Jockey Hollow Visits George Washington’s Grist Mill & Distillery

Prior to Jockey Hollow’s visit to Mount Vernon, the Chapter was represented during a fascinating tour of George Washington’s Grist Mill & Distillery. This fantastic trip was done in conjunction with the Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR.

Grist Mill with race
Grounds of the Grist Mill & Distillery
Water Wheel in Grist Mill
Gears in Grist Mill
Grist Mill
The Grist Mill in Action
Interior of the Distillery
The Distillery is Operational and Whiskey is Produced Here.

Restored Marker Placed on Patriot’s Grave

On June 23, 2024, the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR was honored to have worked in collaboration with the Morristown Chapter, SAR to place an old marker on the grave of Patriot William Connet (1735 – 1800).

Final resting place of Patriot William Conner (1735-1800).

The date the marker had originally been placed on the grave is unknown. However, at some point, it was removed as it was damaged. It was later found in the garage of a gentleman who had planned on repairing it. Unfortunately, he passed away before that could be done.

Restored marker

The inscription on the marker states:

REVOLUTIONARY

SOLDIER

WILLIAM CONNET

1735 1800

PLACED BY

MORRISTOWN CHAPTER DAR

&

JOCKEY HOLLOW CHAPTER SAR

As family members were clearing out the garage, they found the marker and contacted the Morristown Chapter, DAR. They set about getting the marker repaired.

Bobbi Bailey, Registrar, Morristown Chapter and her husband, Jockey Hollow Chapter Compatriot Ellis Bailey, not only cleaned the headstone, but helped research William Connet. They also coordinated efforts with the Hilltop Presbyterian Church and Cemetery (Mendham, NJ) to prepare for a ceremony to replace the marker.

The Hilltop Presbyterian Church, Mendham, NJ.

Members of the local community were also contacted and very supportive of the event. William Maurer, Historian at Mendham Borough, wrote a brief biography of Patriot William Connet.

The date for the ceremony was set for 23 June 2024. The day dawned – sunny, hot (90 + degrees), and humid. The event, however, proceeded flawlessly!

Regent Nina Hoban Morristown Chapter, NSDAR introduced the event.
Barbara Genthe, Chaplain, Morristown Chapter, NSDAR led the invocation.
Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Jeff La Marca greets the audience and reads the biography written by William Maurer (who was unable to attend due to other commitments).
Regent Nina Hoban unveils the restored marker as President La Marca watches.
Following the unveiling, Pastor Scot McCachren, Hilltop Church, PC (USA) blesses the marker.
To close the ceremony, bugler John Logan, from Bugles Across America, performed Taps.

Following the ceremony, many photos were taken.

Group photo with members of the Morristown Chapter, DAR and the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR.
Jockey Hollow Compatriot Ellis Bailey and President Jeff La Marca.
Pastor Scot McCachren, Hilltop Church, PC (USA) receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Jockey Hollow President Jeff La Marca.

It must be mentioned that Pastor McCachren was extremely supportive of the event and is looking forward to working with both DAR and SAR in the near future.

The Hilltop Presbyterian Church Cemetery an extremely historic site but played a major role during the American Revolution but is also the final resting place of 120 to 140 or more patriots! As noted on this monument, the church served as a hospital in 1777 when 27 Americans passed away from smallpox; they were all buried in a common grave.
Although the ceremony was flawless, there was one snag. The restored marker is not acceptable to the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution for their grave marking program, so an official marker had to be ordered. However, the United States Post Office lost it (!!!!) and the didn’t find it until after the ceremony. Just the same, here it is now next to the grave.

So, what’s next for the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR? Over the past few months, our Chapter has developed a great relationship with the Morristown Chapter, DAR and we’re already planning future collaborative efforts.

Equally exciting is that our Chapter is located in one of the most important locations of the Revolutionary War! Everyone has heard of Valley Forge (located in Pennsylvania) but almost no one has heard of Jockey Hollow – the place where George Washington and his army spent two full winters. During 1777, many of his men perished from smallpox but it is the winter of 1779 – 1780 that his army of 10,000 men survived the most brutal winter of the war (indeed, one article noted that compared to Jockey Hollow, Valley Forge was a “Caribbean holiday.” Indeed, the winter of 1779-1780 is still believed to be the worst ever recorded. The area experienced 100 inches of snow, the Hudson River (located about 30 miles to the east) froze over, and Washington’s men were left without adequate food, clothing, or supplies. The conditions were so dire that the army survived by eating their shoes (if they had them; many did not), tree bark, and even their pet dogs. The only thing “worse” at Valley Forge is that approximately 2000 men died (mostly due to smallpox and disease). By the second encampment in Morris County (location of Jockey Hollow), is that Washington learned the lessons from Valley Forge where the lack of sanitary conditions killed his men. At Jockey Hollow, only 100 men perished (which is considered miraculous given the conditions).

It is against this backdrop that the Jockey Hollow Chapter is currently seeking to launch a MAJOR project. Within our boundaries, there are potential thousands of graves of Revolutionary War patriots that have never been marked or recognized by SAR.

So far, a mere four cemeteries have been contacted and they contain 250 or more patriots (a conservative estimate) whose graves have never been marked! Given that each grave marker costs $200, to mark just 250 graves will cost $50,000. Again, it is believed that there are potentially thousands of patriot graves with our Chapter’s boundaries!

It is hoped that we will be able to launch a major fundraising effort to fund our grave marking program!

Earn the America 250 Medals!

All Chapter compatriots are eligible to earn the America 250 Medals for participating in SAR activities. Each time you attend an event that features information about the 250th Anniversary of America, you will accumulate points to earn these medals: 25 points are required to earn the Bronze medal, 60 points will allow you to earn the Silver medal, and those with 150 points will earn the Gold medal. Download the application form here:

and start keeping track today! FYI, all SAR members who attended our last Chapter meeting, on June 1, 2024 have already earned at least 3 points.

Our Chapter President is believed to have been the first compatriot in New Jersey to earn the Bronze medal. He recently received the Silver Medal (pictured below).

America 250 Silver Metal Certificate

All Chapter members are encouraged to keep track of their points as earning the Bronze Medal is within the reach of everyone.

Reinstallation of Patriot Marker for Pvt. William Connet

By Jockey Hollow Chapter SAR and Morristown Chapter DAR

On Sunday, June 23, you are invited to join the Jockey Hollow Chapter SAR and Morristown Chapter DAR for the reinstallation of the Patriot marker for Pvt. William Connet, a revolutionary war soldier buried at the historic Hilltop Cemetery behind the Hilltop First Presbyterian Church in Mendham Borough, NJ. Private William Connet served in the NJ Militia during the Revolutionary War. His marker was installed many years ago, but was found broken and in bad shape. It has been repaired and restored and will be reinstalled at his grave site.

The beautiful Hilltop First Presbyterian Church and cemetery is near the Jockey Hollow encampment site and is the final resting place of many Revolutionary War veterans.

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Hilltop First Presbyterian Church Cemetery
20 Hilltop Rd., Mendham Borough, NJ 07945

All are welcome. Meet in the cemetery.

Jockey Hollow Represented at Grave Marking Ceremony

Yesterday, the Jockey Hollow Chapter (NJ), SAR was represented at a grave marking ceremony at the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Newville, Pennsylvania. Jockey Hollow President Jeff La Marca assisted in placing a wreath to commemorate Revolutionary War Patriots.

Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR Representative Ray Mowery IV and Jockey Hollow President Jeff La Marca.
Placing wreath at monument recognizing Revolutionary War Patriots.

Jockey Hollow presents at Perry Historians

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR in conjunction with the Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR and the Perry County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, gave a presentation for the Perry Historians (a historical society and library located in Perry County, Pennsylvania) on Saturday, May 25, 2024 on how to apply for membership in our organizations.

Jockey Hollow President (and also Washingtonburg 1st VP) gave a presentation on the importance of documenting sources for proving your ancestry in order to join lineage societies, such as SAR and DAR. His presentation gave an overview of his new book, Simple Citations for Genealogical Sources, and as noted below, was well received.

Jockey Hollow President, Jeff La Marca, presenting for the Perry Historians. Note that he is wearing our Chapter’s new (and obviously very stylish) cap!
Screen capture from the Perry Historians web site containing their kind review of the presentation, as well as their announcement for Saturday’s event.

As noted above, the Perry Historians gave a great review of the event; specifically, they stated:

S.A.R. and D.A.R. Research Workshop

The Perry Historians had a fantastic turn-out for the S.A.R. and D.A.R. Research Workshop which The Perry Historians hosted on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

We are so glad and so fortunate that the Washingtonburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution President, Dale Leppard asked us if we could open our library/facility for this event.

Thank You, Dale Leppard for your great intro and wonderful info on researching your Rev. War Ancestors.

Thank You also goes out to the Perry County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution Registrar, Harriet Lindsay-Arndt for sharing her insight on what is required proof for entry into both the DAR and also the SAR.

We were also so thankful for the presentation by Dr. Jeffry La Marca, First Vice-President of the Washingtonburg Chapter of the S.A.R.  Great presentation!

Those who were present definitely went away with more knowledge on the documentations required for membership and suggestions on how to document your sources.

THANK YOU to All who participated!!!!

https://www.theperryhistorians.org/

As an aside to the presentation, President Jeff La Marca, never misses an opportunity to discuss the history of the encampment of Jockey Hollow, which remains one of (if not the most) brutal of winters ever recorded. In comparison, the encampment of Valley Forge is considered to be a “Caribbean holiday.” It’s time for our chapter to take the lead in publicizing the importance of the events that Jockey Hollow and the countless other historical sites within our Chapter’s boundaries played during the American Revolution!

Many thanks to all of the organizations involved for making the event possible!

Jockey Hollow Chapter Luncheon – December 2, 2023

Our December luncheon featured a presentation by Dr. Lewis Baratz and was presided over by Jockey Hollow President Jeff La Marca.

Our luncheon was honored by the presence of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution President Rob Meyer. Jockey Hollow President Jeff La Marca presented President Meyer with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Patriot Grave Marking at the Vail Memorial Cemetery

Jockey Hollow President Roger Loomis and Jockey Hollow Compatriots, Patrick Reilly JHC, Larrison Jackson, and Richard Perry conducted a Patriot Grave Marking at the Vail Memorial Cemetery in Parsippany, NJ. Pvt. Jasper Righter (b. 1739 d. 1794) served in two Morris County Militias between 1776 and 1778. The marker dedication was requested and provided by Compatriot Ken Zeliff of the Atlanta Chapter GASSAR, descendant of Pvt. Righter.

(Left to Right: Patrick Reilly JHC; Larrison Jackson JHC; Roger Loomis JHC; Reverend Donald Bragg, Pastor of the Parsippany Presbyterian Church; Richard Perry JHC (masks off for photo).

Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR at Plaque Dedication

A bronze memorial plaque that was was dedicated in honor of Brigadier General Robert Erskine, geographer and surveyor to General George Washington and presented by the SAR in 1952, was stolen from its stone mount at Ringwood Manor State Park, Ringwood, NJ. Compatriot NJSSAR President Robert Meyer immediately agreed to replace the plaque and had an epoxy replica fabricated and delivered to the park, the former home of General Erskine. Because of the outdoor nature of the stone and its year-round exposure to the elements, stone preparation and mounting of the plaque was delayed until late summer. On Saturday, October 5, 2019, a re-dedication ceremony was held at the family cemetery with full honors provided by members of the NJSSAR Color Guard and members of Heard’s Brigade reenactment group (see photos below) More than twenty people were in attendance. Susan Shutte, Ringwood State Park Historian did a great job of organizing the event and Jockey Hollow President, Roger Loomis, was honored to assist where he could and to speak on behalf of President Meyer and the NJSSAR.

(Left to Right) Front row: JHC Secretary, Phillip Oddo; JHC Sergeant-at-Arms, Richard Perry; NJSSAR Color Guardsmen, South Jersey Chapter, James Howard; and JHC, Larrison Jackson; JHC Compatriot, David Peretti; Piper, JHC Chaplain, James Naisby. Back row: members of Heard’s Brigade, and Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Roger Loomis (hiding behind David Peretti).
Unveiling: Ringwood State Park Historian, Susan Shutte and Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Roger Loomis.