Features
Andres Cragie: Life of a Massachusetts patriot and scoundrel
First Apothecary General of the Continental Army By Anthony J. Connors After serving as the first Apothecary General of the Continental Army during the American Revolution, Andrew Craigie made a fortune in land and securities speculation in New York. Returning to his native Massachusetts, he purchased one of the most elegant homes in Cambridge, built the bridge connecting Boston to Lechmere Point, and developed East Cambridge. Yet years before his death, Craigie had become a ghostly figure, self-confined to his mansion to avoid arrest. Cambridge boys, including future physician and poet Oliver Wendell Holmes, would knock on his shuttered windows and then run, as if from a haunted house. How had "Doctor" Craigie fallen so low? The son of a Scottish ship captain and his[continue reading...] [continue reading...]
Our Purpose
The Massachusetts Society is a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit corporation (501(c)) that seeks to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, an appreciation for true patriotism, a respect for our national symbols, the value of American citizenship, and the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.
We do this by perpetuating patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of the men who achieved the independence of the American people in the belief that these stories are universal ones of man's eternal struggle against tyranny and will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it too is called upon to defend our freedoms on the battlefield and in our public institutions.
We decorate the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers and patriots. We support excellence in teaching of American history. We participate in patriotic observances. We support research and preservation of historic material on the men and women who fought or gave service for Independence in the American Revolutionary War. We reward our future leaders - our children - for excellence, achievement and outstanding citizenship.
Our Origins
In 1876 there were many celebrations to commemorate the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. As part of this patriotic fervor, a group of men in the San Francisco, California, area who were descendants of patriots involved in the American Revolution, formed an organization called the Sons of Revolutionary Sires. Their objective was to have a fraternal and civic society to salute those men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the battle for independence from Great Britain. They desired to keep alive their ancestors' story of patriotism and courage in the belief that it is a universal one of man's struggle against tyranny - a story which would inspire and sustain succeeding generations when they would have to defend and extend our freedoms.
Out of the Sires grew the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, which was organized on April 30, 1889 - the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation's first President. The SAR was conceived as a fraternal and civic society composed of lineal descendants of those that supported the cause of American Independence. The National Society was chartered by an Act of the United States Congress on June 9, 1906.
Leads
German Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
By Stephen Renouf The Germany Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is leading an SAR delegation to Germany to honor the service of the Germans who assisted in the American Revolution, specifically the regiment from the Duchy of Zweibrücken. That regiment served in the French Army under Rochambeau as the at the decisive[continue reading...]
News
Annual Meeting and Luncheon of the Massachusetts Society Please join us at the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Society at the Harvard Club in Boston on February 25th. The meeting brings together an exceptional set of events addressing the aspects of our state society. We also will set direction for the organization through an election of state officers, confirming our yearly calendar, and
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JL Bell to Speak at Boston Chapter Meeting Special Meeting with our Board of Managers The Boston Old Colony Chapter invites all members and those interested in membership to the society to a special state-wide meeting with our Board of Managers on Saturday, January 14th, at Maggiano’s Restaurant in Boston. This local gathering is an opportunity for you to better know the society
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