Tamasee Tidbits: Just what is Krazy Kids Day?

Several weeks ago, I received an invitation to attend Krazy Kids Day at Tamassee on August 22. As I read it, I wondered just how many of our daughters really knew what Krazy Kids Day was. I am guessing that it is not many. I say this because as members have looked at my displays at state meetings and as I have travelled to chapters meetings during the year, I have had many daughters ask me to explain to them about Tamassee. Sometimes, those of us who have been members for awhile, forget that newer members and those just becoming active on the state level don’t know things that we know automatically. We say Tamassee and know the exact meaning of the word, but there are many who don’t which is why I included Tamassee Tidbits as part of the blog. I wanted to teach you. Today, I am going to teach you what the phrase Krazy Kids Day means including how, when, and by whom it was started.

To help me with this post, I got in touch with one of the creators of Krazy Kids Day, Angela Cooksey, and asked her to give me its history. The following is what she shared with me as she understood the importance of sharing this information with our members. Even better, we have now started a record of Krazy Kids Day to add to the history of our treasured past.

History of Krazy Kids Day
As we prepare for the 2014 Krazy Kids Day at Tamassee DAR School in just a few weeks, we thought it would be fun to check out the history of this wonderful event for the children at Tamassee. The history of Krazy Kids Day actually begins with the creation of one of South Carolina DAR’s clubs.

At the end of the Crider administration, a new club was created in South Carolina. The South Carolina DAR Junior Club officially formed. The charter members elected officers and set up a mission for the club. The charter officers were as follows: Darlene Williams, President; Judi Cruce, Vice President; Angela Cooksey, Chaplain; Kristi Kingren, Secretary; and Theresa Fuller, Treasurer. 

One of the missions of the club was to create a special day for DAR members to visit Tamassee DAR School and have a fun day with the students. The first Krazy Kids Day event was held on July 27, 2002 for the children that were residents of Tamassee during the summer months. The day included games, crafts, music, and dance. The formation of the event grew through the leadership of the early coordinators, Christine Burnette and Angela Cooksey. Through their efforts, the event grew to include the C.A.R. and a fundraiser was created to support the project. The first years of the event were totally funded by the coordinators and volunteers actively participating in the event. With the added donations, new additions such as bounce houses, gifts for the school, prizes for the students, and special snacks were added to make the day even more special.

Check out an article published in the Summer 2003 C.A.R.olina News, the South Carolina Children of the American Revolution newsletter with details from the event held on July 26, 2003.



The C.A.R. also has pictures of the event from 2010 on Picasa. Just paste the following address in your search engine, and it will take you to the page where you will see 19 photos of Krazy Kids Day from 2010. See if you see Angela Cooksey, Christine Burnette, and then State Regent Marilyn Altman in some of the pictures.

https://picasaweb.google.com/107952725639353621051/KrazyKidsDay2010#5516159712996112370

If you see Darlene Williams at Fall Forum, thank her for her vision of creating this special day for the children of Tamassee. When you see Christine Burnette and Angela Cooksey at Fall Forum this weekend, be sure to thank them for what they did to make Krazy Kids Day such a success over the years and so enjoyable for the children as they bore the burden of making it a success and the cost of the event for so many years. Maybe now that you understand what Krazy Kids Day is you will be inspired to get involved at the SCDAR and S.C.S.C.A.R.’s version of a back to school bash for the Tamassee children. It takes place August 22 from 2:00-5:00 on the Tamassee campus.

National Nuggets #2

If you have a husband who is also a member of the SAR, go thank him for discriminating against women in the late 1800s.  I have a friend who recently passed away who often said, “Huh?  What?”  I bet that’s what you are saying right now.  Yes, it’s true.  Our national society started because the Sons of the American Revolution showed discrimination against women.  Thank you, Sons of the American Revolution.  The story, however, doesn’t end there.  One man, yes man, actually made the formal call for the organization of the DAR.  In addition, there was a core group of the SAR who were instrumental to the success of the DAR.  Without their aid, the DAR might not have succeeded.  Guess what, many of those men had wives who became DAR members.  Are you intrigued to learn how the DAR started?  Let’s begin.

April 30, 1890 is the day that a vote was cast setting into motion a great patriotic movement on behalf of women.  The Sons of the American Revolution held their first National Congress in Louisville, Kentucky.  At that Congress, a new SAR Constitution was adopted and the question arose in the SAR convention whether women should be excluded from their society.  The decision was in the affirmative.  It was decided to have a military comradery or camaraderie type organization which ladies were not expected to join making it “Sons” in the true gender sense.  Ironically, ladies had been accepted into membership in some SAR State Societies and were actually attending this convention as members only to be essentially voted out.  

The newspapers of May 1, 1890 had a full account of the vote, and women around the country were stirred with indignation.  I imagine that some of the sayings such as the one about the fury of a woman scorned or the one about a wet setting hen may accurately describe the feelings of those women at that time.  One of those women, Miss Eugenia Washington of Washington, D.C. took immediate action by calling upon Mrs. Flora Adams Darling that same evening with the proposition of organizing a society for women.  The proposition was received with great enthusiasm, but action had to be postponed due to Mrs. Darling leaving the city for the summer.  As you know, this was customary for many of the time; therefore, action for this organization was postponed until her return in the latter part of September.

It is interesting to note that on July 13, 1890 a stirring article appeared in the Washington Post entitled, “Women worthy of honor.”  This article, written by Mary Lockwood, contained the reproduction of a story printed in 1876 written by Miss Henrietta Holdrich, great-granddaughter of the Revolutionary Heroine Hannah Arnett, and asked the question, “Were there no mothers of the Revolution?  Where will the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution place Hannah Arnett?”  This recital rekindled the flame of patriotism that had been smoldering for months now. 

At the same time, a great-great grandson of Hannah Arnett, Mr. William O. McDowell, who had assisted in organizing the SAR in New York City, credited for playing a major role in the organization of the SAR, and who had voted against the exclusion of women was contemplating his next action.  He decided to issue a call to all who were descended from Revolutionary heroes and offered his assistance in forming a society for women.  Immediately following the reprint of the article about Hannah Arnett, he wrote a letter to the Washington Post describing his idea and concluded with a formal “Call for the organization of the Daughters of the American Revolution.”

Five women of the Washington area responded.  None of these women knew the others.  Those women were Miss Eugenia Washington, Miss Mary Desha, Mrs. Hannah McL. Wolff, Mrs. Louise Knowlton Brown, and Mrs. Mary Morris Hallowell.   Mr. McDowell contacted Miss Desha suggesting that a meeting of the five women be called at once for preliminary organization, election of officers, etc. and that arrangements be made for a grand meeting on Columbus Day, October 11.  Miss Desha contacted the others, and Mrs. Brown issued the invitation to hold the first meeting at her home during the last week of July (1890).

On July 29^th, five women attended this meeting:  Miss Washington, Miss Desha, Mrs. Wolff, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth.  There is no mention about the absence of Mrs. Hallowell and the attendance of Mrs. Walworth.   With the small attendance, the ladies decided to wait until autumn for formal action to be taken, and Mr. McDowell was informed of their decision.  This decision did not sit well with him.  The wet setting hen may have described him as he wrote again on July 30 and strongly urged that another meeting be called at once.  He even went so far as to send blank application papers used for the SAR (striking the words Sons and hand writing Daughters), a proposed constitution, and an application for membership for himself along with a check for his initiation fee and annual dues. 

Upon receiving his letter and packet of items, it was decided to organize at once.  The meeting was held on August 9, 1890 at the apartment of Mrs. Walworth at the Langham.  Many were still absent from the city, and only 3 of those notified showed up for the meeting.  This time the small number did not deter them.  Miss Washington, Miss Desha, and Mrs. Walworth proceeded with the preliminary organization.  The basis of the society, a national one, was declared first, and then, the name of Mrs. Benjamin Harrison (current First Lady of the United States of America) was proposed for president general.  The next day application papers were sent to her along with the request to accept the office.  The second act was the revision and adoption of the constitution provided by Mr. McDowell.   Next, a board of management was appointed with the following ladies:  Mrs. Mary Orr Earle, Mrs. Hannah McL. Wolff, Mrs. Flora Adams Darling, Mrs. Louise Knowlton Brown, Miss Sophonisba P. Breckinridge, Miss Virginia Grigsby, and Miss Mary Desha.  Mrs. Walworth was chosen secretary, and Miss Washington was chosen registrar. 

Desha, Walworth, and Washington began working at once.  Notices of appointments were sent and acceptances were received.  Letters were written to women in different sections of the country inviting them to join the society.   To further their efforts, a notice was published in the Washington Post on August 18, 1890.  This notice stated the purposes of the society, stated the eligibility clause, and requested that women of Revolutionary descent send their names to the registrar and provided the address. 

During the month of September, Professor Goode and Mr. A. Howard Clarke of the Smithsonian, aided the work.  They gave much time and offered helpful suggestions.  Mr. McDowell, with his experience of a lead role in the organization of the SAR, gave continual advice.  Three hundred application papers were printed with the following slip enclosed in every letter: 

          “Name: Daughters of the American Revolution

Objects: To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the women and men of the Revolutionary period.

To collect and preserve historical and biographical records, documents, and relics, and to obtain portraits of eminent American women.

Initiation, $1.  Annual, $2.  Life membership, $25.

          Negotiations for the use of the Arlington Hotel for regular meetings were in progress when the following letter from Mrs. Darling, having returned to the city, was received.

                                                                                      Strathmore Arms,

                                                                             Washington, D.C., October 7, 1890

   My Dear Miss Desha: Mr. McDowell will be with me at this hotel to organize the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, October 11, 2 p.m.  It is our joint request that you accept the office of president of the board of management of the Society.  We know of no one better equipped to fill the position than yourself, and trust you will be pleased to accept.

                                                                             Sincerely,                                                                                                                          Flora Adams Darling

Mrs. Darling was immediately informed that the preliminary organization of the society was accomplished and all that remained was its completion. 

The meeting was held at the Strathmore Arms on Saturday, October 11, 1890at 2 P.M. just as proposed by Mr. McDowell.  The full organization of the Society was accomplished with 18 women signing the formal draft of organization.  The ladies signed in the following order:

1.      Miss Eugenia Washington                   10.  Miss Pauline McDowell

2.    Mrs. Flora Adams Darling                    11.  Mrs. Ada P. Kimberly

3.    Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth                12.  Mrs. Aurelia Hadley Mohl

4.    Mrs. Mary Morris Hallowell                 13.  Miss Floride Cunningham

5.    Miss Susan Riviere Hetzel                  14.  Mrs. Carolina L. Ransom

6.    Mrs. Margaret Hetzel                        15.  Mrs. Emily Lee Sherwood

7.    Mrs. Mary V. E. Cabell                         16.  Mrs. Harriett Lincoln Coolidge

8.    Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood                       17.  Mrs. Jennie D. Garrison

9.    Mrs. Alice Morrow Clark                     18.  Miss Mary Desha

Four gentlemen were also present at this auspicious occasion:  Professor G. Brown Goode, Professor W. C. Winlock, Mr. William O. McDowell, and Mr. Wilson L. Gill.  On motion of Mrs. Cabell, Mr. McDowell was elected chairman (or presiding officer according to the SAR’s Centennial History), Mr. Wilson L. Gill served as secretary (according to the SAR’s Centennial History), and Miss Desha was elected secretary pro tem.  The constitution that was adopted at the preliminary organizational meeting on August 9 was accepted subject to further revision.  A committee to review the constitution consisted of Mrs. Darling, Mrs. Cabell, and Miss Desha.  Officers were also elected at this time.  The officers were as follows:

President: Mrs. Benjamin Harrison     

Vice President in charge of organization: Mrs. Darling

Vice Presidents-General: Mrs. William D. Cabell, Mrs. H. V. Boynton, Mrs. A. W. Greeley, Mrs. F. P. Sinclair, Mrs. G. Brown Goode, Miss Mary Desha, Mrs. William C. Winlock, Mrs. David D. Porter

Secretaries-General: Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth, Mrs. Mary Orr Earle, succeeded by Miss S. P. Breckenridge

Registrars:  Miss Eugenia Washington, Mrs. Alice M. Clarke,

Treasurer: Mrs. Marshall McDonald

Historian: Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood

Surgeon-General: Miss Clara Barton

Chaplain-General: Mrs. Teunis Hamlin

Executive Committee: Mrs. Cabell, Mrs. McDonald, Miss Washington, Mrs. Hetzel, Miss Desha, Mrs. Lockwood, and Mrs. Walworth

          The meeting concluded with the election of an advisory board consisting of 6 gentlemen all of whom were SAR members: Chairman, Mr. William O. McDowell; Professor G. Brown Goode, Professor W. C. Winlock; General H. V. Boynton, General Marcus J. Wright, and Mr. W. L. Gill.  Later, other names were added which included Colonel Marshall McDonald who was very active in aiding the work of the organization and Mr. Goode was made chairman. It is interesting to note that at early DAR meetings these advisors were asked to sit in an anteroom, offering their opinions when asked but never participating in the meeting actions or knowing if the advice offered was followed.

One of the last actions taken at this meeting was to pass a resolution favoring a bill that was before the United States Congress for marking historical spots.  In addition, Miss Desha suggested that the first work of the new society should be to aid in raising a monument to George Washington’s mother!

The work of the newly formed society was far from over.  The next meeting was held on October 18, 1890.  The next post will share the decisions made at that meeting as well as other formative meetings in the beginning of the NSDAR. 

 

Thank you to the Office of Historian General and the NSDAR Archivists for the information they provided! 

Special Announcement: AMC's "TURN"

I hope you received the post about AMC's "TURN".  If you didn't get to see the premiere Sunday night, there is still time.  Currently, the pilot can be viewed on AMC's website for free.  You can also watch the premiere Saturday morning at 10:30 as well as Sunday night at 7:30 just prior to the 2nd episode at 9:00.    The pilot is 90 minutes.  I encourage you to watch the premiere during these encore showings because you can go to the "TURN" page on AMC's website and click on Story Sync.  Story Sync provides extra information during the scenes of the episode.  Once Story Sync is loaded, the information changes automatically in conjunction with the scene of the episode on the television.  This feature will be available with the other episodes as well.

Just as "The Patriot" took poetic license to tell the story, "TURN" is as well.  Therefore, do not take everything shown as fact.  In spite of this knowledge, I am still enjoying the series as it is showing Americans that the freedom they enjoy today came at a serious and often times harsh price.  If one person appreciates what our patriots went through to give us the birth of the greatest nation on earth and gets them to want to learn more about their efforts, then the embellishments are worth it in my opinion.

If you would like to more about this phenomenal secret of the American Revolution, here is a book that may be a good read for you.  In November 2013, a new book about the ring was published.  George Washington's Secret Six: The Spy Ring that Saved the American Revolution, written by Brian Kilmeade (of Fox and Friends) and Don Yaeger, was a New York Times runaway best seller.  Mr. Kilmeade states, "As a Long Islander endlessly fascinated by events that happened in a place I call home, I hope with this book to give the secret six the credit they didn't get in life.  The Culper spies represent all the patriotic Americans who give so much for their country but, because of the nature of their work, will not or cannot take a bow or even talk about their missions."  The book is available in hardcover, e-book, and audible versions.  

I haven't checked yet, but I wonder if these spies have patriot status in the DAR yet.  Hmm?

Up next on the blog is the beginning of the NSDAR.  Look for it soon.

   

Special Announcement: The Culper Spy Ring of the American Revolution will be explored on television beginning April 6!

I just wanted to let you know that AMC is premiering a new television series entitled, "TURN" with the "N" turned backwards. This series will premiere tonight on AMC at 9:00 P.M.  It will explore the first American spy ring that was created during the American Revolution known as the Culper Ring.  This spy ring was so incredibly secret that knowledge of its existence was not known until the 1930s.

For those of you who haven't heard of this spy ring, it is fascinating, and I encourage you to find out more about it and the techniques used by our patriots to send secret messages such as invisible ink.  By the way, there was a female that was part of this spy ring.

I cannot attest to the historical accuracy of the content.  I can tell you that the executive producers realized that this spy ring's story was larger than a Hollywood movie and plan to explore the characters to their fullest.  You will see the that the American Revolution was the first civil war as the father and son (main character) will be on opposite sides of war.  However, the son will have to disguise his loyalty to retain his secrecy as a member of the ring.

I will also warn you that this will not sugar coat war.  As the executive producers said, this will not be a movie about the American Revolution that your mothers and grandmothers are used to seeing.  With that said, I feel that all of the nuances of war, i.e.the good, the bad, and the ugly, will be portrayed to make this series as real in its feel as possible. 

I am so excited that something about the American Revolution will be a series on television.  I hope that we won't be disappointed.  We will find out at 9:00 tonight.

Special Edition #2

          I apologize for the hiatus with the blog.  Unfortunately, life had to take complete precedence over volunteer work for a period of time.  However, I hope this blog entry will be worth the wait.  It all begins with the Official NSDAR Colonial Bottle Collection.  As many of you know, the SCDAR received an entire mint condition set of these beautiful bottles created by the Franklin Mint and sponsored by the NSDAR.  After researching this collection, I created a display as well as a power point presentation. 

          The bottle collection emphasizes thirteen roles that women played in the American Revolution.  Most of the roles they played, we never think about but were crucial in aiding the American victory.  American history has us studying battles, important figures such as generals, but we don’t study women much less their contributions to the American cause.  As I told the students at Lonnie B. Nelson Elementary when I gave the bottle program, there is more to winning a war than firing a weapon.  Did you ever stop and think from where did the munitions come that supplied the Minutemen during the Battle of Lexington and Concord?  They were from a group of women led by Miliscent Barrett.  From where did the shirts come when they literally fell off the men’s backs from wear and tear when the colonists had stopped purchasing items from England and there was not textile industry?  It started with groups like the Daughters of Liberty spinning thread, then the thread had to be woven into cloth, and then women such as those of the Philadelphia Association made shirts.  How did the officers strategize plans for battle, send battle plans without electricity?  The women had to make candles to supply not only their own homes but the camps as well.  The list keeps going.

            As you learn the contributions of the women of the colonies, you realize that without their efforts and contributions, the war would not have been won.  Yet, we only know the names of a few.  How many hundreds of women worked tirelessly to aid the American’s cause that are unnamed?  Even worse, how many names of women and their contributions are not considered patriots in the DAR or have had their lines closed.  You will be amazed!  This needs to change.  We need to do everything we can to give these women the patriots status they deserve.  For one female that happens to be included in the program it did.  Here is the story of how her service was proven.  If you are from South Carolina, you may have heard of her.  Her name is Eliza Lucas Pinckney. 

          Katie Hyman was researching the life and times of Eliza Lucas Pinckney for a special event for the SC DAR Junior Doll Project as one of the committee members.  The SC DAR Junior Doll is called “Miss Eliza” and it is based on Eliza Lucas Pinckney.  Two days later, she received a call from a friend and fellow Rebecca Motte Chapter member, Susan Hemminger.  Susan wanted to submit a few supplemental applications to document the Pinckney and allied families from which she is descended, and she asked Katie to research and to prepare supplemental applications for her.  Katie was delighted and excited to do so.

         Susan Hemminger joined the DAR under her ancestor, Rebecca Motte.  Rebecca Motte’s daughter, Elizabeth Brewton Motte married Thomas Pinckney, son of Charles and Eliza Lucas Pinckney.  Thomas Pinckney served as a major in the 1^st Continental Regiment and was an Aide-de-Camp for General Lincoln and General Gates.  Katie immediately found Thomas Pinckney in the DAR’s Genealogical Research System (GRS), but she was puzzled and bewildered that Eliza Lucas Pinckney was not listed there at all.  Katie was really surprised by this discovery, because Eliza Lucas Pinckney is a famous character of history.  Katie thought surely she must have given some type of aide for the war effort since both of her sons; Thomas and Charles Coatsworth Pinckney were officers in the Continental Army.  There was also the possibility that Eliza Lucas Pinckney did give aide or provisions yet did not do so officially, but rather personally. 

          Katie began her research at the SC Historical Society in Charleston, SC.  The SC Historical Society is in possession of original letters written by Eliza Lucas Pinckney and other valuable Pinckney family documents.  Katie discovered her personal gifts to her sons of cloths, blankets, provisions, etc. during their service as officers in the Continental Army during the war.  Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s letters to all of her 3 children shows not only the love and concern as a mother but also the times in which she lived. 

         Katie’s next journey was to the SC Department of Archives and History in Columbia, SC.  The SC Archives has Audited Accounts for service and goods rendered during the Revolutionary War.  Katie found an entry for Elizabeth Pinckney in the index.  She was hopeful but not sure if this was same Eliza Lucas Pinckney.  However, the Audited Account at which she was looking had “Mrs. Elizabeth Pinckney” at the top.  Mrs. Elizabeth Pinckney gave the SC State government a loan of £4,000.00 pounds sterling to help finance the war effort.  There was also a yearly interest of £400 pounds on the loan.  Katie was fairly certain that this lady was who she was searching, but the best surprise came as she continued reading the document.  Charles Coatsworth Pinckney was also listed as the loan’s beneficiary. Katie was estatic!  This clearly was the lady for whom she was looking!  Katie was still in shock that no one had ever taken the time to prove her Revolutionary War service, especially since there was a DAR chapter named Eliza Lucas Pinckney in her honor.

Finally, Katie returned home to Charleston and went directly to the SC Historical Society located on the corner of Meeting St. and Chalmers St. in Charleston, SC.  The Senior Archivist, Mary Jo Fairchild, who is also a friend and DAR junior member, was very helpful and just as excited about this project as well.  Mary Jo made copies of some of Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s original letters.  These letters included a very clear abbreviation example of her name:  Eliza.  This primary evidence was also invaluable by documenting Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s residence during the Revolutionary War.  Copies of transcribed letters all ended with either E. Pinckney or Eliza. Katie was also able to get copies of original parish records on microfilm from St. Phillips Church register and St. Andrews Parish register listing the marriage of Charles Pinckney and Elizabeth Lucas and the baptisms of their children.  She also found a copy of a transcription of Charles Pinckney’s will.  These documents helped to prove Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s name and family connections.

Katie then walked 3 blocks to the Charleston Library Society on King St. where was greeted by several friends who work there.  Jessica Short, friend and DAR junior member, along with Rob Salvo, Assistant Librarian for Research and Reference, were able to help Katie locate a copy of the original marriage bond between Charles Pinckney and Elizabeth Lucas dated May 25, 1744.  Katie says that it was an amazing experience to hold the original book from the 18^th century that is in the collection at the Charleston Library Society!

At this point Katie took her copies and went to the Charleston County Public Library.  She went straight to the SC Room to find her cousin, Lish Thompson, SC Room Assistant Manager, and fellow DAR member, working at the help desk.  Lish directed her to the SC Room’s microfilm collection of early Charleston newspapers.  She was able to find an obituary for Mrs. Elizabeth Pinckney from the City Gazette & Daily Advertiser dated July 17, 1793.

Katie was really pleased with the documentation she had gathered on Eliza Lucas Pinckney and her service as a patriot worthy of the DAR.  She then took all of the documents that she had gathered and compared them.  All of the official documents, such as the will, marriage bond, Audited Account, Church Parish Register entries, and the obituary all had the names “Elizabeth Lucas,” “Mrs. Elizabeth Pinckney,” or “Elizabeth Pinckney” written.  It was only her private correspondence that had the following abbreviations:  “E. Lucas,” “Eliza.,” or “E. Pinckney.”

Katie then turned her attention to documenting the remaining generations and updating the items with changes.  Katie states that it was truly was a thrilling moment to complete the supplemental application on Eliza Lucas Pinckney and as well as one on her son, Thomas Pinckney through a brand new child, Elizabeth Brewton Pinckney who married William Jones Lowndes.  Susan Hemminger was happy and delighted to see this project come together.  Katie mailed the applications to DAR.  The wait time for the approval began. 

The notice that these two applications had been verified came right after Susan had been in the hospital recently having surgery.  Susan was so excited and could not wait to get home to share this news with her family.  This was a wonderful event that made Susan’s recovery time much quicker.  Katie was personally excited & happy that she could do something special for her friend.  That in itself was a blessing for Katie.  Katie said that it was truly a wonderful experience to document a brand new female patriot in the DAR!

            We need more of our female patriots verified!  Honor the service of our patriot women!