When reunion time arrived, participants were registered
in our Hospitality Room, and their "mug shots" were taken for souvenir
mugs of the event. They all received a tote bag with a folder containing
a schedule of activities, tickets for the Mammoth Cave Tour we had planned,
name tags, family cookbooks, contests to enter, and family genealogies.
The room contained memorabilia tables where we all displayed family picture
albums and the Chamberlin family bible. The next event was a barbecue in
a picnic area at the motel we had chosen for our gathering. While the cooks
grilled burgers and hot dogs, the children participated in an autograph
hunt while the adults got acquainted. After our delicious meal, we all
introduced ourselves by giving our name, telling how we were related to
the Chamberlin or Shabowski families, and telling what we liked best about
our family. The introductions were followed by drawing names to participate
in our versions of "Family Feud" and "The Not-So-Newlywed Game". The games
were enjoyed by contestants and spectators alike, who especially enjoyed
Phil Chamberlin’s answer to the question "What is "Your Song"?". His answer
"Take me out to the Ball Game" tickled the audience even though it failed
to match wife Terry Schabowski Chamberlin’s answer. Prizes were awarded
to the winners and runner ups. The rest of the first evening was spent
enjoying the company of old and new acquaintances.
Saturday began with croissants and coffee, followed by
our caravan to Mammoth Cave. Those staying behind volunteered to watch
the children too young to go. After touring this natural wonder, we returned
for a cold luncheon and a little rest before the Chamberlin-Shabowski Family
Olympics began. Teams had been previously assigned so that each one had
an equal representation of members of all ages. We had three teams: Team
Ireland, Team England, and Team Poland, which represented the ethnic backgrounds
of the majority of our group. Events consisted of both physical and mental
contests such as back-to-back race, three-legged race, what age are they
(each team tries to guess the age of celebrities), guess the product by
the slogan, one minute race (object: be the one to cross the finish line
as close to one minute as possible), egg toss, etc. Team Poland won our
first Chamberlin-Shabowski Olympics and received trophies for their efforts.
Later that afternoon we held an auction where items that
were donated by attendees were auctioned off to help recoup the costs of
our event. As many of the donations were hand made, they made wonderful
remembrances for those who captured them in the bidding. Preparations then
began for the highlight of our reunion our banquet, a family play, awards,
presentations, and door prizes. Our theme for our reunion was "In the Service
of Their Country" and we decorated the banquet room in patriotic colors.
The banquet meal was delicious and afterwards we were treated to some wonderful
entertainment. A short business meeting was held during which a business
report was given, and recommendations were received for future reunion
and family activities. Carol Shabowski Hauk read to us "Greetings to the
Chamberlin-Shabowski Family" that she had solicited from various dignitaries
and politicians, including Governors, Presidents, the Polish Ambassador
to the U.S., and even Buckingham Palace. Then the Chamberlin-Shabowski
players presented a wonderful program based on our reunion theme. The narrator
introduced the audience to various ancestors of ours who told us about
their lives and their service to our country. The Chamberlin-Shabowski
singers sang songs which represented the times these people lived in. We
met a colonial ancestress who outlived three husbands and yet died at age
40 in 1673, a Revolutionary War ancestor and his wife, a Civil War ancestor
and his wife, and not a dry eye was in the house as we heard from our WWII
relative who was missing in action. For comic relief we received a rendition
of "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boys" from three fellows doing their Andrews Sisters
imitation. The program ended with a moment of silence for our ancestors
and relatives who had served our country and are no longer with us, and
with a presentation of a certificate of appreciation and a US flag which
had flown over the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. to those present
who had served our country. The audience then joined the choir in singing;
"This Land is Your Land," "God Bless America," and "Auld Lang Syne". Quite
a memorable and patriotic evening!
Following the program, awards were presented to various family members for achievements in several categories such as: most senior attendee, youngest attendee, person who came the farthest to attend, attendee with the most descendants, etc. Also several door prizes were awarded.
Sunday was the day for a morning golf tournament and for saying good-byes to all those we had met or reacquainted ourselves with. We promised to stay in touch and we made plans to see one another again at our next reunion scheduled for the year 2000.
Special thanks to the following:
Catherine Chamberlin Shabowski - served as Treasurer, Registrar, and
at many other miscellaneous tasks. Couldn’t have done it without her!
Jim and Dee Schabowski - for all your help with setups, the Auction,
etc.
John and Patty Chamberlin - our food and euchre committeepersons.
Sue Chamberlin- auction assistant.
Jim Chamberlin - BBQ cook.
Bob and Kathy Shabowski - our t - shirt committeepersons and BBQ cook.
Sharon Walters - Banquet Decorations.
Jamie Schabowski - Song leader and singer of the "National Anthem".
Paul Shabowski and Wayne VanHook - for setup help.
Sherry VanHook - costume help.
Phyllis Chamberlin Adams - for helping me locate so many relatives
I did not know.
My nieces, Jennifer, Julie, and Karen - for help with the awards, and
door prizes.
Everyone- for your auction donations, the gifts I received as Chairman,
for your wonderful participation in all our events, the cookbook project,
and the sharing of memorabilia, for the wonderful blessings given before
meals, for the participants in the Chamberlin-Shabowski Family Players
who without practice had to endure strange costumes and the whims of this
director, the Chamberlin-Shabowski Singers who entertained us wonderfully
with their singing.
I’m sure I overlooked something or someone, but please know that your
efforts were appreciated!
It’s truly a blessing to be a part of this family and it was a real
joy to meet and be with you all!
I look forward to the chance to do it again in 2000!
See you there!
Chairman Carol Shabowski Sheedy
Attendees
Carol Shabowski Hauk
Christopher Hauk
Jacqueline Surface
Christine Willey
Catherine Chamberlin Shabowski
John B Chamberlin
Patricia O’Connor Chamberlin
Julie Chamberlin
John Chamberlin Jr.
Susan Chan Chamberlin
Christopher Chamberlin
Nicole Chamberlin
Jim Chamberlin
Lori Murphy Chamberlin
Conner Chamberlin
Philip G. Chamberlin
Erin Casey Chamberlin
Paul Shabowski
Kim VanHook Shabowski
Jennifer Shabowski
Julie Shabowski
Karen Shabowski
Bob Shabowski
Kathy Grimes Shabowski
Jake Shabowski
Phil Chamberlin
Terry Schabowski Chamberlin
Mary Schabowski Candiano
Susan Chamberlin
Ted Chamberlin
Robyn Broadfoot Chamberlin
Jennifer Chamberlin
Peggy Chamberlin
Phyllis Chamberlin Adams
Owen Adams
Sharon Adams Walters
Bill Walters
Charlene Chamberlin Scharite
Frank Scharite
Mary Craig Chamberlin
Peggy Chamberlin Grossman
Paul Grossman
Paula Grossman Mutchler
Carl Mutchler
Meghan Mutchler
Jim Schabowski
Deloris Shafer Schabowski
Catherine Schabowski
Jamie Schabowski
Sherry Baker VanHook
Wayne VanHook
Some of the sights seen that weekend...
Carol sent letters to all the Governors of the States we represented
along with several other politicians and dignitaries. These are the greetings
she received to pass along to reunion attendees:
The
Transcript of the program presented Saturday, July 27th , 1996.
"IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY"
by Carol Shabowski Hauk
Narrator...Carol Shabowski Hauk
Elizabeth Underwood Taylor Slaughter Catlett Butler...Kathleen Grimes
Shabowski
Revolutionary Soldier William Lewis...Jim Schabowski
His wife Polly Brown Lewis...Dee Shafer Schabowski
Culpeper County Judge...Paul Shabowski
Civil War Veteran John C. Chamberlin...John B. Chamberlin Jr.
His wife Hannah Stevens Chamberlin...Jamie Schabowski
Our Boogie Woogie Gals...Jim Chamberlin, Christopher Hauk, & Phil
Chamberlin
WWII Pilot MIA...Robert Shabowski
...and featuring the Chamberlin - Shabowski Family Singers
(Narrator) Good Evening!
We are the families of the descendants of Englishmen who arrived
on this continent in the
1600’s, and who have had descendants participate in every military
action our country has seen. We are the families of the descendants
of an Irishman who came to this country during the potato famine, farmed,
and sent his son off to preserve the Union during the Civil War. And we
are the families of the descendants of a Pole, who immigrated at the turn
of the century, and saw his sons go off to fight in WWII, one paying the
supreme sacrifice for his country.
Today we celebrate our proud heritage as we honor the legacy and acknowledge
the contributions of those who have participated "In the Service of their
Country". We will meet some of these people this evening and learn about
their contributions to our developing nation.
The early colonists came to this country with great hope. Hopes of escape from economic hardship and political and religious persecution. They settled in this wilderness facing the hardships of disease, starvation, and Indian attacks. Yet they persevered and they began building settlements, setting up colonial governments, negotiating trade agreements and treaties, and exploring and mapping the new world. As tough as these things were, these people were grateful for the opportunities that this colony presented them.
(Chamberlin-Shabowski
Family Singers) "We Gather Together"
(Narrator) I would now like to introduce to you Ella Lewis Chamberlin’s
6th Great-Grandmother, my
9th Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Underwood Taylor Slaughter
Catlett Butler.
(Elizabeth) Good evening. My name is Elizabeth. I was born in
Virginia in 1632 to William and Margaret
Underwood. My father came to this colony shortly after the Indian Massacre
of 1622. In 1650 I married James Taylor, but he was not a kind or
faithful husband to me, and in fear of my life, I petitioned the court
for a separation. James died and I was free to marry again. My second husband
was Francis Slaughter, who was a Captain of the Militia and a Justice of
Rappahannock County, Virginia. He died a year later after we had son Francis.
I then married another prominent colonist, John Catlett. John was born
in 1622 in Sittingbourne, England and came to Virginia in 1650. We settled
upon the banks of the Rappahannock River near what became Port Royal. He
held the following positions in our community: High Sheriff, Presiding
Justice of the County Court, Colonel of the County Militia, Coroner, Vestryman,
and commissioner in 1663 to settle the boundary line between Virginia and
Maryland. On August 26, 1670, explorer John Lederer accompanied by my husband
John Catlett climbed to the top of the Blue Ridge at Manassas Gap, and
were the first colonists to view the Shenandoah Valley. The Indians have
a legend about the valley. They speak of it as the place where the Great
Spirit brought the stars together to sing for joy. While singing, a rock
in the mountain split and fell asunder. The water of a beautiful lake poured
out and rushed to sea. The moon and stars fled away. A thousand years later
the stars were again looking for a place to gather and sing. They went
back to the blue mountains where they had cast their robe of light in ages
past, and found the land even more beautiful than the water had been before.
The Great Spirit had caused the spring of water to gush out and feed the
beautiful river that the Indians called "Shenandoah", "Daughter of the
Stars". Flowers sprang up to fill the valley with their fragrance.
(Chamberlin-Shabowski
Family Singers) "Shenandoah"
(Elizabeth) Not long after the expedition my husband John died while
defending the Fort at Port Royal from
Indian attack. We had four children together: John, Elizabeth, Sarah,
and William. I then married in 1671, my 4th husband, the Reverend Amory
Butler.
(Narrator) Elizabeth died in 1673 at the age of 41. This much
married lady made provisions in her will for the
continuing education of her children in England along with provisions
for bringing them back to Virginia upon completing their education. Among
Elizabeth’s descendants are many who have notably served their country,
President James Madison, General George C. Marshall, and General George
S. Patton among them.
The immigrants kept coming and soon there were 13 colonies. After the
French and Indian War, British Rule governed these colonists, but changes
were soon to be. Protesting vigorously against the Stamp Act and Townshend
Acts the colonists were stirred to action. Continental Congresses met to
try to determine their course of action resulting in the adoption of that
great historical document: The Declaration of Independence which states:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. That
to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed.
Toward that end, the colonists took up arms against the British.
(Chamberlin-Shabowski
Family Singers) "Yankee Doodle"
(Narrator) I now introduce to you Ella Lewis Chamberlin’s Great Grandparents, and my 4th Great Grandparents. William and Polly Lewis of Culpeper County, Virginia.
(Polly) I was born on the 4th of February in 1767 to John and
Elizabeth Brown. I married William Lewis on February
14th, 1782, when I was fifteen. We farmed along the Rapidan River and raised
our family.
We had fifteen children: John, Henry, who died in infancy, Abraham,
Henry, Thomas, Coleman, James, Simeon, William, Daniel, Ann,
Elizabeth, Charles, Arthur, and Alexander.
(Narrator) Presenting an Honorable Justice of the Culpeper, Virginia, County Court.
(Justice) On this 15th day of August 1837, personally appeared
before the Court of Culpeper County, now
sitting, William Lewis, a resident in said county and State, aged 69
years, who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on
his oath make the following declaration:
That he first entered the service about the last of June 1779 under
Lt. Daniel Palmer and marched to Albemarle Barracks to guard
prisoners. That in the year 1780, he was again in the service drafted as
private under Capt. Fisher Rice and Lt. John Blakely and marched under
Col. Slaughter. That near Fredericksburg, he was countermanded
and returned. That in the year 1781, first July, he was drafted
and marched under Capt. Bohannon, Lt. James Manay, Ensign Littleton to
Station Hills below Richmond. There he joined the main army. The
officers were P.Edmunds, Lt. Col. Slaughter, and Major Beale,
General Stevens Brigade. That he marched about to different points and
was
discharged at or near Williamsburg.
Sworn to and subscribed in open court the date and year aforesaid.
(Narrator) And the Court proceeded to perform the following interrogation to the applicant, he being under oath and which he answered herein after stated.
(Justice) When and what year were you born?
(William Lewis) In Culpeper County, Virginia on the 8th of April 1763.
(Justice) Have you any record of your age and if so where?
(William Lewis) I have a family register in which my name stands.
(Justice) Where were you living when you were called into service, where have you lived ever since, and where do you live now?
(William Lewis) I have said I was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, and have never lived anywhere else.
(Justice) How were you called into service, were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom?
(William Lewis) I was drafted every time I was in Service.
(Justice) State the names of some of the Regular Officers who were with the troops where you were in service, such as Continental and Militia Regiment as you can recollect and the General as remembrances of your service.
(William Lewis) I know Lafayette, Muhlenburg, Stevens, Col. Dark, Col. Matthews in addition to those mentioned in my declaration. The circumstances of my service I have stated in my declaration.
(Justice) State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood who can testify as to your character for veracity and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
(William Lewis) I believe I was known to the Court and certainly nearly all the elderly men in this county. I have proved my service by the certificates of Zachary Griffin and Julius Hunt; for veracity, Isaiah Welch and Daniel Triplett and for my character the Court will please inquire of any man in sight.
(Justice) This Court does hereby declare their opinion, and finds that William Lewis was a Revolutionary Soldier and served as he states.
(Narrator) As a result of this application, William Lewis was entitled to receive an annual pension of $20.00. Polly Lewis died June 18, 1828 at the age of 61. William Lewis died June 18, 1851 at the age of 88, quite remarkable for a man who served this Country, entering Revolutionary War Service at the tender age of 16.
Our troubles with England were not yet over. The War of 1812 saw cousin
James Madison in the White House and fifth great uncle Reuben Bennett participating
in the Battle of New Orleans. Cousin
Zachary Taylor made a name for himself in the Mexican War. And his
"Rough and Ready" reputation soon saw him White House bound.
The deep-seated differences between the North and the South led to the Civil War. This terrible conflict tore the country apart and defined us as a Nation. Measured in physical devastation and human lives, it was the costliest war in the experience of the American people.
(Chamberlin-Shabowski
Family Singers) "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
(Narrator) Ladies and gentleman, I now present to you Benjamin Sanford Chamberlin’s parents: John and Hannah Stevens Chamberlin.
(Hannah) My grandparents came to Ohio County, Kentucky from Maryland in 1800. My grandfather Henry Stevens owned several slaves, but his religious beliefs led him to free them and finance their journey to Liberia. I married John Chamberlin in 1857. We had two children of our own, but only Benjamin lived to adulthood.
(John) I was born in New Jersey and came to Kentucky with
my Uncle James Daman. By trade I was a blacksmith.
In November of 1862, I signed up with the 12th Kentucky Cavalry. My General
wore a uniform such as I am wearing today. My company
and regiment was attached to the Army of the Ohio.
We were involved in operations against Morgan’s Raiders, participated in
Burnside’s March into East Tennessee, and joined
in the Knoxville Campaign. For 5 months, we fought in the Atlanta
Campaign. Later, we marched in Burbridge’s Saltsville Expedition and General
Stoneman’s raids into Virginia and North Carolina.
I was mustered out August 23, 1865 after 2 years and 9 months
service. Our Regiment had 3 officers and 22 enlisted men killed or mortally
wounded. We lost 4 officers and 204 enlisted men to disease.
After the war I came home to farm, was a postmaster, and
commander of our Grand Army of the Republic Post.
(Narrator) Hannah Stevens Chamberlin died in 1895 and her husband John in 1909.
The Spanish-American War brought notoriety to distant cousin Teddy Roosevelt, and family tradition has it that Chamberlin men were turned down for WWI service due to flat feet. Our Country was ever expanding. In New York Harbor, Lady Liberty welcomed those "yearning to breathe free", but yet another conflict erupted involving the commitment of many nation’s entire human and economic resources. WWII more than any other previous war blurred the distinction between combatant and non-combatant. Victory gardens, ration books, war bonds, Rosie the Riveter, and entertainers performing to raise the morale of the troops were all a part of the efforts to aid our country in its war efforts.
So I am pleased to present direct from an engagement at the Hollywood
Canteen...
The Chamberlin Sisters Plus One
(Boogie Woogie Bugle
Gals) "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (of Company B)"
(Narrator) I’d like to introduce you now to my Uncle Ted Schabowski.
(Ted) My parents Rose and Ignatius Schabowski were married in Chicago. I was born January, 14, 1921 in Gary, Indiana. I went to Holy Trinity Grade School and graduated from Lew Wallace High School in Gary. I entered the Army Air Corps in September of 1942 and was trained in radio communications. I was assigned to the 823rd Bombardment Squadron 38th Group, and was stationed in Australia and New Guinea. Our aircraft were B-25’s, and operations were in Southwest and Western Pacific. We participated in the Air Offensive against Japan, and China Defensive Campaigns.
(Narrator) Ted’s plane with its crew was reported missing
in action over New Guinea. The Army later declared him
officially dead.
Let us now take a moment to reflect on Ted’s sacrifice
and the contributions of others near and dear to us who
have served their country and who have either passed on or could not attend
our reunion today:
Adolph Schabowski, Stanley Schabowski, Michael Schabowski,
John Shabowski, Lee Kelly, Paul Chamberlin, Bob Deere,
Bob Grady, Donald Schabowski, Sam Grimes, Harry Pokropinski, Roderick
Walters, Greggory Walters, and Robert Zackrich.
(Chamberlin-Shabowski "America"
Family Singers) "America, the Beautiful"
(Narrator) Now the Chamberlin-Shabowski Family Association
would like to show its appreciation by recognizing
those in attendance today who have participated "In the Service of Their
Country":
Owen Adams, Philip Chamberlin, Frank Scharite, John Chamberlin,
Jim Schabowski, and Ted Chamberlin.
We gratefully acknowledge your contributions.
(Chamberlin-Shabowski "This Land is Your Land"
Family Singers joined by "God Bless America"
the audience) "Auld Lang Syne"
THE END