3rd Endicott Cousin Reunion Report
June 7-11, 2006
Historic New Harmony, Indiana
“Back Home Again in Indiana”
Over Seventy Endicott Cousins and Friends gathered on June 7-11, 2006 in Historic
New Harmony, IN for the 3rd Endicott Cousin Reunion.
Early arrivals met on Wednesday to conduct progressive tours. This involved going to
some of the Endicott land (Thomas Endicott, Aaron Endicott, Joseph Endicott, John A.
Endicott and Moses Endicott) from the early 1800s in Smith and Robb Townships, Posey
County. Also included were visits to the Poseyville Cemetery, Endicott Cemetery (Robb
Township) and the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery (Smith Township).
On Thursday, research was conducted at the Posey County Courthouse Annex. Linda
Young, a Posey County researcher met us at the Annex where we secured many early
Endicott land deeds. Other research was conducted with Linda throughout the day. The
White County Historical Society of Carmi, IL hosted a tour of Carmi for 9 Endicott
Cousins. By supper time, about 15 Endicott Cousins had arrived at the New Harmony
Inn.
Friday began in earnest with set up and Registration for the Cousin Reunion at the
New Harmony Inn Conference Center. The 2006 Endicott Christmas Ornaments and the
Endicott Coffee Mug were available for those who had pre-ordered. Endicott Opportunity
Raffle tickets were also available for about 25 items that had been donated by Cousins.
Jan Endicott Kahle of Historic New Harmony conducted excellent and informative tours
for us throughout New Harmony. She also hosted a “wine sampler” for Cousins at the
Atheneum (Visitors Center) in New Harmony. Jan was presented an Appreciation Award
for her involvement in the planning of the Reunion and hosting the “wine sampler”. All
enjoyed a leisurely supper on their own before gathering for the opening of the Cousin
Reunion at the New Harmony Inn Conference Center.
On Friday evening, Gordon Harmon, President, Endecott-Endicott Family Association
gave Welcoming Remarks and Greetings. He presented an Appreciation Award to Sherrie
McCain of the New Harmony Inn for her help in planning and set up for our Cousin
Reunion. Since the War of 1812 Presentation was canceled at the last minute, a
presentation on Governor John Endecott’s Burial – Mystery Resolved was presented. A
copy of this presentation (a seven page research article with citations and sketches of
John Endecott’s burial) can be obtained by contacting Gordon Harmon. Later, the
evening was enjoyed with Endicott cheers.
A delicious breakfast buffet provided by the New Harmony Inn was enjoyed by all.
We then convened for a brief Board of Directors/Membership Meeting. After this, several
made presentations during the GenJam on their Endicott research and research “brick
walls”. Several were able to fill in their missing links and connect back to Governor John
Endicott, our immigrant ancestor and the First Governor in the Massachusetts Bay
Colony.
On Saturday afternoon, Teddy Sanford, Ed Tracy, Sue Endicott Alexander and Gordon
Harmon presented a roundtable discussion on Thomas Endicott, The Pioneer Patriarch.
This included a review of the Life of Thomas Endicott and his family including New
Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky and Indiana. The results of this roundtable are
an article of 80 pages with144 source citations and 12 attachments on the Thomas
Endicott, The Pioneer Patriarch. A copy or CD of this article may be obtained from
Gordon S. Harmon.
Throughout the day on Saturday, there was significant one-on-one sharing of Endicott
research between Cousins. Many important documents were shared. Several more
Endicott Cousins discovered important information that they had been researching.
In addition, Linda Young, Posey County volunteer researcher provided many
important Endicott documents and Endicott photographs from her research and from the
Cox Collection at the Willard Library in Evansville, IN. Vera Dakin provided an
important document from the Chief Archivist, North Carolina Archives pertaining to
Thomas Endicott having been involved in the Revolutionary War by furnishing sundries
for the North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia Militia and having been paid for this
service to the Militia. This proof qualifies for an initial membership application or a
supplemental application into the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
(NSSAR) or the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
After some free time to enjoy walking around Historic New Harmony, 65 Endicott
Cousins, Friends and Guest gathered back at the Conference Center for the Social Hour
and Banquet. An excellent display of Endicott artifacts, photographs and documents were
well represented from several Cousins who had brought this material. Included in the
displays were Grandma Endicott’s rocking chair and several artifacts of Joseph Endicott
(1784-1867) who had served in the War of 1812 including his War of 1812 musket, his
walking cane, his eye glasses and a daguerreotype of Joseph Endicott. Also on display
were many items for the Endicott Opportunity Raffle and the auction. The video of the
Moses Endicott (American Revolutionary War Patriot) Memorial Service and Dedication
at the Endicott Meeting House on June 6, 2004 was available for all to enjoy.
Teddy H. Sanford served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Banquet. Special guest
included Posey County Circuit Court Judge Jim and Peg Redwine; Mary Griggs (Susanna
Turner Young Endicott Re-Enactor); Janet Armstrong (President, White County, IL
Genealogical Society) and Ruth Dorrel (Board of Governors, Society of Indiana
Pioneers). Cindy Endicott Levingston provided the Invocation. Gordon Harmon gave
greetings from Cousin Edwin Entecott of England. Ruth Dorrel gave greetings from the
Society of Indiana Pioneers and presented to the EFA, Inc. a Certificate recognizing the
Endicott Cousin Reunion and the Thomas Endicott (Pioneer Patriarch) Memorial
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Guest Speaker – Judge Jim Redwine, Posey County
Circuit Court (Photo Courtesy of Ruth Endicott)
After a delicious buffet dinner served
by the New Harmony Inn, Teddy
introduced Judge Jim Redwine as our
featured speaker. Judge Redwine spoke
on some early history of the Posey
County Court. He then gave an
excellent overview, with Endicott
Cousins participation and those in
attendance serving as a mock jury,
some late 1800s Endicott legal cases.
His presentation was very informative
filled with excellent humor for the
enjoyment of all in attendance. After his presentation, he was presented with an Endicott
Perpetual Calendar for his Posey County Court Chambers and a 2006 Endicott Christmas
Ornament for the Posey County Courthouse Christmas Tree.
Gordon Harmon made several presentations. The Annual (2006) Membership
Recruitment Award was presented to James R. Endicott of Carmi, IL for his work in
recruiting several new members to the EFA, Inc.during 2006. The Governor John
Endecott Award for excellence in Endicott research for the past two years was presented
to Mel Endicott of Bronson, KS. The Charles Endicott Memorial Award for excellence in
contributions to the Endecott-Endicott Family Association, Inc. for the past two years
was presented to Ruth Endicott of Edison, NJ and Cindy Endicott Levingston of Howell,
MI.
At the conclusion of the Banquet, Teddy Sanford gave a toast to all Endicotts, past and
present and several items were auctioned and the balance of the Endicott Opportunity
Raffle tickets were drawn. The three volume set of Sidney Perley’s History of Salem,
Massachusetts was successfully bid by Sarah Munoz. The Banquet centerpiece was won
by Rebecca Wilson of New Orleans, LA.
The 3rd Cousin Reunion obtained 15 NEW members of the EFA, Inc. and with this we
reached another milestone with our 100th member in the Association.
On Sunday June 11, the Endicott Cousins traveled to Poseyville, IN for the Thomas
Endicott Memorial Service and Dedication at the Poseyville Cemetery. Teddy Sanford
served as Master of Ceremonies. Logistics for set up were provided by the City of
Poseyville. The Mt. Vernon
Democrat provided media
coverage.
Photos Courtesy of Ruth Endicott
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Endicott Cousins at the Thomas Endicott Memorial
Twelve members of the Red Bank Reunion Band provided Civil War era music for this
historic event.
Boy Scout Troop # 387 of Poseyville, IN served as the Color Guard.
Red Bank Reunion Band
Placing of the Wreath
Mary Griggs (Susanna Turner Young Endicott re-enactor) attended the Memorial
Service to honor Thomas Endicott, The Pioneer Patriarch.
Remarks were made by Bruce Baker (President, Poseyville City Council), Myron
Westfall (President, Poseyville Cemetery Board of Directors and a Thomas Endicott
descendant) and Ruth Dorrel (Board of Governors, Society of Indiana Pioneers). Teddy
Sanford gave an overview of Thomas Endicott and the comparisons of the life of Thomas
and Daniel Boone. The unveiling of the Memorial stone was done by Ed Tracy and Cindy
Endicott Levingston. The placement of the memorial wreath was conducted by Myron
Westfall and Linda Messmer. The invocation and benediction were given by Cindy
Endicott Levingston.
Note: Memory Medallion. The Medallion is located on the Memorial stone. It contains a
900 word story on the Life of Thomas Endicott. It requires a CD to download on a laptop
or handheld along with a wand. Both the CD and the wand with instructions are located
at the Poseyville City Council Office for safekeeping.
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At the conclusion of the service, Endicott Cousins bid farewells and safe travels ---until we meet again for ---- the 4th Endicott Cousin Reunion – “Back Home Again in
Indiana” to be held June 11-15, 2008 at New Harmony Inn in Historic New Harmony,
Indiana.
Respectfully Submitted,
Gordon S. Harmon
President
Endecott-Endicott Family Association, Inc.
www.endecott-endicott.com
June 22, 2006
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