Hi- I believe I descend from the passenger John Howland through his son John. About the book 'John Howland of the Mayflower, Vol 2, the First Five Generations: Documented Descendants through his second child John Howland': 1) Are the genealogies in this book accepted as documentation for membership into General Society of Mayflower Descendents? 2) Does anyone have access to this book and is willing to do a lookup for me? I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you- Debbie Peppones at-home@juno.com Currently researching COOPER (PA)**HERITAGE(NJ,OH)**LEWIS(Wales,OH)** MCKNIGHT (PA)** PETERS(PA,OH)**SKELTON(PA)

In a message dated 2/15/2003 5:43:54 PM Eastern Standard Time, Lawsacre@msn.com writes: Thanks for your advice. At this time, it all seems mind-boggling but I will continue my search. The universe is less mind boggling if you can concentrate on one star! Ed Sherman

In a message dated 2/15/2003 4:35:37 PM Eastern Standard Time, radiotest@juno.com writes: My question is: where do people begin when trying to trace Mayflower ancestry? Bless your heart-- Round these parts we say if you can trace any of your ancestors to New England it greatly increases your chances. Suggestion is to start with grandmothers and list all the sirnames you can find. Then look these names up in the "Mayflower Ancestrail Index." This makes it a lot easier. For example, when I found out my family originated in this country in Rhode Island, it was a breeze from there. Kindest regards, Ed Sherman of Brewster, Cooke and Warren Past Governor Society of Mayflower Descendants in the state of SC GSMD # 64,667, SC # 609

On 15 Feb 2003 12:58:35 -0700 Lawsacre@msn.com writes: > This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. > My question is: where do people begin when trying > to trace Mayflower ancestry? A short answer would be that you don't - as you work your way back you eventually stumble across a Mayflower ancestor. It helps if you have a strong suspicion that one particular branch might pan out. In my case my paternal grandmother had always said that she had Mayflower ancestry through her paternal grandmother, Sarah H. Bonney. Grandma thought her grandmother was descended from Thomas Bonney, Jr., who married Dorcas Samson, daughter of Henry Samson of the Mayflower. My early research found that Thomas Jr.'s sons died without children, and that we are actually descended from his brother Joseph, who didn't marry a Pilgrim's daughter. In the course of my research on the Bonney family, though, I found that one of Sarah's great-grandmothers was Sarah Cooke, a descendant of Pilgrim Francis. My grandmother was incorrect about where her Mayflower ancestry came from, but she did indeed have it - and from other Pilgrims as well. Dale H. Cook USGenWeb Plymouth County MA Towns http://www.rootsweb.com/~macbrock/sites.html

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/mbexec/msg/5538/FO.2ADI/201.2.1 Message Board Post: Thanks for your advice. At this time, it all seems mind-boggling but I will continue my search.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/mbexec/msg/5538/FO.2ADI/201.2 Message Board Post: For someone who doessn't know of a specific Mayflower line but who would like to search for one, I think the first place to go is Caleb's Mayflower Web Pages, http://members.aol.com/calebj/mayflower.html, and get the names of the passengers. Next, see if any of those surnames appear in your own genealogy. You can then concentrate on those surnames. Now, that probably won't be a great help if you have a common surname like Brown in your ancestry. I have three unrelated Brown lines, but none are descended from Peter Brown of the Mayflower. Don't start with a Mayflower passenger and try to work through his descendants--the number of descendants soon gets to be too many.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Van Couwenhoven, Conover, Kane, Herrman, Hoover, Young Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/mbexec/msg/5538/FO.2ADI/201.1.1 Message Board Post: I didn't list any of my genealogy because I'm not sure what to put in. Examples: my Dutch ancestry (which I thought might be involved) begins with the person who came to America in 1625 - Van Couwenhoven. It's hard to know if and where the connection may have occured. Like maybe one of that persons descendants may have married a Mayflower descendant - but at what point did that happen? Sorry if I sound like an amateur - I am. Thanks for replying.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/FO.2ADI/201.1 Message Board Post: It might help if you gave us the information that you have. Someone might recognize a name or two to get you on the right track.

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.co.uk/mbexec/msg/5538/FO.2ADI/201 Message Board Post: Most messages indicate that persons posting them already know who their Mayflower ancestor is. Whereas, I'm not even sure I am a Mayflower descendant. I do have most of my direct genealogy back to a few countries. My question is: where do people begin when trying to trace Mayflower ancestry?

This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: White,Schoonover,Wells,Vance,Henson, Mason Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/FO.2ADI/161.4 Message Board Post: Hello All, I am related to Abel White,who died in Greenup, Ky. Our family most recently is from Scioto and Pike Cty. Ohio. I am told by family in Portsmouth Ohio that Greenup is about 20 miles away.Abel White had a daughter named Suzannah White in (B.1780) New Hampshire or Vermont She married Hiram Schoonover (B.1799 New Jersey).They gave birth to James Schoonover(b.1823)James married Laura Wells(b.1822) and had Sarah Ann Schoonover(b.1849)Sarah Ann Schoonover married Francis M. Vance and had Laura Ella Vance(b.1882) She married Isaac Parker Henson. My grandparents.My father is Jacob Boyd Henson (B.1918)and is married to Helen Henson. I am their Daughter, Laurel Mary Henson Mason. (B.1951) I am married to Malcolm Mason of Nottingham,England. We have 3 Children. Emily,Caroline and Cameron. We reside in New Canaaan, Ct. Seth is, as far as I can tell Abel's father. He was born in Woodstock, Ct. in 1737. He is now buried in Greenup,Ky. I would imagine that the reason Abel went to this area was because his father went there.

All this talk of names and other cultural details has caused some unanswered questions to surface. Perhaps someone knows the answer to these questions: Preaching at the Preacher? Rev. Rufus Wells (1743 - 1834)m. Sarah Porter daughter of Rev. Nehemiah Porter and Rebecca Chipman (John m. Hope Howland, Samuel, John). When Sarah died, Rufus went into a deep depression. He did not show up to preach for several Sundays. So, Nehemiah and another local preacher came to preach a morning and afternoon service...to encourage the parishioners. The two pastors and discussed their messages with each other. During one of the services, the other local pastor was to deliver a sermon on dementia. As this pastor came to the pulpit, Rufus showed up for service. Aghast, the preacher looked towards Nehemiah for instructions on what to do. If we were to put into modern English Nehemiah's response, it would be something like "Preach it brother!". So, a shaky pastor preached a sermon on the dementia of Rufus. Rufus, realizing that the sermon was about him, decided that he was in trouble. He "snapped out of it" and began fulfilling the duties of his calling once again. Question: How did people in this time frame define and view "dementia"? An Ox in Exchange for a Wife? Col John Thacher (1638 - 1713) m. first Rebecca Winslow (1643 - 1683; father Josiah). From a lister on the MA Barnstable list comes the revelation that: "On July 15, 1683, Mrs. Rebecca Thacher, wife of Col. Thacher, died, and 'many lamentable verses' he wrote on the occasion. Before the ink was dry with which he penned the elegies, he thought of Miss Lydia who was then twenty-two and unmarried. Common decency require that he should wait three months before proposing to marry her, but passing the house of the widow Gorham one evening, he saw his son Peter's horse hitched at the door. Mistrusting that Miss Lydia was the object of his visit, Col. Thacher on the morrow privately asked his son if he thought of marrying Miss Lydia. The young man blushed, and frankly admitted that to be the object of his visit. 'Now,' said the Colonel, 'if you will agree to discontinue your visits, I will give you my black oxen.' Peter accepted the oxen, and the Colonel married Miss Lydia 5 months and 16 days after the death of his first wife, whom he had so deeply lamented and in most dolorous rhymes." Lydia Gorham's grandfather was John Howland. Question: Was this a common exchange in these times or did my grampa John just lack tact? It is also said that John and Rebecca visited the Gorham house shortly after Lydia was born. As he held Lydia in his arms, he was reported to have asked Rebecca to kiss Lydia for she would be kissing his second wife. Eagerly awaiting a reply, Cathy B.

Also, VERY important, be to denote in your will---whir you want done with all your hard work---after you are not around. An elderly lady (genealogical friend of mine) had decided to donate her history and genealogical books to the local public library, and to send copies of her gen. papers, (Pedigree Charts, Family Group sheets,etc. to Salt Lake City). She never got around to do it. So one of her nieces confiscated them, after the aunt's death, and took them to Maine. I was out of town at the time of her death. When I returned, I wrote to the niece, telling her of her Aunt's wishes. She never responded to my letter !!!!! So, plan ahead!!! Ruth T. in NH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lois" <lekort@attbi.com> To: <MAYFLOWER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 4:59 PM Subject: Re: [MFLR] Mayflower Society > Christine, > > Exactly, and I agree! Maybe I should have said, "It is unfortunate that, possibly, some people believe that the word 'Society' only means what is described under the 4th meaning in a 'Normal dictionary such as a Webster's Dictionary.'" I did not think to look up the different meanings in the Blacks Law Dictionary at my husband's law office. If you had read the rest of my message, you would have known that I, myself, do not believe that the word has only one meaning. > > I have lived with my lawyer-husband for nearly forty-four years, so I am used to having someone try to argue, when I had no intentions of arguing! "All done doing that," as I say to our grandchildren, when I feel we need to move on to other subjects. > > My intent was to agree with Ruth, that, even though a couple might not have children, it is still worth doing research in family history, if they enjoy it, because someone in their family will appreciate their 'Labor of Love' in generations to come. I believe that it is invaluable to form groups, associations, or societies with other families, whatever the name of the group is called. > > My intent is not to prolong the discussion, and I do not apologize for not writing Ruth, personally, instead of on the mailing list. If my remarks have helped someone to decide whether or not to leave the legacy of a written family history, even though they do not have direct descendants, then I am glad that I chimed in on this discussion. > Lois K. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <ChristieTrapp@aol.com> > To: <MAYFLOWER-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 3:16 PM > Subject: [MFLR] Mayflower Society > > > > A comment was made to the list that it was "unfortunate" that the Mayflower > > Society used the word "Society" as part of its name because it represented > > "high society." I would like to disagree with this comment because "high > > society" is not all that the word "society" means. > > > > For example, in Blacks Law Dictionary the word society is defined as: > > > > "An association or company of persons (generally unincorporated) united > > together by mutual consent, in order to deliberate, determine, and act > > jointly for some common purpose. In a wider sense, the community or public; > > the people in general." > > > > This definition was provided by case law: Gilmer v. Stone, 120 U.S. 586, 7 > > S.Ct. 689, 30 L.Ed 734. > > > > For those of you who are not in the legal field and don't know how to find > > case law I will provide a brief explanation of the case decided. There are > > three different books which will provide this citation. One is found in > > volume 30 of Law Edition at page 734. One is found in volume 7 of the > > Supreme Court Reports at page 689 and the last will be found in volume 120 of > > the United States Reports at page 586. Not every law library can afford to > > carry every single volume of law reports published throughout the United > > States. So if one were to go to a law library you can ask for any of these > > three and they should have at least one. > > > > In your normal dictionary such as a Webster's Dictionary you will find the > > word "society" defined as: > > > > 1. Compansionship or association with one's fellows: friendly or intimate > > intercourse: Company. 2. A voluntary association of individuals for common > > ends; esp: an organized group working together or periodically meeting > > because of common interests, beliefs,or profession. 3. (a) an enduring and > > cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of > > relationships through interaction with one another (b) a community, nation, > > or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and > > collective activities and interests. 4. (a) a part of a community that is a > > unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct: a > > social circle or a groujp of social circles having a clearly marked identity < > > move in polite~> <literary ~> (b) a part of the community that sets itself > > apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion > > and manners. 5. (a)(1) a natural group of plants us. of a single species or > > habit within an association (2) Association. 6 (b) the progeny of a pair of > > insections when constituting a social unit (as a hive of bees); broadly: an > > interdependent system of organizisms or biological units." > > > > Outside of the aspect of the definition which describes the word to nature I > > believe that the beginning parts which describe the Mayflower Society as > > defined as Nos. 1-3 apply. I believe that No. 4 is what the writer of the > > comment meaning "high society" is what that part of definition is applicable. > > > > Therefore, in conclusion, the Mayflower Society is just that: an > > organization that falls under No. 2: A voluntary association of individuals > > for common ends; esp: an organized group working together or periodically > > meeting because of common interests, beliefs,or profession. It has nothing > > to do with "high society" by any sense of the word. > > > > Christie Trapp > > > > > > ==== MAYFLOWER Mailing List ==== > > Check out the Mayflower FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)page at http://www.macatawa.org/~crich/mayfaq.htm . > > > > > > > ==== MAYFLOWER Mailing List ==== > Check out the Mayflower FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)page at http://www.macatawa.org/~crich/mayfaq.htm . > >

Hello, all. I am trying to track down a Plymouth birth record for an Elizabeth (or Betsy) Clark (or Clark, etc.), whose age at death implies that she was born on 4 Jan 1774; that birth date is also consistent with her age of 76 in the 1850 census. It is only through an 1893 death record of one of Elizabeth's sons that I have her birthplace as Plymouth, and of course there is no way of knowing if the town is perfectly accurate. The 1850 census, however, also gives her state of birth as Massachusetts. I have no idea what Elizabeth's parents' names might be, though I do have her children's names, and maybe I'll be lucky and find a match of names and the birthdate. Elizabeth apparently moved up to New Gloucester, Cumberland County, Maine when she was young, marrying a John Hamilton and seemingly spending the rest of her life in nearby North Yarmouth, Maine, where she had many children. It seems likely that Elizabeth moved to New Gloucester with her parents, but New Gloucester shows no Clark families in the 1790 census. (I need to check the other Cumberland County towns as well.) Further, the probate records for Cumberland County have been lost to fire for years prior to 1908, so I cannot pursue that avenue of obtaining her parents' names. While I have no way of knowing if Elizabeth was a Mayflower descendant, I have checked a couple of sources commonly used by Mayflower researchers, specifically Davis's Ancient Landmarks book (online) and a CD version of The Mayflower Descendant. But I have had no luck with either of those. I am hoping someone has the published VRs of Plymouth to 1850 -- I do not have it, nor is it at my local libraries -- and can check that source for me. Given that this is not strictly a Mayflower post, please reply to me off-list. I had considered posting to the Plymouth list instead, but that list is barely active, so I thought I'd have better luck here. My apologies if I have violated protocol in sending a slightly off-topic post, though of course I hope that records will eventually show that this post is in fact on-topic :-) Thanks. Ruy Cardoso __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com

Genferret, a furry fuzzy guy, wrote: <Len, You mentioned off-list just now that you'd check to see when Ichabod's dad died. I think it was quite late--no joy there. However, try this. The Genferret has to work fast before the handlers find out the Genferret is loose, so this may not work.> <Plympton VR has marriage of Jane, dau. Ichabod and Ruth and specifies Ichabod, s. Noah and that Ruth was of Pembroke.> <Pembroke VR has Ichabod, h. of Ruth b. Dec 1771> <Pembroke VR also has Ich. m. Ruth Grant, Apr 3 1803.> <If these are the right people, and the dates are a little strange, it may be that Noah only felt like he was dead by the time Ichabod was born.> <Sorry, they've got me by the tail--have to go. Good luck.> Genferret: Thanks again for your replies. I didn't post to the list at first because I got your email before the list with my post arrived. And, of course, I was so excited to hear from a real ferret that I just had to reply directly while you were on the loose! Yes, these are the people I am interested in. Everything you post above is correct except for the surname of Ruth. I have it as "Ruth GARDINER" on the death certificate of their son, George, dated 4 April 1865. The name is also found as GARNET, in the VRs. The marriage date of 3 April 1803 is also correct as I have it. You noted the somewhat "premature" birth of Ichabod Sturtevant (III). Although it may not have been pre-planned in this instance, I have seen this phenomenon while researching European farm families. The reason back then appears to have been to assure fertility in a future wife (as if it didn't take two!) so that there would be a son to inherit the farm. Given this obvious fact, I wonder if someone acquainted with Mayflower Society standards could comment on how this might be treated, although it is only of academic interest in this case as the ancestry to Richard WARREN goes through a younger son, George Sturtevant, b. Feb 1809. I would be very much intereste in learning the name of the spouse of the Ichabod STURTEVANT, b. ca. 1750; m. ca. 1770 -: Ichabod, b. ca 1750 (s. of Noah - d. 1792), Plympton; m. ??? Ichabod, b. ca. 1771; m. Plympton 1803 Ruth GARDINER George, b. Feb. 1809; m. Plympton 1830 Naomi Stetson SAMSON Thanks, Len

Greetings cousins and friends: Happy Valentine's Day! One of the five, baisc Japanese virtues is "Ko" meaning filial piety, a beautiful concept we, Mayflower Descendants could consider adopting and using often. Would love to read your understanding of "filial piety." BTW, The other virtues are: "chu"-loyalty, "jin"-human compassion, "gi"-justice, and "rei"-respect. Anyone know if there are passages in the Bible which refer to attutudes towards ancestors? Perpetuating the memory, Ed Sherman of Brewster, Cooke and Warren Past Governor Society of Mayflower Descendants in the state of SC GSMD # 64,667, SC # 609

I would like to add a little to Christie's comment: If you think the word "society" connotates "snob appeal" just attend a state Mayflower meeting, or the Triennial Congress in Plymouth. It is like one big family reunion, with everyone mingling from elementary school teacher and garage mechanics to persons with PhD's and employed at NEIGS, GE, etc. all over the United States and Canada. Maybe even the world as our lines have spread across the oceans to Europe and Asia. People have a great time sharing meals at the wharf's answer to Burger King, and walking the streets of Plymouth, as well as searching those cemeteries and small towns of our ancestors. I spent a delightful afternoon with a "roof painter" in Bridgewater, who invited us to tour the church of my ancestors, the cemetery at the back door, the Bridgewater State University across the street, and even invited us into his home for a snack while he patiently drew a map with directions to help us drive back to Plymouth without getting lost!! ( But that is another story.) All the while giving us a running history of bits of trivia. He had lived there all his life, and introduced us to a old gentleman in his 80's who had an office filled with books, and computer equipment to assist his passion of writing family and town history. I will forever remember that afternoon. Ruth in Iowa > > Therefore, in conclusion, the Mayflower Society is just that: an > organization that falls under No. 2: A voluntary association of individuals > for common ends; esp: an organized group working together or periodically > meeting because of common interests, beliefs,or profession. It has nothing > to do with "high society" by any sense of the word.

Your message struck a note with me. In Iowa, we have a similar circumstance. The lady I am thinking of also has never married, no children, but she is involved in producing a family newsletter with interesting bits of information she has collected, and sends it to her brothers, nephews, cousins on a more or less regular basis. They all enjoy it and she is "planting the seed" for the next generation to continue her research. More power to her. Ruth in Iowa > Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 03:02:52 -0700 > > Dear Listers: I am a single woman----and I have been doing research on my > family lines since 1974. Why? . . . . All of this, is of great satisfaction to me, and I hope it will be to the younger generation!!!! > Ruth T. in NH

Hi All - I must add my two cents here. It's a good thing you do, Ruth -- not only for you, but for future generations. My own story is rather interesting - I'm a 55 yr. old waitress, raised three children, divorced and got into genealogy at the passing of my mother five years ago. After my whole life of not knowing if there were any relatives on her side - when asked she was very vague -- turns out I have about a bazillion "cousins" in Nova Scotia and four Mayflower connections thru them!!! Imagine my surprise and delight!!! I'm unable to join the Mayflower Society just now, but am working on it. And about the word Society -- while there's been posted many informed definitions -- and Thank you - a prevailing "connation" among many of us of "society" is "high, snooty or snobby" -- as in the Vanderbilt, Astor, Rockefeller times. It's not a slur - please don't take it as such from this writer. I'm glad to see everything on this list from all the so much more well informed contributors. I consider this list one of my "courses " in higher education while I try to help folks have a good dinner experience! Love this list -- Terri

Thanks, Charlie! My files are a bit skimpy in places; therefore, I have only 5 Woodward names listed in my tree. Elisha POWELL and Eunice (WOODWARD) Powell were included in this branch, but I have none of their children. I am intrigued by the names of the communities that you mentioned -- as my ggg grandmother Clarissa POWELL Porter was born in Livonia, Ontario County, New York; and her father, Calvin Powell II, was born in Strafford, Orange County, Vermont. Calvin Powell I is buried in Livonia, Livingston County, New York -- but I do not know which cemetery. I don't know if any of my ancestors are buried in the Delano cemetery, but I assume that some would be. In regard to the Delano surname, I have one listed -- as the husband of Lusina Powell. My (direct ) Warren line is on my father's side of the family; and, my (direct) Brewster line is on my mother's side. It will be fun when I am more familiar with some of the connecting lines, so I can begin to trace some of those names as well... Sounds like we share quiet a few ancestral names from my father's side of our family.. Take care, and May God bless you and those you love... Cathy PORTER-Maynard <>< ========================================= In a message dated 2/12/2003 2:10:44 PM Central Standard Time, fourthestate@fcgnetworks.net writes: > Subj:[MFLR] Re: COOKE-TOMSON-REED-KING-WOODWARD-POWELL-ALGER > Date:2/12/2003 2:10:44 PM Central Standard Time > From:<A HREF="mailto:fourthestate@fcgnetworks.net">fourthestate@fcgnetworks.net</A> > To:<A HREF="mailto:MAYFLOWER-L@rootsweb.com">MAYFLOWER-L@rootsweb.com</A> > Sent from the Internet > > > > ANSWER: Yes!!!! Elisha and Eunice (Woodward) POWELL moved from Strafford, > Vermont to New York. They died in Livonia, NY and are buried in Oakridge > Cemetery. Elisha's father died 1801 and his mother died September 7, 1806. > They died in Hartford, Vermont and are buried in the Delano Cemetery. > COOKE and WARREN Mayflower Ancestry of Lucina (POWELL) ALGER, Strafford, > Orange County, Vermont (1780-1871) > > 1. Richard WARREN > m. Elizabeth ----- > 2. Ann WARREN 1. Francis COOKE > m. Thomas Little m. Hester Mahieu > 3. Hannah LITTLE 2. Mary COOKE > m. Stephen Tilden m. John Tomson > 4. Stephen TILDEN 3. Hester TOMSON > m. Mary Powell m. William Reed > 5. Mary TILDEN 4. Sarah REED > m. Rowland Powell(cousins) m. Hezekiah King > 6. Rowland POWELL 5. Mary KING > m. Mary Ann Richardson m. Henry Woodward > 7. Elisha POWELL >>>>>>>>>>6. Eunice WOODWARD > m. Eunice Woodward m. Elisha Powell > 8. & 7. Lucina POWELL m. Aaron Alger > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: MayTHREE@aol.com > To: MAYFLOWER-L@rootsweb.com ; fourthestate@fcgnetworks.net > Sent: Monday, February 10, 2003 11:18 PM > Subject: COOKE-TOMSON-REED-KING-WOODWARD-POWELL-ALGER > > > QUESTION: > Do you have Rowland Powell (b. abt. 1730, Lebanon, New London, CT) and > Mary Ann Richardson (b. abt.1728/29, Willington, Tolland, CT) as the > parents of > Elisha Powell? > > > > ==== MAYFLOWER Mailing List ====

Christine, Exactly, and I agree! Maybe I should have said, "It is unfortunate that, possibly, some people believe that the word 'Society' only means what is described under the 4th meaning in a 'Normal dictionary such as a Webster's Dictionary.'" I did not think to look up the different meanings in the Blacks Law Dictionary at my husband's law office. If you had read the rest of my message, you would have known that I, myself, do not believe that the word has only one meaning. I have lived with my lawyer-husband for nearly forty-four years, so I am used to having someone try to argue, when I had no intentions of arguing! "All done doing that," as I say to our grandchildren, when I feel we need to move on to other subjects. My intent was to agree with Ruth, that, even though a couple might not have children, it is still worth doing research in family history, if they enjoy it, because someone in their family will appreciate their 'Labor of Love' in generations to come. I believe that it is invaluable to form groups, associations, or societies with other families, whatever the name of the group is called. My intent is not to prolong the discussion, and I do not apologize for not writing Ruth, personally, instead of on the mailing list. If my remarks have helped someone to decide whether or not to leave the legacy of a written family history, even though they do not have direct descendants, then I am glad that I chimed in on this discussion. Lois K. ----- Original Message ----- From: <ChristieTrapp@aol.com> To: <MAYFLOWER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 12, 2003 3:16 PM Subject: [MFLR] Mayflower Society > A comment was made to the list that it was "unfortunate" that the Mayflower > Society used the word "Society" as part of its name because it represented > "high society." I would like to disagree with this comment because "high > society" is not all that the word "society" means. > > For example, in Blacks Law Dictionary the word society is defined as: > > "An association or company of persons (generally unincorporated) united > together by mutual consent, in order to deliberate, determine, and act > jointly for some common purpose. In a wider sense, the community or public; > the people in general." > > This definition was provided by case law: Gilmer v. Stone, 120 U.S. 586, 7 > S.Ct. 689, 30 L.Ed 734. > > For those of you who are not in the legal field and don't know how to find > case law I will provide a brief explanation of the case decided. There are > three different books which will provide this citation. One is found in > volume 30 of Law Edition at page 734. One is found in volume 7 of the > Supreme Court Reports at page 689 and the last will be found in volume 120 of > the United States Reports at page 586. Not every law library can afford to > carry every single volume of law reports published throughout the United > States. So if one were to go to a law library you can ask for any of these > three and they should have at least one. > > In your normal dictionary such as a Webster's Dictionary you will find the > word "society" defined as: > > 1. Compansionship or association with one's fellows: friendly or intimate > intercourse: Company. 2. A voluntary association of individuals for common > ends; esp: an organized group working together or periodically meeting > because of common interests, beliefs,or profession. 3. (a) an enduring and > cooperating social group whose members have developed organized patterns of > relationships through interaction with one another (b) a community, nation, > or broad grouping of people having common traditions, institutions, and > collective activities and interests. 4. (a) a part of a community that is a > unit distinguishable by particular aims or standards of living or conduct: a > social circle or a groujp of social circles having a clearly marked identity < > move in polite~> <literary ~> (b) a part of the community that sets itself > apart as a leisure class and that regards itself as the arbiter of fashion > and manners. 5. (a)(1) a natural group of plants us. of a single species or > habit within an association (2) Association. 6 (b) the progeny of a pair of > insections when constituting a social unit (as a hive of bees); broadly: an > interdependent system of organizisms or biological units." > > Outside of the aspect of the definition which describes the word to nature I > believe that the beginning parts which describe the Mayflower Society as > defined as Nos. 1-3 apply. I believe that No. 4 is what the writer of the > comment meaning "high society" is what that part of definition is applicable. > > Therefore, in conclusion, the Mayflower Society is just that: an > organization that falls under No. 2: A voluntary association of individuals > for common ends; esp: an organized group working together or periodically > meeting because of common interests, beliefs,or profession. It has nothing > to do with "high society" by any sense of the word. > > Christie Trapp > > > ==== MAYFLOWER Mailing List ==== > Check out the Mayflower FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)page at http://www.macatawa.org/~crich/mayfaq.htm . >