In preparation for this year’s Wreaths Across America Program (Saturday, December 13, 2025), the Jockey Hollow Chapter will be assisting the Ferro Monte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in cleaning some of the graves that will be marked with wreaths later. This event will take place:
If you have never cleaned graves before, it’s a very rewarding process and the results are often quite specular. All chapter members are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact us.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR held its first meeting for the 2025 – 2026 year. Although we have been the largest chapter in the state of New Jersey, we have begun our new year as the largest yet – with 121 compatriots and growing!
Additionally, we have many upcoming events on our calendar including, but not limited to a Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony, Wreaths Across America, educational opportunities for students, and more!
Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Dr. Jeff La Marca, presided over the meeting.
Our newest member, Compatriot Brewster Miner receiving his membership rosette from President La Marca.
Compatriot Rich Perry receiving the Bronze Henry Knox Medal for placing American Flags on monuments from Trenton to Jockey Hollow along the Washington Trail.
Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR Secretary George Link receiving the Bronze Henry Knox Award for his outstanding service as the Jockey Hollow Chapter’s Sargeant-at-Arms.
Compatriots James Naisby, Paul Frits, Georg Robb, and Ellis Bailey received Certificates of Appreciation for their contributions to the chapter’s Liberty Tree Dedication Project (to be held on November 15. 2025).
Tim Crist, Ph.D. was our featured speaker. Dr. Crist provided a fascinating lecture on “Newark’s Bitter Divide: Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution.”
Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR September 20, 2025 Meeting
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, NJSSAR, the largest chapter in the state of New Jersey is on a roll! At our May 31st Chapter meeting, our new Vice President, Michael Smilek, was sworn in and also received the Outstanding Young Member (Joseph Plumb Martin) Medal.
Vice President Smilek is currently producing an “Off Broadway” play (it’s a mere block and a half west off of Times Square in NYC) entitled “Father Anonymous” that “tells the story of America’s forgotten founder Dr. Joseph Warren and his more famous friends, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. Opening on the day of the Boston Massacre (1770), it closes with Joseph’s martyrdom at Bunker Hill (1775)” – https://fatheranonymousplay.com
Not only will this showcase an intriguing story relevant to the founding of our country, but many of our Chapter members will be attending a performance on June 21st. Not only that, but our Chapter has already been mentioned in several articles, as well as publicity materials that promote the play! Huzzah, Compatriot Smilek!
IMPORTANT: Jockey Hollow Chapter members wishing to attend this great event should contact us IMMEDIATELY for receive a special offer!
R to L: Jockey Hollow President Jeff La Marca and Vice President Michael Smilek.If you will be in NYC over the next few weeks, come see this fascinating play about some of our Founding Fathers, produced by Jockey Hollow’s new Vice President, Michael Smilek!
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR was first established in 1914. Every now and then a piece of our history comes to our attention to remind us of our past. One such reminder has just surfaced, via a Google search, about a historical marker placed by our Chapter in 1964 at the site of the home of Lt. and Mrs. Robert Wilson. This has been recorded by the Historical Marker Database. The inscription states:
Site of the home of Lt. and Mrs. Robert Wilson
Gen. and Mrs. George Washington were entertained here in November 1780 and at other times while the armies were encamped at Morristown
Site marked in 1964 by Gen. William Maxwell Chapter, D.A.R. Peggy Warne Chapter, D.A.R. Jockey Hollow Chapter, S.A.R.
Visitors are encouraged to contact us if you are aware of other markers.
All compatriots should have received their renewal forms for 2025 from our state organization. It is very important that you renew your membership now. The form is attached here, just in case you didn’t receive yours in the mail or have misplaced it. Don’t forget and renew today!
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution is holding a grave-marking ceremony at the final resting place of Silus Watters on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. (directions are listed below). All Chapter members are encouraged to attend!
Silus Watters was given his famous dog-head sword by Princeton Militia Captain James Moore (a hero of the Revolutionary War Battle of Princeton). This sword is now on display at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia.
This event is being held at the Pleasant Grove (formerly Presbyterian) Cemetery in Washington Township atop Schooley’s Mountain. The original gravestone is still there, but the inscription is gone.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter is honored to participate in this two-day event by volunteering to read the names of American patriots who have been Prisoners of War or are Missing in Action. All interested Jockey Hollow Chapter members who wish to read a few names are encouraged to join us between 2:00 and 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR was represented at Flag Raising and Wreath Placing Ceremonies at Mount Vernon on Labor Day! This event, organized by the Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR, was a terrific honor for both Chapters! (Note, Jockey Hollow President is also the new President for the Washingtonburg Chapter.)
This exciting opportunity began with flag raising ceremonies for both chapters.
Washingtonburg Chapter, SAR and Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR Delegation at Mount Vernon (L-R) Dawn Guinan, Jack Guinan, Ray Mowery IV, Alex Mowery, Kristin Mowery, Theron Winn, Jeremy Winn, Jeff La Marca, Bill Etsweiler, Lisa Etsweiler, Dale Leppard, Greg O’Brien, Susan Leppard, Meryl O’Brien, Chuck Brackbill
Jockey Hollow President, Jeff La Marca, was assisted by Compatriot Jeremy Winn in raising the flag.President La Marca and Past Washingtonburg President Leppard placing the wreath inside the tomb of George and Martha Washington.(L-R) Theron Winn, Jeremy Winn, Raymond Mowery IV, Jeffry La Marca, Gregory O’Brien, Dale Leppard, William Etsweiler in front of the tomb of George Washington.Monument at the Slave Cemetery at Mount Vernon.(L-R) Raymond Mowery IV, Jeremy Winn placing wreath in honor of Washington’s valet, Will Lee, and the slaves of Mount Vernon.President La Marca giving a reading about Will Lee, followed by brief biographies about the lives of Frank Lee, Nancy Carter Quarles, and other slaves of Mount Vernon as read by Past President Leppard, Gregory O’Brien, Charles Brackbill, and Jeremy Winn.Mikey the Haflinger cross pulling a carriage at Mount Vernon.
