Celebrataing 250 Years - People, Places, & Themes

 

"This program is in honor of the 250th anniversary of Our Nation. It is provided by the Brunswick Town Chapter of NSDAR and is open to the public. We hope you can attend during the visit to this area."

May 15, 2026 Lord Craven Meeting.

 

Guest Speaker Jennifer Finlay and Lord Craven Librarian Martha Blacher

Colonial Dames Chapter Learns About Local History Resources

The Lord Craven Chapter of Colonial Dames held its May meeting on May 15, 2026, at the Northeast Regional Branch of the New Hanover Public Library System, where members learned about valuable resources available for local history and genealogy research.

Guest speaker Jennifer Finlay of the New Hanover County Library System presented a program on the Local History Room in the new downtown library. The collection focuses on the Lower Cape Fear Region of North Carolina and includes resources for those researching family history and genealogy. Finlay’s presentation, titled “Planting Your Family Tree,” featured an informative slideshow highlighting the importance of preserving local history and helping individuals trace their ancestral roots.

During the meeting, Martha Blacher, librarian for the Lord Craven Chapter, presented Finlay with five volumes of Royal Ancestry and three copies of The Royal Descents of 900 Immigrants. The books were purchased by the chapter to support the library’s genealogy resources and to make them available to the public.

The books were also a memorial to 4 members who had recently passed. Cynthia Reed Avent 3/13/2024; Laura Leigh Spence 3/26/2024; Ann Marie Nickerson 8/16/2024; and Frances Kay Sanderlin 2/8/2026. Another book by Carol Jutte was donated to the Local History Room at the NEW main New Hanover County Public Library, located at 230 Grace Street.

Kay Sanderlin of Wilmington, NC will be missed!

It is with deep sadness that our Colonial Dames group says farewell to Frances “Kay” Register Sanderlin of Wilmington, North Carolina, who passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 8, 2026, after a prolonged illness. 

Kay was a member of the Stamp Defiance Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a member of the Lord Craven Colonial Dames Chapter. She will be missed.

 Chaplain Waydell Bicking

                                            Frances "Kay" Sanderline

The State Port Pilot Published an Article on How to Purchase Paving Stones...

 

Memorial Day

 

Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial Dedication held at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson in Winabow

 

February 21st Lord Craven Colonial Dames Meeting - Photos of the Scottish Immigration Memorial

Catherine Fort is the president of the Scottish Society of Wilmington. Bob McLeod, the president of the CF Scottish Immigration Memorial Fund, was presented with a $2,000 check for the purchase of a paver with the inscription "In Memory of Our Colonial Ancestors The Lord Craven Chapter Wilmington, North Carolina The National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century." This paver has been placed around the the cairn that the two gentlemen below are leaning againt. 

A cairn is a human-made pile or stack of stones, often used as a memorial. Cairns have been used throughout history in many cultures and can be found in various locations around the world. They serve a practical purpose, like guiding travelers or marking a significant spot, but can also have a symbolic or ceremonial meaning. They are common in areas where there aren't obvious paths to help people find their way.

Information provided by the Brunswick Town website.

 

The memorial is placed at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site, overlooking the lower Cape Fear River and the docks the Scottish landed on.

This photo shows some Colonial Dames and 1812 members who attended the November 14, 2025, Cape Fear Scottish Immigration Memorial Dedication at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson in Winnabow, NC.