Book on Benedict Arnold trek topic for Mayflower meeting

BRUNSWICK – The author of a book on Benedict Arnold’s march to Quebec will be the speaker at an open meeting of the Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants on Saturday, May 3, at the Captain Stone Inn in Brunswick.

Mayflower Gov. Robert R. Dow will lead the 107th annual meeting of the society, which was founded in 1901. Prospective members are invited. Historian Syrena Gatewood will conduct a class starting at 10 a.m. for those interested in filing for membership.

Registration starts at 9:45 a.m. Luncheon will be at noon. Reservations must be received by Friday, April 25, sent to MSMD, c/o to Virginia Link, 17 Mildred St., South Portland 04106-2782.

The cost of luncheon is $16 for baked stuffed chicken breast, broiled haddock or sliced roast beef. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The guest speaker is Tom Desjardin, historian for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands. A 16th-generation Mainer, he earned a doctorate in history at the University of Maine and has written extensively on Joshua Chamberlain, Gettysburg and numerous Maine history subjects.

The author of four books, he will speak about his latest book, “Through a Howling Wilderness: Benedict Arnold’s March to Quebec, 1775.”

Requirement for membership in the Maine Society of Mayflower Descendants is proof of descent from any passenger on the Mayflower, which landed in Plymouth, Mass., in November 1620.

For information, call 721-9528, or visit the Maine Society’s Web site at http://www.memayflower.googlepages.com.