DAR presents new officers

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The Captain David Philips Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution met Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center with Regent Marynell Bryant presiding. After Regent Bryant called the meeting to order, the opening ritual was held which included the pledges to the United States and Texas flags and the reciting of the American’s Creed and the Preamble to the Constitution. Chaplain Gail Boles provided the inspirational moment.

After the welcome by Bryant, National Defense Chairman Michelle Arnold offered the National Defense report taken from the National Defender in the January/February 2020 issue entitled “Could You Pass the Naturalization Civics Test?” The naturalization test has three components. After meeting residency requirements, one must meet with an agent of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, answering questions about the application and background. A civics test with 10 questions will be given; six of the 10 questions must be answered correctly. Examples are: Which is one right or freedom from the First Amendment? A U.S. representative is elected for how many years? Who is the vice president now? What does the Judicial Branch do?

The minutes from the January meeting were presented. There being no additions or corrections, the minutes were approved as read. Treasurer Debra Wood presented the treasurer’s report. The report was filed.

Kay Kennedy was approved for membership. Prospective members include Jan Foster, Ann Lieberman, Martha Ivie, Joy French and Gretchen French. Members were encouraged to report service hours to Boles.

The nominating committee presented the slate of officers for 2020-2022. They are: Regent Bryant, Vice Regent Patsy Bolton, Recording Secretary Barbara Cockrum, Treasurer Wood, Registrar Sandy Boyd, Historian Jan Kimmel, Librarian Michelle Arnold and Parliamentarian Elner Pettiet (appointed). There were no nominations from the floor, and this slate was elected to serve the chapter.

Guest Paula Altenbaumer brought a program on Betsy Ross. Elizabeth Griscom was born Jan. 1, 1752, the eighth child of 17 whose parents were Quakers Samuel and Rebeca James Griscom. Betsy eloped with John Ross in November 1773 and began their own upholstery business.

Read out of the Quaker community, they attended Christ Church, which George Washington also attended. John joined the Pennsylvania militia and, while guarding an ammunition cache in 1776, was mortally wounded in an explosion. Betsy struggled to run the upholstery business, which included all manner of sewing work.

General Washington showed her a rough design of the flag that included a six-pointed star. She demonstrated how to cut a five-pointed star in a single snip which was much easier than the six-point.

Betsy returned home to her parents and in 1777 married sea captain Joseph Ashburn. Their home was forcibly shared with British soldiers. Captain Ashburn was captured on a trip to the West Indies and sent to Old Mill Prison in England where he died in March 1782. She later married her old friend, John Claypoole. They had five daughters.

Betsy died at the age of 84, nearly blind. She was first interred at the Free Quaker burial grounds in Philadelphia, then 20 years later, her remains were moved to the Mt. Moriah Cemetery. In 1975, city leaders order the remains moved to the courtyard of the Betsy Ross House.

Refreshments were served by this meeting’s hostess, Treasurer Wood, to members Bryant, Kimmel, Boyd, Glenna Hanes, Arnold, Boles, Pettiet, Kennedy, Billie Evans, Patsy Bolton, Laurie Lewis, associate member Charlotte Abbott and guests Ann Lieberman, Jan Foster and Paula Altenbaumer.

The next meeting will be May 9 with the Installation of Officers and Bob Suson presenting Garden Pollinators and the. Pettiet and Arnold will serve as hostesses.