By Molly Lovell
Staff Writer


The Reverend John Fairfield Society of the Children of the American Revolution are preparing to celebrate 50 years of service.
The society will be honored May 24 at the Dyer Library in Saco.
Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution statewide have been invited to attend. Non-members are also invited to learn more about the organization.
Newton said there are 10 members in the Reverend John Fairfield Society, some scattered throughout the country.
Anyone who has an ancestor who fought or was involved in the Revolutionary War can be a member by proving the genealogy, said Senior Society President Helen Newton.
Newton, a Kennebunk resident, said the society’s namesake was the first pastor of the First Parish Church in Saco and remained at the post for 36 years until leaving in 1798 when he became blind.
Newton said while she doesn’t know a lot about Fairfield, she said he did serve in the Revolutionary War and was distinguished for having read a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the pulpit a month after it became public.
The Sons of the American Revolution began in 1888 and in 1890 DAR was founded.
“This is 100 years after the Revolutionary War. Prior to that people knew people who had been in the war were now reaching a point where they were dying or dead. They realized they needed to begin to preserve the history,” Newton said.
She said Daughters of the American Revolution owns the largest complex of buildings owned by women in the world, an entire block in Washington, D.C. Newton said the first building was purchased more than 100 years ago, housing a genealogical library and museum dedicated to the Revolutionary War period. She said there is an extensive collection of heirlooms and a number of states have “taken a room,” in the buildings.
“States take a room and furnish it appropriate to that period, to that state,” she said
Maine’s room replicates a sea captain’s living room and Newton said several items were recently purchased at auction, including a portable desk a sea captain would take to sea and an ink well.
Newton joined the organization in 1976 while living in New York State.
“I lived east of Saratoga Battle Field, so I was always immersed and interested in Revolutionary War history,” she said.
Family records show Newton’s ancestors were Quakers and one did march in a battle in New York State. She said ancestors don’t necessarily have to have been soldiers in order for a descendent to join any of the organizations. She said sometimes farmers were asked to furnish food to the war effort.
“If you could go in town records and find where they donated food to the continental government, and you could prove the ancestor as a taxpayer, than that person could be used as an ancestor,” she said.
Daughters of the American Revolution has chapters nationwide and often raises money for scholarships for local students. They have also established several schools in the south.
Those under the age of 21 can join Children of the American Revolution.
Newton said there are 26 Daughters of the American Revolution groups in Maine and a handful of Children of the American Revolution groups.
The Reverend John Fairfield Society celebration will be at 10 a.m., May 24 at Dyer Library. A light lunch will follow after which the group will proceed to Laurel Hill Cemetery to place a wreath on Fairfield’s grave. For more information, call 985-1223.