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.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR was represented at Flag Raising and Wreath Placing Ceremonies at Mount Vernon on Labor Day! This event, organized by the Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR, was a terrific honor for both Chapters! (Note, Jockey Hollow President is also the new President for the Washingtonburg Chapter.)
This exciting opportunity began with flag raising ceremonies for both chapters.
Washingtonburg Chapter, SAR and Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR Delegation at Mount Vernon (L-R) Dawn Guinan, Jack Guinan, Ray Mowery IV, Alex Mowery, Kristin Mowery, Theron Winn, Jeremy Winn, Jeff La Marca, Bill Etsweiler, Lisa Etsweiler, Dale Leppard, Greg O’Brien, Susan Leppard, Meryl O’Brien, Chuck Brackbill
Jockey Hollow President, Jeff La Marca, was assisted by Compatriot Jeremy Winn in raising the flag.President La Marca and Past Washingtonburg President Leppard placing the wreath inside the tomb of George and Martha Washington.(L-R) Theron Winn, Jeremy Winn, Raymond Mowery IV, Jeffry La Marca, Gregory O’Brien, Dale Leppard, William Etsweiler in front of the tomb of George Washington.Monument at the Slave Cemetery at Mount Vernon.(L-R) Raymond Mowery IV, Jeremy Winn placing wreath in honor of Washington’s valet, Will Lee, and the slaves of Mount Vernon.President La Marca giving a reading about Will Lee, followed by brief biographies about the lives of Frank Lee, Nancy Carter Quarles, and other slaves of Mount Vernon as read by Past President Leppard, Gregory O’Brien, Charles Brackbill, and Jeremy Winn.Mikey the Haflinger cross pulling a carriage at Mount Vernon.
Jockey Hollow & Washingtonburg Chapters arrived in Virginia this afternoon for tomorrow’s Flag Raising Ceremony at Mount Vernon. Earlier today, we visited George Washington’s Grist Mill and Distillery. It was a fascinating place!
Following that, we had dinner nearby at a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia.
Dinner at the River Bend Bistro (L-R) Jack Guinan, Jeff La Marca, Dale Leppard, Chuck Brackbill, Meryl O’Brien, Greg O’Brien, Alex Mowery, Ray Mowery IV, Kristin Mowery, Bill Etsweiler, Lisa Etsweiler, Susan Leppard, Dawn Guinan
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.
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
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 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.
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!
