Category: Historical Sites

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 Historical Marker Sighting

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.

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

Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR Participates in Marker Cleaning Project with DAR.

On July 20, 2024, members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR participated in the marker cleaning event held by the Morristown Chapter, DAR at Fort Nonsense, part of the Morristown National Historical Park. The main stone marker and numerous information markers were cleaned, using preservation approved cleaners and brushes, to revitalize the area in preparation for America 250 ceremonies in 2025. This is just one of many events around the Morristown area sponsored by the Morristown Chapter, DAR. Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR members have participated in others, also.

Main marker at Fort Nonsense, before cleaning, showing years of accumulated grime and organic material on the stone.
DAR hosts and SAR compatriot Ellis Bailey scrubbing the main marker.
DAR hosts and SAR President Jeff La Marca, admiring the drying marker after cleaning.
One of the many, nicely cleaned information markers after the event.

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

Grave Marking Ceremony for Revolutionary War Soldier, Silus Watters (1751-1820)

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.

John Lawrence Brasher, Ph.D., a direct ancestor of Silus Watters, will be in attendance and has written a book “Bright Liberty’s Forgotten Sword and the Battle of Princeton“

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.

Pleasant Grove Cemetery
132 Califon Rd
Long Valley, NJ 07853

Jockey Hollow, Chapter Participated in Flag Raising at Mount Vernon!

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.