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.




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.

The Syracuse Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution will have a exhibition booth at the New York State Fair in the Woman's Building.  The fair runs from August 23-Sept 4.   The booth is shared with the Daughters of the American Revolution.  We are in need of some individuals who can spend 4 hours at various times to "man" the booth.  If you are interested you can contact our secretary, Bob Pickett, whose email address is jbpick@twcny.rr.com. or 603 Nottingham Rd. Syracuse, NY 13224. A ticket will be provided for admission.  My wife and I find it more advantageous to take a Centro bus for $1 from the many lots in the Syracuse area, rather than park in the lots provided by the fair .  William Clinton visited the booth when he was president and was impressed with the exhibit.

Many interesting people stop at the exhibit and it is surprising how many say they have Revolutionary War ancestors.  However, even after sending emails to them, most are never heard of again.  One individual, has an ancestor who, Michael Hare (Hair), who live to be 115 years old in the Erie, PA. area.

Sixty Good Citizenship Certificates were awarded to various high school seniors.  One was to Ryan Ferrao of Mexico.  He has since left for the US Naval Academy.

Our chapter will participate in an event at St. Marie Among the Iroquois either Sept. 8 or 15.

A registrar is needed for the chapter.  This is probably the most important office of the chapter.  As you remember when doing your application, it is time consuming.  So if you are up to the challenge of helping someone "prove" their ancestry, let us hear from you.

A donation of $250 was given to the CNY Chapter, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.  If interested in joining let me know, the cost is $17.50 and four meetings are held a year.

Medical Herbs in Colonial America.
 This is for historical interest only.  Always check with your physician before using medicinal herbs!!
 
Aloe, burns
Bee Balm, cure of "Tory Rot", ( Substitute for British Tea)
Catnip, sedative
Ladies Mantle, astringent
Lamb's Ear, astringent bandage and padding for shoes
Mullllein, smoked for respiratory ailments, bandages and shoe padding
Onion, draw out infection, earache
Rosemary, improve memory, to stop hair loss ( lot of us could use this)
Rue, dispel contagions
Southernwood, repel insects
 
Native Plants:
 
Milkweed, diuretic, silk for thread, candlewicks
White Pine, turpentine for wounds, needles and bark for tonic
False Solomon's Seal,    Stomach Tonic, Constipation
Hemlock Tree,    Tonic for Scurvy, tea substitute
 
Introduced Plants:
 
Burdock,   Diuretic, blood purifier
Teasel,   Diuretic, water for sore eyes and cosmetics
Queen Ann's Lace, Astringent for wounds,
Dandelion,   Diuretic
Coltsfoot, Asthma, coughs

 
Sounds like the cure is worse than the illness!

There is an interesting book recently published.  It is New Jersey in the American Revolution, by Barbara J. Mitnick, by Rivergate Books for $29.95.  Did you know that nearly 300 battle were fought in NJ?  Washington and his men spend three winters in New Jersey.

I would like to remind you that this is your website and newsletter.  Send anything within reason and it will be put on our website.  Frank Decker does our website and it is www.fdecker.com/sar

To those of you who have lost loved ones, we send our condolences.  To our new members we hope that you shall enjoy your membership.

Syracuse Chapter Annual Program Schedule
2008
June 7	Sat	General Chapter Meeting,  8am, Bob Pickett's home, 603 Nottingham Road, Syracuse--(Election of Officers.)
July 12	Sat	Annual Picnic  Noon  at the (historically revised Saint Marie Among the Iroquois) "French Fort." on Old Liverpool Road, Liverpool, NY.
Aug 21 Sept 1		New York State Fair
Sept 15	Mon	Executive Committee Meeting   2:30pm at Pres. Bob Pickett's home, 603 Nottingham Road, Syracuse.
Nov 8	Sat	General Chapter Breakfast Meeting,  11am at the H. Douglas Barclay Court House, Pulaski, NY.
Dec 5	Fri	Annual Pearl Harbor Day Luncheon,  12 noon at the Corinthian Club, James Street, Syracuse.