Jean Bessac Chapter

 Alma, MI

National Society Daughters of
the American Revolution

 

 

Home Page
History
Membership
Meetings

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Chapter History

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Jean Bessac Chapter was organized October 25, 1939 in Alma, Michigan.  It was named for Jean Guilliame Bessac, ancestor of the Chapter's first regent, Miss Lou Nickerson.

 

Since its beginning the Jean Bessac Chapter has been active in patriotic and youth causes.  Pledge of Allegiance cards and flags were distributed to Boy Scouts, local schools, and newly  naturalized citizens. Manuals for citizenship were distributed at citizenship classes given by a member. The Chapter has sponsored many 12th grade Good Citizens  who have become State runners-up.  Chapter members have also worked with Junior American Citizen and History contest contestants.  Many honors and winners have resulted.

 

In 1963, the Jean Torrance Chapter of Ithaca disbanded and several members of the chapter joined Jean Bessac Chapter.  In 1987, Steven Thompson Mason Chapter of Ionia disbanded and we received additional transferees.  A 50-Year birthday celebration was held in 1989.  Jean Bessac Chapter looks forward to future service and our members are proud to be Daughters.

 

Jean Guilliame Bessac (1760 - 1824)

This young Frenchman came to America in 1779, at the age of 19, and with his brother set up a mercantile business in Jersey City.  When the French fleet arrived with a body of land forces under Count Rochambeau, Jean Bessac was commissioned as Assistant Surgeon and was attached to the staff of the Count.  In this post he made good use of medical skills acquired in his earlier years of training, and he also gave freely of his personal fortune in the cause of American Independence.