Welcome to SMDPA

The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (SMDPA) was organized in 1896 by two Philadelphians, Francis Olcott Allen and Edward Clinton Lee, who were members of the New York Society. The charter was issued on 14 October 1896.

Although its governing Board of Assistants has been based historically in the Greater Philadelphia area, the Society has two Colonies. The Susquehanna Colony is located in Central Pennsylvania in the greater Harrisburg area and the Western Colony is located in Western Pennsylvania in the greater Pittsburgh area. Members are invited to participate in the State and Colony levels or merely through our award-winning quarterly newsletter, The Pennsylvania Mayflower.

From the Governor's Desk - 01/04/2021

As the new year begins and we turn the page on 2020, our expectations of a return to normal grow. The vaccines are underway. It is only a matter of time before our membership and their families can share together in our traditional “in person” celebrations. We have set our calendar for events, let’s trust we can keep the dates. We expect to celebrate the first Thanksgiving this fall and I look forward to seeing everyone in person at one of our events.

 Our historians have been hard at work adding dozens of new members, with over 100 more in the application process! The General Society is revamping their website and I am a contributing member of the committee. This will streamline many processes, attract new members and position us for growth! We should be complete by fall.

Our newsletter was delivered with plenty of interesting articles and sporting the freshly minted Mayflower USPS stamps. I personally stamped, labeled and filled every envelope. Please take advantage of your $20 store credit, it is now time to redeem.

We have a very talented team of leaders volunteering thousands of hours yearly.  As you may know, James Buckner was our 2018 recipient of the Distinguished Pilgrim award. We are catching up on 2019 and on time for 2020. The award is our highest honor for exemplary work and service to the SMDPA. The two recipients today are truly worthy of the award and the $500 that accompanies it. The actual awards will be presented in our Spring meeting.

Both candidates qualify based on the superb performance in finance and secretary officer duties alone. And both were intimately involved in our successful conversion to the Star Chapter website over the last two years. Countless hours are logged keeping us on track by this duo and they have worn many “hats”. I completely trust them for sound advice, on time actions and unselfishness in every moment.

We are blessed to have them in our midst! Three cheers for Scott and Laura!

2019 Scott Bond                           2020 Laura Tyndall

May God bless you and your family, keeping all healthy and in faith during this very unique time!

Respectfully,

Reed Kneale

Governor SMDPA, [email protected]