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/462055
WINTER 2014-2015 35 TENNESSEE SOCIETY On Sept. 21, 2014, the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution held the 13th Annual Constitution Week Bell Ringing at the Liberty Bell Replica on the Tennessee State Capitol grounds in Nashville. The TNSSAR Color Guard presented the colors for this celebration. Above, from left, Roger Tenney, Guy Kirby, Larry Pool, Edward Phillips, Commander David Miles Vaughn, Johnye Klossner Kitzman, Tennessee DAR State Regent Susan Rogers Thomas, Lori Hanley, Fred Ryan, Steve Gaines and Bob Nash. PPP A grave marking was held Oct. 18, 2014, in Red Boiling Springs, Tenn., for Revolutionary War Patriot Henry Wakefield of the North Carolina Militia. The invitation for the marking was by the Col. Anthony Bledsoe Chapter. The master of ceremonies was Wakefield's fourth-great- grandson, TNSSAR Compatriot Rev. John Wakefield of the Kings Mountain Chapter. Fourth-great-nephew Colin Wakefield gave greetings for the Tennessee Society. It was a wonderful event attended by approximately 90 people, including descendants and guests. Above, the TNSSAR Color Guard, front row, from left, are Colin Wakefield, Dennis Harris and Larry Pool. Back row, from left, Commander David Miles Vaughn, Steve Gaines, John Clines, Roger Tenney, David Eagan, Clarence Watson, John Clark, George Miller, James Hobbs and Fred Ryan. PPP On Sept. 20, 2014, the TNSSAR held the annual ceremony for the Gathering at Sycamore Shoals in Elizabethton, Tenn. This was a National Color Guard event. Compatriot Ronnie Lail of the Watauga Chapter was the master of ceremonies. The color guard from several states joined in with the TNSSAR Color Guard, commanded by David Miles Vaughn, to present the colors for this great celebration. Andrew Jackson Chapter In November 2013, members of the Andrew Jackson Chapter in Nashville, Tenn., learned that the headstone of a Revolutionary War Patriot was leaning against a tree in a neglected cemetery surrounded by condominiums. The location of his grave within the cemetery was unknown. A committee headed by Sanford Payton was appointed to correct the situation. Compatriot Payton is also a member of a history group that meets in Bellevue, Tenn., so he solicited the help of members of that group. The core group of five dedicated workers began learning as much as they could about the history of the area and Patriot Abraham Louis DeMoss (1753-1820). They called themselves "Friends of DeMoss" and worked under the umbrella of the Andrew Jackson Chapter, which held their funds in escrow, making donations tax-deductible. By the end of 2013, the group had discovered the location of DeMoss' grave and learned that he had named his original log cabin "Belle Vue," in honor of his French Huguenot heritage. DeMoss was a millwright and built a water-powered gristmill and sawmill on the Harpeth River, which ran through the property he bought in 1800. Because of the economic activity that developed around his home and businesses, the area became known as "Bellevue." The group created a brochure to make people aware that the founder of Bellevue, a Revolutionary Patriot, was lying in an unmarked grave, his headstone leaning against a tree. The group spread out across the community, telling DeMoss' story to anyone who would listen, and donations began to come in. They held a yard sale in the parking lot of the Bellevue Masonic Lodge and raised more than $1,200. By March 2014, a ledger-sized (72-by-36-by-6- inches) granite stone, above, was ordered and a TNSAR grave-marking program was planned. The event was attended by about 125 people, including at least 10 direct descendants. Fourteen members of the TNSSAR Color Guard, led by Statewide Commander David Miles Vaughn, participated. A 36-by-24-inch cast aluminum sign has been ordered for the cemetery to inform current and future visitors about the DeMoss family and DeMoss' important role as a captain in the Wilkes County, N.C., militia during the Battle of Kings Mountain, and as the founder of Bellevue. TEXAS SOCIETY The Plano, Denton and East Fork/Trinity chapters were honored to participate in the dedication of the SAR Medal on Robby Hall's headstone, right, in Carson Cemetery near Ector, Texas. The day was perfect, with just enough breeze to make the flags unfurl as they should. Hall's family and friends attended to memorialize this treasured compatriot. PPP