McDade Historical Society

06/17/2026

06/08/2026

Okay, skip the booze but donate money for fireworks. The McDade Historical Society plans on having a Fourth of July Fireworks Show, weather permitting. Bring a check or cash to the museum this coming Saturday, June 11th, 1 to 4, or to the June meeting, 7:00 p.m., June 22nd. Or mail it to the McDade Historical Society, P.O. Box 621, McDade, TX 78650. Or give it to any member. Please help us have a fantastic show for our nation's 250th birthday!

06/07/2026

The McDade Historical Society’s banner of Revolutionary War ancestors is hanging downtown.

It is by no means a complete list. On some families, there wasn’t enough information to follow. Many others, especially those of German origin, came after the Revolution.

If there is information the person was an officer, it is listed. Otherwise, rank was unknown, he was a private, or he served in some other capacity. For example, Kittrell Mundine was an older man serving as Justice of the Peace who made sure young men joined the army, so he is listed in the Book of Patriots. Likewise, John Watson, a wealthy landowner, provided goods.

There is no shame and much to be proud of an ancestor who was “only” a private. He was probably only a teenager who fought hungry, half-naked, and left bloody footprints in the snow. Pvt. Thomas Poore suffered as a prisoner of war, the British treatment of them being brutal and inhumane.

Names evolved. Gresham became Grissom, probably to differentiate from their Tory cousins. Johann Mehn became John Main. Null became Nutt, a change one of the Notch-cutter outlaws made probably to protect his family from his nefarious reputation. Poore became Moody when an orphan took the name of his guardian.

Sometimes there are interesting things to learn. Archibald Heffington, the ancestor of the deputy who was shot in downtown McDade, participated in exciting sea battles, going ashore to witness Cornwallis surrender his sword to George Washington. On the other hand, all that could be learned of John Greenhaw was that he was a Virginia soldier.

If you see a family name on the list and want to find out more, Google the name with revolutionary war to see what comes up.

05/22/2026

Check out our veteran flags downtown. Fathers and sons, grandfathers and grandsons, best buds, they all look great!

04/25/2026

Pics from our April 19th "Shot Heard Round the World." Tom Glass explained the events and importance of Lexington and Concord. Kevin Henry played Capt. John Parker. Freddie Wilson & Johnny Klemm were Sons of Liberty. Beth Moody, Mimi Klemm, Lyn von Roeder, & myself were Colonial ladies. Jim Price & Steve von Roeder blasted blunderbusses. Pastor Phillip Thomas gave the benediction.

04/02/2026

The McDade Historical Society will be selling these 1" pins at the Easter Egg Hunt & Bake Sale on April 4, "The Shot Heard Round the World" event on April 19, and during the McDade Watermelon Festival on July 11.