The SAR MAGAZINE is the official quarterly publication of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution published quarterly.
Issue link: http://sar.epubxp.com/i/153219
Left, the participants in the ceremony honoring St. George Tucker and Thomas Tudor Tucker: from left, Nancy Arton, Regent of the Somers Isles Chapter, NSDAR; Bermuda Gov. George Fergusson; members of the C.A.R.; Robert Settje, U.S. consul general to Bermuda; VASSAR Chancellor Michael J. Elston; Peter Frith, museums manager, the Bermuda National Trust; Rev. W. David Wraths, rector, Their Majesties Chappell St. Peter's Church, Bermuda; and Lt. Col. William White, president of the Bermuda National Trust. The DAR, SAR and C.A.R. Honor Bermuda-Born Patriots of the Revolution O n March 25, the Daughters, Sons and Children of the American Revolution honored two Bermuda-born patriots of the Revolution—St. George Tucker and Thomas Tudor Tucker—in a special ceremony and reception hosted by the Bermuda National Trust at the Historic Tucker House Museum in the Town of St. George's, Bermuda. Bermuda Gov. George D.R. Fergusson and Robert Settje, U.S. consul general to Bermuda, attended and spoke during the ceremony. Thomas Tudor and St. George Tucker were the younger sons of Henry Tucker Sr., who was the reputed leader of the Bermuda Gunpowder Plot of 1775. Their older brother, Henry Tucker Jr., served as president of the Governor's Council and was married to the daughter of George James Bruere, who was the British governor of Bermuda. Gov. Bruere's son, John, was killed fighting for the crown at Bunker Hill in 1775. Prior to 1775, the younger brothers had made their way to the mainland to make their fortunes—Thomas, a physician, to South Carolina, and St. George, a businessman and lawyer, to Virginia. As tensions between the colonies and Great Britain increased, the brothers had to choose sides, and they chose the colonies. More than a year before the Continental Congress would declare independence from Great Britain, the brothers had separately advised rebel leaders that 112 barrels of gunpowder could be found in the unguarded magazine at St. George's. Ultimately, about 100 of those barrels 28 The three organizations presented a wreath to be displayed under a painting of St. George Tucker that hangs in the Tucker House. Fergusson and Consul General Settje both stressed the importance of the social, economic and strategic ties between Bermuda and the U.S. The governor, upon receiving the SAR Certificate of Appreciation, quipped that he was somewhat hesitant about accepting a "certificate of disloyalty." Elston said, "The ties between Bermuda and the United States are deep and innumerable … We are your nearest neighbor, your second-largest trading partner, and the primary source of your tourists. Most importantly, we are friends. And tonight's event is a reminder that this is nothing new. It is a celebration of those connections, both historic and modern day; and it is a recognition of one small part of our shared history." During the ceremony, the SAR announced a program of activities through 2015 designed to bring attention to the role of these Bermudaborn patriots, commemorate their birthplace in Bermuda, honor their final resting places in the U.S., and educate Americans and Bermudians on the long-standing ties between the two countries. Wreath layings will be held at St. George Tucker's grave in Nelson County, Va., on Nov. 2, 2013, and at Thomas Tudor Tucker's grave in Washington, D.C., on May 3, 2014. The program will include the commissioning and sale of a limitededition pin. The funds raised will be used to "pay Bermuda back" for the stolen gunpowder by donating a portion of pin-sale proceeds to Bermuda charities and to establish a fund for the C.A.R. to use in planning its commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the Revolutionary Era, which will begin in just 10 years. were "borrowed" and used by Americans against British forces on the mainland. The Tucker House, where the ceremony took place, was purchased by Henry Tucker Jr. in 1775, and is one of the many historic 17th and 18th century buildings that make up the St. George's World Heritage Site. In addition to their reputed roles as instigators of the Bermuda Gunpowder Plot, both Tucker brothers served in the military during the Revolution. After the Revolution, St. George Tucker went on to a career as a distinguished lawyer, professor and jurist in Virginia. Thomas Tudor Tucker represented South Carolina in the First U.S. Congress and was treasurer of the United States for more than 26 years until his death in 1828. Lt. Col. William White, president of the Bermuda National Trust, served as master of ceremonies at the March 25 event, and the Rev. W. David Raths, rector of St. Peter's Church, the oldest Anglican church in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere, gave the invocation. Nancy Arton, regent of the Somers Isles Chapter in Hamilton, Bermuda, represented the DAR. Michael J. Elston, VASSAR chancellor and president of the George Washington Chapter, gave remarks on behalf of the SAR. Emily Elston, Virginia State librarian and president of the Proceeds of the sale of the pin benefit the C.A.R. "Light Horse Harry" and Bermuda charities and can be ordered for Lee Society, spoke and $20 (plus $2 shipping and handling) through the represented the C.A.R. George Washington Chapter SAR, P.O. Box 336, Lorton, VA 22199. during the ceremony. SAR MAGAZINE