STOCKTON — Recently, Doug Arters, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) secretary, gave a talk to the Chautauqua County Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution members at the Stockton Hotel, focusing on several books, notably Bill O’Reilly’s book, titled “Killing England,” co-authored with Martin Dugard.

Especially notable was the creation of Arlington National Cemetery, though this narrative goes beyond O’Reilly’s book. Just before the Battle of Yorktown September-October 1781, General George Washington traveled home to Mt. Vernon, which he had not visited for some six years during the Revolutionary War. His step-son, Jacky Custis, was determined to return with him to Yorktown. Jacky had purchased land just south of the Potomac River, comprising of at least 640 acres. The family did not want him to travel to Yorktown, fearing the worst. Indeed, Jacky contracted malaria, according to O’Reilly, and died in a matter of days near the site of the battle. Jacky was the last surviving offspring of Martha Washington; malaria was a problem in all 13 colonies in the early years.

Jacky’s son, George Washington “Wash” Custis, raised by George and Martha Washington, when of age, inherited the land and built the Greek-style home which he named Arlington House. Later, Wash’s only surviving daughter, Mary Anna, Martha Washington’s great-granddaughter, married Robert E. Lee; they left the home when Robert E. Lee became the commanding officer of the Confederate Virginia Army during the Civil War, starting in 1861 when Ft. Sumter was bombarded by the Confederate Army.

During the War, the federal government used the Arlington property for military purposes, a transfer station for freed slaves, as well as a cemetery for upwards of 6,000 Union Army burials, spitefully, right through Mary Anna’s rose garden.

On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre. At the conclusion of the war, the Lee’s son, General George Washington Custis Lee, filed a lawsuit against the federal government to recover the title to the Arlington property. The US Supreme Court ruled in his favor, then Lee sold the property back to the government for $150,000, with negotiations conducted between himself and Robert Todd Lincoln, son of the assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Thereafter, the property became Arlington National Cemetery, and the home was designated a museum. It was generally believed that if Lincoln and Lee could be amiable, then the whole country could also amiably settle their differences following the Civil War. Indeed, soldiers from both sides celebrated together at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1913.

Presently, about 30 burials are made nearly every weekday at the cemetery. It is the duty of the “Old Guard,” the 3rd Infantry Division, to provide military care for Arlington National Cemetery.

O’Reilly’s book noted that Sgt. Thomas Hickey was the first American soldier in history who was hung for treason, taking place before 20,000 onlookers on the 28th of June 1778 in Manhattan, New York, with the warrant signed by General Washington. While in jail, Hickey had bragged about his connections with New York Governor Tryon, the loyalist governor who was planning to assassinate General Washington and his staff. O’Reilly claimed that Washington’s dentures were made with hippopotamus ivory, but a curator at Mt. Vernon revealed that cow and horse teeth were used.

The book also discussed the excellent improvements and training provided by General Friedrick Wilhelm von Steuben, with homosexual tendencies who never married, who arrived at Valley Forge on Feb. 23, 1778. He last lived at or near Utica, New York.

O’Reilly reported that Washington lived at some 200 places during the war. A sergeant with the National Guard NYS Governor’s Band in the 1980’s came across a home along the Hudson River with a sign stating: “George Washington Did NOT Stay at this House.”

Washington gave his farewell to his officers at Fraunce’s Tavern, New York City, on Dec.4, 1783. It was a tearful dinner party with upwards of 300 men in attendance, Fraunce’s Tavern is still extant, surrounded by towering skyscrapers.

Arters also reported briefly on historian David Barton’s book “The Jefferson Lies,” which has stirred much controversy, especially 85 as to whether or not Thomas Jefferson actually fathered children by the slave girl Sally Hemings. The DNA evidence is not conclusive because it does not trace back to a specific Jefferson. The best possibility is actually Jefferson’s younger brother, Randolph, for having fathered the Hemings children. Another author, William G. Hvland Jr., an attorney formerly practicing law in Virginia, agrees with that assessment, who wrote the book titled “In Defense of Thomas Jefferson: The Sally Hemings Sex Scandal.” Barton’s book focuses on a number of other issues in the life of Jefferson, a very complicated, sophisticated man.

In other business, chapter president Steve Boothe and member Frank Stowe noted they had given a presentation for the Harmony Society. Boothe made the annual award presentation at the JROTC group at Dunkirk, awarding Cadet Owen — John Smith. Also, Boothe discussed possible ways in which the group might honor the memory of the late Don Ahlstrom, who had been president of the chapter in the late 1990’s for three years, and was a former mayor of Jamestown.

The chapter’s registrar, Harry Lent, reported the membership roster now has 29 members. Bill Gage is working on his membership paperwork.

Arters reported on several parades in which the color guard participated, including the Gerry, Cherry Creek, and Mayville parades, noting that the Cherry Creek society had awarded the group $75, and the Mayville association $50.