On 11 March 2002 Ralph Moore, Jon Austin, Leona Bradbury, Sarah Moore, Grace Solomonson, Ellen Indermark, David Bernardin, Florence Roberts, Charles Davis, Jeannine Thoburn, Karen P. Reid and Marilee Griffin petitioned the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois to create a Colony to be called The Great Prairie Colony of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois. The establishment of this regional organization was to provide meetings on a local level. The geographic territory for the Colony was to be loosely defined as including those counties whose inhabitants typically define themselves as residing in the region known as “Central Illinois”. The first meeting was held at the Kensington House in Rochester, Illinois on the 27th of April, 2002. Governor Mary Ellen Wright was in attendance. A total of 25 were present.

Our By-Laws state that all persons who are descended from a passenger on the MAYFLOWER on the voyage which terminated at Plymouth, New England, in December 1620, will be eligible for membership regardless of geographic residence, provided that they are a member in good standing in the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois and must be personally acceptable to this Colony. No person will be eligible for membership who is pledged to or advocates the overthrow by force of the Government of the United States, or that of any State or Territory, or who has been guilty of other treasonable practices or who is not of good moral character. The annual dues are $10.00.

All persons over 18 years of age that are members in good standing with the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois. At present we have 42 Regular Members. The annual dues are $10.00.

All persons under the age of 18 will be termed “Junior Members”. The procedure for Junior Member is the same as for Regular Member. The only exception is that between ages 18 and 25 (at which time Junior Membership shall terminate), any Junior Member may apply for Regular Membership in accordance with the provisions of membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois.

The Great Prairie Colony publishes a newsletter “Prairie Pilgrim” four times a year. At present, our Treasurer Jeannine Thoburn holds that position.

Our Annual Meeting to commemorate the signing of the Compact on the Mayflower on November 21, 1620, is held in the autumn of each year. The date, time, and place will be determined by the Board of Assistants. Our Spring Luncheon is held in April. It has been customary to have a picnic in the summer depending on the weather. Due to our membership consisting of members scattered throughout Central Illinois our Luncheons are held in different cities each time.

Our officers are:
Lt. Governor - Anna Marie Koontz
Dep. Lt. Governor - Ray Anderson
Secretary - Carolyn Dean
Treasurer - Jeannine Thoburn
Assistants - Jon Austin, Sylvia Brewer, and Harold Woodworth

Send Correspondence to:

Jeannine Thoburn
107 Lilac Lane
Chatham, Il 62629-8055
(217) 483-8914


or Anna Marie Koontz
10 Meadow Rue Drive
Edwardsville, Il 62025-3139
(618) 659-1288​

great prairie Colony