Members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR (L to R: Bob Stark, Ellis Bailey, President Jeff La Marca, and Sergeant-at-Arms George Link), unpacked and placed nearly 700 wreaths at distribution stations in preparation for tomorrow’s Wreaths Across America event!
If you plan to attend (and we encourage all compatriots to join us), here’s what you need to know:
So much has occurred over the past few months and our Chapter continues to grow (we are the largest in the state of New Jersey and we currently have more than 120 members) that the only way to keep our members informed about our latest events, occurring over the next few weeks, is through a newsletter. All chapter members, along with guests, visitors, and members of the public who wish to find out about our activities are urged to read through this so that you don’t miss out on our latest happenings!
Thanks to the generosity of Jockey Hollow Chapter members, who have personally donated funds, we will be dedicating the first Liberty Tree in our community as part of the America 250 Celebration. The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has set a nationwide goal of 250 trees, while our state organization, the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American, has set of goal of one tree in each of our counties. As shown on the map, Jockey Hollow Chapter’s region covers Hunterdon, Morris, and Somerset Counties. Our first Liberty Tree Dedication will take place in Morris County at the historic Burnham Park in Morristown, NJ on November 15, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. next to the statute of the great American Patriot, Thomas Paine. The statute is one of only two in the Nation that displays the full figure of this great American Patriot.
About this Event
Thanks to generous compatriot donations, the chapter will be dedicating our first Liberty Tree, in accordance with the National SAR program. Please note that the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is non-profit 501(c)(3) apolitical, philanthropical lineage society and will we gladly accept additional donations to help fund at least two more Liberty Trees which will need to be planted at dedicated at Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, respectively. Please contact us if you wish to contribute.
A Princeton Elm will be planted in Burnham Park in Morristown, next to the statute of Thomas Paine at the historic site of Brig. Gen. Henry Knox’s Artillery Encampment (1779-1780) and home to one of only two statues in the U.S. of Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense and The American Crisis during the Revolution.
The statute of Thomas Paine is one of only two in the Nation that displays his full figure.Thomas Paine depicted as writing one of his “Crisis” papers.
Planting is expected mid-October and the ceremony is currently scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. Future notification and more details will be sent to all chapter members. Area dignitaries and other lineage organization members are being invited.
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this important event honoring the foundation of our county.
This plaque will be placed on the site as part of the Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony
Two chapter compatriots enjoyed the symposium “The Marquis de Lafayette: Human Rights Champion” held on July 14, 2025 at the Morris County Library in Morristown. Over 120 people attended.
Prior to lunch, Alan Hoffman, President of the American Friends of Lafayette, presented “Lafayette and the Anti-Slavery Cause” and Diane Windham Shaw, Curator Emerita, Lafayette Collections of Lafayette College, presented “Lafayette and Human Rights”. Both presentations were excellent and provided great insight to the hero’s beliefs and actions.
After lunch, a panel, moderated by Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of the American Friends of Lafayette, included the two presenters in addition to John Becica (author and historian), Pat Sanftner (DAR past state historian re-enacting a Quaker woman), and Leslie Bramlett (owner of “From the Grey Fortress” educational consultancy re-enacting Hannah Till, Washington’s cook who served Lafayette). The panel discussed various topics and questions about Lafayette and his role as human rights champion.
Compatriots David Paretti and Ellis Bailey enjoyed the presentations and discussions about the great leader.
Symposium programPresenter Alan Hoffman.Presenter Diane Windham Shaw.Panel discussion and Q&A. Diane Windham Shaw, John Becca, Leslie Bramlett, Pat Sanftner, Alan Hoffman and moderator Chuck Schwam.
Four chapter members attended the June 21, 2025 presentation of the off-Broadway play “Father Anonymous” to celebrate America 250. The play “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
The story of Joseph Warren is truly inspiring – the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the opportunity to celebrate 250 years as a democracy.
President Jeff La Marca, Vice President Michael Smilek, and Compatriots George Robb and Ellis Bailey attended the wonderful play. Vice President Smilek is the Producer of the play and facilitated the event for the members. Everyone had a wonderful time at the outing.
The play is currently at the AMT Theater on West 45th Street, NYCPresident La Marca and Vice President Smilek discuss the play during intermission.Morristown Chapter DAR member Pat Sanftner also enjoyed the play with the members.Members George Robb, Michael Smilek, Jeff La Marca and Ellis Bailey enjoyed the outing.
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.
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.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter was honored to participate in this solemn, two-day event by volunteering to read the names of American patriots who have been Prisoners of War or are Missing in Action. Three members from the chapter – President Jeff La Marca, Past President Roger Loomis, and Compatriot Ellis Bailey – participated on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
President Jeff La Marca and Compatriot Ellis Bailey reading the names of POW/MIA soldiers.
The POW/MIA park has numerous areas dedicated to the memory of the missing and those that served valiantly.
President Jeff La Marca presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the SAR to Charlie Uhrmann, the driving force behind the creation and maintenance of All Veterans Memorial Park, built from private donations and time contributions, and facilitator of the 24 hour POW/MIA Vigil at the park.
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.
