Charter Members
Charter Members of the Jessie Benton Frémont Detached Tent #16
The Villages, Florida
Our Detached Tent was chartered on October 28, 2023
Barbara Barnhill
Sandra Bobalik
Elizabeth Boykin
Sherry Brady
Nancy Briles
Cheryn Campbell
Karen Carbonneau
Katherine Echlin
Pam Ellis
Hannah Emmett-Dennis (Organizing President)
Trinity Grafft
Brandi Haines
Kay Hall
Mindy Hatcher
Joan Hutter
Sallie Kautz
Marcea Oetting
Colleen Pauley Perry
Alison Ray
Norma Richmond
Stacey Smaldone
Kristen VanNederynen
Phelan VanNederynen
Sarah VanNederynen
Sheila Vitiello
Jan Weingard
History of Jessie Benton Frémont Detached Tent #16
Hannah Dennis, 4th great-granddaughter of Pvt. Cyrus Richmond (NY, Co. B, 2nd Regt, Heavy Artillery), organized the Jessie Benton Frémont Detached Tent #16, Florida, in 2023. She is serving as the Tent's first President from 2023-2025. The Tent's namesake was chosen by the Tent's first Patriotic Instructor, Marcea Oetting.
Our Tent held its first organizing meeting on July 8, 2023 at the Belvedere Public Library in The Villages, Florida. We had 12 potential members in attendance!
Our second organizing meeting was held on August 12, 2023 virtually via Google Meets. 7 potential members attended. We selected our first slate of Tent officers. After this meeting, we officially applied for our Tent's charter with 17 charter applicants. By the time our Tent was instituted, we had a total of 24 charter members. 30 days later when our charter closed, we had 26!
Our Detached Tent was officially chartered on October 28, 2023 during an Institution Ceremony at the Belvedere Public Library in The Villages, Florida. Our Tent was instituted by Verna Maleski, DUVCW National President 2023-2024. She also swore in our first set of officers, and welcomed in our new members and transfers. Also in attendance at the Institution was Ellen Higgins, Past National President; and Lauri Warmack, National Registrar. Following the ceremony, a small reception was held which was catered by our Tent Chaplain, Karen Carbonneau.