This past fall I decided to embark on the process of applying for membership to the Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. About 2018, when I lived in Cincinnati, I gave a presentation about this society and others to the Cincinnati Chapter, Ohio Society, Sons of the Revolution. I always wanted to become a member and with the slow down of events this year, I decided to get the paperwork done for myself.
Why did I want to be a member of this society? Well, the answer is fairly simple. First, I wanted to honor my ancestors that were at Valley Forge. Second, there were many very brave men and women that followed General Washington and believed in the Patriot cause. They should not be forgotten. I want my children to to know who these brave people were and understand the sacrifices that they made. They only way that happens is though organizations like this one.
Their website is located at https://www.valleyforgesociety.com/. You can find links to the membership application and social media accounts.
I have multiple ancestors that served in the Continental Army at Valley Forge. I have spent twenty years accumulating birth, marriage and death records for all of my patriot ancestry lines. This made the membership process for this society, very easy for me.
I decided to enter my application with Private David Jordan. He was a member of the 15th Massachusetts Regiment. I will post more information about Private Jordan and his regiment in the future. The 15th Massachusetts Regiment was part of Brigadier General John Glover’s 2nd Massachusetts Brigade. The regiment was commanded by Colonel Timothy Bigelow. Private Jordan was in the Company commanded by Captain Paul Ellis. They entered Valley Forge in December 19, 1777.
I received a call from the Commander-in-Chief welcoming me to the society at the beginning of December and I received my certificate and other materials in the mail on December 28th.
Now on to supplemental applications!!
I had the opportunity to visit the park during the summer of 2019. The monument for Brigadier General John Glover’s 2nd Massachusetts Brigade is located on North Outer Line Drive. It is the last Brigade monument before the Memorial Arch.
There was10,000 combat troops and 2,000 support. How many of those have been identified? Out of the ones identified, how many have the Descendants of Valley Forge been applied for to join? Does Descendants of Valley Forge keep files of applicant’s documents that were approved? Is there a list of names for those identified?
My ancestor is Sgt. Isaac Starling NC23116 d. 5 Apr 1778 probably at Valley Forge. He is on the Muster Roll. 5th great granduncle. The lineage is indirect.
Diane Adams Terry Joerger
Daughters of the American Revolution