Society of Mayflower Descendants
in
South Carolina
Organized August 11, 1938 at Greenville, South Carolina
About Us
The Society of Mayflower Descendants in South Carolina was organized August 11, 1938 at Greenville, South Carolina, under authority of a charter granted by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, dated July 1, 1938.
The objects of the Society are:
- To perpetuate to a remote posterity the memory of our Pilgrim Fathers. To maintain and defend the principles of civil and religious liberty as set forth in the Compact of the Mayflower, "for the glorie of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our countrie."
- To cherish and maintain the ideals and institutions of American freedom, and to oppose any theories or actions that threaten their continuity. To transmit the spirit, the purity of purpose and steadfastness of will of the Pilgrim Fathers to those who shall come after us, an undiminished heritage of liberty and law.
- To promote the interests that are common to all the State Societies of Mayflower Descendants, and to secure united effort to discover and publish original matter in regard to the Pilgrims, authenticate, preserve and mark historical spots made memorable by Pilgrim association.
In 63 years, the society has grown to 373 members from across South
Carolina and the United States. In addition, there are 103 junior
members (under 18). The Society meets twice a year, with the
annual meeting commemorating Compact Day (November 21) and one spring
meeting.
The Society also sponsors The Gillman Montgomery French scholarship contest, with awards to elementary, high school and college students who write winning essays perpetuating the memory of the Pilgrims. The late state Society governor (1971-73) Gillman French endowed this scholarship with a generous bequest.