History

Of the north Dakota chapter

Mayflower Quarterly announced that a Society of Mayflower Descendants was being formed in North Dakota. Thirty‑one persons already had their lines of descent approved by the Historian General, and the Society was to be chartered. The active organizer of this Society was Dr. E. R. Brownson of Mayville, North Dakota. He was not a Mayflower descendant himself, but his wife was a member of the Minnesota Society. The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of North Dakota was chartered on October 25, 1947. Secretary General Walter L. Glenney attended to the preparation of the Charter and forwarding them to the Governor General Van Fleet for delivery to the new Society. At the General Board of Assistants Meeting on Saturday, November 8, 1947, Governor General Frederick A. Van Fleet reported as follows:

“Two weeks ago today I flew to Fargo, North Dakota, and on Sunday afternoon presented a Charter to the new North Dakota Society. It proved to be one of the liveliest groups I have encountered. It has a lower age average than usual, contains several active business men as well as some very alert women. The new Society brought in 24 new members and seven already belonging to other Societies. It has the makings of a fine group, as well as prospects who are interested. It seemed to me that practically everybody who was at that meeting knew anywhere from one to three persons that they knew were eligible and know that they wanted to belong !o the Society. In writing to the Secretary General for applications blanks, they say they have a number of people who want to see these application blanks‑ I predict you will hear a lot about this new Society. “

The North Dakota Charter is hung in the State Historical Society building in Bismarck. By January, 1948, the Historian General reported the approval of 15 papers for North Dakota. By April, 1949. two more papers had been approved. The Society had 42 members on November 12. 1949.

[Information for this article extracted from the Mayflower Quarterly.]

Object of the Society shall be:

To perpetuate to a remote posterity the memory of our Pilgrim Fathers

To maintain and defend the principle of the civil and religious liberty as set forth in the Compact of the Mayflower, “For the glorie of God and the advancement of the Chirstian faith, and the honor of our country”.

Newsletters:

North Dakota mayflower newsletters are available online now!