Sons of the American Revolution is not just some club

Posted 12/23/20

OKEECHOBEE — Founded in 1889, The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) was chartered by the United States Congress. The organization describes itself as “a …

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Sons of the American Revolution is not just some club

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OKEECHOBEE — Founded in 1889, The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) was chartered by the United States Congress. The organization describes itself as “a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and teaching American history to future generations.”

According to their brochure, the SAR’s goals are to maintain and extend:
• the institutions of American freedom;
• an appreciation for true patriotism;
• a respect for our national symbols;

• the value of American citizenship; and,
• the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.

They do this by telling the stories of “patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of those who achieved the independence of the American people in the belief that these stories are universal ones of man’s eternal struggle against tyranny, relevant to all time, and will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it too is called upon to defend our freedoms on the battlefield and in our public institutions.”

To become a member, you must have a patriot ancestor and documented lineage. Anyone who supported the cause of American freedom was a patriot. Examples of this include Continental soldiers or seamen, members of the militia, persons who rendered material aid, persons who took oaths of allegiance, persons who supplied medical aid, persons who paid a substitute to fight, prisoners of war, defenders of forts, persons serving on a jury and anyone else who supported the cause.

The organization can help determine whether your ancestor qualifies and can even help you research your lineage to find an ancestor who might qualify. Beginning with their November meeting, the members of the SAR started a new program. During each meeting, one member will talk about his patriot ancestor. Registrar Gary Howard took his turn during the December meeting. Howard’s ancestor was Samuel Howard Sr. There were approximately five Samuel Howards on the family tree Howard explained. “They liked the name Samuel for some reason,” he laughed. Samuel was born in 1762 in Buckingham County, Va. He and some of his relatives are said to be some of the first settlers Knox County or Harlan County, Ky. He built a log home there and raised potatoes and vegetables. He depended on bear, wild turkey and other game for meat. He enlisted in 1778 in Captain Mayo Carrington’s Company and marched from Woolston Ferry on the James River in Buckingham County, Va. where he joined the Army. He was in Yorktown standing just a few feet away when Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. Washington took Cornwallis’ sword, looked at it closely, gave it back and said, “It’s a very fine blade.”


In Okeechobee, the group meets on the second Saturday of each month at the Brown Cow Sweetery at 103 S.W. Park St. At 10 a.m. Anyone is welcome to attend a meeting/luncheon to see what the group is all about.

Jim Pippin is the president. He can be reached at 863-634-6134.

sons, American, revolution, SAR

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