United States. A Sons Of The Revolution Medal,By Bailey, Banks & Biddle, To Lee Rogers Allen In Gold, C.1931

An oval badge constructed of sterling silver, the obverse centre presents a Continental soldier, surrounded by a 13 star on scalloped blue-enamelled frame, surmounted by a drop-wing eagle, the reverse presents the right-facing bust of George Washington, circumscribed by SONS OF THE REVOLUTION 1883, engraved with LEE ROGERS ALLEN OCTOBER 8, 1831, makers mark BB&B for Bailey, Banks and Biddle and member number 4603 on reverse of eagle, measuring 29.75 mm (w) x 44.77 mm (h), on loop for suspension from period original ribbon, and in good condition.

Footnote: Lee Rogers Allen was born on 25 September 1892 to parents Dr. Americas Rogers Allen (1861-1917) and Kate Delilah (nee Bitting) Allen (1865-1946). He is a descendant of William Allen, who settled at Salem, Massachusetts before 1628, and Jeremiah Allen, who served in the Revolutionary War as a private. In 1918, Allen married Julia Wescott David. Allen’s occupation was an insurance appraiser and he worked his way up to Vice President of the County Fire Insurance Company. In addition, Allen was a member of the Rittenhouse Club, Sons of the Revolution, Baronial Order of Runnymede, Founders and Patriots, Angiers Club of New York, a Director of the City Institute, an officer of the Genealogical Society, and a Mason. He died on 18 October 1946.

The Sons of the Revolution was founded in 1876 by members of the Society of the Cincinnati, wishing to broaden participation in preserving the American Heritage on the eve of the United States centennial. Its mission is to promote knowledge and appreciation of the achievement of American independence and to foster fellowship among its members. As a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization devoted to the principles and ideals of its founders, the modern Society maintains its headquarters, in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia with twenty-eight societies in the United States and Europe. David Banks Plum was born in Troy, New York on October 7, 1869, the son of Fred A. Plum and Mary S. (Fowler) Plum. His education was acquired in the local public schools, and after completing his education, he joined the mercantile firm of Starkweather & Allen, where he served as a Clerk for eight years. In 1897, Plum became associated with the Troy ""Record,"" in the capacity of Collector, and from this position was advanced from time to time, until he filled all positions in the Business Department. He married Harriet L. Barnes, daughter of Albert J. Barnes and Hannah C. (Bigelow) Barnes, on March 30, 1898 in Troy. He was made a Director of the ""Record"" in 1901, and served as General Manager and Treasurer beginning in 1915. A practical man of broad ability and keen foresight, with a keen appreciation of the educational value of the daily newspaper, Plum was a leading factor in the development of the ""Record"" to its prominence in the newspaper world. He was a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Bureau of Advertising of the American Newspaper Publishers' Association, and was a director of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Among the local industrial activities, Plum was affiliated as a Director with the J.B. Carr-Woodhouse Company, Incorporated, and was its President, Treasurer, was a Director of the Averill Park Company, and also was a Director of the Troy Trust Company. The public life of the community always commanded the interest and aid of David Banks Plum, and as a loyal Republican, he was well known in Rensselaer County, but never accepted the honors or responsibilities of public office. For ten years he served in the 6th Separate Company, Troy Citizens' Corps, and served as First Sergeant of Company A, 2nd Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish-American War. Fraternally he was identified with Mount Zion Lodge, No. 311, Free and Accepted Masons; the Society of Colonial Wars; the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America; and the Sons of the Revolution. His clubs included the Troy, the Van Schaick Island Country, and the North Woods, and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, of which he was a Trustee.