Shown in photograph is David Summerton talking about his research on the Medal of Honor presented to his seventh great-grandfather from the Revolutionary War.

CASSADAGA – David Summerton was the speaker at the recent Chautauqua County Genealogical Society annual summer picnic held at the Cassadaga Red House.

Summerton, who served with the U.S. Army as a Captain for 12 active years, began his speech with “genealogy belongs to the family.” Summerton’s seventh great-grandfather, David Williams, served in the Revolutionary War, and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his action in the capture of a British officer and espionage chief who was a spy during the war. Williams was one of three American Militiamen who captured the officer. The Medal of Honor award was a wooden plate, which he showed a photograph of his grandmother holding, and showed an original letter, and copies of letters from West Point. The letter to his grandmother was written in 1977. The wooden plate has been donated to the DAR in Washington. Summerton has done much research and presented a very interesting talk.

The summer picnic was planned and organized by Vice President Gail Dash. She had prepared the room with tables and serving ware for all, and those attending brought a dish of food to pass.

President Walter Sedlmayer called the business meeting together with a welcome. Member John Sipos read the minutes of the previous meeting. The financial report was given by treasurer Debbie Kotar.

Member Ruth Nichols said that an inventory of a filing cabinet in the records room has been completed and will be put on a computer. Member Norm Carlson said that the Holland Land Company images are now online. Cassadaga Village Historian Sipos brought some old photographs of the area on a display panel and talked about them to the group.

The Chautauqua County Genealogical Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Barker Library. New members are always welcome.