the 200th anniversary of the town of Pulaski.  This year, they have identified 36 Revolutionary servicemen who died in the Township and all but three graves have been found.  The Town has re-marked four so far, with three new stones arriving soon.   In the spring of 2008 a new book "Revolutionary War Patriots interred in Richland Township" will debut.  The book is a concise accounting of each veterans service with references to their pension and muster rolls, including detailed genealogical information on the veteran, his spouse and their children.  Two pages are allotted to each man, and it will be fully indexed and footnoted.







Ken Sweet, Bob Pickett with Pearl Harbor Veteran Tom Rhodes, 12-4-09






2009 Heritage Luncheon Was A Great Success

The 2009 Heritage Luncheon with Jerry Orton as MC, was highly successful, including the roll call of the many the Hereditary Societies present. The SAR Eagle Scout Scholarship award to Adam Roll gave the meeting a nice touch.  It was colorful and informative having tailor, Richard Baldwin in uniform.   Mr. Lindeman (SAR & Civil War) recited Walt Whitman's, "Oh Captain, My Captain" with great style.  And as promised, Bob Pickett talked about George Washington and "His Wonder Working Providence".



SAR Attendees at the 2009 Heritage Luncheon




Bob Pickett spoke On George Washington and "His Wonder Working Providence"





October 2009 Meeting





Doug Barclay Speaks To SAR At Historic Oswego Court House





SAR Rededicates the Jesuit Well






SAR Booth at the NYS State Fair



The Syracuse Chapter Newsletter


Editor
Jerry Orton
Camillus, NY
orton50@aol.com




                                                                   NEW OFFICERS
 
    President, Robert Pickett, 603 Nottingham Rd., Syracuse, NY 13244.  446-1920   jpickett@twcny.rr.com
   Secretary, Bill Billingham, 1827 James St., Syracuse, NY 13206, 437-8501              wbilling@twcny.rr.com
   Newsletter, Jerry Orton 213 Dixon Dr., Syracuse, NY 13219, 488-4076                     orton50@aol.com
   Registrar, Shawn Doyle, 85 Lake St., Pulaski, NY 13142                                               spdinpul@hotmail.com
   Genealogist, Richard Remling, 700 DeWitt St., Syracuse, NY 13203                          rremling01@netzero.net
     
                                                              
                                                                     ADDRESSES
 
Please let us know your current email address and if you change your mailing address.  If you wish to be removed from our active files, please let us know.
 
                                                              

                                                   GIDEON BENTLY DIED JANUARY 22, 1858
 
     The funeral of Gideon Bently, whose death we mentioned a few days ago, occur on Friday last, in Constantia, Oswego County.  The Syracuse Citizens' Corps, under  Lt. Col. Walrath, attended the funeral in a body, accompanied by Sutherland's full Band, escorting the remains about five miles.  At the grave Col. Walrath remarked as follows,
     "Comrades -  A solemn call has summoned us together - it is the funeral dirge which announces to us that one of the Veterans, a relic of the Revolution, has gone to the receptacle of the dead.
     Gideon Bently is no more with the living.  On the 15th of June we beheld him for the first time.  His head was white with the frosts of four score and seven winters.  And who is here, that was present on that occasion, who was not struck with the remarkable preservation of his health intellect.  Now he,
     'Wraps the drapery of his couch about him,  And lies down to pleasant dreams'
     "It is in obedience to the dictates of our hearts that we are now assembled to perform the rites due the soldier of '76.  Another link which bound us to the past is broken.  An old veteran full of years and ripe for the celestial harvest is gathered to his father and sleeps in the peaceful stillness of the grave.
     'The Veterans died as a Christian dies, With hope in his Savior, God, And now on the brave old heart there lied, The heavy and fresh grave sod.'
     "I do not intend to add to the able and eloquent eulogy pronounced today.  Let us now proceed to perform the last duties and pay the final tribute of respect to the remains of a Revolutionary patriot, a kind neighbor, a true friend and fellow citizen."
     The deceased was born in the town of Exeter, R. I., August 12th 1750.  Served under Col. Barton in a Rhode Island regiment one year and as a minute man three years.  Was volunteer in a company under Capt. Barton, who crossed over to Long Island in boats and captured a body of Tories , killing fifteen and taking seventy-five prisoners, making a narrow escape-getting into the boats just as the British came up and fired a volley at them as they were pulling from the shore, but doing no damage.  Has voted at every Presidential election from Washington to Buchanan.  Had at the time of his death thirteen children; also, grandchildren and great grandchildren numbering 225-all of whom are now living.
 
Gideon Bentley is buried in West Monroe Cemetery in section 5, lot 55 and his wife, Isabel, who died on September 2, 1844, and survived at least 13 births, is buried along side him.
 
We wish to thank Compatriot Ken Sweet who brought this Revolutionary War veteran to our attention.
Sources:  Syracuse Daily Courier, January 23, 1858.  West Monroe Historical Society cemetery records.
 
                                     






Clyde, NY Monument



The Syracuse Chapter at the Tulley Bicentennial
September 16, 2003

Tulley


CHANGES/QUESTIONS, Dr. William Billingham, (315) 437-8501
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