I’ve been devoting considerable time of late to doing more extensive genealogical research into several lines of my own New England ancestors.   As a part of this process, I have gathered together some really exceptional reference materials for early settlers to the Massachusetts Bay Colony that may be of value to you or other of our Compatriot brothers and sisters in lineage societies like the SAR, DAR, CAR, and GWS1812.  I thought I would make you aware that I have purchased these reference books and maintain them here in my own library at home.   I would be more than willing to check through these works as our travel commitments and available research time allows for you; or,  any of our friends who may be looking for information on some of their own ancestral connections to era in the Colony of Massachusetts. (Some contain limited information on other colonies).   I have available:   Volumes I, II, and III of Robert Charles Anderson’s monumental study, “The Great Migration Begins”, covering the period between 1620 and 1633.  This seminal work contains historical sketches of many of the earliest arrivals to New England beginning with the Pilgrims. Publ’ by New England [...]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Massacre The Boston Massacre, known as the Incident on King Street by the British,[2] was an incident on March 5, 1770, in which British Army soldiers shot and killed several people while under attack by a mob. The incident was heavily publicized by leading Patriots, such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams, to encourage rebellion against the British authorities.[3][4][5] British troops had been stationed in Boston, capital of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, since 1768 in order to protect and support crown-appointed colonial officials attempting to enforce unpopular Parliamentary legislation. Amid ongoing tense relations between the population and the soldiers, a mob formed around a British sentry, who was subjected to verbal abuse and harassment. He was eventually supported by eight additional soldiers, who were subjected to verbal threats and repeatedly hit by clubs, stones and snowballs. They fired into the crowd, without orders, instantly killing three people and wounding others. Two more people died later of wounds sustained in the incident. The crowd eventually dispersed after Acting Governor Thomas Hutchinson promised an inquiry, but the crowd re-formed the next day, prompting the withdrawal of the troops to Castle Island. Eight soldiers, one officer, and four civilians were arrested and [...]

March 2018 Newsletter [...]

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month nearly 500 people from around the country joined near the Clarke County Iowa town of Murray for the dedication of the Clarke County, Iowa Freedom rock painted by artist Ray “Bubba” Sorenson II. Among the attendees were color guard members of the American Legion, the Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Iowa Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Governor Reynolds gave a passionate speech on the sacrifices of the veterans and their families to preserve and protect the liberties of all.  It was also noted that current members of the military account for only about 1% of the population. Mr. Sorenson shared with those in attendance his vision for this Freedom Rock in particular as well as the individualization of all 68 Freedom Rocks done to date in Iowa. Attached are several photos from the event today. Be sure to send any local events you may have been a part of to our Iowa SAR webmaster Patrick Lant and our Iowa SAR newsletter editor Doug Frazer. Respectfully, Mike Rowley [...]

On December 7th, 76 years ago today Pearl Harbor was attacked.  More than 2400 Americans were killed and another 1000 were wounded. Each year in Des Moines and many other locations around the country The Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors take time to remember and honor those service men and women and their families who gave some much on that day. Again these year members of the Iowa SAR, the Central Iowa Chapter and the  IASSAR Color Guard joined with them to remember. Attached are a few photos of today’s ceremony. Respectfully, Mike Rowley #166348 Iowa SAR [...]

February 2018 newsletter   [...]

January 2018 newsletter [...]

December 2017 newsletter   [...]

November 2017 newsletter [...]

As a sword enthusiast, I could not resist… Watch this short, informative video about George Washington’s Battle Sword: Associate Curator at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, David Miller, gives us an in depth look at George Washington’s Battle Sword that he carried with him during the American Revolution. For more information on George Washington’s Swords, visit: http://www.mountvernon.org/ ~Patrick [...]