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

Jockey Hollow Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution Holds Grave-marking Ceremony for Revolutionary War Soldier Silus Watters.

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.

A well worn Revolutionary War soldier’s gravestone was marked with the SAR medallion.

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.

Dr. Brasher and his wife were thankful for the work that SAR contributed to honor his ancestor.

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.

Jockey Hollow Chapter Participates at POW/MIA 24-hour Vigil

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.

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

Help Us Participate in the 2024 Wreaths Across America.

The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is participating in its first Wreaths across America program in 2024. The program’s mission is to:

  • remember the fallen,
  • honor those who serve, and
  • teach the next generation the value of freedom.

For 2024, the Chapter is supporting the

Somerset Hills Memorial Park
95 Mt. Airy Rd.
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920

Your help in sponsoring wreaths for this wonderful event is greatly appreciated, and can be easily done at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/NJ0293 . Just click the red “SPONSOR WREATHS” button and follow the simple instructions.

THANK YOU for any support you can give!

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 to Participate at POW/MIA 24-hour Vigil

The Jockey Hollow Chapter is honored to participate in this two-day event by volunteering to read the names of American patriots who have been Prisoners of War or are Missing in Action. All interested Jockey Hollow Chapter members who wish to read a few names are encouraged to join us between 2:00 and 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

All Veterans Memorial
Turkey Brook Park
30 Flanders Road
Budd Lake, NJ 07828