Heritage \ Writings \ Groups

Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter of Bay City, MI.
Founded in 1900, as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution

1906 excerpts. (Added Feb., 2009)

American Monthly Magazine, published by National Society, D.A.R.,
Washington, D.C., 1906

Page 518.

Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter (Bay City, Michigan) last year sent to Memorial Continental Hall thirty-five dollars, out regent giving an additional ten dollars. We regret the loss of six members. We are pleased to record the names of four new members. We sent our usual box of books to the Phillipines in November. Have discussed the advisability at several meetings of placing our books in the public library for reference.

An amusing letter of Colonial date, the property of Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter, was printed in the daily paper on New Year's day, giving an account of one of the first attempts at tea-making in this country, and a bit of romance. Our chapter arranged for a general observance of Flag Day. Miss VanKleek was appointed to writing an article to be read in all the schools of the city on this subject. This letter gave a complete history of the nation's flag, and what it means to every individual. Also the description of the make of the first flag by Betsy Ross, and the raising for the first time in the history of the navy, of the stars and strips, by John Paul Jones. “The Star Spangled Banner” was sung in all the schools. This observance of Flag day teaches devotion to our institutions and loyalty to our country.

“Write its red for love and its white for law, and its blue for the hope our fathers saw for a larger liberty.” -- Caroline Foss Webster, Historian.

1908 Excerpts. (Added Feb., 2009)

Eleventh Report of the National Society
of the Daughters of the American Revolution,
Oct 11, 1907, to October 11, 1908.

MICHIGAN

ANNE FRISBY FITZHUGH CHAPTER
Bay City, Mi.
________

Page 108. Ann Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter, Bay City, reports results of the chapter's work for the more general observance of Flag Day last year were seen this year, as Old Glory was afloat everywhere. The chapter is still selling the American-grown tea. It has one real daughter, Mrs. Charles Fitzhugh, and a membership of 38.

This summer, for the first time, Ann Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter furnished on open-air concert each week by the best band, the Thirty-third Regiment Michigan State National Guard. The cost of each concert was $45. The band consented to donate two of the eight, leaving $270, which the chapter raised. A letter was received from the president of the Bay City Civic League commending the efforts.

1912 State report. (Added Jun., 2009)

Proceedings of the Continental Congress of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, 1912

Extract from Report by Miss Lydia Holmes, State Chairman for Michigan.
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Page 737.

Ten chapters have already placed “American Forestry,” more are urging it. Fourteen chapters, I believe, have already placed “The Land We Live In,” by Overton Price; more are urging it.

One chapter alone in Northern Michigan has place in their city since October “The Forestry” magazine, and four splendid conservation books.

Chapter conservation programs have been very general – lectures on conservation, some with lantern slides, have been reported from any parts of the State; here in Bay City along there have been three splendid conservation addresses in the last four weeks – and another in the South End is planned and assured for April. Six cities report prize essay contests on conservation; one city presented conservation slides to our public schools. Michigan Day, in several cities, had conservation observance.

Here in Bay City, on Memorial Day, I attended the eighth grade graduation exercises and hear a fine conservation essay written by a young Polish boy, who had decided to make forestry his life work.

Several chapters report activity in publising conservation articles in the newspapers; the U. S. Forestry photographs have been already shown in five cities; some chapters have been active in civic public health work regarding pure water, mil, and regarding smoke nuisance; one chapter reports a Forestry High School course planned for next year. Much State and United States conservation literature has been placed in the hands of superintendents of public schools by different chapters; Arbor Day will have special attention. Through my efforts at a Bay County Institute, President Waldo, of Kalamazoo Normal College, made a forceful presentation of the importance of conservation – recommending the books, “The Land We Live In” and “Checking the Waste,” and urged every teacher in Bay County to give his pupils a talk on conservation with two weeks at the outside; in our own city our chapter at present is helping promote a vacant lot garden plan, proposed by our Civic League, which we hope will greatly help in the “cost of living” problem here; the lots are given free by the real estate men all over the city.

1915 excerts. (Added Feb., 2009)

Proceedings of the Twenty-Forth Continental Congress
of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 1915

STATE REGENT'S REPORTS.
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Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter
Bay City, Michign.

Has had a very satisfactory year, in fact, no period in the life of the chapter has been more replete with interest, more successful in achievement than the year just closed.

A splendid program touched the various broad-reaching lines of educational, patriotic, historical and philanthropic work. One day of particular brightness will long remain in the memories of its fortunate participants – Guest Day, when the chapter has as guests of honor our beloved State Regent, Mrs. Arthur M. Parker, who gave an address on the “Patriotic Vision,” and Mrs. Charles Metcalf, of Detroit, who talked on the “Ex-Regents' Club.” Besides these guests the chapter entertained the Saginaw Chapter and several other friends. Another day of great pleasure was March 20th, when the chapter was entertained by the Saginaw Chapter with a Pioneer Day program.

On May 1st, a lecture, open to the public, on the subject of the “Navy, Past and Present,” was given by Congressman George A. Loud, under the auspices of the chapter.

At the coming April meeting we are planning an exhibition of Colonial and Revolutionary relics, to which friends of the chapter will be invited.

At the annual State Conference, the chapter was represented by the Regent and one delegate, and at the Twenty-third Continental Congress it was represented by the Regent.

State honors came to the chapter in the re-election of one of its members to the office of State Secretary. The National Society has been represented by the Regent on two National Committees, namely: The Memorial Continental Hall Committee and Philippine Scholarship Committee. The work of this last-named Committee was heartily endorsed by the State at its 13th annual conference, and we are happy to say that in the report given at the Twenty-third Continental Congress, Michigan stood first in the list of contributors to this cause.

During the year our chapter has contributed $75.00 to the Philippine Scholarship Fund, $10.00 to Memorial Continental Hall, $10.00 to the Children of the Republic Clubs, and made various important contributions to civic and charitable work.

The supreme effort of the year culminated in the presentation to our city on Flag Day, June 14th, of a splendid National flag and staff, places in Wenonah Park. For many reasons this was a huge undertaking, financially, and in every other way, and meant unlimited effort on the part of the Committee in charge. The following program was carried out: Bugle Call, Mr. Griffin Lewis; song, “Michigan, My Michigan,” general chorus; invocation, Rev. John R. Gregory; oration, “The Flag,” Hon. Washington Gardner, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic; Flag Salute, children of the city; raising of the flag, by descendants of Besty Ross; song, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” general chorus; presentation of flag and staff, Miss Emma Genevieve Huneker, Regent of Ann Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter; acceptance of gift, Mayor Gustaves Hine; song, “America,” general chorus; benediction, Rev. Amos Watkins; taps, Mr. Griffin Lewis.

Perhaps I can best give you an idea of the day by quoting from the local press. “The flag raising ceremonies in Wenonah Park probably eclipsed anything in the line of patriotic celebration ever held in Bay City, and was witnessed by thousands. The day was perfect, the attendance not only large but enthusiastic, and the ceremony fitting for the occasion – one to be long remember in Bay City – an a tribute to the Anne Frisby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which long planned and earnestly worked to make the observance an exceptional success. The exercises were planned especially to stir patriotism in the hearts of the young people, and the manner in which they participated in the ceremonies, and the unusal parade of 2,000 children dressed in white and carrying American flags, preceded by 50 veterans of the G. A. R. brought tears to the eyes of many who witnessed it. In the park the scene was still more impressive with the children surrounding the flagstaff, the people encircling the children, the 33rd Regiment Band on the far right of the assembly, and Company E, 3rd Regiment Michigan National Guards, in the center background. The Honorable Washington Gardner, who gave the address of the day, said: 'It has been my fortune in these recent months to speak in 31 of the States of the Union on various patriotic occasions, all together, this is the most impressive of them all; and we owe this to your local chapter of the D. A. R. Bay City and Bay County owe a debt of gratitude to the patriotic women who, in these day of peace and prosperity, have raised aloft this National emblem, and invited citizens of all nations to emulate the highest type of citizenship and show them the duties of good citizens.'”

With such a tribute, do you wonder that we feel fully justified in expressing a real pride in our achievements? And we certainly do feel it was a lesson in patriotism never to be forgotten.

One little incident will serve to show how interested the children were. To avoid, as far as possible, the danger of accident, the committee decide to allow no children under twelve years of age to participate in the ceremonies. One little miss of three years cried bitterly because she could not take part in the parade. Finally, as a special privilege, she was allowed to go, and there was no more precise or sturdy marcher in the whole line as she trudge along with her flag held straight and true.

A Committee is busy now planning for a great chorus of school children to gather about the flag staff on the 14th of June, and celebrate the anniversary of the flag raising, with a program of National songs.

While our work this year has, in a measure, been quite local, we feel in result its influence is so broad that eventually it will touch the farthest limits of our National life; for surely nothing can make for more ideal Federal conditions than fostering the inborn devotion to our flag in all places and at all times.

1921 excerpts. (Added Feb., 2009)

Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Vol. LV, July, 1921

WORK OF THE CHAPTERS.
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(Page 658.)

Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter (Bay City, Mich.), has had a very pleasant and profitable year with Mrs. Irene Pomeroy Shields as Regent. The Chapter has supported and financially aided all the various objects of Michigan and contributed to as many as possible of the national projects. One French orphan and three Serbian orphans have been cared for and supported this year.

A standing committee, with Mrs. L. A. Pratt as chairman, attends each naturalization class and after the men are accepted as citizens the committee pins small American silk flags on their coats.

Mrs. Walter D. Young has presented our Chapter with a valuable parchment being an original deed transfer to one of her ancestors, signed by Livingston and Burr. The document will be frame at her expense and hung in the Michigan room of Memorial Continental Hall. Mrs. Young also gave $27 in the name of our Chapter, which is the amount necessary to feed all the girls for one day in the Pine Mountain school. Mrs. H. H. Dow made a gift of $25 to the Chapter, which paid the yearly dues for the use of club rooms in the Board of Commerce.

For six consecutive years the Chapter has conducted a Flag Day celebration (with the exception of last year) when a celebration for returned soldiers was given which took the place of our annual Flag Day. The celebration was resumed this year. An average of four thousand school children (public and parochial) marched in a parade carrying eighteen inch flags. The children were lead by the Fife and Drum Corps and Veterans of the Civil War, followed by the Spanish Veterans, which made a most inspiring parade that ended at Wenona Park where an impressive ceremony was held, dedicating a new flag, which is given each year to the City by the Chapter. This forty foot flag is always carried outstretched at the head of the parade by the Boy Scouts. Dedication of the flag follows with patriotic addresses and the exercise of close with the singing of “America.”

These Flag Day exercises have become Americanization and patriotic educational work of most important character in this city on account of the foreign population. The Chapter has presented two beautiful large silk flags, with gold eagles upon the staffs, to the schools having best formed ranks and largest attendance, and these flags have been held as trophies until some other school could win them away, but the school securing this prize three consecutive times, made it the property of that school. One Polish school has already won one of these flags, which was presented to them by the Chapter with due ceremony.

The Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter is the proud possessor of a twelve foot flag which greeted eight thousand Michigan soldiers and sailors returning from service overseas, at the Michigan Military Bureau of Relief which was mainted by the Michigan War Board in New York City on Forty-first St. near Fifth Avenue. One of our members who visited the Bureau found no flag to greet our returning men so reported it and the Chapter made a generous response and immediately sent this flag which was personally presented by Mrs. Selwyn Ramsey, a visiting member, and dedicated to our loyal men with a ceremony at the Bureau. Some months after the signing of the Armistice the Bureau was discontinued and the flag returned to our Chapter with an interesting letter telling of its service. It is a highly prized war relic and will hang in the new library building soon to be erected in our city.

Our Regent, Mrs. Irene Pomeroy Shields, proposed and planned a municipal flag, which has been adopted by the Council. It has a field of blue, separated by a field of white, representing the Saginaw river which flows through our city. In the white field is he seal of the city and beneath this two clasped hands, symbolic of the good fellowship of the citizens of both sides of the river and the city motto also, which is “The Glad Hand Town.” One of these municipal flags will fly from the city hall and one from the flag pole in Wenona Park.

At the February meeting a luncheon was given at the Board of Commerce and Judge G. A. Houghton gave a very instructive address. Mrs. W. W. Williams, who spends her summers in a lumber village in Canada, reported what she had done to be of value in that community, for her D. A. R. work.

Last month our Chapter was entertained in Saginaw with a luncheon at the Canoe Club, when Miss McDuffee, our State Regent was guest of honor.

The Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Chapter felt honored in being invited to send a page to this Congress and Mrs. Volney Young, who has been a most faithful daughter filled this space.

(Mrs. W. W.) Ellen Rossman Williams.

Addition notes:

Anne Frisby (Dana) Fitzhugh, was born Dec. 22, 1803, at Genesco, Livingston County, New York, to and Anne Frisby (Fitzhugh) Dana, and was married Dr. Daniel Hughes Fitzhugh, of Livingston County, New York, their children were: Lily, Isabella, Maria, Adelaide, Helen, Florence, Charles Carroll, William Dana, Daniel H., Jr., and Frank. She died about 1850.

Source: Calvert County, MDGenWeb (www.joeydragon.com)

Mrs.Isabella S. Fitzhugh WellL, DAR, born in Bay City, Michigan; wife of Charles Russell Wells.

• Descendant of Col William Fitzhugh, Lieut. William Frisby Fitzhugh.
• Daughter of Charles Carrol Fitzhugh and Jane Maria JonesDaniel Hughes Fitzhugh and Anne Frisby Hughes, his wife.
• Granddaughter of William Frisby Fitzhugh and Ann Hughes, his wife.
• Granddaughter of William Fitzhugh and Anne (Frisby) Rousby (1727-93), his second wife, m. 1752.

William Fitzhugh (1721-98), was a member of the Maryland Convention 1776 and subsequently, Council of State. He was born in Stafford Co., Va., removed to Maryland before the revolution, and died in Calvert county, Md. William Frisby Fitzhugh, (1761-1839), was cornet of the 3d Continental Dragoons, 1779 and service to the close of the war. Hew was born in Calvert Co., Md.; died in Livingston Co., N. Y. --

Source: The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Volume 31, page 133.

Mrs. Magaret Helen Wells Lee, born in Bay City, Michigan, wife of Stanley Lee.

• Descendant of William Fitzhugh, 2nd, Lieut. William Fitzhugh, 3rd, Anne Frisby Fitzhugh, Capt. Peregrine Fitzhugh, Horatio Jones, and Lieut. Richard Falley.
• Daughter of Charles Russell Wells and Isabella Savage Fitzhugh, his wife. Granddaughter of Eleazer Wells, M. D., and Margaret Cleveland Hubbard, his wife; Charles Carroll Fitzhugh and Jane M. Jones, his wife.
• Gr-granddaughter of Daniel Hughes Fitzhugh and Anne Frisby Dana, his wife; Horatio Jones and Elizabeth Starr (1779-1844), his 2nd wife, m. 1795; Norman Hubbard and Sarah Falley, his wife.
• Gr-gr-granddaughter of William Fitzhugh, 3rd, and Ann Hughes, his wife; Daniel Falley and Elizabeth Holland, his wife; William R. Dana and Anne Frisby Fitzhugh (b. 1782), his wife.
• Gr-gr-gr-granddaughter of William Fitzhugh, 2nd, and Ann Frisby, his 2nd wife; Peregrine William Fitzhugh and Elizabeth Crowley Chew, his wife (parents of Anne Frisby Fitzhugh); Richard Fally and Margaret Hitchcock, his wife.

William Fitzhugh, 2nd (1721-98), was a member of the Maryland convention, 1776, and subsequently Council of State. He was born in Stafford County, Va., removed to Maryland before the Revolution, and died in Calvert County, Md.

William Fitzhugh, 3rd (1761-1839), was cornet of 3rd Continental Dragoons, 1779; lieutenant, 1782; transferred to Baylor's regiment [p.224] and served to the close of the war. He was born in Calvert County, Md.; died in Livingston County, N. Y.

Anne Frisby Fitzhugh (1727-93) defended her husband, who was blind, and assisted her two sons to escape when her home was threatened by a detachment of British. She was born in Cecil County; died in Calvert County, Md.

Peregrine Fitzhugh (1759-1811) served as cornet of the 3rd Continental Dragoons, 1778; appointed aide-de-camp to General Washington, 1781, and also captain of Dragoons, serving to the close of the war. He was born in Calvert County, Md.; died in Sodus, N. Y.

Horatio Jones (1763-1836) enlisted as a fifer; volunteered in the Bedford Rangers under Capt. John Boyd. He was captured and not exchanged until peace was declared. He was a pensioner when he died, in Livingston County, N.Y. He was born in Chester County, Pa. Also Nos. 38467, 43026.

Richard Falley (1740-1808), who had fought in the early wars, served as lieutenant at the battle of Bunker Hill. He was born in district of George's River, Me.; died in Westfield, Mass.

Source: The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution Volume 65 page 224