From left are Ted Morton, national trustee; Melvin Foshee,
Cambridge Chapter president; Redding Corbett,
S.C. Sons of American Revolution president
and A.P. “Chip” Stockman III. (Contributed photo)
The Cambridge Chapter of the S.C. Society of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution embarked on a new year of historical education,
preservation and celebration of the American Revolution as members and guests met Tuesday at Gatewood Club.
With 57 people in
attendance, chapter President Melvin Foshee said, “We nearly equaled the attendance at the SAR State Convention last April when our chapter
was host to SAR members from all across South Carolina.”
Members of SAR and Daughters of the America Revolution, as well as prospective
SAR members and guests, attended.
Following an invocation by chapter Secretary Ted R. Morton Jr., the SAR Ritual was led by Cambridge member Alan Marshall. Robert Johnson,
area III vice president, installed new chapter officers. A buffet dinner followed the opening ceremonies.
Bettis
Rainsford, a past president of the South Carolina Historical Society, described events and personalities of the War for Independence as it
was waged “from Augusta to Ninety Six and beyond.”
Rainsford noted the American Revolution in the Back County is often portrayed as
having been dominated by Loyalists -- colonial settlers who maintained their loyalty to England’s King George.
“When we read the records, however,” he said, “we find the Patriots were about equal in
number.” He noted Patriots won some battles, and the Loyalists won others. Patriots were unable to take Ninety Six during the siege, but
they won other decisive victories at Cowpens and Kings Mountain.
The British took Camden before the final Patriot victory at Yorktown.
Awards
were made to those identified by Cambridge Chapter for having made significant contributions in preserving the history of the American
Revolution and for volunteer service.
Bobby Gilmer Moss, professor emeritus of Limestone College, was honored with the Gen.
James Williams Outstanding Patriot award for his historical writings and for the records he has compiled of the many South Carolina Patriot
soldiers. Chapter Vice President Eric K. Williams made the presentation.
Another
highlight of the evening was the recognition of A.P. “Chip” Stockman III, for his many years of volunteer service with the Boy Scouts of
America. SAR state President Redding I. Corbett III reviewed significant aspects of Stockman’s life and community service before
presenting the award. An Eagle Scout and recipient of Scouting’s prestigious Silver Beaver Award, Stockman has worked at all levels of
Scouting and assisted dozens of Scouts in achieving the Eagle rank.
The Robert E. Burt Scout Volunteer Award is a National Society award,
selected from nominations submitted by SAR chapters and endorsed by the State Society. Stockman is Americanism Chairman for the Cambridge
Chapter.
Concluding the evening’s activities, Foshee recognized Cambridge members who are leading the effort to charter a new chapter
to serve the Laurens, Saluda and Newberry County area. Joseph Goldsmith and Charles McKinney, both of Clinton, will serve as chapter secretary
and chapter treasurer, respectively. Cambridge member Julius Bolt, also of Clinton, introduced two family members, Michael Bolt and Oscar Bolt,
as prospective members of the new chapter.
The new chapter will be formally chartered at the 2008 SAR State Convention in late April at Hilton Head.
Cambridge
Chapter continues its recruitment efforts and seeks inquiries of those who think they can establish a family connection to a Patriot ancestor.
Chapter contacts are Foshee at 227-2510; and Morton at 223-7374.
Reprinted with permission of the Index-Journal
