The Maryland society of the Colonial Dames of America, 1899

Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, National Society Of The Colonial Dames Of America In The State Of Maryland

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• Publié par: urma
• Nombre de lectures: 33
• Langue: English
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Go 973.206 N4mlm 1390230 OENEAUOGY COLLECTIONPUBLIC LIBRARYALLEN COUNTY 88593 1833 01075THE MARYLAND SOCIETY COLONIAL DAME^ AMERICA. ? 1899., ^' tMo-yL^.f.t .C^CL,^, ^^-dt ^'/U Lsr:.^ ^/.i^^C f{ BALTIMORE: GUGGENHEIMER, WEIL & CO. 1899.PREFACE. Maryland Society of the Colonial Dames of Amer-THE ica incorporated Decemberwas 29th, 1891. It stands, therefore, as regards the date of its formation, second upon the roll the State societies, andof was one of the five that met in convention at Wilmington, Delaware, in May, 1892, to organize the National Federation. While the requirements for membership have remained substantially the same from the first, some important modifi- cations have been made from time to time, both by the National Conventions and by the several State organizations. Thus, the original Constitution of the Maryland Society recognized the date of the cessation of hostilities, April nth, 1783, as the close of the colonial period, and accepted services rendered before that date as affording a valid claim to mem- bership. At a meeting of the Maryland society, held March 3d, it was decided1894, that the Declaration of Independence ought to be taken as the actual conclusion of the colonial period, and the date 3d,July 1776, was established as the limit of eligible service. This modification was proposed, as an amendment to the Constitution, in the National Council of 1894, and, after lying over, under the rules, until the next meeting, was formally adopted by the National Council '896.°' 1330230 At the Council which convened in Washington, January, 1893, it was decided that each State society should form its own eligibility list in accordance with the conditions sub- sisting in the respective States during the colonial period, provided that such lists should be in accordance with the laws of the General Society. Availing themselves of their right, under this provision, the various State societies have deemed it advisable modifyto their original eligibility lists in a number of instances, and in this way a certain amount of confusion has necessarily arisen. A further element of consists in the fact that, in the earlier days of theSociety's existence, claims were often presented based on societyservices rendered in States, in which as yet no local such claims, no otherhad been formed, and, in passing upon somewhat general provisions ofguide was at hand than the the Constitution. Society has always endeavored scrupulouslyThe Maryland maintain the standard set up by the National Society andto by the local organizations composing it, and, in case of every application for membership, has rigidly adhered to the regu- presented.lations in force at the time such application was presentingIt has, however, been considered unadvisable, in designatethis record of the qualifications of its members, to consequence of subsequentespecially those cases which, in lists, would not accord withmodifications in the eligibility Such a procedure wouldthe conditions existing at present. more recently adopted, some-seem to lend, to regulations nature of ex post facto operation, and might,thing of the an feared, lead to unfair discrimination. At the same time,it is the Maryland Society, in thus defining its own position, expressly disclaims all desire to criticise the action of any of its sister societies in this particular, feeling confident that all alike are working in thorough harmony for the general welfare. The simple and convenient system of arrangement, followed by the Society of Colonial Wars in its Year Books, seems to withoutofifer so many advantages that it has been adopted The historical andmodification in the present volume. done Dr. Christopher Johnstongenealogical work has been by He has devoted to it muchof the Johns Hopkins University. striven to insure the highest attainabletime and labor, and has accuracy. In presenting this book, therefore to thedegree of members of the Maryland Society of the Colonial Dames of the committee to whose charge the preparation ofAmerica, the work has been entrusted, consider that it can be safely accepted as an authority by all students of Maryland history and genealogy. Eliza R. Beall. Mary Tilghman. Helen West Ridgely. Committee^