On this page you will find the history of our chapter, and the history of the life of our chapter namesake, Michel Guillaume Saint John de Crevecoeur
Michel Guillaume Saint Jean de Crevecoeur
1735 - 1813
The Life of Our Chapter Namesake
January 31, 1735: Born in Caen (Normandy), France, son of the Marquise de Crevecoeur; Received his education in France &and England
1754: Sailed for the New World, served with Montcalm in Canada
1757: Fought at the capitulation of Fort William Henry
1764: Naturalized as an American, assuming the name Mr. Hector St. John
1769: Bought and developed a large plantation near the Hudson River, naming it Pine Hill
1770: Married Mehitable Tippett of Yonkers
1780: Sailed for France after being detained by the British on suspicion of being a spy
1782: Published Letters From An American Farmer in London, having been written at Pine Hill
1783: Appointed French Consul to New York, returned to find Pine Hill in ashes, wife murdered and their 3 children sheltered in Boston
1785: Proposed that Ethan Allen use “St. Johnsbury” instead of the frequently used “St. John” in response to an earlier query
1787: The Honorable St. John de Crevecoeur and his 3 children were adopted as citizens of the Commonwealth of Vermont, by an Act of the General Assembly
1790: Returned to France
November 12, 1813: Died at Sarcelles, France... “widely recognized in his day as a gentleman of culture and versatility, honored for his patriotism and philanthropy, for sweetness and dignity of character, whose life was devoted to the good of mankind.”
From The Town of St Johnsbury VT , Edward T. Fairbanks, 1914, Cowles Press, p. 21- 28
January 31, 1735: Born in Caen (Normandy), France, son of the Marquise de Crevecoeur; Received his education in France &and England
1754: Sailed for the New World, served with Montcalm in Canada
1757: Fought at the capitulation of Fort William Henry
1764: Naturalized as an American, assuming the name Mr. Hector St. John
1769: Bought and developed a large plantation near the Hudson River, naming it Pine Hill
1770: Married Mehitable Tippett of Yonkers
1780: Sailed for France after being detained by the British on suspicion of being a spy
1782: Published Letters From An American Farmer in London, having been written at Pine Hill
1783: Appointed French Consul to New York, returned to find Pine Hill in ashes, wife murdered and their 3 children sheltered in Boston
1785: Proposed that Ethan Allen use “St. Johnsbury” instead of the frequently used “St. John” in response to an earlier query
1787: The Honorable St. John de Crevecoeur and his 3 children were adopted as citizens of the Commonwealth of Vermont, by an Act of the General Assembly
1790: Returned to France
November 12, 1813: Died at Sarcelles, France... “widely recognized in his day as a gentleman of culture and versatility, honored for his patriotism and philanthropy, for sweetness and dignity of character, whose life was devoted to the good of mankind.”
From The Town of St Johnsbury VT , Edward T. Fairbanks, 1914, Cowles Press, p. 21- 28
From Fairview Cemetery
Composed in 2001 by chapter member Nola Andrea Brown Forbes to
honor her Green Mountain Boy patriot ancestor, who was an original settler of
Bethel, Vermont.
Hillsides shrouded in scarlet and gold
Guard your peaceful green valley… Behold!
Markers of granite, fieldstone and slate
Join full ranks beyond this entrance gate.
Lead us to memories of yesteryear,
Of strong hearts so bold, ideals so dear.
Tradesmen and farmers united stood
To fight for our fledgling country's good.
As I call the wind from yonder farm,
Will ghostly echoes lead the alarm?
"Rouse, take arms, leave safe abode,
Families, livestock, those fields newly sowed.
Strategic plans need strength from the core
Of each hardy body and soul's store.
The fight is on, assemble your selves,
Extend loyal strongholds, prod and delve."
From peak to vale through Vermont of old
Militia responded, we've been told.
Such factions merged with fortitude tough,
Reliance, trust in beliefs… enough!
Crafting a stir, observe what they fused,
Traits of northern resolve became used.
This Green Mountain Boy has earned his rest
Sylvanus Owen, you braved each test.
Vermonter, New Yorker, Quebecois tongues
Spoke with you while this nation was young.
Each mission joined brought glimmers of bliss,
Confidence, justice, hope - all of this.
Charting this nation's fate to secure.
This tribute offered… our thanks endure.
Guard your peaceful green valley… Behold!
Markers of granite, fieldstone and slate
Join full ranks beyond this entrance gate.
Lead us to memories of yesteryear,
Of strong hearts so bold, ideals so dear.
Tradesmen and farmers united stood
To fight for our fledgling country's good.
As I call the wind from yonder farm,
Will ghostly echoes lead the alarm?
"Rouse, take arms, leave safe abode,
Families, livestock, those fields newly sowed.
Strategic plans need strength from the core
Of each hardy body and soul's store.
The fight is on, assemble your selves,
Extend loyal strongholds, prod and delve."
From peak to vale through Vermont of old
Militia responded, we've been told.
Such factions merged with fortitude tough,
Reliance, trust in beliefs… enough!
Crafting a stir, observe what they fused,
Traits of northern resolve became used.
This Green Mountain Boy has earned his rest
Sylvanus Owen, you braved each test.
Vermonter, New Yorker, Quebecois tongues
Spoke with you while this nation was young.
Each mission joined brought glimmers of bliss,
Confidence, justice, hope - all of this.
Charting this nation's fate to secure.
This tribute offered… our thanks endure.
Do you have a Revolutionary War patriot in your family tree?
If you are a woman 18 years or older, you may be eligible to
join. For more information about the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution please click on this link: NSDAR
For general information on becoming a member of the DAR click on this link:
NSDAR membership info
For more information about the Vermont State Society Daughters of the American Revolution please click on this link: VSSDAR
For more information about the Saint John de Crevecoeur Chapter, NSDAR, serving Vermont's Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties) and adjacent New Hampshire counties please go to our Contact Our Chapter page.
The content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of NSDAR. Web hyperlinks to other sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.
Edna Curtin, Webmaster