T he Patriot’s Day meeting was held on Apr. 18, 2016 at 7:00 AM at the Bob Evans Res-taurant and was attended by 8 members. The

meeting was an open meeting with no Financial or Secretary reports expected or given.

The main issue discussed was a critique of the Good Citizenship/Scholarship Banquet held at the Bloomington Country Club Apr. 14, 2016 at which a sen-ior high school student from each of the 20 high schools in McLean and Woodford Counties was awarded Good Citizenship/Scholarship Certificates, SAR Pins, and a Pocket US Constitution. One of them was award-ed a $1,000 Scholarship based on their participa-tion in activities demonstrating their Dependability, Cooperation, Leadership, Patriotism, and Scholar-

ship. Also 2 citizens were awarded Good Citizen-ship Certificates based on services exemplifying our American Heritage, Ideals, and Traditions. The

keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Tim Killeen, President of the University of Illinois.

The $1000 scholarship was awarded to Olivia

Lynn Harrison from Ridgeview High School who

plans to pursue her education in Animal Science

and Agricultural Business at the Kansas State Uni-

versity.

In addition SAR Good Cit-izenship Certif-icates were pre-sented to Dale Mills, a retired US Marine, and Viet Nam Vet-eran who head-ed the effort to erect a monu-ment to the memory of sol-diers who lost their lives in

the Battle of the Bulge during WW II in Miller Park and William T. Anderson, Charter Member of the GJB SAR Chapter, for his efforts in the found-ing of the GJB SAR Chapter, service to the chapter since in many roles including Pres., and support over the past 40 years which has been a source of continuing inspiration. Continue on pg. 2

Editor Don Hyland, Assistant Editors, Virgil D. Short MD, Kyle Hyland

For Members of

General Joseph Bartholomew Chapter

Son's of the American Revolution

Bloomington, Illinois, Chartered Oct 21, 1975

Don Hyland, Editor J. Gordon Bidner GJB SAR Pres Jun 2016

Group Picture of 2016 Award Recipients and Hosts, SAR Members Dressed in Revolutionary Uniforms

Jun 2016 The General’s News Pg 2

Much of the discussion on how to improve and make the event more meaningful centered on efforts to avoid boredom and decrease the total length of the program by such means as moving the Citizens Award’s to another meeting, and cutting down on the amount of information from student applications read on introducing them. Other means of obtaining cri-tique information voiced included polling the students and high school representatives who accompanied them.

The remainder of the meeting time was a period of fellowship enjoyed by all.

Virgil D. Short MD

GJB SAR Chapter Chaplin

——————————————————

Meeting of GJB SAR Finance Committee

A meeting of the GJB SAR Chapter Finance Commit-tee was held at the request of the GJB SAR Chapter-Pres., J. Gordon Bidner to discuss the financial state of the Chapter and the feasibility and sustainability of increasing the size of the Scholarship given the stu-dent/students at the annual Good Citizenship/Scholarship Banquet. Those in attendance at the meet-ing included Kelly Gray, Chairman, Dave Asbrook, Don Hyland, and Dr. Phares O’Daffer.

After consideration of the current financial state of the chapter the committee concluded it was possible, be-ginning in 2017, to increase amount of the award/awards from $1000-$2000. They did leave up to the Citizenship Committee the manner and amount in which it would be allocated.

The committee also decided to look into the matter of changing banks.

Meeting of GJB SAR Citizenship Committee

The GJB SAR Citizenship Committee consisting of J.

Gordon Bidner Chairman, Bill Hammitt, William White, Virgil Short MD, Lee Wilder, Dr. Phares O’Daffer, and Alternate David Ashbrook, held a

luncheon meeting, May 5, 2016, at the Busy Corner’s Restaurant in Goodfield after having received the re-port of the Finance Committee. The matters before the

committee were the format of the annual Good Citi-zenship/Scholarship Banquet and how to allocate $2,000 of Scholarship money.

All in attendance were agreed the length of the event should be decreased and after considerable discussion the following measures to accomplish this were decid-ed:

Efforts to begin the Program by 12:20 PM should be made

Adult Good Citizenship awards be moved to the Constitution Week meeting

Speakers should be limited to the Keynote Speaker

When students introduce their guests, hold the applause until all have been introduced

The amount of comments about each student should be limited

The SAR and DAR’s in attendance should be introduced as a group

The report from the Finance Committee indicated it was financially feasible to increase the Scholarship money awarded to $2000. After considerable discus-sion on its allocation it was decided to give two $1000 awards.

Virgil D. Short MD

GJB SAR Chapter Chaplain

Finance Committee L-R Phares O’Daffer, Kelly Gray,

David Ashbrook, not shown Don Hyland

Jun 2016 The General’s News Pg 3

The following is an abbreviated report on this meeting.

Twelve of the 16 ILSSAR chapters were represented. Those absent were: ABC, Kishwaukee, Piankeshaw and Othniel Looker

GJB were represented by Dave Ashbrook, Don Hyland and Gordon and Sandi Bidner

The Friday awards banquet was well attended, the BOM meeting had 30 in attendance and the awards luncheon had 56 in attendance.

Awards/Recognition the GJB Chapter and Members received were:

Perfect Attendance at all four BOM meetings for 2015-16

Flag Award

Joel Willis Newsletter Award—four or more editions published during the year—GJB ---April 2015---April 2016—published 10 editions!

National Service Recognition—Dave Ashbrook

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal—This medal is named after Roger Sherman (1721-1793) who was a founding father and the only person to sign all four great state papers of the U.S.---Al Abbott, Jr., Jay Cummins, Bill Hammitt, Don Hyland, Jeff Kretlow, Virgil Short, Bill White

Silver Roger Sherman Medal—Gordon Bidner

War Service Medal—was authorized in 1889 for members who served in the war with Spain. Subse-quently, a generic version was authorized for those who have served in the armed forces of the United States.—with these four all 19 veteran members of our chapter have now been recognized--- Duane Harms, Robert Flesher, Lance McCormick, Phares O’Daffer----

ILSSAR Life Membership Certificates—Bud Lewis and Warren White---all ‘qualifying life mem-bers—80 years and older have been sent the form. Lee Wilder will send his in this coming Decem-ber----we presently have 15 ILSSAR Life Members—including Bidner, Bogart, Brown and Mar-yanski---who ‘bought into the category’.

The ILSSAR BOM approved William R. Miller as Emeritus a NSSAR Life Member---Harry Hoit and Dr. Frisch are also in this category. (90 years of age and paying dues members for 10+ years=’s 100)

Gordon Bidner and Drake Zimmerman are also NSSAR Life Members

So all dues including Chapter dues will be waived for Bill Miller—Emeritus NSSAR and ILSSAR Life Member---and for Harry Hoit and Dr. Frisch.

The Fox Valley SAR Chapter was named the ILSSAR Chapter of the year---however, we had a great year and did our best to ‘cover all of the program bases’ and I am most pleased with our accomplishments during the year and all of the support received!

Probably the best/preferred time to distribute these awards will be at our Flag Day Breakfast meeting on June 14th at the 1st Presbyterian Church @ 7:30 a.m.

Other items from the meeting:

Jun 2016 The General’s News Pg 4

Recommendation to raise the Citizenship subsidy from $9.00 to $12.00---given to the Finance Committee---decision at the August BOM meeting.

Don Hyland is the new Poster Brochure Contest Committee Chair

Three ILSSAR BOM members came to me and expressed disappointment with the NSSAR decision to move forward with the ‘Solid Light Museum’ plan.

ILSSAR Membership as of May 11th---1,039

Adopted a ‘Investment Policy Statement for ILSSAR’---Michael Murray is the new Finance Chair----will be moving the ILSSAR Investments from 5th Third Bank and a ‘loaded fund’ to most likely a Vanguard Fund similar to what our Chapter is invested. The Finance Committee: Chair Michael Murray, ILSSAR President Toby Chamberlain, ILSSAR Sr. Vice President Jim DeGroff, ILSSAR Treasurer Dick Cham-blin, Dale Bottom and Don Hyland

2016-2018 ILSSAR Officers and Committee Chairs---Elected/Appointed and Approved.

The next ILSSAR BOM meeting will be held Saturday, August 13, 2016 at the Wyndham Hotel---formerly the Springfield Hilton—in Springfield.

J. Gordon Bidner

Pres. GJB SAR Chapter

Don Hyland, GJB SAR Chapter Treas. receives the

Bronze Roger Sherman Medal from Tom Ashby, Pres.

ILSSAR

Dave Ashbrook, VP GJB SAR Chapter, receives the

National Service Award from Tom Ashby, Pres. ILSSAR

J. Gordon Bidner, Pres. GJB SAR Chapter, re-

ceives Silver Roger Sherman Medal from Tom

Ashby, Pres. ILSSAR

Jun 2016 The General’s News Pg 5

State Winner: Charles & Eleanor Schweizer History

Teacher Award: Deann Fester

Medal of Heroism: James Vernon could not attend

Above: JROTC Outstanding Cadet Winner: Vanessa Flo-

res receiving award from Dale Bottom

Above: Eagle Scout Award Winner: Zachary Harbin re-

ceiving his award from George Tinkham

Above: Knight Essay Award Winner: Emiley Billington

receiving award from Gary List

Rumbaugh Oration Winner Joseph Cozzi was unable to

attend

Above: Illinois CAR State President Julia Morrissey Above: New ILSSAR State President Toby Chamberlain

opens award ceremony.

Jun 2016 The General’s News Pg 6

GJB SAR Memorial Day Meeting of May 30, 2016

O ur GJB SAR Memorial Day pre-parade meeting

was held on May 30, 2016 7:00 AM at Bob Ev-

ans Restaurant on IAA Drive. Host for the meeting

was Don Hyland. Those present included J. Gordon

Bidner, Don Hyland, Dave Ashbrook, Al Abbott,

Virgil Short MD, Bud Lewis, Lance McCormick,

Bob Bowen, and Bill Hammitt who engaged in discus-

sion concerning a number of issues of interest to GJB

SAR Chapter.

It was decided to allocate $100 dollars for handouts

for the Danvers Jul. 4, 2016 Parade.

The ILSSAR Annual Meeting of May 13-14, 2016

was discussed. For further details see pgs. 3-4.

The remainder of the meeting was enjoyed in fellow-

ship among Compatriots of those GJB SAR Members

present. Of particular interest was Bud Lewis’ account

of his adventures transporting staff and equipment

from campaign stop to stop during the Presidential

Campaign of Eisenhower and Nixon.

After the meeting those participating in the Memorial

Day Parade (J. Gordon Bidner, Dave Ashbrook, Don

Hyland, Virgil Short , Al Abbott, Bill Hammitt, and

Bob Bowen) left to reconvene in the parade formation

area in downtown Bloomington.

The parade was made up of floats, marching military

units, marching units and floats of patriotic and other

civic organizations, and Marching Band units from

area high schools. The parade began in downtown

Bloomington and ended at the Miller Park. The weath-

er was beautiful, the crowds huge, enthusiastic, and

responsive to our members in Revolutionary attire.

Virgil D. Short MD

GJB SAR Chaplain

Awaiting parade to start L-R Bob Bowen, Cherrie Valentine, LGS DAR Re-

gent, Gordon Bidner, Al Abbott, Don Hyland, Virgil Short, Dave Ashbrook,

and Bill Hammitt.

Breakfast prior to parade L-R Bud Lewis, Dave Ashbrook, Gordon Bidner, Al

Abbott, Bob Bowen, Bill Hammitt, Virgil Short, Lance McCormick, Don

Hammitt.

Bud Lewis and the truck he drove campaigning for Eisenhower and Nixon

Jun 2016 The General’s News Pg 7

ROTC Annual Awards Program

The ROTC Affairs Committee, represented by Chair-man David Edwards participated in the ISU ROTC Annual Awards program on April 21, 2016 7:30 AM in the Bone Center on the ISU campus presenting the SAR ROTC Award Certificate to Cadet Andrew Hegg. At this event a number of other groups present-ed awards as well, including DAR, American Legion, and the WAR of 1812 organization (with Chairman Edwards presenting their award in the absence of their representative).

ILSSAR Charity Auction

The ILSSAR Charity Auction was held on Friday evening May 13th. The GJB SAR Chapter's donated items brought $106.00 for the ILSSAR Cemetery Marking Program and the NSSAR Advancing Ameri-ca's Heritage Program. Thanks to everyone that do-nated items for the 'Central Illinois Basket' and Ray's 'Silver Age Comic Book Collection'. The Central Illi-nois basket - minimum bid was $50 and it sold for $51. The Silver Age Comic Book Collection - mini-mum bid was $50 and it sold for $55.

Both baskets helped provide a nice variety of items. People had fun and the total donations were $1,926.00 for a record year.

Captain Kretlow, Keynote Speaker for DAR

The Back Partridge Chapter of the NSDAR held a Vi-etnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration on May 3, 2016 at the River Valley Sportsmen’s Club. This is a program established by an act of Congress to “thank and honor veterans for their service and sacrifices on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.” The program included Pledges, presentations, music, a keynote speech by Captain Jeffrey Kretlow, member of GJB Chapter of the NSSAR, and concluded with Taps performed by Rebecca Weber followed with a luncheon.

GJB SAR ROTC Affairs Committee CH Dave Edwards presenting

ROTC Cadet Andrew Hegg with SAR ROTC Certificate

L-R Rebecca Weber, Captain Kretlow, and Regent

Carolyn Pasquini

The GJB SAR Flag Day meeting will be

held Jun 14, 2016, 7:30 a. m. at the 1st

Presbyterian Church, Normal, IL. Dave

Ashbrook will host the meeting and break-

fast will be catered by Times Past Inn.

Please make your reservations with Dave

by Jun 8th —phone 309-825-3369 or email

him at dashbrook@cbhoa.com

Jun 2016 The Generals News Pg 8

Dr. Clark Spencer Killingsworth

Illinois No. 7988

National No. 172031

Date of Admission – July 15, 2008

By Descent From

John Killingsworth

Service of John Killingsworth

T he Killingsworth family name can be traced to Northumbria, the northern most country of England. The family is believed to

have descended from the ancient Boernicians, a mixture of Scottish Picts, Angles, and Vikings, dating from about the year 400

A. D. The surname is spelled variously as Killingworth, Chillingworth, or Shillingworth, and is said to be one of the oldest surnames

or clans that can be traced to the territory along the Scottish/English boarder. Early appearances of the Killingsworth name reveal a

family of great antiquity seated in Northumberland where they held a manor and estates in that shire. The Killingsworth Coat of

Arms is officially documented in Burke’s General Armory. Although our ancestor, John’s pre-Revolutionary War lineage is undocu-

mented, the family name links his descendants to the Anglo-Saxon legacy—the tradition of the peoples participation in their gov-

ernment.

John Killingsworth was born February 19, 1750. He assisted in establishing American Independence while residing in Halifax Coun-

ty, North Carolina. John served as a Musician in Captain Darnel’s Company of Col Edward Buncombe’s 5th Regiment in the Conti-

nental Line (the regular troops) where he was trained to fire a musket. Although the regiment initially served under the command

of Francis Nash and joined the troops of General George Washington in March 1777, they later served under the commands of

Charles Lee, Robert Howe, Benjamin Lincoln, Horatio Gates, and Nathanael Greene, as part of the Southern Department.

Shortly after John’s enlistment on August 1, 1777, Buncombe led his men into the battle of Brandywine on September 11, and Ger-

mantown on October 4. After Buncombe’s death in May 1778, the regiment saw action at the Battle of Monmouth, the Siege of

Savannah, and the Siege of Charleston. Since John became a private in January 1778 and served for the duration of the war, his

regiment would have been assigned to Sumner’s Brigade on January 11, 1779 and reassigned to Armstrong’s Brigade on June 3,

1779. The regiment was captured by the British Army on May 12, 1780 at Charlestown, South Carolina and was officially disbanded

on January 1, 1781.

At the close of the war, John married Sarah X (last name undocumented) in ca. 1783. Sarah was born February 12, 1750. Their eight children were born in North Carolina: Thomas (b. Sept. 2, 1784, NC), Reuben (b. June 4, 1787, NC), Eliza (b. Feb. 27, 1790, NC), William (b. Feb. 29, 1792, NC), Nathaniel (Dec. 23, 1793, NC), Anderson (b. June 3, 1797, NC) Isaac (b. Apr. 25, 1800, NC), and Sallie (Dec. 17, 1802, NC).

The Killingsworth family was among other pioneers who left Halifax County, North Carolina in the early 1800s. The family settled in

Knox County, Tennessee. Sarah died sometime between the 1830 census and an 1833 deed. Similarly, the exact date of John’s

death is unknown but would have occurred sometime after a Knox County deed dated October 25, 1833

Betsy Ross Facts - Interesting Personal Information

Betsy Ross marr ied her fir st husband at the age of 21 and was widowed at 24 when he died in a gunpowder accident. The first of two husbands she would lose as a result of the war.

Betsy Ross was ex-communicated from the Quaker church and disowned by her family when she married her first husband, John Ross, who was an Episcopalian. She then joined him as a member of the influential Episcopalian Christ Church where his father was an assistant rector.

After suggesting to the secret flag committee that the flag have five-pointed stars instead of six-pointed stars, George Washington, who was then Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, sat down in Betsy's parlor and redrew the flag design in pencil incorporating her suggestions.

John and Betsy Ross apparently knew George Washington before the secret flag committee arrived at her home to ask her to make the first American flag. Betsy Ross told relatives that Washington was a frequent guest at her home for social visits as well as for having clothes tai-lored.

Betsy Ross' pew, number 12, at Chr ist Church was r ight next to George Washington's pew. People sat in their own regular pew in church at that time, so every time they were in church at the same time they would have seen one another. This may have been how they became friends.

Betsy Ross' fir st husband John had two uncles who signed the Declaration of Independence, George Ross and George Read. These close family relations may have been par t of the rea-son she was allegedly asked to make the first American flag.

The name of William Franklin, Benjamin Franklin's son appears on Betsy Ross' marriage certificate because he was the governor of New Jersey at the time she was married. Betsy Ross' relationship was cut off from her family due to marrying outside of the Quaker faith. William Franklin's rela-tionship with his father was also irrevocably cut off three years later because William remained loyal to the King and would not turn his back on England as his father did.

The early part of the Revolutionary War was rough on Betsy. Her first husband died in a gunpow-der accident and the economy plunged due to the war. Sewing jobs were very hard to come by. The secret committee that asked her to create the first American flag changed all that for her though. Con-gress allegedly ordered all the flags Betsy could make, a job which she continued in for the next 50 years! Betsy told her family that after that day she never had to look for employment again.

Betsy Ross was known for car ing for the sick and the poor . It is said that the sick would of-ten seek her out before they would go to the doctor because of her successful homemade remedies.

Betsy Ross claimed to have done tailor ing for George Washington, specifically mentioning having done work on ruffles for his shirts and on cuffs for his sleeves.

Jun 2016 The Generals News Pg 9

2015 GJB Officers

President:

J. Gordon Bidner

V. President:

Clark Killingsworth

Secretary:

David Ashbrook

Assist. Secretary:

Jay L. Cummins

Secretary Emeri-

tus: Harry Hoit

Registrar:

David J. Dougall

Genealogist:

William Hammitt

Treasurer:

Donald E Hyland

Chaplain:

Dr. Virgil Short

Sergeant of Arms:

Alvin R. Abbott, Jr.

GJB Chapter

Newsletter Editor:

Donald E. Hyland

BOM Members:

Alan C Washburn,

William A. White,

David L. Edwards

Committees

Citizenship: J. Gordon Bidner, CH.,

Bill Hammitt, William White, Virgil

Short, Lee Wilder, Phares O’ Daffer,

Alternate David Ashbrook

Education/Public Relations: Donald

Lush, CH., Dave Ashbrook, Don Hy-

land, Alan Washburn

Public Relations: Dave Ashbrook,

CH., Jay Cummins, Gordon Bidner

Flag, Law Enforcement, Fire Safety,

EMS: Jeff Kretlow CH., Ed Proctor,

Dr. Virgil Short, David Dougall, Bill

Hammitt,

Eagle Scout: Bill White, CH., Dave

Ashbrook, Clark Killingsworth, Al

Abbott, Lance McCormick

Veterans/ROTC Affairs: David

Edwards, CH., Bill Miller, Virgil

Short, Bud Lewis, Bill White, Jeff

Kretlow

Finance Committee: Kelly Gray,

CH., Don Hyland, Dave Ashbrook,

Phares O’Daffer, Lee Wilder

Nominating: 2016 Leadership

Team

Program/Membership: Chapter

Officers & Board of Managers

Color Guard/ Parade: Don Hyland,

CH., Don Lush, Dave Ashbrook, Al

Abbott, Dr. Virgil Short

The General’s News: Don Hyland,

Editor, Dr. Virgil Short, J. Gordon

Bidner, Editorial Board

Jun 2016 The Generals News Pg 10

June 10th. Illinois Patriot Newsletter Deadline for July.

June 14th

7:30 a. m. Flag Day. 1st Presbyterian Church, Nor-mal, IL. Catered by Times Past Inn. Hosts: Dave Ashbrook and Jeff Kretlow

July 4th

. Independence Day. “Down’s 4th

of July Parade.” Hosts: Don Hyland, Don Lush. Time to be announced when available.

July 8-13th. 126th NSSAR Congress, Boston, MA. Westin Copley

Hotel.

July 12th

6:00 p.m. Lakeside CC. Program: “John Hawes I.,” Lance McCormick, Host: Bill Hammitt.

Benjamin Franklin while at the Constitution Convention 1787

"In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensi-ble of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine pro-tection. Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of superintending providence in our favor... Have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine that we no longer need his assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it proba-ble that an Empire can rise without his Aid?...

I therefore beg leave to move that, henceforth, prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberation be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to busi-ness."

Contact Information

Submit articles for the newsletter to donsgen50gmail.com

For Information Regarding Membership contact:

David Dougall-GJB SAR Chapter Registrar djdougall@Yahoo.com

William Hammitt– GJB SAR Genealogist billhammitt@comcast.net

Our website is http://gjbsar.org