William Allerton III was born to William Allerton, Jr. and Marion Helmstetter in New Orleans, Louisiana. He is married to Constance Rose Driscoll and they have four children, Amy Allerton, Timothy Daniel Allerton, Sean Patrick Allerton, and Colleen Allerton-Hollier. They have five grandchildren. Bill completed his studies in Political Science at Louisiana State University in New Orleans; Fellow, Loyola University Institute of Politics; Fellow, Columbia University School of Law American Assembly. He is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Allerton & Company, a full-service, nationally recognized, award-winning strategic communications company specializing in media and political consulting, public relations, and governmental affairs.

Society Memberships 

• Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (Governor General; President of the John Quincy Adams Foundation)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Governor General)

• National Society of Sons of the American Colonists

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (Vice President General; President of the SAR Foundation)

• General Society of the War of 1812 (Gulf District, Deputy President General)

• Aztec Club of 1847 (National Secretary)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (Board of Directors)

• General Society Sons of the Revolution (State President)

• Presidential Families of America (State Regent)

• General Society of Colonial Wars (State Secretary)

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States

• Order of Washington

• Military Society of the War of 1812

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• National Order of the Blue and Gray

• National Gavel Society

Published In

• The Order of the Founders and Patriots of America’s The Bulletin

• National Society Sons of the American Revolution’s The SAR Magazine

• General Society of the Sons of the Revolution’s Drumbeat 

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims’ The Pilgrim Newsletter

• National Society War of 1812’s War Cry

Chivalric Orders

Sovereign Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, Knight Commandeur

Listed In (Publications)

• Who’s Who in Politics, 1980

• Who’s Who in Advertising, 1989

• Who’s Who in America, 1999

Other 

William Allerton III is the recipient of numerous advertising awards, including the National “Addy” Award from the American Advertising Federation and “Pollie” Award from the American Association of Political Consultants. The Advertising Club of New Orleans named him an Ad Person of the Year. A sampling of his award-winning political campaign commercials were exhibited at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.

In addition to leading a successful business, Allerton’s leadership has served his nation as a member of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s District Advisory Council, appointed by President Richard M. Nixon; Chairman of the SBA’s District Advisory Council, appointed by President Gerald R. Ford; and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council, appointed by President George H.W. Bush. In 1995, he was elected a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business. He has advised the U.S. Congress on small business issues, providing testimony before the U.S. House of Representative’s Small Business Committee. Allerton joined The White House staff (1991-1992) as a representative of the Office of Presidential Advance, assisting with the planning and coordination of the domestic travel of President George H.W. Bush. 

Active on numerous public boards and commissions, Allerton served as Chairman, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Quality Education Support Fund Committee; Member, Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Non-Public School Commission; Member, Louisiana State Mineral Board; Board of Directors, Louisiana State Museum; Treasurer, Louisiana Commission on the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution; and Member, President’s Council on Youth Opportunity. 

He served on the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America; National Council of Trustees of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge; Board of Directors, Loyola University Institute of Politics; U.S. Marine Corps. Scholarship Foundation; United Way for Greater New Orleans; Junior Achievement of Greater New Orleans; and the Archbishop’s Community Appeal. His patriotism and community service received commendations from President Ronald Reagan, President George H.W. Bush, and Chief Justice Warren Burger. 

His awards include the Boy Scouts of America’s coveted Silver Beaver Award; Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge prestigious George Washington Honor Medal (Principal Awardee); the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizenship Medal; the Sons of the American Revolution’s National Distinguished Service Award; the Louisiana Society Sons of the American Revolution Patriot Medal; the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America’s Distinguished Service Award, Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims’ Thomas W. Bicknell Medal; and the Archbishop’s Community Appeal Dedicated Service Award.

Among his most notable accomplishments in the Hereditary Society Community:

National Leadership:

• NSSAR Government Relations Chairman: Led the first SAR delegation to the Oval Office since the Eisenhower era, arranged a SAR delegation meeting with the King of Spain, and passed an Act of Congress for the Constitution’s 225th anniversary.

• SAR Foundation President: Raised $3 million enabling SAR to build its Genealogical Library in downtown Louisville.

• Executive Leadership: As Governor General of the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America and National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims, modernized bylaws to enhance operations and membership recruitment and published lineage books while maintaining robust membership during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Louisiana Leadership:

• Dual Presidency: He holds the rare distinction of being one of only two men to lead both the Louisiana Society Sons of the American Revolution and the Sons of the Revolution in Louisiana as President.

• Historical Preservation: Spearheaded to historic firsts:  Louisiana’s first Sons of the American Revolution monument honoring George Washington at the State Capitol, followed by Louisiana’s first Sons of the Revolution monument commemorating the Battle of Lake Pontchartrain.

Jane Alston Hall Armfield is the daughter of Spotswood Braxton Hall, Jr. and Catherine Cabell Claiborne Hall and was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia.  Mrs. Armfield was married to the late William Johnston Armfield IV.   She is the mother of four sons, William Claiborne Hancock, James Cole Braxton Hancock, William Spotswood Armfield and Nicholas Cabell Armfield, and three daughters, Caroline Carter Hancock Johnston, Elizabeth Alston Armfield Daigh and Olivia Corbin Armfield, and she has eleven grandchildren.  Mrs. Armfield graduated from St. Catherine’s School in Richmond and attended both Hollins University and Tulane University.  

Mrs. Armfield is a 10th generation Virginian with deep family roots in Virginia history, being a direct descendant of Governor Alexander Spotswood and Carter Braxton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  Her earliest Virginia ancestor is Governor John West, the 6th Crown Governor of Virginia and one of the founders of the West family of Virginia.  Mrs. Armfield has a strong and active commitment to her family’s tradition of historic restoration, preservation and involvement in lineage organizations.  Her great grandmother, Katherine Hamilton Cabell Claiborne (later, Mrs. William Ruffin Cox), was a charter member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Virginia and was the third national president of NSCDA for 25 years.  Mrs. Armfield’s great uncle, James Alston Cabell, was the President of the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities, now known as Preservation Virginia, in 1907 and the Governor of the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Virginia from 1913 to 1929.

Memberships

National Society of Colonial Dames of America 

Colonial Dames of America

Daughters of the Cincinnati

One Hundred Living Descendants of Blood Royal

Order of Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors (Member of the Council)

Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers (Member of the Council)

Jamestowne Society (Historian, Richmond Company)

Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order of Albion

Baronial Order of Magna Charta

Military Order of the Crusades

Descendants of the Templar Knights

Other Notes

Mrs. Armfield is or has been a member of the Boards of the following:

St. Catherine’s School, Richmond, Virginia

Richmond Ballet, Richmond, Virginia

Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia

Canterbury School, Greensboro, N.C.

Institute for the Arts and Humanities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Sheltering Arms Hospital, Richmond, Virginia

Richmond Friends of Stratford Hall

James Duncan Berry was born in Lakewood, Ohio, to nationally syndicated editorial cartoonist James Osmyn Berry (1932-2015) and Heather Aileen Berry (née Duncan; 1934-2014). He is married to Kristen Anne Berry (née Weber). He attended the Landon School for Boys (’78) and the College of Wooster (Honors, ’82) before being named a University Scholar in the Department of the History of Art and Architecture at Brown University (A.M. ’85, Ph.D. ’89). He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to attend the University of Vienna (Austria) as well as an IREX (now Fulbright) Scholarship at the Technical University of Dresden (former East Germany), and studied in Paris, Zurich, and Munich. He has taught history of art and architecture on the faculties of Brown University, Rhode Island School of Design, and Roger Williams University and have published and lectured internationally on the topic of his doctoral dissertation. More recently, he has taught courses on “Semiotics and Neuromarketing” in the graduate program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

Following an enjoyably brief academic career, Mr. Berry became involved in a high-end import/export business in India and Southeast Asia. After a decade in that field, he launched a consulting practice for consumer-facing Fortune 500 companies, research firms, and design agencies that employs clinical-grade neuroscientific tools to capture and map the biology of consumer response to commercial imagery. 

Memberships

• Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (Governor General, 2026-2028; Massachusetts Society, two-term Governor; New York Society, Secretary)          

• Society of the Cincinnati (Connecticut Society, Committee on Pretentions)

• General Society of Colonial Wars (Massachusetts Society, Registrar; Gentleman of the Council; Florida Society, member)

• Colonial Order of the Acorn

• General Society Sons of the Revolution (Massachusetts Society, Secretary)

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States 

• Jamestowne Society (New England Company)

• Descendants of Cape Cod and the Islands (Historian General)

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (Massachusetts Society)

• Winthrop Society

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (Cape Cod Chapter, Secretary)

Published In

The New Criterion, Journal of the Cape Cod Genealogical Society (multiple articles over the last ten years) as well as various professional podcasts, blogs, and periodicals.

Authorships

Vison for Harwich (2025) and forthcoming The Semiotic Margin: Image, Affect, and the Experience of Value (2026) as well as scholarship on late-nineteenth century architecture and architectural theory in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, and France written between the late 1980s and early 2000s. 

Other Notes

Somerset Club (Boston, MA); Colonial Society of Massachusetts (Life Member); Planning Board of the Town of Harwich (Chair); Harwich Historical Society (Vice President); Hyannis Yacht Club (Hyannis, MA); former Vestryman at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church (Chatham, MA); former Secretary of Pilgrim Lodge A. F. & A. M. (Harwich, MA), as well as York Rite and 32º Scottish Rite  (Northern Jurisdiction).

With deep roots as a twelfth-generation Cape Codder, Berry and his wife constitute the fifth consecutive generation to live in their family homestead (listed on the National Register of Historic Places); and are delighted to welcome their grandson as the first member of the eighth generation of Berrys to cross its threshold. In fact, within ten minutes of their driveway, they can trace the farms, grave sites, and dwellings (including his sixth and seventh great grandfathers’ homes) of every generation stretching back to the mid-1640s.

An early and abiding professional interest in architecture enabled him to spearhead recent efforts to re-zone his colonial village which, in turn, blossomed into a decade’s service (so far) on the Planning Board of the Town of Harwich. As Chair since the onset of COVID, Berry is currently engaged in a long-term restructuring of the town’s zoning regime to preserve and extend the beauty of nearly four centuries of continuous human habitation. The manifesto behind this work, Vision for Harwich (2025), can be accessed at visionforharwich.org. 

Professionally, he is wrapping up a monograph that synthesizes the logic tools, the neuroscientific principles, and the enduring lessons of the humanities for venture capital and private equity to grasp the biological roots of consumer behavior and the deeper patterns of demand dynamics.

Berry and his wife enjoy travel and are enthusiastic repeat visitors to Vienna for Christmas, New York for high culture, and Florida for family.

Thomas Edward Bird, Ph.D., son of Harry J. and Paula Wava Boyce Bird, was born in Rome, New York.  He currently resides in Valley Stream, New York, with his wife Mary Lynne Miller Bird. They are the parents of a son, Matthew David, and a daughter, Lisa Bronwen. Dr. Bird holds various degrees from Syracuse University, Middlebury College, and Princeton University.  He also attended Harvard University.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the US Army, completed the course of the Military Intelligence School at Fort Holabird, MD, serving at Fort George Meade in Washington, D.C.  He has been a faculty member at Emanuel College, Tufts University, and City University of New York. 

Memberships 

• Colonial Order of the Acorn

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America (Charter Member)

• Elder William Brewster Society (Elder)

• Founders Fellowship

• General Society of Colonial Wars

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants

• General Society of the War of 1812 (Atlantic District Vice President)

• Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors (Registrar)

• Military Society of the War of 1812

• National Society of Sons of the American Colonists (Honorary Governor General)

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (1st New York Continental Chapter, Founding Member; Historian); (Battle of Brooklyn Chapter Founding Member)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Former Governor New York Branch)

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens (Honorary Governor General)

• Order of the First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (Honorary Governor General)

• Saint David's Society of the State of New York (Honorary President)

• Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York (Historian)

• Society of Colonial Wars in the State of New York (Lieutenant Governor, Historian)

• Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Vermont

• Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of New York

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy (former Deputy Governor General)

• Society of the First Families of New York (Charter Member)

• Society of the Second War with Great Britain in the State of New York (Honorary President)

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• National Gavel Society

Chivalric Orders

The Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (Knight Grand Cross) and the recipient of the Pilgrim’s Shell from the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Other

Dr. Bird has held years-long membership in the Harvard Club of Boston, the Princeton Club of New York, and the Nassau Club of Princeton. He was named a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. He contributed to the Encyclopedia Brittanica Book of the Year for fifteen years and chaired Phi Beta Kappa Christian Gause Literary Award Jury.  He served as a consultant to the Ambassador to Belarus and to the Ambassador to the USSR. He has testified before several Congressional Commissions on such topics as Civil Rights in the Socialist Bloc and the state of Religious Communities in the Soviet Union.  He gave the keynote address on Human Rights Violations at a US Department of State sponsored conference.

Brady Brim-DeForest of Balvaird and Blairlogie, Baron of Balvaird, is the son of Bret DeForest and Shannon Read Brim. He is married to Jessica (neé Eriksen) and together they have four children. They maintain homes in Maine, Texas, and Scotland. He is an entrepreneur, investor, heraldist and antiquarian, and studied International Relations at the University of Southern California.

Mr. Brim-DeForest is the principal investor behind a diverse portfolio of ventures across sectors that include technology, frontier science, artificial intelligence, heritage preservation, and real estate. He is managing director of venture fund Late Stage Capital, and Chairman of Blushift Aerospace.

He is a philanthropic patron of genealogical and heraldic scholarship and has provided significant support to a range of academic, archival, and learned societies. Among these are the New England Historic Genealogical Society, where he has supported the establishment of the Brim-DeForest Library and related scholarly initiatives. He also served as patron of the 36th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences, as Patron of the American College of Heraldry, and as Patron of the American Heraldry Society. He has also endowed the Heraldic Institute's Brim-DeForest Early Career Fellowship.

A best-selling author, Brim-DeForest is also proprietor of Palfrey Press, a boutique press that specializes in authoritative books on important historical subjects, heraldry, oral histories, and other antiquarian matters. He is Governor of The Merchant Discoverers’ Company, new world medalists, engravers, and purveyors of sartorial elegance. 

He writes and speaks on topics including entrepreneurship, cultural continuity, the post-attention economy, and the intersection of technology and identity. 

Society Memberships

• Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Connecticut

• General Society Sons of the Revolution

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants

• Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts

• American Patrons of St George's and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter (1st Vice President, Pursuivant, 2025-present)

• Friends of St. Georges’ Chapel and the Knights of the Garter UK

• Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York (Life member)

• Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order of Albion (Knight)

• The Huguenot Society of America (Life member)

• Holland Society (Life member)

• Colonial Order of the Acorn

• Society of the First Families of New York 

• Saint Andrew’s Society of New York

• Saint George’s Society of New York

• Royal Society of Saint George

• Order of Lafayette

• Military Order of the World Wars 

• Order of the Star and Sail (Fleet Advisor)

• Clan MacPherson Association (Life member)

• Clan Forrester Society

Philanthropic & Non-Profit

• Trustee, New England Historic Genealogical Society / American Ancestors

• Board of Directors, College of Arms Foundation 

• Patron, Brim-DeForest Library, American Ancestors (Boston)

• Patron, 36th International Genealogical and Heraldic Congresses

• Patron, American College of Heraldry

• Patron, American Heraldry Society

Civic & Military

• Marshall of the Court of Perambulation, Stirling

• Freedom of the City of London

• Freedom of the City of Edinburgh

• Liveryman, Worshipful Company of Fletchers

• Burgess of the City of Glasgow

• Burgess of the City of Edinburgh

• Member, Incorporation of Bonnetmakers and Dyers of Edinburgh

• Member, Incorporation of Maltmen in Glasgow 

• Guild of Freeman of the City of London (Life member)

• The Honourable Company of Freemen of the City of London of North America (Life member)

• Gold’s Dragoons, Fairfield, Connecticut (1657)

Chivalric

• Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (OStJ; bestowed by Charles III, King of the United Kingdom)

Academic & Learned

• Member, Committee on Heraldry, New England Historic Genealogical Society (1864)

• Life Fellow, Royal Geographical Society

• Life Fellow, Royal Anthropological Society

• Life Fellow, Royal Society of Arts

• Life Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society

• Life Fellow, Royal African Society

• Fellow, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland

• Honorary Fellow, Heraldic Institute

• Fellow. International Napoleonic Society

• Fellow, International Association of Amateur Heralds

Heraldic

Granted armorial bearings and territorial designation (Brim-DeForest of Balvaird) by the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland in 2020. Later granted armorial bearings in England by Garter King of Arms in 2025. 

Listed In

• Social Register

• Burke’s Peerage & Landed Gentry

Other Notes

He is a Life Political Member of the National Liberal Club (London), a member of The Savages Club (London), a life member of the Royal Scots Club (Edinburgh), and a life member of the Spalding Gentlemen's Society (Lincolnshire). He is also a member of The Heraldry Society, a member of the Heraldry Society of Scotland, a Life Member of the White Lion Society, and a Life Member of the Royal Celtic Society, amongst others.

Melissa was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the daughter of Anne and Steven Harrison. A brother followed five years later. DuPont transferred the family to Virginia and then to Delaware. Melissa met her husband-to-be, the late Dr. Jeffrey Fischer, in high school as they worked on the newspaper and marching band. After college graduation, they married and moved to Maryland. Melissa has a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Science in Business Communications from Towson State University. 

Melissa began her career with Alex Brown Brokerage before changing to banking. Her specialty became commercial relationships, helping businesses navigate banking’s complexities. Melissa retired as a Vice President of Commercial Lending but continues to volunteer as chairman of Maryland business real estate loans for a non-profit lender.

Memberships 

• American Patrons of St. George's and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter

• Associated Daughters of Early American Witches (President, 2018-2020)

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Colonial Dames of America

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (Maryland Chaplain, 2024-2026)

• Crown and Sceptre

• Delmarva First Families (Re-organizing Treasurer, 2020-2025)

• Descendants of Brian Boru

• Descendants of Cape Cod and the Islands (Financial Review Chairman, 2018-2021)

• Descendants of Colonial Regulators ( President, 2025-2027)

• Descendants of Early American Governors (Founding Historian, 2023-2025)

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900 (Deputy President, 2023-2025)

• Descendants of Fossors (President, 2019-2023)

• Descendants of Founders of Places of Worship in America (Treasurer, 2025-2027)

• Descendants of Miners 1607-1907

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America (Counselor, 2020-2022)

• Dutch Colonial Society (Recording Secretary, 2012-2014)

• Elder William Brewster Society

• First Families of Tennessee

• First Settlers of the Shenandoah Valley

• Founders Fellowship (Treasurer, 2021-2029)

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (DC Finance Committee, 2010-2012)

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 (Financial Review Chairman, 2009)

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution (Deputy Governor, 2021-2023)

• Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America (Recording Secretary, 2025-2027)

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon (1st Vice President, 2021-2024)

• Hereditary Society of Teachers (Financial Review Chairman, 2013-2016)

• Jamestowne Society (First Maryland Company Treasurer, 2024-2026)

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries (Vice President, 2021-2027)

• National Gavel Society (Treasurer, 2025-2028)

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland (2nd Vice President, 2025-2027)

• National Huguenot Society (DC Chaplain, 2009-2015)

• National Society Antebellum Planters

• National Society Children of the American Revolution (Delaware Vice President, 1980-1982)

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century (Appointed National Officer, 2019-2021)

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars (Maryland Parliamentarian, 2009-2013)

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (National Chairman of Buildings and Grounds, 2004-2007)

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (1st Vice President, 2021-2023)

• National Society of New England Women (National Chairman, 2012-2023)

• National Society of Saints and Sinners (President, 2021-2026)

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (Maryland Board Manager, 2022-2028)

• National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor (National Chairman, 2021-2025)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• National Society Southern Dames of America (President, 2022-2024)

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (National Chairman, 2003-2006 and 2024-2027)

• National Society Women Descendants Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company (2nd Vice President, 2019-2022)

• Order of Alba (Vice President, 2025-2027)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (2nd Vice President, 2024-2028)

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens (President, 2023-2024)

• Order of Descendants of Pirates and Privateers

• Order of Descendants of the Justiciars (2nd Vice President, 2020-2022)

• Order of First Families of Connecticut 1633-1662

• Order of Monarchs of Rheims

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Descendants of El Cid (Treasurer, 2025-2028)

• Order of the First Families of Maine (2nd Vice President, 2021-2023)

• Order of the First Families of New Hampshire 1622-1680 (Newsletter Editor, 2012-2014)

• Order of the House of Wessex (Bylaws Committee, 2025-2026)

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands (Recording Secretary, 2020-2022)

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Order of the Norman Conquest (Counselor, 2022-2028)

• Order of the Star and Sail

• Order of the Steel Magnolias

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192 (Auditor General, 2009-2010)

• Plantagenet Society

• Point Lookout Prisoner of War Organization

• Presidential Families of America (2nd Vice President, 2022-2025)

• Scions of Freedom Signers (Founding Vice President, 2024-2028)

• Society of Descendants of Lady Godiva (Founding Newsletter Co-Editor, 2013-2016)

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy (Counselor, 2006-2009)

• Society of the First Families of New York

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers

• The Commonwealth Assembly (Founding President, 2022-present)

• The Griswold Family Association

• The IX (Founding Recording Secretary, 2019-present)

• United Daughters of the Confederacy (Division Vice President, 2014-2016)

• Winthrop Society (Recording Secretary, 2024-2026)

Other 

• Chairman of Maryland loan committee for Business Finance Group, a metro D.C. non-profit providing small business real estate loans.

• Smeal College of Business at Penn State, Advisor to sophomores on majors.

• Penn State “Fostering Lions” sponsor, helping with living expenses for students formerly in foster care.

Melissa and her brother joined C.A.R. when their mother joined DAR, starting her love of genealogy. While working in Washington, she walked to the DAR library during lunch, finding her first gateway and a growing list of ancestors. This led to joining more societies and then leadership positions. She has served as the National Presiding Officer of five Hereditary groups and currently serves as President of two as well as treasurer of the National Gavel Society and Founders Fellowship.

Melissa enjoys traveling: she cruised South Africa, France, Alaska, and Antarctica in 2025 then French Polynesia in January 2026. English Channel, Nile River, and Mediterranean cruises and a Kenya safari are booked for future adventures.

Colonel Richard Alan Gregory was born in Queens County, New York, to Albert William Gregory and Eleanore Roman. He has one son, William Albert Gregory II. He graduated from the New York Military Academy in Cornwall-On-Hudson, N.Y. in 1968 and from Monmouth College in West Long Branch, N.J. in 1972. He is a Colonel with the 9th Field Artillery Regiment, Veteran Corps of Artillery, State of New York (VCASNY). 

He is a Florida‑licensed Realtor and currently holds multiple executive leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer of the United States Detective Bureau, Inc. in New Jersey; Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Protection & Investigation, Inc. in Florida; and Director and Chief Executive Officer of Charlemagne University, Ltd., headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia.

His prior professional experience spans significant roles in both nonprofit and healthcare institutions. He previously served as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York, Executive Director at the North Shore–LIJ Health System (now Northwell Health), and Director at the New York Hospital–Cornell Medical Center.

Society Memberships 

• American Patrons of St. George's and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Friends & Descendants of St George's (Descendants of Knights of the Garter)

• General Society of Colonial Wars

• General Society of the War of 1812

• General Society Sons of the Revolution

• Jamestowne Society

• Military Society of the War of 1812 (President)

• National Gavel Society

• National Society Americans of Royal Descent

• National Society of Sons of the American Colonists

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers

• Order of Monarchs of Rheims

• Order of the Crown in America

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty (Founding President General)

• Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York

• Veteran Corps of Artillery State of New York (Colonel, Quarter Master, Firing Battery Commander)

Other Notes: 

Gregory is the Founding President General of the Order of the Merovingian Dynasty (2004-2009) which was conceived, created and established in 2004, naming 23 founding members. He designed the Order’s regalia with Spink & Sons, Ltd, London, UK, Royal Warrant Holders as medalists to the Crown.

He was President of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of Florida (2021-2024); President 1st New York Continental Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (2009-2011).

He is the past Worshipful Master of Gardens Lodge No. 366 F&AM Palm Beach Gardens Florida. Life Member, Kane Lodge No. 454 F&AM of New York City. Ancient Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, New York City: Columbian Council, Cryptic Masons, New York City, Morton Commandery Knights Templar, New York City, Gold Coast Council No 132 Knight Masons.

Sharon Ann Warner Hare was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Richard Godfrey Warner and Shirley Lucille Tieg. She married Eugene Thomas Hare and together they have three children, Gene, Stephanie and Amber. 

Mrs. Hare graduated from Providence High School in New Lenox, Illinois, and she attended college in Illinois. For three decades, she was involved in educational philanthropy, serving as both an elected board member and president of a large school district. During her presidency, she led initiatives to strengthen graduation requirements. She organized and directed a successful referendum, personally advocated the state and capitol for legislation which became state law that mandated background checks on school employees. She also served on other boards in her community. She is currently retired.

Memberships

• Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order of Albion (Dame)

• Colonial Dames of America (Former Board Member; Chapter President)

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Society of Indiana Pioneers

• National Society of New England Women (Colony Vice President) 

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors (Chaplain General)

• Jamestowne Society

Other

Mrs. Hare was honored to receive the Van Rensselaer Award by The Colonial Dames of America. Her local chapter also received the Excellence Award for its work with the National Museum of the American Sailor. Military history has been a long-standing passion of hers. In other lineage societies, she has served on a variety of committees. She believes thoughtful participation is the best way to understand and steward an institution. She most often serves on finance and audit committees where careful oversight ensures resources are managed with integrity and oversight. She has been engaged in volunteer service since her early teens, beginning at a nursing home and later working in a hospital. In the more recent years, she has dedicated her time to cancer-stricken children and their families. During the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, she sewed more than 2,000 face masks to fulfill nationwide requests. Many of them were through her lineage and civic organizations. In a time marked by uncertainty and limited reliable information, she worked tirelessly in the hope that her efforts might offer protection and reassurance.

Mrs. Hare is passionate about all things Chicago. She belongs to the Women’s Athletic Club, the Art Institute, and The Chicago History Museum. She enjoys operas, symphonies, and the great jazz and blues music the city has to offer. Sharon and her husband, Eugene, are members of the Social Register Association. Her other interests include her husband of almost 57 years, their children and grandchildren’s activities. She enjoys piano, painting, and gardening. She is an avid reader of history, biography, art and architecture. Travel is an important dynamic in her family whether it’s riding elephants bareback in Thailand, descending the steps in King Tut’s tomb, or their annual trips to Europe.

Sonja "Sunny" Jean Saether Hayes was born in Chicago, Cook, IL to Martin Edward and Dorothea Eileen Slaughter Saether. She married William Foster Hayes and had three children, Jennifer Lynn, Jessica Lorel, and Jacquelyn Lee.

Mrs. Hayes has a B.S. in Business Education, an M.S. in Business Education, and a C.A.S. in Business Education from Northern Illinois University. She also took various graduate courses from other colleges. Mrs. Hayes taught high school business courses for eight years and then went to Triton College where she taught Court Reporting. She served as an Educational Consultant to the National Court Reporters Association 1988-1994 and retired as Professor Emeritus after 36 years of teaching. She became interested in genealogy in 1980 when her mother said she knew nothing about her family.

Society Memberships 

• American Ex-Prisoners of War

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars

• Crispell Family

• Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865

• Descendants of Brian Boru

• Descendants of Colonial Mothers 1607 - July 4, 1776 (President General 2025-2027)

• Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers 

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900

• Descendants of Fossors

• Descendants of Miners 1607-1907 (Founder; President General 2019-2024)

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America (Treasurer General 2024-2026)

• Descendants of the Green Mountain Boys

• Dutch Colonial Society (Treasurer General 2024-2026)

• Flagon and Trencher

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution (Chaplain General 2023-2025)

• Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America (Treasurer General 2019-2027)

• Hereditary Order of the First Families of Massachusetts (Chaplain General 2024-2026)

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon

• Hereditary Society of Teachers (Chaplain General 2020-2023)

• Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries

• Military Order of the Crusades

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

• National Huguenot Society

• National Order of the Blue and Gray (Chaplain General 2021-2027)

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865

• National Society Descendants of American Farmers

• National Society Descendants of American Railroad Workers 

• National Society Descendants of Colonial Indentured Servants

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers

• National Society of New England Women

• National Society of Saints and Sinners

• National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor (National Trustee 2021-2023)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• National Society Southern Dames of America

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812

• National Society Women Descendants Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co.

• Order of Alba

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens (Treasurer General 2019-2027)

• Order of Descendants of Pirates and Privateers

• Order of Descendants of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company (Governor 2024-2026)

• Order of Descendants of the Justiciars

• Order of First Families of Connecticut 1633-1662 (Chaplain 2022-2026)

• Order of First Families of Vermont 1609-1791

• Order of Medieval Women: Women of Consequence

• Order of Star and Sail (Co-Founder; Treasurer General)

• Order of the Descendants of Native Americans and Friends (Co-Founder; Registrar General 2019-2025)

• Order of the First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

• Order of the First Scottish War of Independence, 1296-1320 (Founder; President)

• Order of the House of Wessex

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Order of the Norman Conquest

• Order of the Sovereigns of Ancient Scandinavia

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Order of William the Marshal 

• Plymouth Hereditary Society

• Presidential Families of America

• Registry of Infamous and Famous Relatives in American Families

• Scions of Freedom Signers (Co-Founder; Chaplain)

• Society of Descendants of Lady Godiva

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• Society of the First Families of New York

• Society of the Order of the Southern Cross

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• The IX (Chaplain 2019 -)

• Winthrop Society (Chaplain General 2022-2028)

• National Gavel Society

Published In

• “Internship – A Practical Approach to Teaching Court Reporting” in the Business Education Forum, a publication of the National Business Education Association, May 1980.

• “How to Prepare Course Outlines” in the National Shorthand Reporter, a publication of the National Court Reporters Association, November 1988.

• “Spicing Up Dictation Material to Flavor the Classroom Routine” in the National Shorthand Reporter, January 1991.

• “Methods of Teaching Current Events to Court Reporting Students, Part I” in BASElines, a publication of the National Court Reporters Association, Summer 1995.  Part II appeared Fall, 1995.

• “First Ladies Minute,” a semi-annual column in The Executive Diary, a publication of the Hereditary Order of the Families of the Presidents and First Families of America.

Notes 

In 1999, Hayes was awarded the Illinois Court Reporters Association Award of Excellence for Outstanding Educator. She often spoke at teachers’ conferences sponsored by the National Court Reporters Association. Currently, she is the treasurer of the Illinois Heritage Alliance, where Illinois genealogy societies meet annually. She is also taking classes from the Institute of Continued Learning at Roosevelt University. 

Her hobbies include travel and genealogy. She traveled abroad extensively with her husband before he passed away, having visited 73 countries. Recently, her travel consists of genealogy meetings in the United States with friends.

Anne Bernadette Caussin Henninger was born in Washington, D.C., to Marcel Jean Caussin and Marion Ethyl Thompson Caussin. She is married to Thomas Noble Henninger and has two children:  Luke Thomas Henninger and Brittany Anne Henninger.

She attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, in Washington, D.C., George Washington University, also in Washington, D.C., and the University of Maryland, College Park, MD.

Anne was a Park Ranger for the National Park Service, 1976-1983. She worked at the Department of Defense, Defense Counterintelligence and Security Service, 1983-2016. She retired as Deputy Chief, Field Counterintelligence Operations, Capital Region, and was the first woman in that agency to hold a Chief/Deputy Chief position. She received specialty training in Advanced Interviewing Techniques at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and graduated from the Joint Counterintelligence Training Academy and the OPM Management Development Center with a LEAD Certificate. 

Memberships 

• The National Gavel Society (President, 2025-2028)

• Order of the First Families of New Hampshire 1622-1680 (Governor General, 2018-2020; Honorary Governor General, 2020)

• National Guild of St. Margaret of Scotland (President General, 2019-2021; Honorary President General, 2021)

• Winthrop Society (President, 2020-2022; President Emerita, 2022)

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (National Presiding Clerk, 2021-2023)

• Dutch Colonial Society (President, 2024-2026)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (President General, 2024-2026)

• National Society Women Descendants of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company (President National, 2025-2028)

• National Society Founders of Places of Worship in America (President General, 2025-2027)

• Associated Daughters of Early American Witches (1st Vice President General, 2024-2026)

• Descendants of Brian Boru (First Deputy Governor)

• National Society Dames of the Court of Honor (2nd Vice President General, 2023-2025)

• Jamestowne Society (Governor, First Maryland Company, 2022- 2026; Historian)

• National Society of Saints and Sinners (Vice President, 2018-2022, 2022-2026)

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (Governor, DC State Society, 2018-2020)

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Maryland State Historian, 2012-2015; National Vice Chairman, 2014-2017)

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America (2nd Vice President General, 2024-2026)

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 (National Recording Secretary, 2013-2015; National Corresponding Secretary, 2015-2017)

• National Society of New England Women (DC Colony Historian, 2019-2021, 2021-2023)

• Cloak and Dagger

• Colonial Dames of America

• Colonial Dames XVII Century

• National Society Colonial Dames of America

• Descendants of American Prisoners of War

• Descendants of Cape Cod and the Islands

• Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers

• Descendants of Early American Governors 1607-1860

• Descendants of Fossors

• Flagon & Trencher

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants

• Hereditary Order of the Families of the Presidents and First Ladies of America

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries

• National Society Daughters of American Colonists

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• National Society Southern Dames of America

• Order of Alba

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne

• Order of the Descendants of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company

• Order of the Descendants of El Cid

• Order of the Descendants of the Justiciars

• Order of the Descendants of Native Americans and Friends

• Order of the First Families of Connecticut

• Order of the First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations 1636-1647

• Order of the House of Wessex

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Land

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Order of the Monarchs of Rheims

• Order of the Norman Conquest

• Order of the Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Pilgrim Hopkins Heritage Society

• Scions of Freedom Signers

• Society of the Descendants of the Founders of Hartford

• Society of the Descendants of Lady Godiva

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar

• Soule Kindred in America

• Thomas Rogers Society

• Thomas Stanton Society

Published In 

The Continental Soldier

Authorships

Ties that Bind.  A three-part article on textiles in Revolutionary America.

Other Notes 

Anne has had a lifelong interest in history and costuming, and has researched and lectured on 17th, 18th, and 19th century textiles and historic dress.  At various times she has been a member of the Costume Society of America and the British Costume Society.  She served multiple terms as President of the First Maryland Regiment, the oldest Revolutionary War reenactment unit in the U.S., formed before the Bicentennial, and on the National Board of the Continental Line, the umbrella organization for Continental reenacting units.

She was awarded the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Medal.

Anne is a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, where she has served as a lector for 30 years.

Donald Neal Lamson, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, is the son of Paul Henry Lamson and Shirley Millar Lamson. He is married to Bernadette Fowler Lamson and has two sons: Clifford Dalton Lamson and Samuel Locke Lamson.  Mr. Lamson attended Milton Academy, was graduated from Harvard College, cum laude in General Studies, and received his J. D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He is a Councilor of the New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Mr. Lamson is an expert in the law of bank regulation.  He first practiced at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the regulator of national banks. Beginning as a litigator in federal district courts and courts of appeals around the country, Donald went on to specialize in the corporate, securities, trust, and derivatives activities of banks. He then joined a Wall Street law firm, Sherman & Sterling as a partner, where he advised large domestic and foreign banks and foreign central banks concerning financial services regulation. He later joined Squire Patton Boggs as Counsel.  He has published numerous opinion pieces, articles, and chapters in financial treatises concerning financial regulation. 

Memberships

• Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts

• Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order of Albion

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta (Chancellor)

• Colonial Order of the Acorn

• General Society of Colonial Wars (Past Chancellor, DC Society)

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (Past Governor, DC Society)

• General Society of the War of 1812 (Past President, DC Society)

• General Society Sons of the Revolution (Past President, DC Society)

• Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors

• Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America (Founder)

• Huguenot Society of America

• National Society Americans of Royal Descent

• One Hundred Living Descendants of Blood Royal

• Order of Americans of Armorial History

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States

• Order of the Crown in America (First Vice President General)

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (Attorney General; past Governor, DC Society)

• Society of the Cincinnati (Member, Standing Committee, NH Society)

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• Son of a Witch

Edward R. Lief, son of Walter and Julia Lief, is a native of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He has worked in the academic, corporate, governmental, and nonprofit realms. 

Memberships

• National Gavel Society

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy (Chancellor General; Past Governor General)

• National Society of Sons of the American Colonists (Treasurer General; former Librarian General)

• General Society Sons of the Revolution (Minnesota Society, former President)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Minnesota Branch, Councilor; former Governor)

• Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts 

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America

• Flagon and Trencher

• Hereditary Order of the First Families of Massachusetts

• Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies

• National Society Children of the American Colonist (former Treasurer General)

• National Society of Sons of Colonial New England (former Secretary General)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Presidential Families of America

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

Civic/Charitable 

• American Academy of Achievement 

• Society for Promoting Theological Education 

• Toastmasters International

Other

Mr. Lief long admired his mother’s doing her own genealogical research. (That led to her memberships in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution; National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America, National Society Daughters of the American Colonists; National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims; and the Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy.) 

Even though Mr. Lief was highly admiring of what he viewed as his mother’s hobby of genealogy, he was not personally involved in such. That changed when the late Mr. John Winthrop Sears of Boston, Massachusetts voluntarily did additional research at the New England Historic Genealogical Society on Mr. Lief’s ancestors. Amazed at such a thoughtful gift, Mr. Lief took up Mr. Sears’ challenge to become personally engaged in genealogy. 

Even though his mother’s genealogical research formed a sufficient basis for him to qualify for membership in many societies, Mr. Lief felt both a calling and an obligation to add to his mother’s research prior to submitting his own membership applications. This, he was able to fill in various “blanks” (birthdays, marriage dates, death dates, locations, etc.) and the doing of such modest research gave him an appreciation for the work that genealogists do. 

Mr. Lief credits two long-time national leaders in hereditary organizations with his having been able to gain a rich appreciation of the hereditary society traditions and for the encouragement they provided that he serve in officer capacities. The gentlemen he recognizes with appreciation in this regard are: 

• Mr. Peter Arrott Dixon of Alexandria, Virginia 

• The late Mr. John Hallberg Jones of Minneapolis, Minnesota

Davena Louise Rigel-Liepman was born in Wichita, Kansas, to David J. Rigel and Margaret Louise Weir. She was married to the late James Morres Liepman and has seven step-children, Jimmy (Virginia), Mark (Texas), Johnny (Texas), Barbara (Texas), Mary (Texas), Margaret (Kansas), and the late C.J.

Davena studied at Friends University and earned a Bachelor of Art Education from Wichita State University in 1966 She taught Art Education at Pleasant Valley Junior High School. She is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, CA. She was also Vice President and Treasurer of the Southwest Fine Jewelry Show, where she helped establish a scholarship program for the Lone Star GIAAA Alumni.

Society Memberships 

• American Rosie the Riveter Association

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (Texas Society Historian)

• Descendants of Colonial Mothers 1607 - July 4, 1776

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900

• First Families of Ohio

• Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia

• National Society Children of the American Revolution

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century 

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• National Society Daughters of the British Empire in the USA

• National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865

• National Society Descendants of American Farmers (Co-Founder and National Registrar)

• National Society Descendants of American Railroad Workers 

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers

• National Society Dames of the Court of Honor

• National Society of the Descendants of Textile Workers of America, Inc.

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (Historian General)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims 

• National Society Southern Dames of America

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (Wyoming Society State Registrar; Texas Society Chaplain)

• Order of the First Families of Maryland

• Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692

• Order of the Steel Magnolias

• Prairie Pioneers

• Sons and Daughters of Kansas Pioneers

• Sons and Daughters of Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers

• Sons and Daughters of World War II Veterans

• Texas Genealogical College 

• United Daughters of the Confederacy 

Awards

• Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution Martha Washington Award (x 2)

• TSSAR Silver Service Medal

• Lady Liberty Award

• U.S.D. 1812 Spirit of 1812 Award

• Yellow Rose of Texas Award

Other Notes

Davena has a lifelong passion for history, one grounded in family and lineage. In 2019, she was inducted into the Texas Genealogical College Hall of Fame. She’s an accomplished speaker having presented programs for U.S.D. 1812 State Societies in Wyoming, Arkansas, and Nevada. As Co-Founder and National Registrar of the National Society Descendants of American Farmers, she has processed more than 1,765 membership applications in six years. After relocating to The Woodlands, Texas, she helped found the Woodlands Unity School of Christianity Church (UNITY). Davena Rigel-Liepman and her sister, Janisue, were members of Job’s daughters and then North Star Chapter Wichita, Kansas, Eastern Star. Their parents were both members of Eastern Star. Their father, David, was a member of Blue Lodge and was a 32nd degree mason and active in both Masonry and Shriners. Their mother, Margaret, was the wardrobe-seamstress for Wichita Masonic Consistory lodge for more than 25 years. She meticulously replicated and repaired the robes and made their hats. Her work was acknowledged in The Wichita Eagle newspaper. Both parents traveled to Washington, D.C., where Margaret was honored for her talents at the Washington Masonic Lodge.

Charles Clement Lucas, Jr., MD, ABFP, son of Charles Clement Lucas, Sr., and Sallie Elizabeth Williams was born in Wilson, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received an A.B. in Chemistry and History, and the Doctor of Medicine. He completed his medical training at Duke University where he was Chief Resident of Family Practice. He was elected to membership in the Order of the Old Well at the University of North Carolina. For his medical leadership activities in North Carolina he received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award given by the State of North Carolina.

Dr. Lucas served in the United States Public Health Service from 1970-1972 and was commissioned as Senior Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Lucas moved to New York City in 1979 where he lived until 1988 when he moved to Greenwich, Connecticut. He maintains a private practice of internal medicine in Larchmont, New York, and is certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He is the father of Christina Cady Lucas and Ryan Clare Lucas.

 Memberships

• Order of First Families of Virginia 1607-1624/25

• Order of the Founders and Patriots of America (Governor General; former Governor of Connecticut Society)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Honorary President General)

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States (Senior Vice Commander)

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty (Honorary President General; Founder Member)

• Veteran Corps of Artillery State of New York (Past Commandant; Past President of the Council of Administration)

• Military Society of the War of 1812 (Past President)

• Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters (Past President)

• National Society of Sons of the American Colonists (President General)

• General Society of Colonial Wars (Member of the New York, Florida and North Carolina Societies; former Steward of the New York Society)

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192 (Corresponding Secretary)

• National Society Americans of Royal Descent (Curator General)

• Order of the Norman Conquest (Second Vice President General)

• Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order of Albion (Knight)

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America (Surgeon General)

• Order of the Crown in America (Third Vice President General)

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta (Justiciar)

• Military Order of the Crusades

• One Hundred Living Descendants of Blood Royal

• National Order of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe

• Aztec Club of 1847

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers (former Secretary General)

• Colonial Society of Pennsylvania

• La Société Française de Bienfaisance

• General Society Sons of the Revolution (former Surgeon General; former President and life member of the New York Society; member of North Carolina Society)

• General Society of the War of 1812 (former Council Member)

• Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States

• Jamestowne Society (former National Councilor; former Governor of the New England Company)

• Order of First Families of North Carolina

• Order of Alba (Third Vice President General)

• Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York (former Physician)

• Saint George's Society of New York

• Saint David's Society of the State of New York

• New England Society in the City of New York

• Huguenot Society of America

• National Huguenot Society

• Military Order of the World Wars

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (First New York Continental Chapter; Member of the North Carolina Society; former President of the Captain Matthew Mead Branch #11 in Connecticut)

• Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States

• Welsh Society of Philadelphia

• Royal Society of Saint George

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• National Society Sons of Colonial New England

• Flagon and Trencher

• Huguenot Society of South Carolina

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (former Council Member)

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692 (Surgeon General)

• Order of Descendants of Pirates and Privateers (Surgeon)

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783

• National Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

• National Society of Saints and Sinners

• Sons of Confederate Veterans

• Order of the First Families of Maryland

• National Gavel Society

• Saint Andrews Society of North Carolina, Inc.

• Founders Society of South Carolina

• Society of the Second War with Great Britain in the State of New York

• Society of Descendants of Knights of the Garter (Descendant Member)

• Naval Order of the United States (New York Commandery)

• Clans McFarland, Stewart, Galbraith

• The Augustan Society

Chivalric Orders

• The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem (Officer, bestowed by Elizabeth II, Queen of England)
• Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Chirurgeon, Priory of Saint Michael and Saint George of New York City)

Notes

COL Lucas was granted a Coat of Arms and a Letter Patent by William David Hamilton Sellar, Lord Lyon of Scotland in the name of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 27 October 2009. The arms have been registered with all accrediting bodies.

He was a member of the Pilgrims of the United States; the Church Club of New York; Squadron A Association of New York; Northeast Harbor Fleet; The University Club of Chicago; Soldiers Sailors Marines Airmen Club; American Philosophical Society; Youth Foundation of the City of New York; Christ Episcopal Church, Greenwich; New York Academy of Sciences; North Carolina Society of the City of New York; The Dinner Dancers of the City of New York.

COL Lucas was a Board member of the Lincoln Cathedral Foundation and former member of the Holland Lodge #8, F &AM; Ancient Chapter No.1, Royal Arch Masons; Morton Commandery No. 4, New York City, Knights Templar; Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of New York, 32nd degree. In addition, Dr. Lucas is a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels.

Stephen Stewart Madsen was born in Spokane, Washington, to Henry Stephen Madsen and Sarah Pope Stewart Madsen. He married Rebecca Wetherill Howard Madsen and they have children Stephen Stewart Madsen, Jr.; Lawrence Wetherill Madsen; Christina Wetherill Madsen; and Benton Howard Madsen. Stephen attended West Geauga High School in Chesterland, Ohio, through 10th grade. He then attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, from which he graduated in 1969. He graduated from Harvard College in 1973 and Columbia Law School in 1980. 

Following law school Stephen served as a law clerk to the Hon. Amalya L. Kearse, Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. He practiced law at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, starting as an associate attorney in 1981 and becoming a partner in 1988. He retired from the Firm in 2012. 

Society Memberships 

• American Society of the Italian Legions of Merit

• Colonial Order of the Acorn (Board member)

• General Society of Colonial Wars (Deputy Chancellor General; past Governor, in the State of New York)

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (past Governor, in the State of New York)

• Saint George's Society of New York

• Society of the Cincinnati (Connecticut Society)

• Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick of the City of New York

• The Pilgrims of the United States

Published In

The Harvard Advocate, The Mississippi Review, The Lyric, Perpectives, and The American Psychoanalyst 

Authorships

Author (with E.R. Chesler) of Removal to Federal Court in Commercial Litigation in New York State Courts (R.L. Haig ed. 2010)

Editor (with B. Hart and R. Hubbard) of New York Antitrust and Consumer Protection Law (3d ed. 2011)

Chivalric Orders

Ufficiale, Ordine al Merito della Repúbblica Italiana (Knight Officer, Order of Merit of the Republic of Italy)

Other Memberships

• Member, New York State Bar Association; member and past Chair, Antitrust Law Section

• Member, New York City Bar Association; member and past Vice Chair, Judiciary Committee

• Member, Federal Bar Council

• Trustee, New York Genealogical & Biographical Society

• Member, English-Speaking Union

• Member, Union Club of the City of New York; past Secretary; past member, Governing Committee

• Member, Rockaway Hunting Club; past member, Board of Governors

• Member, Lawrence Beach Club

• Member, Long Island Wyandanch Club 

• Member, Harvard Club of New York City

• Member, Board of Visitors and Dean’s Council, Columbia Law School

• Past member, Board of Trustees, La Scuola d’Italia; Board Chairman, 2005 – 2012 

• Member, Board of Directors, IBLA Foundation, 2006 – present

• Member, Board of Governors, Hill-Stead Museum, 1995 – 2003, 2014 - present

• Member, Vestry, St. Bartholomew’s Church, 1995 – 2004

Other 

Stephen is the lead guitarist in a rock and roll band called Sundance, originally formed in 1970. His other interests include reading and writing poetry and shooting.

Beverly Jo "Bo" Pipe Maher, a native of St. Louis, Missouri is the daughter of Beverly Jean Schock and Frank Emerson Pipe. Her Great Grandfather, Elmer Schock owned Kennett Castle in Festus, Missouri during the years 1916-1929 where her mother spent many Summers during her childhood. She has been married to Kevin A. Maher, Sr. for forty-nine years and they have two sons, Ryan Emerson and Kevin A. Maher, Jr. and six grandchildren, Beverly, Eleanor, Philip, Kevin III, Robert, and Mary.

After graduating in three years from SMU with a BA in Marketing, Mrs. Maher began her business career in St. Louis where she used her grandmother’s recipe to produce French Cookies for Neiman Marcus. She then joined St. Louis County Bank as their Public Relations and Marketing Officer. When her first son was born, Mrs. Maher immersed herself into fundraising and volunteer organizations, including The Junior League, Children’s Hospital, Kappa Alpha Theta, JDF and her children’s schools. She and her husband have been very active in various business organizations including YPO, WPO and CEO.

Memberships

• The Jamestowne Society

• Order of Medieval Women

• Baronial Order of The Magna Charta (Surety)

• Order of The Crown of Charlemagne

• The Descendants of The Knights Templar

• Order of The Norman Conquest (Previous Secretary)

• National Society of The Colonial Dames in America in The State of Maryland

• The Order of The Merovingian Dynasty

• The Order of The First Families of Maryland

• The Military Order of The Crusades

• Society Of Descendants of Lady Godiva

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• National Society Americans of Royal Descent

Chivalric Orders

The Most Venerable Order of The Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem bestowed by Charles III King of England

Other

Mrs. Maher and her husband now reside in Naples, Florida where she is a member of The Naples Garden Club and The League Club. She now runs her family’s Foundation supporting many interests in St. Louis, Washington D.C., New York, and Naples. She enjoys restoring and decorating old houses, traveling, gardening, and playing golf.

David William Medeiros was born in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Manuel Medeiros Jr., and Beatrice Louise Russell Medeiros. He married the former Lina Maria Ferreira Lameiro. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering at MIT, Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University and a Master of Science in Management at Sloan School of Management, MIT. David is currently retired after a long career as a Nuclear Safeguards Engineer and Management Consultant. 

Society Memberships 

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Bunker Hill Society

• Descendants of Brian Boru

• Descendants of Cape Cod and the Islands

• Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers (Lieutenant Commander)

• Descendants of Early American Governors

• Descendants of Templar Knights

• Descendants of the Knights of the Bath

• Dutch Colonial Society (Patroon)

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (Governor, European Society 2020 – 2022)

• General Society of the War of 1812

• General Society Sons of the Revolution

• Hereditary Order of the First Families of Massachusetts

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries

• Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States

• Military Order of the Crusades

• Military Order of the Southern Cross in the Pacific Theatre

• Military Society of the War of 1812

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

• National Order of the Blue and Gray

• National Society Americans of Royal Descent

• National Society of Saints and Sinners

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (Advisory Council)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• Naval Order of the United States

• Order of Alba (Counselor, Chaplain General)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Director)

• Order of Cloak and Dagger

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens

• Order of Descendants of Pirates and Privateers

• Order of Descendants of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company

• Order of Descendants of the Justiciars

• Order of First Families of Connecticut 1633-1662

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States

• Order of Monarchs of Rheims

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Descendants of El Cid (Corresponding Secretary)

• Order of the Descendants of Native Americans and Friends

• Order of the First Families of Maine (Historian, 2025 – 2027)

• Order of the First Families of New Hampshire 1622-1680 (Recording Secretary, 2026-2028)

• Order of the First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

• Order of the First Scottish War of Independence

• Order of the First World War

• Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692

• Order of the House of Wessex

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands (Governor General, 2024 – 2026)

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Order of the Norman Conquest (Secretary General, 2026-2028)

• Order of the Second World War

• Order of the Sovereigns of Ancient Scandinavia

• Order of the Star and Sail

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Order of William the Marshal 

• Presidential Families of America

• Scions of Freedom Signers

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge

• Society of the First Families of New York

• Son of a Witch

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861 (Chaplain General)

• Sons and Daughters of the First Settlers of Newbury Massachusetts

• Sons of the American Legion

• Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

• The IX 

• Winthrop Society (Secretary)

Other Notes

David is a Kentucky Colonel and Fellow, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.

Constance Suzanne Brooks Paradiso was born in Washington D.C., to Kerford Southgate Brooks and Nancy Shelor Whitlow. She married Bruce Edmund Paradiso in 1998. She attended Radford College University, in Radford, VA majoring in Merchandising and Marketing. Her career included property and personnel management, commercial sales and business ownership.

Memberships

• American Patrons of St. George's and Descendants of the Knights of the Garter

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta (Surety, Class of 2030)

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (State Governor; National Insignia Chair 2014-2016)

• Descendants of Brian Boru

• Descendants of Colonial Mothers 1607 - July 4, 1776

• Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers (Courier and Webmaster; Founding Officer)

• Descendants of the Knights of the Bath

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 (Corresponding Secretary General)

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon (1st Deputy Governor 2024-2026)

• Jamestowne Society (Jamestowne Shoppe Committee Chairman 2019-2027)

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries

• Military Order of the Crusades

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland (Councilor, Trustee, Nominating Committee)

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century (Virginia Honorary State President)

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century (Honorary Chapter President)

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars (State Registrar)

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (State Librarian; Chapter Registrar; Chapter Vice Regent)

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Chapter Registrar; State VIS Committee Co-Chair)

• National Society of Saints and Sinners (Merchandising Committee 2026-2028)

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (Wilton Museum Development Committee, Virginia T&C Rep)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Treasurer General)

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (State Recording Secretary; Chapter President)

• Order of Alba (Treasurer General)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Finance Committee Member)

• Order of Bacon's Rebellion (Stationer; Webmaster; Co-Founder)

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers

• Order of Descendants of the Justiciars (Chaplain General)

• Order of Medieval Women: Women of Consequence

• Order of Monarchs of Rheims (Chair-The American Project Committee)

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Descendants of El Cid (Recording Secretary General)

• Order of the First Families of Maryland

• Order of the House of Wessex (Treasurer General)

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands (Governor General 2026-2028)

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty (Chair-Website Development Committee)

• Order of the Norman Conquest

• Order of the Sovereigns of Ancient Scandinavia (Sovereign 2026-2028; Parliamentarian; Webmaster)

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Order of William the Marshal (Councilor; Webmaster)

• Society of Daughters of Holland Dames

• Society of Descendants of Lady Godiva

• Society of the 1704 Virginia Quit Rents (2nd Vice President; Webmaster)

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers

• The IX

• Virginia Huguenot Society (President General 2023-2027)

• The Society of Mareen Duvall Descendants

• The Descendants of the Templar Knights (BOMC, MOC)

• Founders Fellowship

Authorships

Historic Sites Marked by Virginia Society Colonial Dames XVII Century

1951-2022, copyright 2023; State President’s Project 2021-2023

Produced four booklets on local history as Chairman of the Waynesboro Historical Commission

and available to the public in the Waynesboro Heritage Foundation Museum, Waynesboro, VA.

Chivalric Orders

U.S. Priory of the Order of St John

(The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem); Esquire

Listed In (Publications)

Local History Book – Co-Editor

A History of Waynesboro, Virginia Vol. 2 (1900-1976)

by George R. Hawke 593 pp.  Jostens. 2007. (Hardcover)

Other 

• Chairman, Waynesboro Historical Commission 2002-2007

• Chairman, Waynesboro Downtown Development Design Committee 2004-present

• Chairman, Waynesboro Planning Commission 2010-2018

Constance’s society accomplishments include several markings for U.S.D.1812, marking for Colonial Dames XVII Century, newsletters in various societies, some co-authored with Carla Odom, and a book published as State President’s Project in Virginia for Colonial Dames XVII Century. She held various state and chapter offices as Librarian, Recording Secretary, Registrar, Treasurer, Chaplain, Vice President and President. She has also chaired fund raising committees, designing items for sale in several societies including Jamestowne Society, Colonial Dames XVII Century and others. She served as National Insignia Chairman and brought online purchasing to Continental Society of Daughters of Indian Wars. She created and managed several society websites. Paradiso won an award from NSDAR for Website of the Month June 2020. She chaired committees upgrading Merovingian Dynasty, Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon and Order of the Sovereigns of Ancient Scandinavia websites. She was Colonial Dames XVII Century 2nd Vice President of the State Presidents Club 2021-2023.

Constance enjoys genealogy, society work, history, website development, interior design and remodeling real estate.

Lisa Howard Pennington was born in Wichita Falls, Texas to John Wilkins Pennington and Paula Jones Sanders. She is married to David Allan Furlow, and they have three children, John David Furlow, Elizabeth Pennington Furlow Malpass, and William Ryan Furlow. They also have six grandchildren.

Lisa obtained her BA, Magna Cum Laude, in Government from the University of Texas at Austin. She went on to earn a JD, Order of the Barristers, from the University of Texas School of Law. During law school, she studied International Business Transactions and International Antitrust at King’s College in London.

Lisa practiced civil litigation with the law firm of Baker Hostetler LLP where she served as the Managing Partner of the firm’s Houston Office from 2000 until her retirement in 2018. She also served on the Policy Committee, the firm’s governing board. From 2007-2018, she was named to the list of Best Lawyers in America and was honored as Lawyer of the Year in 2017. The Association of Women Attorneys awarded her the Premier Woman in the Law Award in 2012, and she received the Houston Bar Association’s President’s Award for volunteer service in 1996. She is a Co-Founder of the Center for Women in Law, which is devoted to helping young women succeed in the practice of law. Lisa also served on several other charitable boards.

Memberships 

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (Governor General, Past Counsellor General, Past Member-at-Large)

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta (Surety, Class of 2030)

• Colonial Dames of America (National Bylaws Chair; Member-at-Large, Houston Chapter VIII)

• New England Historic & Genealogical Society (Councilor, 2023-present) 

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (Past Regent, Ann Poage Chapter)

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America 

• Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors

• National Society Women Descendants Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co.

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• National Gavel Society

• Pilgrim Isaac Allerton Society (Past Governor, Past Deputy Governor, Past Board of Assistants)

• Texas Society of Mayflower Descendants (Past Elder, Past Counsellor)

• Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants (Board of Assistants; Past Deputy Governor)

• Society of Mayflower Descendants in Europe

• Australian Society of Mayflower Descendants 

Other

Lisa has authored numerous legal articles and has taught continuing legal education seminars over the course of her career. She has published historical articles in the Mayflower Quarterly Magazine, the Mayflower Descendant and other publications. In 2022, she received the Texas Mayflower Society’s Award for Long and Distinguished Service. 

She serves on the National Pilgrim Memorial Meetinghouse Committee which is focused on creating an educational center at the Meetinghouse to tell the Pilgrim story to generations of Americans. As the Mayflower Society Governor General, she has researched, written and narrated educational videos about the Pilgrims for the Mayflower Society’s YouTube channel, some of which have been assigned to college students studying American History. 

She and her husband David, also an attorney, enjoy traveling, speaking, and writing on historical subjects.

Miss Mary-Stuart “Studie” Montague Price daughter of Capt. Allen Ingram Price, U.S.N., retired, and Mrs. Elizabeth Montague Price of Chevy Chase.

The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball is an annual dance and formal debutante presentation of young women in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1949 by Miss Mary-Stuart Montague Price, one of the grande dames of Washington society. "Studie" passed away in 2025.

Studie made her debut at the Bachelors Cotillion in Baltimore and at a private ball hosted by her parents in Washington, D.C. While still a young socialite in her 20s, prominent local families asked her to assist in presenting their daughters to society. This launched Studie into what became her life’s passion - bringing people together at great parties and promoting the enduring charm of a young lady in a white ballgown. By the late 1940s, her successes in individual debuts led her to start The National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball.  In the seven decades since, hundreds of young women and their families have traveled to Washington, D.C. at Thanksgiving to “have a ball.”

Studie's deep respect and admiration for military service men and women inspired their participation. This tradition continues today as we proudly welcome both debutantes and floor committee members from the service academies and those in active service.

Beyond the National Debutante Cotillion and Thanksgiving Ball, Studie facilitated international debutante presentations in London, Madrid and Versailles. She was the Washington Chairman of the "Ball of the Silver Rose" in Vienna, Austria; its successor, the Ball des Rosenkavaliers; and the New York Debutante Assembly and New Year's Day Ball. She was a sponsor of the Palm Beach Opera Ball and Debutante Cotillion, the International Debutante Ball of Dallas, the Sons of the American Revolution Colonial Ball, the New York Debutante Cotillion and Christmas Ball (Infirmary Ball), and the Debutante Register. She was the honorary Chairman of the La Jolla Debutante Ball.

Suzanna Elizabeth Etheridge Rawlins was born in Atlanta, GA to Benjamin Douglas Etheridge and Anne Branch Phillips. She is married to Marvin Lee “Jody” Rawlins, Jr. She earned a BA from Auburn University for Pre-Law. Her degree included a double major in Political Science and Philosophy with a triple minor in English, History and Business. Completion of a published thesis enabled her to be distinguished as a graduate of the Auburn Honors Program. Suzanna earned her Masters of Science in Management (MSM) degree with focus on Information Technology (IT) from the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, she attended the American Institute for Paralegal Studies also in Atlanta, Georgia and earned credentials as Certified Paralegal.

Suzanna is currently a Director Consulting Expert with CGI, Inc, with a career spanning almost 34 years. She specializes in Software Development in Telecommunications and Disaster Recovery vertical markets.  Her career highlights include the redesign of the billing systems at BellSouth and AT&T. She led a business analysis team that maintained the work flows for the AT&T websites for Home Solutions and Wireless services. She also led the integral development team for the system of record for the Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery effort. Her team built not only the data applications to support the data system of record, but a chat bot for the Puerto Rican government to leverage when engaging FEMA.

Memberships 

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers (Founder and Governor General)

• Order of the Steel Magnolias (Founder and President)

• National Gavel Society

• First Families of Georgia 1733-1797

• Jamestowne Society

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America (President)

• Colonial Dames of America

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Hereditary Society of Teachers (Secretary)

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens (Vice President)

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Descendants of El Cid (Governor General)

• National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America

• Order of Descendants of the Justiciars

• Order of Alba (President)

• Delmarva First Families (Vice President)

• American Ex-Prisoners of War

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars

• Descendants of Brian Boru (Secretary)

• Descendants of Colonial Mothers 1607 - July 4, 1776

• Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers (Founder and Treasurer)

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900 (Vice President)

• Descendants of Fossors (Parliamentarian)

• Descendants of Miners 1607-1907 (Chaplain)

• Dutch Colonial Society (Chaplain)

• Flagon and Trencher

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution (Alabama State Governor)

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon (Secretary)

• Huguenot Society of America

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries (Chaplain)

• Military Order of the Crusades

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

• National Huguenot Society

• National Order of the Blue and Gray

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• National Society Descendants of American Farmers

• National Society Descendants of Colonial Indentured Servants (Registrar)

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (Registrar)

• National Society Magna Charta Dames

• National Society of New England Women

• National Society of Saints and Sinners (Incoming Treasurer)

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

• National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor

• National Society of the Descendants of Textile Workers of America, Inc.

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• National Society Southern Dames of America (Treasurer)

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (Alabama Charter Chapter President)

• National Society Women Descendants Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co.

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Order of Bacon's Rebellion 

• Order of Descendants of Pirates and Privateers (Secretary)

• Order of Descendants of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company

• Order of First Families of Connecticut 1633-1662 (Registrar/Genealogist)

• Order of First Families of North Carolina

• Order of First Families of Vermont 1609-1791

• Order of Medieval Women: Women of Consequence

• Order of Monarchs of Rheims

• Order of the Descendants of Native Americans and Friends (President)

• Order of the First Families of Maryland

• Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692

• Order of the House of Wessex

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands (Founding Board, Parliamentarian)

• Order of the Norman Conquest

• Order of the Second World War

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Order of William the Marshal 

• Plantagenet Society

• Plymouth Hereditary Society

• Society of Descendants of Lady Godiva

• Society of the 1704 Virginia Quit Rents 

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• Sons and Daughters of World War II Veterans

• The IX 

• United Daughters of the Confederacy (2nd Vice President General)

• Winthrop Society (Incoming Registrar)

Authorships

Honors Thesis “Constitutionality of Felony Murder” published at Auburn University and available in the library. 

Listed In 

International Institute of Business Analysis, Business Analysis Competency Model as a contributor and reviewer.

Other

• Founder and President Birmingham, AL chapter of International Institute of Business Analysis – IIBA (2009).

• Founder and President of the Birmingham Chapter of the Association of Business Process Management- ABPMP (2010)- served as Secretary on the National Board in 2010-2011.

• Secretary Founding Board Birmingham Chapter of the Project Management Institute – PMI (1995).

• Secretary, then President, Board of Directors Make a Wish Foundation of Alabama (1990s)

• Treasurer for T.E.A.R.S – The Emergency Animal Rescue Society in Birmingham, AL (1990s).

• She has obtained numerous certifications in her career field including the PMI Project Manager Professional (PMP), IIBA’s Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP), PMI’s Certified Agile Practitioner, Certified Agile Product Owner, Scum Master and Release Train Engineer, certifications from IIBA in Cyber Security and Big Data Analytics.

• She was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen award and scholarship in 1986 for Atlanta.

• She was listed in Who’s Who for not only high school students but for college students.

• She served as President for her sorority at Auburn University – Pi Beta Phi.

• She was an All Star Swimmer in the state of Georgia during her high school years.

When not doing genealogical research, she enjoys reading, photography, scrapbooking, cross stitch, and spending time with her beloved cats and dogs. 

Janisue Rigel, daughter of David J. and Margaret Louise Weir Rigel, was born in Wichita, Kansas. She has two children, Baron, 48 and Sarah, 47 and three grandchildren, Gavin, Luna and Oliver. She resides in The Woodlands, Texas, with her sister Davena Liepman. 

Janisue studied business administration at Wichita State University. She represented Continental Airlines with The National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, D.C., She is a graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, CA. She and her sister, Davena, organized the Southwest Fine Jewelry Show in Dallas, Texas, then in Grapevine, Texas. The sisters were officers of the Lone Star GIAAA Association in Dallas, Texas. 

Memberships

• American Rosie the Riveter Association

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (Texas Society State Governor; State Corresponding Secretary; State Historian)

• Daughters of the Republic of Texas (Associate Member)

• Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865

• Descendants of Colonial Mothers 1607 - July 4, 1776

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900

• First Families of Ohio

• Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia

• National Society Children of the American Revolution

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century 

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century (Heart of Texas Chapter Organizing President)

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (Texas State Society Historian) 

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• National Society Daughters of the British Empire in the USA

• National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865

• National Society Descendants of American Farmers (Founder)

• National Society Descendants of American Railroad Workers 

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers

• National Society Dames of the Court of Honor

• National Society of the Descendants of Textile Workers of America, Inc.

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (Historian General; Secretary General)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (South Branch Organizing Governor)  

• National Society Southern Dames of America (Texas State President; East Texas Chapter Organizing President)

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (Curator National; Texas State Society First Vice President; Texas State Curator; National Endowment Board; Wyoming Society Honorary State; Organizing President)

• Order of the First Families of Maryland

• Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692

• Order of the Steel Magnolias

• Ohio Prairie Pioneers

• Sons and Daughters of Kansas Pioneers

• Sons and Daughters of the Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers

• Texas Genealogical College (President; Parliamentarian)

• United Daughters of the Confederacy

Awards

• Texas Society Sons of the American Revolution Martha Washington Award (3 x)

• TSSAR Silver Service medal 

• TSSAR Lady Liberty Award 

• National Society of United States Daughters of 1812 Spirit of 1812 Award

• The Yellow Rose of Texas award by Texas Governor Abbott

• Texas Genealogical College – Hall of Fame Award 2019

• National Women’s Jewelry Association – Rising Star Award

Other

Janisue’s community activities include:

Member 1945 to present, Wichita, Kansas, Unity Church, Unity of Dallas, Unity Church of the Woodlands.

American Red Cross – Disaster Certified

Co-Founder, Lone Star GIAAA, a non-profit for the Jewelry Industry. She managed financial donations in excess of $50,000 for Graduate Gemologists perpetual scholarships. She was secretary of the Southwest Women’s Jewelry Association (1999 – 2002); President Southwest Women’s Jewelry Association (2002 - 2004); Worked on the National WJA Board to increase knowledge and education of the jewelry industry. National Committee Board for investing and awarding scholarships.  

Janisue was the Executive Director of the Arkansas Jewelers Association for more than 20 years.  Janisue was the Southwest 24KT Club of Dallas executive director for more than 24 years, hosting annual formal dinners for the southwest jewelry retailers. She ran the press room during home games at the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas for three seasons. She was the executive director of TOLA (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas) gift and jewelry salesman’s organization, and during this time she was also executive secretary of TOLA Salesman’s Credit Union. She was the showroom manager at the Dallas Apparel Mart for Jaymac, a handbag wholesale showroom. This took her to New York four times a year for gift and jewelry shows.    

Janisue was awarded the Texas Genealogical College Hall of Fame award in 2019. Janisue was a member of Job’s daughters and then North Star Chapter Wichita, Kansas, Eastern Star. Her parents were both members of Eastern Star. Her father, David, was a member of Blue Lodge and was a 32nd degree mason and active in both Masonry and Shriners. Her mother, Margaret was the wardrobe-seamstress for Wichita Masonic Consistory lodge for more than 25 years. She meticulously replicated and repaired the robes and made the hats. Her work was acknowledged in The Wichita Eagle newspaper. Both parents traveled to Washington, D.C., where Margaret was honored for her talents at the Washington Masonic Lodge.

Jane Duxbury Schleinzer was born in Warsaw, Indiana. She married John R. Schleinzer and has four children and eight grandchildren. 

She worked in the corporate world in Information Technology and has been an antique dealer since 1991. 

Memberships

• National Society of New England Women (Honorary President General)

• Illinois Heritage Alliance, (Founder, President)

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America (Honorary President General)

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution (Honorary President General)

• Hereditary Order of the Families of Presidents and First Ladies of America (President)

• Order of Descendants of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company (Honorary Governor General)

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (Member at Large, Past Illinois Governor)

• Associated Daughters of Early American Witches (2nd Vice President General)

• National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor (Chaplain General, Honorary Illinois President)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (1st Vice President General)

• Scions of Freedom Signers (Secretary, Organizing Member)

• Order of the Star and Sail (Steward, Co-founder)

• National Society of Saints and Sinners (Treasurer General)

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries

• Descendants of Miners 1607-1907 (Recording Secretary General, Founding Member)

• Colonial Dames of America

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (Honorary Illinois Governor)

• Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865 (Organizing Tent President Jennie Hodgers)

• Descendants of Colonial Regulators (Treasurer General)

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900

• Founders Fellowship (Historian General)

• Hereditary Order of the First Families of Massachusetts (Secretary General)

• Illinois Cameo Society (Past President)

• Illinois Heritage Weekend (President, Founder)

• Jamestowne Society

• Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (Organizing Chapter 1st Vice President)

• National Huguenot Society

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century (Honorary President Illinois)

• National Society Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century (Past Illinois President)

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (Honorary Illinois President)

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (National Overseer)

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Editor General, Honorary Illinois Branch Governor)

• National Society Southern Dames of America

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (Honorary Chapter President John Kinzie)

• National Society Women Descendants Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co.

• Order of First Families of Vermont 1609-1791

• Order of the First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (Chancellor General)

• Pilgrim William White Society

• Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861

• The IX 

• Winslow Heritage Society

• National Gavel Society

Published

Jane was the editor for Under Lock and Key, the newsletter for the Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables for 10 years. She was also the Editor General for one term for the Sons and Daughters of Pilgrims and produced that newsletter for two years.

Other

In 2015, she was responsible for getting the Mayflower Commemorative Coin Act bill submitted in the U.S. Congress and Senate and personally went to Capitol Hill to lobby legislators; working closely with her own Congressman. 

Jane has organized and set up the Illinois Heritage Weekend events every year since 2013. She set up and oversaw the 2018 GBOA Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, and was awarded a GSMD Certificate of Recognition for her coordinating efforts. She was co-chairman for the 2019 NSDCH annual conference in Saint Charles, Illinois. She also set up the annual 2024 meeting for the New England groups. 

As a member of The Aladdin Knights of the Mystic Light, she and her husband were the General Knights for 2 of the Gatherings. This is the annual convention for people that collect lamps made by the Aladdin Mantle Lamp Company and other companies. The first Gathering had over 700 attendees from around the world.

Jane and her husband also ran the annual depression glass show and sale for their local glass collecting club for 10 years.

She also received the Girl Scouts of America, Volunteer of Excellence award after twelve years as cookie mom for two troops.

She believes you get more out of membership by becoming active in the societies you belong to.

Josephine Lois Calendine Silman, the daughter of H.W. and Margaret Calendine, was born in Morgan County, Ohio. She was educated at Marietta College and West Virginia University. She was employed for several years with Borg-Warner, in personnel as an Employee Coordinator. Mr. and Mrs. Silman had three children and six grandchildren, and resided in West Virginia.

Memberships

• National Society of Americans of Royal Descent (former President General Member of the Most Venerable Order of Saint Louis)

• One Hundred Living Descendants of Blood Royal

• Order of the Crown in America

• National Gavel Society

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Order of Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America (Member of the Advisory Council)

• National Society Colonial Dames of America

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers (former Chaplain General)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Registrar General)

• National Society Magna Charta Dames

• Society of the Ark and Dove

• Jamestowne Society

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

• First Families of Georgia

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

• Welcome Society of Pennsylvania

• Flagon & Trencher: Descendants of Colonial Tavern Keepers

• National Society Colonial Dames of the XVII Century (National Insignia Chairman; former President of the West Virginia Society)

• Order Of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution

• First Families of Ohio

• Society of Descendants of Knights of the Garter

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial & Antebellum Bench & Bar 1565-1861

• National Society Dames of the Court of Honor

• National Society of New England Women

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (former National Presiding Clerk)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Chairperson of the Bicknell Scholarship to William and Mary College)

Notes

Mrs. Silman was very active in volunteer organizations, including, at various times: Easter Seal Society; March of Dimes; American Cancer Society; Hospital Auxiliary, and Girl Scouts of America. She served as President for the Mt. State Art and Craft Fair; Founder and Trustee of the Scholarship and Grant Fund; and Vice President for the Black Walnut Festival. In addition, Mrs. Silman hosted and wrote scripts for West Virginia Public Radio; hosted a weekly cable television program, "Lively Arts" for eight years; and was writer for a weekly food column, "Country Pantry".

Mrs. Silman was on the Executive Board of the West Virginia Arts Advocacy. She was recipient of "The Citizen of the Year" Award in West Virginia for her arts advocacy, by the Public Relations Society of America. Silman was also appointed by the Mayor of Charleston to serve on the Task Force for the Arts. She served as President of the West Virginia Arts and Crafts Guild.

She held memberships in the Bruce Society in America and The National League of American Pen Women, Inc., Letters. Her writing contributions included articles for Center for Women's Studies, West Virginia University, Goldenseal, Plain Language and Airlines.

Mrs. Silman particularly enjoyed genealogy, travel, cooking, music and theatre, in addition to spending time with her family.

Joel Edward Strauch is the son of the late Rev. & Mrs. Paul Elwood Strauch (Melva Kathryn Peifly). He was born in Buffalo, New York, grew up in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, and spent his career in New York and Newport Beach, California, retiring to Charlottesville, Virginia. He has been married for over 50 years to Catherine McCreary Strauch, and they have a daughter Jacqueline Elizabeth (husband, Theodore James) and grandson Connor James. Joel graduated from the all-boys Central High School in Philadelphia, the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University (Bachelor of Science), Union Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Columbia University (MBA). Earning the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst, he had a career in investment management with JP Morgan, Munich American Reinsurance Company, Travelers Smith Barney, and Pacific Investment Management Company. Ordained in the United Church of Christ, Joel serves as Chaplain General of the National Huguenot Society, and as finance chair of many of the hereditary societies of which he is a member. 

Memberships

• National Huguenot Society (Chaplain General; Finance Committee Chair) 

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta (Finance Committee Chair)

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry (Treasurer General)

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (Thomas Jefferson Chapter, Virginia, Treasurer)

• General Society of Colonial Wars, New York (past Council Member), Virginia, and Florida Societies

• General Society Sons of the Revolution, New York and Virginia Societies

• Saint Nicholas Society of the City of New York

• Huguenot Society of Virginia (Treasurer and past President)

• Huguenot Society of America

Chivalric Orders

• The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. Johns of Jerusalem, Officer

Other Notes

• AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust, Vice Chairman

• AAFMAA Mortgage Services. Board of Managers

• Pension Boards - United Church of Christ, Trustee

• University of Virginia Health System, Emergency Department Advisory Board, past Chair

• Charlottesville T’ai Chi Center, Board and Finance Chair

• Faith and Leadership, Charlottesville

• St Johns: Invested as Confrère, September 11, 2021, in Boston and active member of the Richmond Region, attending events and providing invocations.

• Memberships: New York Yacht Club; Larchmont Yacht Club; Farmington Country Club

Paul Ashley Walden was born in Hollywood, Florida, to Clarke Walden and Minnie Louise Tubbs. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Emory University and a Master’s Degree in Real Estate from Georgia State University. He also completed the Office of Personnel Management training, “Leadership for a Democratic Society” at the Federal Executive Institute, which is provided to leaders in the Federal workforce. Mr. Walden has 37 years in Federal agency leadership, including serving as the Senior Real Property Officer for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and formerly on the board of the Federal Real Property Association. Currently he is the Executive Director of the Public Buildings Reform Board, an independent Board established by special legislation to improve asset management for the Federal government.  

Society Memberships   

• Order of the First Families of Maryland (Governor General, 2024-26) 

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers (Governor General, 2023-25) 

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (Virginia Branch President, 2013-15; Captain General 2023-25) 

• Delmarva First Families (President) 

• General Society of the War of 1812 (Vice President General-Publications, 2023-2026) 

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland (Historian, 2025-26) 

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (President, George Washington Chapter, VA Society, 2017) 

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861 (Secretary General, 2025-26) 

• Order of the House of Wessex (1st VP General, 2020-22; Chaplain, 2025-26) 

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands (3rd Lt Governor General, 2024-26) 

• Order of the Steel Magnolias (Historian, 2024-26) 

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta  

• Descendants of Continental Colonial Officers   

• Descendants of Early Postmasters 1607-1900  

• Descendants of Sheriffs and Constables of Colonial and Antebellum America 

• Descendants of the Knights of the Bath  

• First Families of Georgia 1733-1797  

• General Society Sons of the Revolution  

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution 

• Huguenot Society of South Carolina  

• Legion of Vikings and Valkyries  

• Military Order of the Stars and Bars  

• Order of Alba  

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry  

• Order of First Families of North Carolina  

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States  

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America  

• Order of the Descendants of El Cid  

• Order of the Founders of North America 1492-1692  

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty  

• Order of the Norman Conquest  

• Presidential Families of America  

• Society of Descendants of Lady Godiva  

• Society of the Order of the Southern Cross  

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565-1861  

• The IX   

• National Gavel Society

 Other Notes  

Walden is a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Urban Land Institute, and Pohick Episcopal Church, Lorton, VA (parish church of George Washington and George Mason). He is also a volunteer at Sunrise at Mount Vernon Assisted Living, where he serves as a lay reader at Sunday services and patriotic events at this facility.  His interests include American history, cooking, hiking in the beautiful mountains of Virginia, and spending time with his family.  Through his activities with the Sons of the American Revolution and Society of the War of 1812, he has pursued the identification and marking of patriot graves throughout the South to ensure their contributions are preserved.  He is also working on a published history of his family who were early settlers of Maryland in the 17th Century.   

Lowry Rush Watkins, Jr., a native of Louisville, Kentucky, is the son of the former Barbara Bullitt and Lowry Rush Watkins. Mr. Watkins attended Aquinas Preparatory School and graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.S.C. in Finance. Mr. Watkins is a licensed pilot, rated as a flight and ground instructor, instrument, glider, seaplane, DC-3, B-25, B-17. He is a semi-retired real estate developer.

Memberships

• Society of the Cincinnati

• General Society of Colonial Wars

• Order of Indian Wars of the United States

• Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order of Albion (Knight of the Order)

• Order of the Crown of Charlemagne in the United States of America

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Colonial Order of the Acorn

• Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts

• Welsh Society of Philadelphia

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Morgan's Men Association

• General Society Sons of the Revolution

• Huguenot Society of America

• National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

• General Society of the War of 1812

• Military Order of the Southern Cross

• Royal Society of Saint George

• Sons of Confederate Veterans

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia

• Society of Descendants of Knights of the Garter

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• Military Order of the Crusades

• Order of Daedalians

• Jamestowne Society

• Military Order of the Stars and Bars

• National Huguenot Society

• National Society of Sons of the American Colonists

• Dutch Colonial Society

• Flagon and Trencher

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution

• Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge

• National Society Sons of Colonial New England

• Order of Descendants of the Ancient & Honorable Artillery Company

• Plymouth Hereditary Society

• Descendants of the Knights of the Bath

• Presidential Families of America

• Order of the Honorable Artillery Company

• Boston Tea Party Society

• Winthrop Society

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861

• Order of the First Families of Maryland

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 2011

• Order of First Families of Connecticut

• First Families of Kentucky

• Order of the First Families of New Hampshire

• Descendants of Sheriffs & Constables of Colonial & Antebellum America

• Hereditary Society of Teachers

• Virginia Huguenot Society

• National Huguenot Society

• Hereditary Order of the First Families of Massachusetts

• Order of the First Families of Maine

• Order of the First Families of Virginia

• Order of the Monarch of Rheims

• Order of the Norman Conquest

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon

• Order of the Three Crusades 1096-1192

• Order of the House of Wessex

• Order of William the Marshal

• Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters 1606-1616

• Hereditary Order of the Families of the Presidents and First Ladies of America

• National Society of Descendants of Early Quakers

• Order of Saint Louis (NSARD)

• National Society of Saints & Sinners

• National Society Descendants of Colonial Indentured Servants

• The IX

• Sons and Daughters of Virginia Founding Fathers

• Descendants of the Templar Knights

• Society of Knights Templar Descendants

Other Notes

Mr. Watkins is a member of Pendennis Club, Oxmoor Country Club, University Club, Limestone Bay Yacht Club, Captain’s Quarters Yacht Club, Delray Beach Club and Louisville Boat Club. He enjoys boating, flying, polo, genealogy, dancing, and American and European history.

He is a Sponsor of the University of Louisville, School of Business, having established an Award, Lecture and Scholarship Chair. Mr. Watkins is also a Sponsor of University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, having established the William Marshall Bullitt Award, Lecture, Scholarship, Chair, Moot Court Team and Book Fund. He also endowed the Thomas Walker Bullitt Scholarship at Centre College in Kentucky, in memory of his great grandfather.

He is a contributing author for the best-seller Solicitor General Bullitt: The Life of William Marshall Bullitt, a biography about his maternal grandfather. Mr. Watkins is a lifelong Episcopalian.

Linda Kay Vandenberg White was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of the late Colonel Duane Evert Vandenberg, USAF (Ret.), and Peggy Joyce Ward Vandenberg. She married David Newton White on May 19, 1974, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They have two children Matthew Cooper and Emily Chase (deceased 2009). White is an honor graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in Special Education in 1974 and a Master of Education in Elementary Counseling in 1975. She pursued additional postgraduate studies at various institutions. Her professional career spanned more than twenty-five years in education and administration. She worked as a special educator serving students who were deaf, blind, multi-handicapped, learning disabled, and intellectually disabled. She later served as Vice Principal at Southwest Junior High School in the Hot Springs School District and as a psychological examiner. Mrs. White also served as an Adjunct Professor of Special Education at Henderson State University.

In addition to her educational career, Mrs. White owned an upscale women’s clothing store and founded L.K. White Realty, Inc. She is the only woman realtor in Hot Springs, Arkansas, that achieved over one million dollars in sales during her first year.

Memberships

• Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts

• Baronial Order of Magna Charta

• Colonial Dames of America (State President)

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars (State Chaplain)

• Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War 1861-1865

• Descendants of Brian Boru

• Descendants of Cape Cod and the Islands

• Descendants of Lady Godiva (Corresponding Secretary)

• Dutch Colonial Society

• Dutch Settlers Society of Albany

• Flagon and Trencher

• Fuller Society

• General Society of Mayflower Descendants (Deputy Governor General)

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783 (Master Guilder)

• Hereditary Order Descendants Loyalists & Patriots American Revolution

• Hereditary Order of Descendants of Colonial Governors

• Hereditary Order of the Red Dragon

• Military Order of the Crusades

• National Guild of Saint Margaret of Scotland

• National Huguenot Society (State Vice President)

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century (3rd Vice President General)

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars

• National Society Daughters of Founders and Patriots of America (Councillor)

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists (State Chaplain)

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (State Recording Secretary)

• National Society Daughters of the British Empire in the USA

• National Society Daughters of the Union 1861-1865

• National Society Descendants of American Farmers (Ambassador)

• National Society Descendants of American Railroad Workers (Chaplain General)

• National Society Descendants of Colonial Indentured Servants

• National Society Descendants of Early Quakers (National Chaplain)

• National Society Magna Charta Dames (State President)

• National Society of New England Women (Historian General)

• National Society of Saints and Sinners

• National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (Lady of Dumbarton House Board)

• National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor (State Chaplain)

• National Society Sons and Daughters of Antebellum Planters 1607-1861

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims (State President)

• National Society Southern Dames of America

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812 (State Secretary)

• National Society Women Descendants Ancient & Honorable Artillery Co.

• Order of Alba (Chaplain General) 

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Physicians and Chirurgiens

• Order of Descendants of the Justiciars (Corresponding Secretary)

• Order of Medieval Women: Women of Consequence

• Order of the House of Wessex

• Order of the Kings and Queens in the Holy Lands

• Order of the Merovingian Dynasty

• Order of the Norman Conquest

• Order of the Sovereigns of Ancient Scandinavia

• Pilgrim Edward Doty Society

• Pilgrim John Howland Society 

• Society of Daughters of Holland Dames

• Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy

• Sons and Daughters of the Colonial and Antebellum Bench and Bar 1565—1861

• United Daughters of the Confederacy (Chapter Registrar)

Listed In

She has been listed in Who’s Who in College; Who’s Who in America publications worldwide

Other

Linda enjoys genealogy pursuits in addition to traveling and has visited 110 countries, seven continents, and all 50 states. White has been a knitter for 60 years She also enjoys needlepoint. White was an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor for 50 years specializing in special education instruction. She is a Master Scuba diver and has been diving for 60 years. Since 1983, Linda and her family have lived in a 1938 restored lake house on Lake Hamilton.She enjoys gardening, swimming, and other outdoor sports. White has been a member of Delta Nu Chapter, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority for 54 years and was State President for 25 years. White and her husband are members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem, a papal order of knighthood since 1099. White holds the office of Dame Grand Cross Holy Sepulcher. White was a BSA leader for 20 years and was awarded The St George medal as well as being a Wood Badge member. She was on staff at both the US and World Jamboree. White is a lifetime member of GSUSA and attained the rank of 1st Class, which was the highest level at that time. She was awarded the St Anne medal as a leader.  White was an active adult in the Catholic Youth Ministry and chaperoned groups to World Youth Day in Germany, Australia, and Germany. She has been a Lecturer, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at St John the Baptist Catholic Church. White was on the PTO Board at St. John’s Catholic School and was the Sports Mom in many sports. White and her family have 5 rescue cats and three rescue dogs. White has made Braille flags and held Braille flag workshops for over thirty years.

Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright is a ninth-generation Georgian and proud Texan for more than 40 years. Pamela is a successful entrepreneur, community volunteer, philanthropist, wife, mother and grandmother. Together with her husband, John Griffin Wright, she co-founded two Houston-based jewelry and luxury goods businesses. Her jewelry designs have been enjoyed by First Ladies, wives of Cabinet members, and have been featured in a popular Netflix series. A third-generation DAR legacy member, Pamela credits her mother and grandmothers with inspiring her deep appreciation for heritage and family. The great-granddaughter of an Italian immigrant, she is the first President General of Italian descent. 

A Magna cum laude graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, she pursued graduate studies at the University of Arkansas, and holds professional certifications from the Gemological Institute of America, the National Pawnbrokers Association, and accreditation from the International Society of Appraisers. Longtime members of Second Baptist Church in Houston, the Wrights are proud parents of two children and six grandchildren, all of whom are life members of the Children of the American Revolution. Their daughter-in-law was honored as the 2022 DAR National Outstanding Junior member.

Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright is the 46th President General Daughters of the American Revolution and is the second Texan to hold this esteemed office. She is the only DAR member to have served consecutively as Chaplain General, First Vice President General and President General. 

Mrs. Wright holds numerous honorary designations, including Honorary President General, NSDAR; Honorary State Regent, Texas DAR; Honorary Chapter Regent, Lady Washington; Honorary Senior Vice President, National Society Children of the American Revolution; and Honorary Senior State President, Texas C.A.R.

 Memberships

• National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (President General 2022-2025, Honorary President General)

• National Gavel Society

• First Families of Georgia 1733-1797

• National Society Descendants of American Farmers (Charter Member #1)

• National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century (Texas Society, State Librarian)

• Colonial Dames of America

• Presidential Families of America

• National Society United States Daughters of 1812

• National Society Daughters of the American Colonists

• Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars

• National Society of the Dames of the Court of Honor

• National Society Southern Dames of America

• Hood's Texas Brigade Association

• Order of the Steel Magnolias

• National Society Magna Charta Dames

• National Society Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims

• Order of Americans of Armorial Ancestry

• Friends & Descendants of St George's (Descendants of Knights of the Garter)

• Society of Descendants of Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

• National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars

• Order of Descendants of Colonial Cavaliers

• Order of First Families of Connecticut 1633-1662

• Order of the First Families of Maine

• Guild of Colonial Artisans and Tradesmen 1607-1783

Hereditary Society Awards

• NSDAR Texas Outstanding Junior 1993

• TXDAR Juniors Choice Chapter Regent 2000

• TXDAR Texas Honorary Junior for Life 2005

• TXDAR Texas Junior VIP Award 2009

• NSDAR Community Service Award

• NSDAR Women in the Arts Award

• NSDAR Women in American History Award

• SAR Martha Washington Medal 1997

• SAR Medal of Appreciation 2001

• SAR Bronze SAR-C.A.R. Medal 2004

• SAR Silver Good Citizenship Medal 2023

• SAR Daughters of Liberty Medal 2024

• SAR Henry Knox Medal, 2025

• SAR George Washington Distinguished Service Award 2026

• Texas Genealogical College Hall of Fame 2019

• Farmers President National Medal with Bee

• Farmers Registrar National Award 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

• Farmers Member of the Year 2024

Community Service & Awards

• Commission of the Yellow Rose of Texas conferred by Texas Governor, 2022

• Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival, Edwin P. Hubble Medal of Initiative, 2026

• Woman of Valor Award, Military Women’s Memorial 2025

• Houston Woman Magazine Cover Girl 2022, 2008

• Better Business Bureau Pinnacle Award for Jewelers 2025, 2019, 2011

• Better Business Bureau Winner of Distinction 2006-2025

• Citizens for Animal Protection Hall of Fame 2020

• Houston’s 25 Most Beautiful 2018

• Houston Treasure 2017

• NPA National Community Outreach Award 2016

• Honorary CAP Gala Chair 2016

• Houston Children’s Charity Helping Hands Award 2016

• Breakthrough Woman 2014

• Houston Sweetheart 2013

• ABC-Channel 13 Woman of Distinction 2013

• STEM Role Model 2012

• Houston Woman Magazine 50 Most Influential Women 2012

• Houston Modern Luxury Dynamic Women of Houston 2021, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009

• Citizens for Animal Protection Cherished Companion 2010

• Houston Community Impact Award 2003

• Citizen of the Year 2002

• Citizens for Animal Protection Celebrity Pet Owner of the Year 2000

Service Organizations

• First Ladies Commission Board of Directors, 2025; Committee Chair 2026

• Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation, Council of Ambassadors 2024, 2025, 2026

• George Theater Board of Directors, 2026

• Grenaderos y Damas de Galvez, First Life Member 2024

• Circolo Culturale Filippo Mazzei, Life Member, 2023

• American Friends of Lafayette, Life Member 2022

• Texas Genealogical College, President 2018

• Better Business Bureau Education Foundation Board 2021-2026

• Better Business Bureau Board of Directors, Past Member

• Citizens for Animal Protection Advisory Board, Past Member

• Citizens for Animal Protection Board of Directors, Past Member

• Green Team American Board of Directors, Past Member

• University of St. Thomas Nursing Advisory Council, Past Member

• Houston Christian University Guild Member

• Houston Children’s Charity Guild Life Member

• Houston Junior Forum

• International Society of Appraisers National Awards Chair

• Ouachita Baptist University Houston Alumni President, Chi Delta Alumni

DAR National Service

• Elected President General, 2022-2025; First Vice President General, 2019-2022; Chaplain General, 2016-2019; State Regent of Texas, 2012-2015

• President General’s Project included the restoration of the National Historic Landmark Memorial Continental Hall.  Built as a memorial to the men and women who achieved American independence during the Revolutionary War, this extensive restoration was the first in more than half a century. 

• National Chair:  America 250!, 2025-2028; Human Resources, 2019-2022; Memorial Service 2016-2019; Americanism, 2010-2013; Community Service Awards, 2007-2010; Junior Membership, 2004-2007

• National Vice Chair:  Celebrate 125!, 2013-2016; Property Beautification and Hospitality, 2013-2016; Junior Membership Outstanding Junior Contest, 2001-2004; Children of the American Revolution, 1998-2001

• Congressional Committees:  Personal Page to the Recording Secretary General, 1990; Platform Page, 1991; Personal Page to Executive Committee, 1992-1999; 11 year Continental Congress Page; Chief Page to National Officers Club; Member, President General’s Reception Room; Member, Platform Committee

• Other: Board of Consultants, 2025-2028; Member, Long Range Planning Commission , 2010-2016; Advisor, Junior Membership, 2007-2010; Executive Liaison, 2016-2025; Member, DAR Speakers Staff, 2007-2010

• Club Affiliations: Executive Club, Life Member; National Officers Club, Life Member; State Regents Club, Life Member; State Vice Regents Club, President 2011-2012, Life Member; National Chairmen’s Association, Life Member; Outstanding Junior Club, President 2001-2003, Life Member; National Vice Chairmen’s Association, Life Member; Heritage Club - Diamond, Charter Member; Founders Club, Charter Member; Sustaining Supporter, Charter Member; Guardian Trust

• Units Overseas: Pax Romana, Italy; Espana, Spain; Hercules Mulligan, Ireland; Walter Hines Page, England

• State DAR Service: Elected Texas Honorary State Regent for life 2015; State Regent of Texas 2012-2015; State Vice Regent, 2009-2012; State Corresponding Secretary, 2006-2009

• State Chair: National Defense, 2003-2006; Outstanding Junior Contest, 2000-2003; Children of the American Revolution, 1994-1997

• State Vice Chair: Platform, 1997-2000; Lone Star Regalia, 1991-1994

• Page:  State Conference Page 10 years

• Clubs: State Officers Club, President 2014; State Page Club, President 1996; State Chairman’s Club, President 1995; Chapter Officers Club, Charter Member; Texas Junior Club, Charter Member; DAR Generations Club, Charter Member; Chapter Regents Club

• State Recognition:  Texas State Outstanding Junior, 1993; Juniors Choice Chapter Regent, 2000; Honorary Junior for Life, 2005; Texas Junior VIP Award; First Texas recipient of Women in the Arts Award; Woman in American History Award; Community Service Award

Chapter Service

• Admitted to NSDAR as a Junior member in the Lady Washington Chapter, Houston.  First in Houston and fifth in Texas, Lady Washington is the largest chapter in the National Society with over 600 members.

• Offices:  Elected Centennial Chapter Regent, 1999-2001; Honorary Chapter Regent; First Vice Regent, 1994-1997; Recording Secretary, 1991-1993; Historian, 1989-1991; Parliamentarian, 2005-2007, 2003-2005, 1997-1999; Counselor, 2001-2003

• Chapter Chair: Junior Membership, 1991-1993; American History Committee, 1989-1991;  Tamassee Emergency Clothing Fund, 6 years

• Awards: Juniors Choice Chapter Regent, 2000; Chapter Outstanding Junior Member, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993

• Memberships:  Houston Area Regents Council; Magnolia Regents Council, Charter Member