The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/462055
28 George Washington portraits in county schools. The county coordinators—Compatriots David Langford, Mike Mazzeo and Howard Booth—have done an incredible job of finding the sponsors and setting up the events. The chapter's color guard has been at every presentation and its members have given much of their time to bring back a little history to these young Americans. MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY Cape Cod Chapter The Cape Cod Chapter MASSAR held a grave-marking ceremony, below, Sept. 13, 2014, to honor Dr. Nathaniel Freeman, leader of the Sandwich [Mass.] Patriots. Freeman led the closure of the Barnstable County Royal Courts, rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Massachusetts Militia, and later represented Sandwich in the Great and General Court of the Commonwealth. The grave marking was held in conjunction with Sandwich's 375th Anniversary Grand Parade. Pictured are several chapter members, as well as members of the MASSAR Color Guard, Michael Welch (as Dr. Freeman), David Schrader (as Rev. Abraham Williams) and his wife, and Priscilla Freeman Rorstrom, representing the Freeman family. Col. William Henshaw Chapter The Col. William Henshaw Chapter hosted a ceremony on Oct. 25, 2014, at Rawson Brook Burial Ground to honor the life of its namesake and one of Leicester, Massachusetts' best-known Patriots—Col. William Henshaw. The memorial, led by chapter President Wesley H. Wratchford, featured guardsmen from MASSAR's Col. Henry Knox Continental Artillery Regiment and members of American Legion Cherry Valley Post 443. They marched into the cemetery, flags blowing in the wind, and the color guard presented an impressive musket volley. Father Peter Preble, the chapter's chaplain, delivered the invocation. Local residents also attended to pay tribute to Col. Henshaw. Guests included the chairman of the Leicester Board of Selectmen, Thomas Buckley; chairman of the Leicester Historical Commission, Don Lennerton; and president of the Leicester Historical Society, Diane Calvano. The chapter's special guest was MASSAR Compatriot and World War II veteran Kenneth Starbard, who is a third-great- grandson of Henshaw. William Henshaw (1735-1820) was a family man, Leicester resident and a vigorous participant in the political and military activities leading up to the American Revolution. His military career began in the local militia company in 1759 and lasted nearly 20 years. He was noted for helping plan the defense of Massachusetts against British forces by raising seven regiments from Worcester County, "ready to act at a minute's warning," originating the concept of the "Minute Men." Henshaw's surviving correspondence from before and during the Revolution provides many details about grievances and actions against British authorities. In an entry in October 1775, just six months after the events at Lexington and Concord, he wrote: "The times & the importance of the great cause we are engaged in allows no room for hesitation and delay. When Life, Liberty & Property are at stake, When our Country is in Danger of being a Melancholy scene of Bloodshed & desolation – When our Towns are laid in ashes and innocent Women & Children driven from their peaceful Habitations, it little becomes the Character of a Soldier to shrink from Danger." In the Revolution, Henshaw saw action during engagements at Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton and Morristown before retiring from service in February 1777. He later became active in local politics, serving as a justice of the peace in Leicester and as a Massachusetts state representative. He died on Feb. 21, 1820. At the memorial, details of Henshaw's service to his country were recounted by many of those attending. Compatriot Starbard unveiled a family keepsake, a framed 1936 full-page Worcester Telegram newspaper article describing Henshaw's life. As remembrances concluded, Father Preble offered the benediction and the honor guard fired another musket volley before retiring the colors—a fitting final salute to a local hero and American Patriot. MICHIGAN SOCIETY Representatives of the Michigan Society, including the color guard, participated in a Sept. 14, 2014, celebration and commemoration of the writing of "The Star Spangled Banner" by Francis Scott Key 200 years ago. The ceremony took place in Roscommon, Mich. Gerald Wall of the Northern Michigan Chapter gave remarks noting the history of Key Back row, from left, Stephen Perkins, Joseph Gauthier, Verne Thayer, Wesley H. Wratchford, Kenneth Starbard, Chuck Kingsbury, Allen Van Wert, David Conkling and Father Peter Preble. Front row, from left, American Legion Cherry Valley Post 443 Members Andrew McCue, Patrick McKeon, Bruce Swett, Jon Clark, Jeff Wood and Don Lennerton.