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
VIRGINIA SOCIETY The VASSAR and The Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with the Virginia State Society United States Daughters of 1812 and Prince William Resolves Chapter, NSDAR, held a joint grave marking and Monument Ceremony June 14, 2014, in Dumfries, Va., to honor 11 Revolutionary War and nine War of 1812 veterans known to be interred in the historic Dumfries Cemetery. The ceremony was conducted by Compatriot Thadeus Hartman of the Col. William Grayson Chapter. Representatives from each of these societies were in attendance to observe the solemn dedication. The monument unveiling was presided over by VASSAR President Bill Broadus; President Dennis Fritts, Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia; and President Lynne Schulman, Virginia State United States Daughters of 1812. A total of 16 wreaths were laid at the monument site by 10 VASSAR chapters, including Col. William Grayson, Fairfax Resolves, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, Col. Fielding Lewis, Culpeper Minute Men, Fort Harrison, Thomas Nelson Jr., Williamsburg and George Washington. Patriots Honored at Great Bridge On Dec. 6, 2014, patriotic citizens once again celebrated the amazing victory of Virginia and North Carolina Patriots over Lord Dunmore's regular and volunteer forces on Dec. 9, 1775, at the Battle of Great Bridge. Ceci Budimier of the Great Bridge Chapter, NSDAR, introduced NSSAR President General Lindsey Brock as the keynote speaker. He provided details of events leading up to this early battle and an account of the battle, in which Col. William Woodford led his 2nd Virginia Regiment, the attached Culpeper Minutemen, and volunteers from North Carolina and many Virginia counties to victory over Tory Governor Lord Dunmore's force of British regulars of the 14th Regiment of Foot, the Queen's Own Loyal Virginia Regiment, and the Royal Ethiopian Regiment. This battle proved strategically important. Patriot heroes defeated British regulars. The victors, reinforced from North Carolina, quickly captured Norfolk and forced the removal of the King's forces, which had been in Virginia more than three years. The resulting control of the Chesapeake Bay pro- vided unhindered transportation of troops, food, weapons and supplies to Washington's Army. In Virginia, fence sitters were persuaded by the victory to join the Patriot cause, and Virginia declared independence early in 1776. The Norfolk Chapter SAR and Great Bridge Chapter NSDAR hosted the combined 4th Annual Commemoration of the Battle of Great Bridge and the 61st Annual DAR Wreath Laying at Battlefield Park in Chesapeake, Va. A Friday evening reception started the celebration in good spirits; some of the out-of-town participants also were invited to meet Williamsburg's "Patrick Henry," who still seems bothered that Woodford, rather than he, was sent to defend Great Bridge. The event was successful due to the co-sponsorship of the City of Chesapeake, the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways History Foundation, and Culpeper Minute Men Chapter SAR. On a Saturday that threatened rain, celebrants came out to applaud the NSSAR/VASSAR Color Guard and re-enactors who provided music and musket volleys. Chesapeake Councilwoman Suzy Kelly read a proclamation that declared Dec. 6, 2014, to be "Battle of Great Bridge Observance Day." President Caroline Fox of the Cavalier Society, C.A.R., spoke briefly. Foundation President Dr. William E. Ward highlighted the importance of teaching youth our great history by introducing the youngest of the uniformed color guard, 7-year-old William Elston of the C.A.R. The observation culminated with the laying of wreaths by 36 organizations. Represented were the NSSAR, SAR Foundation, the Society of the Cincinnati, nine state societies from Virginia and North Carolina, nine NSDAR chapters, 15 SAR chapters, and two C.A.R. societies. Norfolk SAR and Great Bridge NSDAR look forward to our next observance on Dec. 4-5, 2015, as we continue to remember and honor our Patriot ancestors. — Dr. J. Thomas Whetstone Norfolk Chapter On the cold but sunny Saturday morning Nov. 15, 2014, the Norfolk Chapter sponsored a commemoration of the Battle of Kemps Landing. This action occurred on Nov. 15, 1775, further setting in motion events for the Battle of Great Bridge that would occur the following month. Although the assembled Patriot militia was routed at Kemps Landing, the action within present-day Virginia Beach, Va., set the conditions for the complete, violent elimination of Royal authority in Virginia. During the battle, militia companies from Princess Anne County assembled near Kemps Landing to counter regular British troops that had landed at nearby Great Bridge under the command of Virginia's last Colonial governor, John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore. Dunmore was investigating reports of Patriot troop arrivals from North Carolina, rumors that turned out to be false. When he heard of activity by the Princess Anne militia, he marched to Kemps Landing and, unfortunately, defeated the Patriots' attempt at an ambush. Encouraged, WINTER 2014-2015 37 Pictured at the 61st Annual Wreath Laying are, from left, Wayne Rouse, past president, Col. Fielding Lewis Chapter, SAR; Caroline Fox, president, Cavalier Chapter Children of the American Revolution; Sylvia Ryder, regent, Princess Anne Chapter, DAR; Harley Stewart, secretary, Williamsburg Chapter, SAR; President General Lindsey Brock, NSSAR; and Emily Holmes, regent, Great Bridge Chapter, DAR. At the Kempsville Historical Marker, from left, Dr. Tom Whetstone, president, Norfolk Chapter; James Carver, member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church Vestry; Nancy Miller, District I Director, VADAR.