The Benton Dispatch

Welcome Aboard Benjamin Franklin Chapter

Let’s say welcome to the newly formed Benjamin Franklin Chapter in Franklin, Indiana. They meet at the Johnson County Library in Franklin.

Wanted

WANTED - Dedicated INSSAR Compatriot willing to commit up to 10 hours per week conducting the business of our state society as STATE SECRETARY. Computer & communications skills are needed. A good sense of humor dealing with our multi-faceted membership personalities is a real attribute. Although not a lifetime commitment, 3 years in the job would be a reasonable time frame for life planning purposes. Remuneration is limited to "eternal gratitude" from your state society. Position is available beginning in April 2007. Prospective applicants should contact the Chairman of the state nominating committee, T. Rex Legler II at (812) 876-9951 Home or (765) 342-6654 Office or t.leglerii@insightbb.com

INSSAR Chapter Redistricting Proposal

At the fall 2006 INSSAR State Meeting in Vincennes the need for redistricting the INSSAR was discussed. It was stated that the present 4 district distribution and geographic alignment did not meet the needs for service to the respective chapters and presented an undo travel requirement upon several of the district directors.

Key factors that were discussed were:

1. Geographic proximity

2. General membership size parity of the district.

3. Mix of large versus small chapters.

4. Strong “anchor” chapter in each district.

Following discussions with several district directors and other state officers, I make the following proposed changes to the INSSAR Districts.

!. Districts are designated by numbers rather than geographic location.

2. Districts are organized in clusters of 3-5 chapters.

3. Chapters with past history of cooperative efforts are put together.

4. District Director is a past Chapter President from within the district.

Suggested new districts to be voted on at INSSAR annual meeting in April

District #1

Ohio Valley Evansville

General Thomas Posey Mount Vernon

George Rogers Clark Vincennes

District #2

Daniel Guthrie Bedford

David Benton Brownstown

John Hay Salem

District #3

Clarence A. Cook Indianapolis

Alexander Hamilton Fishers

Benjamin Franklin Franklin

District #4

William Knight Greencastle

John Martin Rockville

William Henry Harrison Lafayette

District #5

Continental Muncie

Thaddeus Kosciuszko Warsaw

Simon Kenton Rensalear

District #6

Anthony Halberstadt Decatur

Seth Jewel Auburn

Alexis Coquillard South Bend

Respectfully submitted: T. Rex. Legler II O.D.

Chairman, District Alignment Study Group

Upon leaving Boston after the Battle of Bunker Hill, Irish Marine Lieutenant Jesse Adair strategically placed caltrops in the path of the colonial forces to slow their advance toward the British. What are caltrops????

Lore of the Laughery

Thanks to Mark Kreps for this article

   I visited the "Lore of the Laughery" reenactment and trade fair on August 26, 2006 in Friendship, Indiana. Friendship is in Dearborn County, southeast Indiana. I hadn't realized that there was a Revolutionary War battle in that area of Indiana until I read their flyer which stated "It is a little known fact that Laughery creek was the site of one of the very few Revolutionary War battles to take place in what is now the state of Indiana. Lore of the Laughery will be held August 26 -27th, 2006, 225 years almost to the day after original historical event."
   Anyone that can add more to this topic would be welcomed. I will share what I find as time allows.
   It appears that around 42 men were killed and the remaining 64 American militia were taken captive. Initially they were taken 8 miles north in Ohio by the Native Americans. There are two substantial markers in Ohio. Check out http://www.commonpatriot.com/lochrycreek.html
It appears that there is substantial documentation on the event. The defeat or perhaps more appropriate; a massacre, has an resemblance to the LaBalme affair up north.
Reportedly there is an Indiana historical marker on highway 56 between Aurora and Rising Sun where the engagement actually occurred.

The commander who was tomahawked was Archibald Lochry. The militia group was from Westmoreland Co. Pa. They were too meet up with Clark's command who had been employed to take Detroit away from the British. That plan was abandoned soon after Lochry's defeat. Therefore to answer your question, it would be considered a military expedition. Archibald Lochry is listed on the INSSAR patriot index but I don't believe any of the others. Perhaps they could be added. Of the 64 taken captive, 2 returned after the Rev. War to live in Indiana in the Dearborn Co. area. These two men were George Mason and Volentine/Valentine Lawrence. They are buried in the Dearborn Co. area and listed in the INSSAR index.

Charles Edwards standing by the memorial plaque at Riverview Cemetery

Upcoming Events

Indiana Society of the American Revolution

February 2007

228th Anniversary of the Capture of Fort Sackville, G.R.C. Memorial, Vincennes

Date: February 23rd 2007
Time: Muster: 1000 CST G.R.C. Memorial Park HQ
Step off: 1100 CST G.R.C. Memorial
Lunch: 1200 CST Lunch optional. Fort Sackville Room: Vincennes University Student Union.

Details to follow
Task: Present the Colors
Contact: R. D. Howell, Sr. (812) 278-7007 or howell1938@hpcisp.com
Note: I will be attending the NSSAR Spring Leadership meeting in Louisville, so Jim Arnold will be in charge.

March 2007

Mary Bryan DAR Freedom Awards

Date: March 5^th 2007

Time Muster 6:30 PM

Step 7:00PM

Mary Bryan D.A.R. Freedom Essay Awards: Post the Colors and stay for pictures afterwards. Muster at 6:30 PM, Step at 7PM. Location: Southport United Methodist Church, 1947 East Southport Rd., Indianapolis, IN.

Please let me know if you can attend sar.stuart@gmail.com

April 2007

Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution

Annual Meeting

Date: April 21^st 2007
Spring Mill State Park
Mitchell, Indiana
Details forthcoming

May 2007

Thomas Cook Memorial Presentation

Date: May 12, 2007

David Benton Chapter Sons of the American Revolution

INSSAR Color Guard

Sand creek Friends Cemetery

Azalia, Indiana

Date: 12 May 2007

Time: 11:00 AM

Details forthcoming

Revolutionary Patriot, Soldier and Pioneer

Thomas Jameson 1732-1830

Thomas was born in 1732 in York County, Pennsylvania to John Jameson. Thomas served in the Abermarle County, Virginia Militia for the defense and protection of the frontier against the Indians.

He participated in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse and the Siege of Ninety-Six, and was also present at Yorktown, Virginia at the surrender of Corwallis to General George Washington.

My Compatriot is Vincent E Shelton

Caltrops are sharp T shaped spikes that are placed in the ground. Today’s version is a minefield.

Point of contact David Benton Chapter, SAR

James Harvey, j4im@yahoo.com

We will gladly answer any questions you have or assist you in becoming a member of the SAR.

Point of contact for Benton Dispatch

Jim Jackson

proudveteran1941@comcast.net