Members Attend Lafayette Ball At The Historic Sansay House.

After the wonderful events on The Morristown Green on Sunday, July 13, 2025, two members attended the Lafayette Ball at the historic Sansay House in Morristown. The event was a re-enactment of the ball held 200 years ago to celebrate Lafayette’s return visit to Morristown.

The Sansay House was the actual venue for the original ball, and the hosts, Dillard and Adrienne Kirby, of the contemporary party truly went all out to make this celebration memorable. The house entry was adorned with blue, white and red flowers in the gardens, in honor of the the Marquis’s home country. The “dining” room was set as though the Marquis and his hosts and guests had just finished a grand meal, while around the room were originals of correspondence from, and to, the Marquis owned by the Gilder-Lehrman Institute for American History – what a treat. Proceeding to the back yard, guests were treated with French champagne cocktails upon entry. The passed foods were delicious, French-themed wonders.

President Jeff La Marca and compatriot Ellis Bailey joined the approximate 130 guests in enjoying the festivities of toasts from the re-enactors, specially composed music from an ensemble from the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, and an exhibition of period dances by professional dancers from NYC and CT, in costume.

This was a wonderful event held by those that support the history and triumphs of America, and Morristown’s contributions.

The splendid Sansay House decorated for the Ball.

The Ensemble from the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey.

The “Sansay’s” escorting their esteemed guest, “The Marquis de Lafayette.”

Jockey Hollow Members Host Table On The Morristown Green To Welcome Lafayette’s Return

Five compatriots staffed a table on The Morristown Green on Sunday, July 13, 2025 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s farewell tour of America. The wonderful event brought more than an estimated 1000+ people out to visit the displays, watch and march in the parade, listen to the guest speakers and enjoy the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey’s rendition of the specially composed music for the event.

President Jeff La Marca, in full uniform, along with Vice President Michael Smilek, Sergeant-at-Arms George Link, and compatriots David Paretti and Ellis Bailey were visited by many of the attendees, answering questions about the SAR, our chapter, and our projects. Numerous men completed forms to allow follow up for possibly joining the chapter.

The parade saw the arrival of the Marquis in horse drawn carriage, escorted by a fife and drum corps, dragoons from the 2nd Continental Light Dragoons, re-enactors from the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, cannon fire, church bells, other period re-enactors and townsfolk. Numerous town officials and re-enactors participated in the event. The Marquis circulated through the crowd, being welcomed by all, much like the event 200 years ago.

It was a wonderful day of camaraderie, enlightenment and celebration.

and at: https://morristowngreen.com/2025/07/14/lafayette-conquers-morristown-once-more/

Re-enactor Julie Diddell (Westfield Chapter, DAR)

Sargent-at-Arms George Link and President Jeff La Marca ready for visitors.

The Marquis de Lafayette (Michael Halbert), his escort Ned Hector (Noah Lewis) and event co-chair Carol Barkin.

Jockey Hollow Members attend Battle of Monmouth Annual Luncheon

Three members of the chapter attended the June 7, 2025 NSSAR quarterly meeting celebrating the Battle of Monmouth. President Jeff La Marca, Past President Roger Loomis, and compatriot Ellis Bailey especially enjoyed the unique venue – aboard The USS New Jersey (BB-62) in Camden, NJ.

Prior to the luncheon, the Society held its State Board of Managers meeting. During this time, visitors could take a tour of the impressive ship, the largest battleship ever built and the most decorated in Navy history. BB-62 was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, just a short distance across the Delaware River from where she is docked now, and launched December 7, 1942—just a year after the Pearl Harbor Attack brought America into WWII. The size of the Iowa-Class ship made it easy to have the luncheon on the aft deck for the many members and visitors. Captain Baker, the last officer to captain the ship during military action in the Middle East, was a guest and told very interesting anecdotes about the great vessel and its crew. He explained that although currently not in active duty and serving as a living museum and memorial, the ship has been outfitted with modern weapons, is fully functional, and can get underway if called to duty.

Numerous awards and medals were presented during the luncheon to compatriots and guests for their service to the society and to the community. Following that, guest speaker Gary Ecelbarger, award-winning author of ten books and numerous other publications discussed his new work “George Washington’s Momentous Year 1777: Twelve Months that Transformed the Revolution, Philadelphia to Monmouth.” The Battle of Monmouth played a key role in this.

You can learn more about the USS New Jersey at https://www.battleshipnewjersey.org/

The USS New Jersey (BB-62) docked in Camden, NJ.

The color guard prepares to present the colors.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Holds Quarterly Meeting

The Jockey Hollow Chapter held its quarterly meeting on May 31, 2025 at The Exchange Restaurant in Rockaway, NJ. The lunch meeting began at 11:30 A.M. with special guest Chris Sands, President of NJSSAR.

Officer reports were delivered. President La Marca indicated volunteer help is needed for the following activities:

Grave Markings
Web Site Assistance (Newsroom)
Pomeroy Foundation Markers
Color Guard
Speakers Bureau
Education Committee
Liberty Tree

If you can help with any of these, please contact President La Marca.

The vote to ratify the newly prepared bylaws was conducted by ballot. The bylaws were ratified by the membership.

An update of the Wreaths Across America program was given, indicating that the chapters transferring its support to the First Presbyterian Church/ United Methodist Church Cemetery in Succasunna so that we can work with the Ferro Monte DAR Chapter that runs the program. Volunteers will be needed, with more information to come.

Initiation of the new Vice President, Michael Smilek, was done by President La Marca. President La Marca also initiated new members George Kirby and Jake Hays.

Compatriots were recognized with awards and medals for service to the chapter and community. Members were presented the awards by President La Marca or President Sands, followed by a hearty, “Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!”

The fascinating featured presentation, “Cudjo ‘Jack’ Banquante: Newark’s Revolutionary War Soldier and First Black Businessman,” was delivered by special guest speaker Kofi Ayim. His enlightening speech recounted the remarkable life and indomitable spirit of Cudjo Banquante—who was born into Ghanaian royalty, sold into slavery, and later substituted for his master in the Revolutionary War. He fought gallantly in many major battles and, upon earning his freedom, was granted an acre of land. With this, he became Newark’s first documented Black businessman—at the age of seventy. Mr. Ayim spends his time in Newark and in Ghana and has authored three books.

Michael Smilek received the Outstanding Young Member Medal (Joseph Plumb Martin Medal).

James Naisby received the Roger Sherman Bronze Medal and the NSSAR Color Guard Challenge Coin.

David Paretti received the Henry Knox Achievement Bronze Medal.

Jeff La Marca received the NSSAR Color Guard Challenge Coin.

Jockey Hollow Members Attend Anniversary of General Lafayette’s Historic Visit to General Washington in Morristown.

Two members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter attended the Salute to Lafayette on May 10, 2025 on The Morristown Green. President Jeff La Marca and compatriot Ellis Bailey attended the ceremony on the beautiful spring morning to celebrate the kick-off of the 2025 celebration activities for General Lafayette, marking the 245th anniversary of his historic visit to General George Washington at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, when he delivered the news that France would support the fight for freedom. The event was held around the Alliance Statue, depicting Washington, Lafayette and Hamilton to commemorate the event. Morristown Mayor Doherty and other officials spoke and attended, as well as reenactors of General Lafayette and a colonial singer. This was prelude to the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to Morristown in July, 1825. A memorable parade is planned and festivities on The Morristown Green on Sunday, July 13, 2025 will include a table for the Jockey Hollow Chapter.

The Alliance Statue on The Morristown Green.

Singer Pat Sanftner from the Morristown Chapter DAR.

President La Marca and Compatriot Bailey honored to stand with the greats.

Recognition and Celebration of Patriot Cudjo Banquante

Numerous organizations and leaders have teamed together to recognize, celebrate and honor a local Revolutionary War hero – Cudjo Banquante.

Cudjo Banquante was born sometime in the 1720s in the Gold Coast (now Ghana), West Africa into a family of royal heritage. As a youth he was taken by European slave traders across the Atlantic, eventually being purchased by the wealthy Coe family of Newark, New Jersey.

During the American Revolution, Benjamin Coe sent the enslaved Cudjo to fight as a substitute for himself in the war against the British. Cudjo served in the Essex County and Morris County militias. He took part in the Battles of Monmouth and Germantown. He was with George Washington at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777 and later served with General Sullivan at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.

After the war Cudjo was emancipated for his military service. The Coe family gave him land in Newark on which he established a nursery selling ornamental plants. Cudjo was the first African American businessperson in Newark. He died in 1823 at around 100 years of age. He was buried in the cemetery of Newark’s Trinity Church, located where the New Jersey Performing Arts Center now stands. (Thanks to the organizing team for this wonderful biography.)

For more information about Cudjo Banquante’s life, go to the website of the New
Jersey Historical Society: www.jerseyhistory.org/cudjo/

Events in Newark, in late April and early May, include exhibits, unveiling of a commissioned painting, reenactors, specifically composed music performances, a genealogy workshop, film screenings, an academic symposium, bus tours, an historic marker unveiling, and more, supported by the Newark Museum of Art, the Greater Newark Conservancy, the New Jersey Historical Society, the Newark Public Library, the Amistad Commission, the Newark History Society, Rutgers University, the NJ Institute for Social Justice, the NJ Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), the DAR and others. Join dignitaries, politicians, civic leaders, composers, authors, performers, and many others in the celebrations.

The detailed schedule, more information and sign ups, can be found at: https://www.newarkhistorysociety.org/honoring-cudjo-banquante/

Jockey Hollow Chapter Compatriot Attends The Washington Association’s Annual Meeting

Jockey Hollow Chapter compatriot Ellis Bailey attended the 151st Annual Meeting and Celebration of Washington’s Birthday held by the Washington Association of New Jersey on February 17, 2025, held at The Madison Hotel in Morristown.

In attendance were political representatives, including NJ Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty, and other members of area social and lineage organizations. After the Association’s business meeting was completed, Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette, presented “Lafayette – The Legacy of Liberty” to discuss the 200th anniversary, 13 month, 24 state historical re-enactment tour of Lafayette. Then, Wendy York, co-chair of the committee planning the reenactment of Lafayette’s visit to Morristown, presented an overview of the activities to be held in town on July 13 and 14. “General Lafayette” was also in attendance.

More information about the Morristown Lafayette visit events can be found at: https://morristowngreen.com/2025/01/21/general-lafayette-americas-guest-will-take-another-morristown-victory-lap-this-summer/

General Lafayette re-enactor.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Members Attend Premier of NJ PBS Documentary of Namesake

Thursday evening, January 9, 2024 was an exciting time for Chapter President Jeff La Marca and Compatriot Ellis Bailey who attended the premier of the NJ PBS documentary about Jockey Hollow: Morristown National Historical Park, held at the Morristown Museum.

The 27 minute documentary depicts the significant history and impact of Jockey Hollow to the American Revolution. NJ PBS produced the video in partnership with The Friends of Jockey Hollow and other generous contributors, most in attendance at the premier. The night started with a reception where guests were able to mingle and socialize with the producers, subject-matter experts in the video, and other notable leaders in the Morristown history community. During the reception, Jeff and Ellis raised the profile of the chapter and built valuable new relationships. The reception was followed by the premier screening of the film and a panel discussion. The entire event offered great insights into the historic park, the creation of the video, and discoveries along the way.

The video aired to the public for the first time on January 15, 2025 on NJ PBS, with multiple showings over the next few weeks. It can also be viewed on-line any time at:

https://www.pbs.org/video/treasures-of-new-jersey-jockey-hollow-morristown-national-historical-park-gsloor

The documentary is one in the wonderful series from NJ PBS called “Treasures of New Jersey”, that delves into other “treasures” of the state. The series can be found at https://www.njpbs.org/programs/treasures-of-new-jersey/ and on most regional TV providers’ PBS channels.

Thanks to Bobbi Bailey, Registrar of the Morristown Chapter DAR and DAR State Chair of Historic Preservation, who facilitated the chapter members’ invitations and also attended.

Please make the time to watch this wonderful video and please share it with others so they can enjoy it and better understand our Jockey Hollow namesake.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Participates in 2024 Wreaths Across America

Members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter Sons of the American Revolution participated in the 2024 Wreaths Across America Ceremony on Saturday, December 14 at the Somerset Hills Memorial Park, 95 Mt Airy Rd., Basking Ridge, NJ. In addition to the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR, numerous other organizations were in attendance at the event to honor the 1650 veterans buried at the cemetery.

The chapter’s sponsor website helped obtain 30 wreaths from generous members and friends for the event.

Members in attendance at the chilly and solemn event, to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach the next generation the value of freedom, were Jeff La Marca, President, George Link, Sergeant at Arms, and his wife Madeline and Ellis Bailey and his wife Bobbi, a member of the Morristown Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The event aligned well with the mission of the SAR to promote patriotism, preserve American history, promote education to inspire future generations about the founding principles, and serve our communities. For 2024, more than 4200 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad were scheduled to participate in Wreaths Across America, along with more than 5000 sponsor organizations. The event was a vivid reminder of the cost of freedom.

The colors were presented with musical accompaniment.

Ellis, Jeff and George placed wreaths at veterans’ graves and spoke their name in remembrance. Madeline (picture not available) and Bobbi, likewise, place wreaths and spoke the veterans’ names. George was surprised to find the grave site of a veteran cousin, Albert Batten, and honored Albert by placing a wreath on his grave, and speaking his name.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Attends Naturalization Ceremony with DAR

The New Jersey Central Field Office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – U.S. Department of Homeland Security held their September Naturalization Ceremony at the Morristown National Historic Park / Washington’s Headquarters Museum on September 26, 2024. As in the past, the Morristown Chapter DAR supported this event wonderfully. In addition, the Jockey Hollow Chapter SAR attended to help “ring in liberty” for the 23 new citizens.

The Naturalization Ceremony was held at the beautiful Washington’s Headquarters Museum, which gave opportunity to instill the great heritage the Revolutionary War holds for Americans. The new citizens came from countries across the globe.

Participating were the U.S. Army Junior ROTC, Irvington High School for the presentation of the colors, numerous local and regional dignitaries with messages of inspiration and history, and President Biden with a video message of welcome and encouragement. And the Morristown Chapter, DAR handed out flags and bells to all attendees, lead the singing of “America the Beautiful”, distributed welcome gift bags to all the new citizens, and “rang in liberty” for the new citizens. Jockey Hollow Compatriot Ellis Bailey joined the DAR to “ring in liberty” in honor of Constitution Week, for the new citizens. The entire ceremony was heart warming and inspirational.

Morristown Chapter DAR members did an excellent job of supporting the ceremony – some even in Revolutionary War period attire.

You can visit the Morristown Chapter, DAR website at: https://morristownnjdar.org