Chapter History

Member J. Keels Smith, compiled the following history of the Gov. Paul Hamilton Chapter.

A proposal to form a chapter of the South Carolina Society, Sons of the American Revolution was sent to the Executive Committee of the SCSSAR just prior to the organizational meeting of the Beaufort Chapter of the SAR held on April 26, 1989 held at the Anchorage Restaurant in Beaufort. The following Charter Members were present and voting: LTC George F. Oliver, Col. Cud T. Baird, III, Maj. Gen. John M. Hightower, III, John Rauch Barnwell and John French all of Beaufort and Jasper Keels Smith of Ridgeland. LTC George Oliver (also State Secretary-Treasurer SAR) presided over the meeting and conducted all aspects including election of charter officers and committee assignments. Charter Officers elected were: President – LTC George F. Oliver; Vice President – Col. Cud T. Baird; Secretary Treasurer – Jasper Keels Smith; Historian – Maj. Gen. John M. Hightower, III; Chaplain – John R. Barnwell; Registrar (unassigned). Committees consisted of ROTC; Scholarship; Eagle Scout; Law Enforcement; and By-Laws. Local dues were set at $5.00 per annum. All members present paid their dues and a bank account was started.

On June 28, 1989 Chapter President Oliver enrolled two new charter members Frank W. Heinrich and LTC Jack J. Watts. An executive meeting was held at the Anchorage Restaurant on July 7, 1989 and Jack J. Watts was unanimously elected Chapter Registrar. Secretary Treasurer Keels Smith gave his first reports and Vice President Cud Baird gave a report on arrangements for the 10 August, 1989 official chartering of the new chapter and installing charter officers. Historian John Hightower gave a report on his and Gerhard Spieler’s research on various local Revolutionary War Heroes and Patriots. After the reading, Historian John Hightower recommended and named the Beaufort Chapter “The Governor Paul Hamilton Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution”. The motion was seconded by Registrar Jack Watts and then unanimously passed.

The Ceremony of Institution was held on August 10, 1989 at the Marine Corps Air Station Officers Club. State SAR President David K. Summers, Jr. called the attendees to order and welcomed members and guests. After the Ceremony of Institution guest Speaker Gerhard Spieler gave an interesting talk on the life and times of chapter namesake Gov. Paul Hamilton. On November 19th the chapter placed a SAR Patriot Marker on the grave of Gov. Paul Hamilton.

Note: ** Also a South Carolina Society President**