The fall meeting convened at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, November 15, 2009 at the Milburn Golf & Country Club in Overland Park, Kansas. Dr. Robert Xidis, a professor of Composition and American Literature, was the guest speaker. His presentation was entitled Rev. John Clayton’s Two Years at Jamestowne in the 1680s. Dr. Xidis began with emphasizing there were two John Claytons, but his report was about the first arrival of the two, Reverend John Clayton. During his two years in Virginia, Rev. Clayton was a pioneering observer of soils, climate and medicine and is credited with the discovery of coal gas and with pressure-cooking. He also wrote a very vivid account of the inhabitants of Virginia that included the Indians, slaves and the transplanted Englishmen.
After the program, Governor Dessa Jane Burrell officially called the meeting to order. The officers gave their report and two new officers were introduced. Mr. Gordon Fristoe will now serve as the Company Treasurer and Mrs. Frances Bade will serve as Company Genealogist and Membership Chair.
Prospective members, guests and new members were introduced. Gov. Burrell asked the three new members to step forward. At the same time, three of the Membership Committee came forward and presented a Jamestowne Rosette Lapel Pin to each of them. The three new members are Mrs. Janis Taylor, Mrs. Barbara Weed and Mrs. Kathleen Ocasio. They were congratulated for their research back four hundred years to a Jamestowne ancestor. In addition, each of them received a certificate for becoming members of the Kansas-Missouri Company.
A Memorial Service conducted by Mrs. Anne Sizemore, Chaplain, was held for Mrs. Jeanne Dunn, who passed away March 27, 2009 and Mrs. Margaret Wolivar, who passed away July 2, 2009.
The meeting was adjourned with a reminder that the KS-MO spring meeting will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010.
Dessa Jane Burrell, Governor
Kansas-Missouri Company
Jamestowne Society
