January 29, 2020 was a very special day for the Utah Society Sons of the American Revolution – it was our 125th anniversary. On this day, in 1895, the National Society SAR granted the Utah Society its charter. Those charter members of our society were:
William Henry Penrose (President and Brigadier General, USA)
Ledyard Marlborough Bailey
Hoyt Sherman, Jr
Delmar Rial Lowell (Post Chaplain, USA)
Charles T. Goodwin
Nathaniel Maynard Brigham
Adoniram Judson Woodbury
William Winthrop Betts, M.D.
George Hoffman Penrose, (Assistant Surgeon, USA)
Walter King Wright, (Lieutenant, USSH)
Salathiel Ewing, M.D.
Willard S. Jerris
J. C. Elliott King
Morris Latimer Ritchie
Elias S. Wright, M.D.
Edward Harlan Scott.
Organized in the Territory of Utah, the Utah SAR was formed by men who were united in their desire to preserve the legacy of those patriots who devoted their time, treasure and in many cases their lives to the cause of Liberty: with the Declaration of Independence, they brought forth a new nation, they established the Constitution of the United States of America. A Bill of Rights followed to permanently stipulate some of the inalienable rights that belong to each of us.
Knowing that virtue is essential to freedom, these Utah men all swore an oath to live their lives as gentlemen, dedicating themselves to the preservation of that which was bought by their ancestors with blood and great sacrifice.
It is not inconceivable that the Utah SAR first President, retired Civil War General William Henry Penrose and his fellow Compatriots, would have thought upon the words of America’s former Commander in Chief, Abraham Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address:
“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
It is our hope that on this occasion, the Utah SAR 125th anniversary, that we will each reflect upon our personal devotion to the great task at hand. May we find expression through the Utah SAR to provide essential education to our fellow citizens, may we do our part to preserve true and accurate Revolutionary War history, and may we show patriotism in our actions and deeds.
God Bless Each of You, and God Bless the Utah Society Sons of the American Revolution!
Yours in Liberty,
2019-2020 Board of Managers
We plan to share more throughout the year of our 125-year history.
