Presentations & Other News
As noted, we have a presenter at every meeting who covers a topic of historical significance. These presentations are usually, but not always, related to all things Mayflower.
Jonathan Dickey gave a talk about “The story of Leiden: Our Separatist Ancestors”. Jonathan is our new legal counselor for the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California, Inc. He is a member and officer in the Sequoia Colony, and a member of the Nevada State Society of the Mayflower Society.
Amy Farrell discussed armor and weapons of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Miles Standish compared modern life and philosophies with that of his ancestor, Myles Standish.
Jane Carman introduced us to many societies that we may want to join related to the Mayflower and the early years of our Nation.
Ed Shakespeare gave us a very interesting portrayal of the Battle of Gettysburg.
Wheelwright, Bill Melton, talked about transportation in America from the 1750’s thru the 1800’s, showing us many tools of his trade when he rehabilitates wagons, carriages, and stagecoaches.
Roger Howland gave a talk on King Philip’s War.
Dr. Stephen Tootle spoke about the Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Kathy Burrow told us how to utilize newspaper websites to do our research.
Judy Weaver gave a talk on an ancestor that fought at Gettysburg. His very descriptive journal is displayed at the museum in Gettysburg.
Priscilla Ketscher & Betty Dearing are two of our Charter Members who started our Colony in 1974. Each Charter Member received a Stanley London Commemorative Box. Seven other Charter Members were also recognized at our last meeting, their names are; Sally Bledsoe, Martha Cosart LaLannne, Ruby Jeter, Harriet Lipp, Joan Roden, Merrill Stuart and Charles Wadhams.
Dr. Matthew S. Bowdish M.D., a member of the Mother Lode Colony, and Surgeon of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of California, gave a presentation on early medical practices before, during, and after the time of the Pilgrims. Dr. Bowdish discussed bloodletting, cupping, the four humors and urine analysis. All four medical practices date back hundreds to thousands of years. Bloodletting is believed to have evolved in Egypt. It was thought that all illness stemmed from an overabundance of blood. Cupping, which is still practiced today, involves placing a heated glass cup on your body which creates a vacuum. It's believed this vacuum removes harmful substances and toxins from your body. Hippocrates, of the Hippocratic Oath fame, is believed to have developed the theory of the four humors. The four humors are blood, yellow bile, black bile and phlegm. When the four humors are balanced you are in a state of “eucrasia,” or good health. When they are unbalanced you are in a state of “dyscrasia,” or poor health. Urine analysis consists of diagnosing urine based upon its color and sometimes taste. In terms of medical practices, be thankful you didn’t live during the time of our Pilgrim ancestors.
Durando Family: Three Generations of Mayflower Descendants
Decorate 2020 Mayflower Rose Parade Float
Diane Durando said, “When we signed up we did not realize that this was the last 8 hour shift for decorating and that the judging was the next morning at 8 am … This was a great family experience that we will remember and treasure forever.”
L – R: Eileen Price, Charlotte Price, Jim Durando, Crispin Price & Diane Durando
Marcia Maloney, Honorary Governor of California and Co-Chair of the 2020 Mayflower Rose Bowl Parade Float, gave a Zoom presentation on “The Children of the Mayflower.”
Photo © Mindy Schauer Orange County Register/SCNG
Mayflower Kid’s Challenge
Colby Nitta, the grandson of Diane Nitta, one of our newest members, was a participant in the:
2020 Mayflower Kid’s Challenge.
This is an event put on by Pilgrim Hall Museum. https://www.pilgrimhall.org
To participate in the contest, children were asked to submit a photograph of themselves dressed as a child who was a passenger on the Mayflower. In the photograph on the facebook link below, Colby is dressed as Samuel Fuller, age 12. Colby and his grandmother are descendants of Edward Fuller.
To see Colby’s photograph go to:
https://www.facebook.com/Pilgrimhall/videos/2020-mayflower-kids-challenge/791504728097414/
For more information on the contest itself please visit:
https://seeplymouth.com/event/mayflower-kids-challenge/
Colby Nitta, the grandson of Diane Nitta, one of our newest members, was a participant in the:
2020 Mayflower Kid’s Challenge.
This is an event put on by Pilgrim Hall Museum. https://www.pilgrimhall.org
To participate in the contest, children were asked to submit a photograph of themselves dressed as a child who was a passenger on the Mayflower. In the photograph on the facebook link below, Colby is dressed as Samuel Fuller, age 12. Colby and his grandmother are descendants of Edward Fuller.
To see Colby’s photograph go to:
https://www.facebook.com/Pilgrimhall/videos/2020-mayflower-kids-challenge/791504728097414/
For more information on the contest itself please visit:
https://seeplymouth.com/event/mayflower-kids-challenge/
Colony member, Alden Owen, gave a presentation on John Alden.
During the presentation we learned many interesting facts regarding the Alden family and their descendants. The land grants given to the Alden family by Plymouth Plantation totaled approximately 100 acres. That land later became part of the town of Duxbury. Today, the 2.5 acres on which the Alden House sits is all that remains of those original land grants. The land remains within the Alden family, it may be the longest continuously owned family property in America. For more information on this historic property please visit the Alden House Historic Site and the Alden Kindred Of America websites.
To view Alden's presentation click here.
Colony member, Alden Owen, gave a presentation on John Alden.
During the presentation we learned many interesting facts regarding the Alden family and their descendants. The land grants given to the Alden family by Plymouth Plantation totaled approximately 100 acres. That land later became part of the town of Duxbury. Today, the 2.5 acres on which the Alden House sits is all that remains of those original land grants. The land remains within the Alden family, it may be the longest continuously owned family property in America. For more information on this historic property please visit the Alden House Historic Site and the Alden Kindred Of America websites.
To view Alden's presentation click here.
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Our presenter for both the November, 2021, and May, 2022, meetings was Kathleen Watson, Deputy Governor North, of the California Mayflower Society.
At our November meeting Kathleen gave a presentation on her Mayflower Ancestor, Stephen Hopkins. Stephen Hopkins has the unique distinction of having been a member of both the Jamestown and Plymouth Colonies. At the May meeting Kathleen's husband, Marston Watson, was slated to be our speaker but was unable to attend. Kathleen gave Marston's presentation on "Pilgrim Edward Winslow." Marston is one of the few Edward Winslow descendants in the State of California. Marston is the author of many genealogy books in addition to being a well-known speaker and Parliamentarian of the California Mayflower Society., |
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Our presenter in November, 2022, was the 20th Century version of "Miles Standish," Captain of the California Mayflower Society. He will give a presentation on his renowned 17th century ancestor Myles Standish. Miles Standish has had a remarkable career spanning several decades. His resume includes being a California State Park Naturalist, State Park Ranger for nine different parks and lawyer serving as a State Park Docent giving talks on historical characters. Miles Standish is well known among California Mayflower Descendants. His presentation on November 5, 2022, promises not to disappoint. |
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Our presenters on June 3rd, 2023, were Karen Rinaldo and Kevin Doyle. They discussed Karen's painting, The First Thanksgiving - 1621, and the book they co-authored, In the Wake of the Mayflower. This was a hybrid presentation that took place both in-person and online via Zoom. |
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Our Featured speaker on November 4, 2023, was Caleb Johnson. Caleb Johnson, the author and historian behind MayflowerHistory.com, graduated from Texas Tech University with two majors (history and English) and two minors (computer science and archaeology). He subsequently earned an MBA with an emphasis in IT Management. In November 2020, he was elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists. He has been researching and studying the Mayflower passengers for twenty-six years, and has authored and edited a number of books including the 1173-page reference tome, The Complete Works of the Mayflower Pilgrims (Vancouver, 2003); The Mayflower and Her Passengers (Xlibris, 2005); William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation (Xlibris, 2006), and his best-selling work--a biography of Mayflower passenger Stephen Hopkins entitled Here Shall I Die Ashore (now also available in audiobook form). © Caleb Johnson |
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The featured speaker for our 50th Anniversary Celebration on June 8, 2024, was author Donna Watkins. She is the author of two books about Plymouth Colony: Diverse Gashes: Governor William Bradford, Alice Bishop, and the Murder of Martha Clark, Plymouth Colony, 1648; and Weaker Vessels:, The Women and Children of Plymouth Colony. |
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Eric Ball, a member of our colony, was the featured speaker at our Compact Luncheon on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Eric’s presentation was on “Plymouth and the Trials of the Pilgrims.” His presentation covered an amazing array of facts, photographs, and stories about our Pilgrim ancestors.
Aside from his work as a financial planner at his firm, Ball Wealth Management, Eric is a world traveler. Since 1988 he has given presentations on cruise ships at locations all around the globe. Eric can be reached at https://www.eballwealth.com/team/eric-s-ball-msfs-clu-cfp |