MUNCY - The Tiadaghton Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, held its fall dinner meeting on Sept. 24 at First United Methodist Church.
This was the first dinner meeting of the 2012-13 year with 46 members and guests attending.
Chapter President Tom Gouldy reported on the results of the Chapter's Americanism Poster Contest submittal. The poster entered by Parker Monoski, of the South Williamsport Area School District, finished first in the Pennsylvania state competition in Philadelphia and eighth in the national competition held in Phoenix, Ariz.
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From left are guest speaker Dick Crownover and Tom Gouldy, president of the Tiadaghton Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution.
Gouldy also reported that the local chapter finished fourth in the 2012 Pennsylvania Chapter Participation Contest. Finally, Gouldy presented Service Awards to members Jim Carn for 45 years and Robert Wise for 50 years of service to the SAR.
Chapter Secretary Paul Metzger reported on the Monument Project targeted for the White Deer Valley to honor the 25-plus Revolutionary soldiers buried in the area.
The School of Construction and Design Technologies at Pennsylvania College of Technology has accepted the challenge of providing the chapter with initial design options by the end of October. Meetings have been held with local and state government representatives to secure permission to construct the monument on the proposed site near the entrance of Pennsylvania State Game Lands.
The dinner meeting was followed with a presentation by Dick Crownover on the life and times of local Revolutionary War hero Robert Covenhoven.
Crownover is a direct descendent of Covenhoven and has spent many years researching his life and family on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. Covenhoven fought with Washington's Army in several key battles but was sent home by Washington to help defend the frontier.
While his wife and some family members are buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Covenhoven moved to the Sunbury area to live out his days with his daughter and is buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Northumberland.
Several artifacts belonging to Covenhoven are on display at the Lycoming County Historical Society's Thomas T. Taber Museum, including his flint lock pistol, powder horn and knife.
These artifacts are displayed next to his portrait in the rear of the museum.
An interesting fact about Covenhoven is his ride throughout the Susquehanna River Valley warning the settlers of the approaching British and Indians. Because of this daring feat, he has often been referred to as "the Paul Revere of the West Branch Valley,"
A copy of Crownover's work on the history and genealogy of the Robert Covenhoven family will be placed on file at the Lycoming County Genealogical Society.
The Sons of the American Revolution is a leading male lineage society that perpetuates the ideals of the war for independence.
As a historical, educational and patriotic, nonprofit corporation, the SAR seeks to maintain and expand the meaning of patriotism, respect for national symbols and the value of American citizenship.
Men are eligible for membership with proof of lineal descent of an ancestor who was loyal to, and rendered active service in, the cause of American independence.
Interested individuals should contact Paul Metzger at 435-0025 to start the membership application process.
