At 6:30 p.m., chapter President Phil Newman called the meeting to order. Chaplain Harry Boyd gave the Invocation, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag, and the pledges to the SAR and Tennessee flags. All visitors were recognized.
Four new members were sworn in by Stan Evans. They were Eddie G. Cartwright, Jim Edgemon, J. Grant Pirkle and James W. “Bo” Renner.
Each received their membership certificates and were given a Society rosette by Newman. They each stated their appreciation of becoming a new member, and the sacrifices made by their Revolutionary War ancestors in helping to forge our country.
The guest speaker, Marian Presswood, Polk County historian, was introduced by Newman. She spoke on Nancy Ward and referred to various aspects of Ward’s life. She was with her husband, Kingfisher, in a battle with the Creek near present-day Canton, Ga., when he was killed and she then became a ferocious warrior in the battle. She had two children from her first marriage, Catherine and Five-Killer.
By her second marriage to Bryan Ward, she had all daughters; the better-known was Elizabeth, the Indian wife of Colonel Joseph Martin. Nancy Ward is known for helping the whites during the Revolutionary War period, especially in warning settlers of planned Indian raids, and for saving Lydia Beene from death. She is recognized as a Revolutionary War Patriot for purposes of joining the DAR, SAR and other genealogical societies.
Marian Presswood mentioned that Nancy Ward on her death bed had visions of what become later the “Trail of Tears” for her people. Also her great-grandson “Uncle Jack” Hildebrand, who was at her bedside, said when she died “a light rose from her body, fluttered around the room like a bird, left through an open door and disappeared towards Chota. This was watched by those in attendance, who were startled at this apparition.”
Newman presented Marian Presswood a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the chapter.
During Announcements, State Secretary and member Claude Hardison announced that on Sept. 17, several chapter members participated in a special program conducted by SAR in Knoxville on the lawn of the old Knox County Courthouse Square. This was a commemoration of the 265th birthday of John Sevier. Chapter members also attended on Sept. 17-18 the celebrations at the Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site which was the 230th anniversary of the gathering of the “Over the Mountain Men” before leaving for the Battle of Kings Mountain.
Other events attended during the past month by chapter members included the National Leadership/Trustees Meeting in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23-25; the grave marking ceremony in Johnson City Oct. 2 of Jacob Hoss, Revolutionary War soldier; the state SAR board of governors meeting and southern district meeting and barbecue, both on Oct 9; and the SAR Joseph Greer chapter meeting and wreath laying ceremony at the University of the South at Sewannee, Oct. 16. They also had a booth at the local Nillie Bipper Festival Oct. 2-3.
Hardison presented a check from the John Sevier Chapter to Newman for the Statue fundraising committee. He also presented a Sycamore Shoals streamer to Newman for the chapter flag. Stan Evans presented a small version of the new TNSSAR State Flag which could be used on the podium or as a small flag at outdoor events. Evans commented on the upcoming Wreaths Across America program in December that the chapter always participates in, and on the request that he has in for significant funds from the National Endowment Fund disbursement Committee for the chapter’s statue project.
Other reports include Nomination Committee chairman Judge Van Deacon announcing the slate of officers for 2011, but a treasurer is still being sought. Newman reported that funds were still coming in for the project, but he solicited more help from the membership to help on the project. Dave Hicks announced that this year the chapter will have a float in the Christmas Parade, and as chairman asked for volunteers to help on this effort.
Chapter President Newman thanked all for contributing to another large crowd this month, which is starting to be the norm. He then proceeded to close the meeting. After the recessional, Judge Carl Collom gave the Benediction, and the closing gavel was struck.
