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.
Three members of the chapter attended the June 7, 2025 NSSAR quarterly meeting celebrating the Battle of Monmouth. President Jeff La Marca, Past President Roger Loomis, and compatriot Ellis Bailey especially enjoyed the unique venue – aboard The USS New Jersey (BB-62) in Camden, NJ.
Prior to the luncheon, the Society held its State Board of Managers meeting. During this time, visitors could take a tour of the impressive ship, the largest battleship ever built and the most decorated in Navy history. BB-62 was built at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, just a short distance across the Delaware River from where she is docked now, and launched December 7, 1942—just a year after the Pearl Harbor Attack brought America into WWII. The size of the Iowa-Class ship made it easy to have the luncheon on the aft deck for the many members and visitors. Captain Baker, the last officer to captain the ship during military action in the Middle East, was a guest and told very interesting anecdotes about the great vessel and its crew. He explained that although currently not in active duty and serving as a living museum and memorial, the ship has been outfitted with modern weapons, is fully functional, and can get underway if called to duty.
Numerous awards and medals were presented during the luncheon to compatriots and guests for their service to the society and to the community. Following that, guest speaker Gary Ecelbarger, award-winning author of ten books and numerous other publications discussed his new work “George Washington’s Momentous Year 1777: Twelve Months that Transformed the Revolution, Philadelphia to Monmouth.” The Battle of Monmouth played a key role in this.
The USS New Jersey (BB-62) docked in Camden, NJ.President La Marca and the USS NJ.President La Marca prepares to board.Three of the nine monstrous, 16″ guns on the deck of the USS NJ.The color guard prepares to present the colors.The luncheon was well attended.
Two members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter attended the Salute to Lafayette on May 10, 2025 on The Morristown Green. President Jeff La Marca and compatriot Ellis Bailey attended the ceremony on the beautiful spring morning to celebrate the kick-off of the 2025 celebration activities for General Lafayette, marking the 245th anniversary of his historic visit to General George Washington at the Ford Mansion in Morristown, when he delivered the news that France would support the fight for freedom. The event was held around the Alliance Statue, depicting Washington, Lafayette and Hamilton to commemorate the event. Morristown Mayor Doherty and other officials spoke and attended, as well as reenactors of General Lafayette and a colonial singer. This was prelude to the celebration of the 200th anniversary of Lafayette’s return to Morristown in July, 1825. A memorable parade is planned and festivities on The Morristown Green on Sunday, July 13, 2025 will include a table for the Jockey Hollow Chapter.
The Alliance Statue on The Morristown Green.Mayor Doherty with two Lafayettes!Singer Pat Sanftner from the Morristown Chapter DAR.President La Marca and Compatriot Bailey honored to stand with the greats.
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 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is proud to announce that our first workshop for 2024-2025 will be a joint venture with the Morristown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Over the past few months, we have developed an exceptionally good relationship with our counterparts and will be co-sponsoring our first event of the year with them! A flyer with the full details is shown below.
This should be an exciting event! Please note that this workshop will be held at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum, in Morristown. This event is not only FREE but (as with all of our events) is also open to the public.
If you are planning on attending, please RSVP President Jeff La Marca and, if so inclined, donations to help defer the costs for food will be greatly appreciated. Due to the nature of this event, we are prohibited from collecting money at the facility, so any donations may be sent to our treasurer at:
Glenn Maguire, Treasurer Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR 1 Glenside Drive Budd Lake, NJ 07828
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!
