PUTNAM — Three new members were announced at the Dec. 7 meeting of the Chief Senachwine Chapter NSDAR. Lois Leslie of Wyoming, Ill., Patricia Henkins of Henry and Angela Henkins Earles of Henry submitted applications proving their direct lineage to Revolutionary War patriots. Those applications were approved by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Dec. 5. Leslie’s patriot was William Thomas of Maryland, who was master of a ship serving the colonial forces, and the Henkins’ patriot was Elihu Onion, who served with the colonials at Boston.

Conducting the meeting, held at Lake Thunderbird clubhouse near Putnam, was Regent Nancy Gillfillan. A Christmas potluck luncheon preceded the meeting. Officers and chairmen reported. Notice was made of the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. DAR Good Citizens have been selected by Henry-Senachwine, Putnam County and Midland high schools, with one student’s essay and activities advanced for judging at the district level. Since Illinois statehood occurred on Dec. 3, 1818, a closing report on chapter activities for the Illinois Bicentennial was given.

Updates were given on the chapter’s Facebook page, the planned rededication of the grave of Real Daughter, Clarissa McManners, and locating the grave of World War I veteran Vergne Greiner in the Hennepin Cemetery.

Delegates were elected for the NSDAR’s Continental Congress and the Illinois State Conference. Members of a chapter nominating committee were also elected. Officer candidates for 2019-2021 will be sought.

The winner of the pewter arrowhead, shaped from an actual arrowhead found on the shoreline of Lake Senachwine, was Barbara Peterson, a member from Princeton. A donation to the State Regent’s Project of Bacone College in Oklahoma will be made.

The program, presented by Wendy Welch, began with “Cooking with Martha,” with Martha Washington’s Great Cake recipe distributed. It then evolved into an excerpt on George Washington’s successful attack at Trenton, N.J., against Hessian mercenaries on a sleet and snow-driven Christmas Eve, 1776. The program closed with a reading of a letter home written by an unknown colonial soldier. He described his joyful memories of Christmas dinner amid family gatherings but admitted that on “this cold night, when 2,000 men are sleeping around me” he was present because he had answered the call of “pure love of my country and [its] principles.” Presenter Welch asked us to remember that this season can be celebrated because our ancestors made it possible for us to enjoy it.

The next meeting will be at the Meeting Place in Henry on Friday, Feb. 2, 2019, with refreshments at 1:30 p.m. and gavel at 2 p.m. There will be no January meeting. Members are asked to prepare brief reports about their particular patriots to share with each other. A short program will be given by Wendy Welch on Lake Thunderbird’s Chair Tree and its Indian history.

Education, historical preservation and patriotism remain the major hallmarks of DAR chapters. For local information, contact 815-303-1034.