The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR held a grave-marking ceremony for Revolutionary War soldier Silus Watters (1751-1820) on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at The Pleasant Grove (formerly Presbyterian) Cemetery in Washington Township atop Schooley’s Mountain in Northern New Jersey. The original gravestone is still there, but the inscription has degraded over the years.
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, along with his wife and son, were in attendance and has written a book “Bright Liberty’s Forgotten Sword and the Battle of Princeton“
Numerous friends of the family were in attendance. Four members of chapters of the SAR performed the ceremony along with Dr. Brasher – Jeff La Marca, President of The Jockey Hollow Chapter and the Washingtonburg Chapter, and master of ceremonies; Chris Sands, President of the Abraham Clark Chapter and Vice-President of the West Fields Chapter; and compatriots George Link and Ellis Bailey of the Jockey Hollow Chapter – commemorating Silus Watters’ battlefield contributions as we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Revolution.
Presidents Jeff La Marca (MC) and Chris Sands led the ceremony for the SAR, dressed to honor Patriot Silus Watters.
The ceremony was nicely attended on a beautiful fall day to honor the Revolutionary War Patriot.
Taps was played to honor the fallen.
Compatriots George Link and Ellis Bailey (not pictured) participated in the ceremony.
President La Marca presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Brasher for authoring his book to bring Silus Watters’ story alive and instigating this ceremony to honor him. Certificates of Appreciation were also given to Michael Del Vecchio who played taps for the ceremony, and to Lyn Smith for helping to arrange the ceremony with the cemetery.