On-line Virginia Bulletin Virginia Society Sons of the ______2011-2012 Volume XXXV No. 3

Sixty-six Compatriots and 27 guests, representing 21 Chapters, attended the 2011 Semi- Annual Meeting in Fredericksburg on September 16-17. The weekend’s program included a parade down Caroline Street, from the conference hotel to the city’s historic Market Square where Mayor Tom Tomzak welcomed VASSAR President Mark Brennan and the Conference attendees. Leading the way was a local James Monroe High School Marching Band Fife and Drum, featuring Kaylee Newcomb and Sam Bradshaw. VASSAR Color Guard Commander Rob Andrews called cadence for his men and the Compatriots and guests who joined in the parade. More coverage of the Semi-Annual Conference can be found inside. Virginia Society, Sons of the American Revolution 2011-2012 Officers

* Mark S. Brennan, Sr, Esq. …………………………………………...President 2120 Christendom Drive, Midlothian, VA 23113 (H) 804-379-6363 (O) 804-237-8804 [email protected] * Henry P. Williams III, PhD……………………………………...President-elect 841W.LeighDr.,Charlottesville,VA22901 434-938-8141 [email protected]

* Kent S. Webber ……………………………………………2ndd Vice President 9405 Delancey Dr., Vienna, VA 22182-3410 703-938-8141 [email protected]

*William A. Broadus, Jr. ………………………………………3rd Vice President 10133BrandonWay,Manassas,VA20109 703-361-2665 [email protected] President Mark Brennan Delivered at the marking of Governor Thomas *Robert Carr………………………………………………………….….Secretary Nelson, Jr’s grave in Yorktown on October 19. 8718 Bradgate Court , Alexandria, VA 22308 703-780-3066 (H) 703-407-4496 (C) [email protected] Today, the men of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution gather, * Frederick N. Elofson……..……………………………………………Treasurer as we have for many generations, in this 21 Paula Maria Dr., Newport News, VA 23606 757-596-6825 holy place to honor and pay tribute to the [email protected] memory of a man who sacrificed everything that he had on the alter of a new and dearly * Walter Jervis Sheffield, Esq…………………………………….…...Chancellor won American liberty, independence, and 1314 Sophia St., Fredericksburg, VA 22401-3742 540-371-2370 freedom from British tyranny. [email protected] Born to a status of high privilege and wealth, Thomas Nelson, Jr. of Yorktown did Brent D. Morgan…………………………………………………...…….Registrar not have to do anything at all if he had 8091 Pantego Ln., Mechanicsville, VA 23116-5837 804-550-3039 chosen not to do so. Successful, wealthy [email protected] merchant and planter, he was a family man, very comfortable in his surroundings and Larry Aaron…………... ………………………………………...……….Historian accustomed to all of the privileges of high 185 Martindale Dr., Danville, VA 24541 434-792-8695 societal standing and material possessions [email protected] that a loyal subject of King George III could possibly enjoy in the eighteenth century. Rev. Henry N. F. Minich…………………………………………….…..Chaplain 3115 Dundee Rd., Earlysville, VA 22936 434-975-0569 But, perhaps more than any other [email protected] prominent man of the colonies, he risked and lost his treasure, his business, his home, his health, and finally, his life in the cause of W. McKenzie Wallenborn, MD……………………………….……….....Surgeon American independence. For these great 700 Rugby Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903 434-293-6779 sacrifices, we would remember him more [email protected] than two centuries later even if he had not signed the Declaration of Independence, Robert L. “Bob” Bowen ……………….………...... …………..National Trustee fought at Yorktown as a general of the 78 Smithfield Way, Fredericksburg, VA 22406 540-374-1720 Virginia Militia, and served as a war-time [email protected] governor of Virginia. Thomas Nelson, Jr. died at an age that most of us surpassed * Mark S. Brennan, Sr, Esq. ………………………...Alternate National Trustee several years ago at the home of a son in Hanover, Virginia, living on the edge of 2120 Christendom Drive, Midlothian, VA 23113 (H) 804-379-6363 (O) 804-237-8804 poverty, suffering from asthma, with eleven [email protected] children and his wife. His money was gone, * Executive Committee having made a loan in excess of $2,000,000 to an ungrateful Virginia government to feed, clothe and otherwise supply provisions for troops. His health was shattered and he was The on-line Virginia Bulletin is published quarterly by the Virginia Society, Sons of the destined, for a time, to be buried in an American Revolution. Editor: Robert L. “Bob” Bowen, 78 Smithfield Way, Fredericksburg, unmarked grave. VA 22406 EMAIL: [email protected] Chapters wishing to report on their activities, I began to wonder what Nelson’s should send their reports to the Editor. Email submissions preferred, to Bob Bowen – thoughts must have been as he lay on his EMAIL: [email protected] deathbed. Was it all worth it? Continued on Page 11 Fredericksburg Hosts 2011 VASSAR Semi-Annual Meeting The Colonel Fielding Lewis and James Monroe Chapters organized our Semi-Annual Meeting last month. Thirteen Compatriots and 10 guests of the two Chapters registered and helped coordinate the two-day conference. Among the highlights of the conference were workshops dealing with genealogical issues and one focusing on Administrative and Database responsibilities at the Chapter level.

(L-R) Don Jennings of the Culpeper Minute Men Chapter checks in at the Registration Desk. VASSAR Registrar Brent Morgan conducts a Genealogical Workshop. VASSAR Secretary Bob Carr, Treasurer Rick Elofson, and Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Wayne Rouse conduct an Admin/Database Workshop

Delegates to the Conference gathered for a group photo at Market Square following the parade and formal “welcome to the city” by Mayor Thomas Tomzak, and other city officials.

(L-R) James Monroe Chapter President Art Buswell and Colonel Fielding Lewis Chapter President David Hazel welcomed the attendees during the Board of Managers Meeting held in the old City Council Room where General Lafayette was feted during his visit to Fredericksburg in 1824. VASSAR President Mark Brennan conducted the meeting.

(L-R) George Waller Chapter President Bob Vogler received the Madison Medal for Andy Doss. Ben Fegan received the Madison Medal. Bob Bowen received a Certificate of Distinguished Service. Jim Robeson, Ed Truslow, Walt Sheffield and Peter Davenport received their commissions in the Virginia Regiment. Wayne Rouse and Walt Sheffield received Madison Medals. 3 CFL Registrar Skip Nolan portrayed General George Weedon and Gregory Fisher portrayed General George Washington during a skit at the Saturday luncheon.

Skip Nolan and Greg Fisher received Certificates of Appreciation for their interpretive program that focused on Generals George Washington and George Weedon at the time of Bernard Baker (left) won the raffle for a the troop buildup for the Battle of Yorktown. piece of original art depicting a Fredericksburg scene.

Kenneth Wood (right) won the raffle for an original piece of art depicting a cabin in Westmoreland County.

Diane Nolan, Missy Pixton, BJ Simpson and Julia Carr received Certificates of Appreciation for their work on the Semi-Annual and/or AMS Conferences.

President Mark Brennan presents C.A.R. President Joshua Wilson a check for his (L-R) Wink Rouse received the Daughters of Liberty Medal. Laura Hazel received the project to rehab the Blockhouse at the Mary Washington Medal. Virginia C.A.R. President Joshua Wilson brought greetings on Virginia Natural Tunnel State Park. behalf of his organization.

4 Chapter Presidents Report

Bill King for James Monroe; Col. George Waller President Bob Vogler; Fincastle Resolutions President Spurgeon Keith Certificates of Appreciation for their work to organize and support the Semi- Annual went to (L-R) David Hazel, Bill King, Bill Simpson, Marv Pixton, and Brent Morgan. Virginia Society Officer Reports

George Washington President Bob Carr; Col William Grayson President Bill Collier; Kirk Sheap for Ft. Harrison

Fairfax Resolves President Darrin Schmidt; Col. rd Fielding Lewis President David Hazel; (L-R) President Mark Brennan, 3 VP Bill Broadus; Treasurer Rick Elofson Williamsburg President Ed Truslow

Norfolk President Matt Hogendobler; Richmond President Jim Robeson; Thomas Nelson, Jr. President Joe Shipes. (L-R) Chancellor Walt Sheffield, Secretary Bob Carr, 1st VP Phil Williams

Bernard Baker for Dan River; Thomas Jefferson President Pat Kelly. General Officer Reports (L-R) 2nd VP Kent Webber, Historian Larry Aaron

Julie Basic of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation spoke at the General Membership meeting and told the members of plans and Treasurer General Joe Dooley; Registrar General programs in effect for the present and future. Lindsey Brock and Mid-Atlantic District Vice President General Larry McKinley.

5 Short Rounds

Conferees gathered during a tour of George Washington’s home on Saturday. Atlantic Middle States Conference

Fourteen State Societies, represented by 138 Compatriots and guests, gathered at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Alexandria, Virginia, to attend the 2011 Annual Conference of the Atlantic Middle States Association. The Conference was a busy one, hosted by the Virginia Society. Conference Chairman was Virginia's own Vice President General of Kings Mountain the Mid-Atlantic District, Larry McKinley. The two-day program got Second Vice President Kent Webber (R) underway Friday afternoon with a wreath laying at the Tomb of George represented the Virginia Society at the Washington at Mount Vernon. The rest of the two-day conference Annual Kings Mountain program. He joined with fellow Virginia red, white and blue men focused primarily on Youth Programs. atop the mountain for this photo. (L-R) Peter Davenport, President of the George Mason Chapter, Andy Johnson and Mid-Atlantic District VPG Larry McKinley.

Norfolk Chapter to Organize Color Guard Retired Navy Captain Chris Melhuish is organizing a Color Guard for the Norfolk Chapter. When established, it (L-R) VASSAR President Mark Brennan welcomed those attending the Friday Night will become the nucleus of a Tidewater- reception while VPG Larry McKinley outlined the program for the two-day gathering area color guard that will respond to and President General Larry Magerkurth (dual member of the Virginia Society) discussed progress with the SAR’s Center for Advancing America’s Heritage. color guard need in the eastern part of the Commonwealth. Virginia Youth Shine at National Level Shockoe Hill Cemetery Richmond, Virginia November 11, 2011 1:00 p.m.

Join the Virginia Society, Richmond Chapter, the Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Virginia, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 and the Virginia State Society United Sates Daughters of 1812 in a wreath laying ceremony to dedicate the newly erected (L-R) Kirsten Bowers (2010 Rumbaugh Orations winner). C.A.R. National monument to honor the War President Mary Lib Schmidt. Amanda Schanz (2011 George & Stella Patriots and War of 1812 Veterans buried at Night Essay winner). Shockoe Hill Cemetery. Among those to be honored will be Peter Francisco, “Hercules of the Revolution”.

6 Fort Harrison Presents Eagle Scout Certificates The Fort Harrison Chapter is excited about its program to recognize Eagle Scouts in the Harrisonburg-Rockingham County area. The Chapter has presented five Eagle Scout Certificates of Recognition so far this year and will be presenting at least seven more before the year ends. Two of the five were presented in person at their courts of honor. Great Bridge Chairman Hank Almond promises to send some photos for his next report. The victory at the in Chesapeake, Virginia in December 1775- January 1776, and resulting capture of the strategic port of Norfolk demonstrated that American militiamen could face and defeat one of the best trained, well equipped Warrenton-Fauquier armies of the British Empire. The importance of this engagement is often overlooked, even in Virginia. It led directly to Virginia’s total separation from Great Britain and the Heritage Days Parade establishment of a new government in 1776. This in turn led to the recruitment of new troops, furnishing of troops and supplies to the American cause, and ended in the defeat of British tyranny at Yorktown over five years later.

On December 3, 2011, VASSAR will commemorate the Battle of Great Bridge in the morning and then gather to dedicate a monument to Norfolk area patriots, or, more accurately, to patriots buried in Norfolk in the churchyard of St. Paul's Church. At 2:30 p.m. on December 3, a bronze plaque will be dedicated on the South Tower Wall of St. Paul’s Church recognizing twenty seven (27) Revolutionary War patriots who are interred in the historic Churchyard. This dedication is one of two of my presidential commemorations, the first to take place on November 11, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. to dedicate a monument to the Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery in Richmond. The Norfolk Chapter worked very hard on the St. Paul’s project, employing the talents of VASSAR’s finest genealogists. A twin War of 1812 Society plaque will also be dedicated, honoring the veterans of that war buried at St. Paul’s. The ceremony promises to be a great and memorable affair, and I encourage all Virginia compatriots to attend.

VASSAR is also poised, through its Culpeper Minute Men and Norfolk Chapters, to The Culpeper Minute Men Color Guard contribute to the erection of monuments at the site of the Battle of Great Bridge. In stood tall during the annual Warrenton- particular, there is an effort underway to fund the erection of a “Marshall Memorial” to Fauquier Heritage Day Parade on honor battle patriots Major Thomas Marshall and his son, Lieutenant (and later United September 24. (L-R) Larry Alexander, Don States Supreme Court Chief Justice) John Marshall. It is anticipated that the Marshall Jennings, President Lance Lyngar, Francis Memorial will be the first of several to be erected and dedicated at the battle site Lay, and Commander Lon Lacey. through the efforts of VASSAR and its chapters. This again is in keeping with another presidential goal this year to heighten awareness of the significance of the Great Bridge Battle, at both VASSAR and NSSAR levels. Bassett Heritage Festival President Mark Brennan

Thomas Nelson, Jr. Chapter marks the grave of Andy and Lori Doss and Chaplain Gary Patriot George Booker at Langley Air Force Base Hollandsworth of the Col. George Waller th Several VASSAR Chapters were on hand to pay their respects to George Booker, a Chapter set up an encampment and did 18 county court justice and Revolutionary War patriot. Booker is buried on what’s now century demonstrations at this year’s Langley AFB in Newport News. VASSAR President Mark Brennan, TNJ President Joe Heritage Festival in Bassett, September 10. Shipes, Norfolk Chapter President Matt Hogendobler and Williamsburg Chapter President Ed Thruslow were in attendance. 7 Battle Days Point Pleasant, WV – October 8-9

Culpeper Minute Men Mark the graves of Revolutionary War and War of 1812 soldiers Three Chapters, Culpeper Minute Men, Fincastle Resolutions and Col. William Grayson, sent representatives to participate in the marking of Revolutionary War soldier Daniel Colvin and War of 1812 soldier John Stevens at the Masonic Cemetery in Culpeper on August 20. (L-R) Don Jennings, Bugles Across America representative, Dennis Fritz, Mike Lyman, Bill Broadus, Thad Hartman, Francis Lay, Lance Lyngar and Spurgeon Keith. President General Larry and First Lady Barbara Magerkurth served as Parade Marshall while Secretary General Steve Leishman enjoyed the ride and Treasurer General Joe Dooley walked alongside.

The Thomas Jefferson Chapter held its annual Fall Garden Party Joe Dooley tripped the light fantastic at the Governor’s Ball. on September 11. (L-R) Patrick Bond, VASSAR President-elect Phil Williams, VASSAR and Chapter Chaplain Minich, Chapter President Pat Kelly, Sharon Steo, Regent, Montpelier DAR Chapter, Betty Edgecombe, Regent, Albemarle DAR Chapter, Mary Lib Schmidt, National President C.A.R., her mother and father, Lois and Ret. Army Colonel, Rodney Schmidt, Honorary National Senior President C.A.R.

(L-R) Treasurer General Joe Dooley, Sam Powell, Darrin Schmidt, President Mark Brennan, VPG Larry McKinley, Peter Captain Benjamin Head Remembered Davenport, PG Larry Magerkurth, First Lady Barbara, Color Guard Commander Mike Tomme, Secretary General Steve On Saturday, 15 October 2011, the Culpeper Minute Men Leishman, Registrar General Lindsey Brock, VASSAR Trustee Chapter conducted a dedication of the family cenotaph and Bob Bowen. Carter Lance attended but not present for the photo. headstone for Revolutionary War Patriot Captain Benjamin Head Sr. at Westover United Methodist Church Cemetery near Ruckersville, Virginia. Guests included a a large gathering of the On October 20, the top five State Societies, by Head Family descendents; Sharon Steo of the Montpelier membership strength, were Texas, Florida, NSDAR, Jim Parker of the Lyman Hall Chapter GASSAR, Richard Grant of the James Huey Chapter LASSAR, Jim Mitchell of the Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California. Piney Woods Chapter TXSSAR and Mark Day of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter VASSAR 8 Yorktown on a Rainy Day

Inclement weather forced some major changes to the annual Yorktown Day Observance on October 19. The traditional parade was cancelled; the grave marking ceremony for Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr., was moved inside the Grace Episcopal Church; and the ceremony by the monument was moved to the nearby Coast Guard Station.

A good crowd, SAR, DAR, C.A.R, and interested Yorktown residents attended the program and were treated to an excellent presentation by VASSAR President Mark Brennan.

The Yorktown Fife and Drum opened the Gov. Nelson Program. President Brennan spoke of the sacrifices Gov. Nelson made during his lifetime and retired Navy Commander Thomas Nelson, Jr., a great grandson of the Revolutionary War hero spoke of his grandfather attending church in the very church we were using to commemorate his life.

The VASSAR Color Guar, although greatly reduced in ranks, performed in its usual exemplary fashion.

Color Guardsmen Pat Kelly, Darrin Schmidt and Jim Mitchell anchored the left-hand side of the altar. Kelly is President of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter. Schmidt is President of the Chapter. And, Mitchell is a dual member of the Culpeper Minute Chapter. He was visiting Virginia from his home state of Texas where he belongs to the Piney Woods Chapter.

Battle of Great Bridge and Norfolk Marking December 3. BE THERE Details: Page 7

Yorktown Day Chairman Walter Neville officiated. 9 VASSAR Chapters The Patrick Henry Chapter and General Commemorate the Joseph Martin Chapter of the DAR and Anniversary of 9/11 the Colonel George Waller Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held a joint memorial service at the Patrick Henry Leatherwood Plantation monument located on Old Liberty Drive. The Norfolk and Thomas Nelson, Jr. Colonel George Waller Chapter President Chapters joined to observe the 10th Bob Vogler recalled driving by the site of anniversary of 9/11 by gathering at the the attack on the Pentagon and visiting monument erected to recognize the first “Ground Zero” twice and being landing in Virginia by British settlers in overwhelmed by the size of the pit where 1607. The monument is located at Fort the towers once stood and by the still Story. visible damage.

The Col. Fielding Lewis and Col. William Grayson Chapters, along with the the Prince William Resolves DAR and Light Horse Harry Lee C.A.R. gathered at the The Fairfax Resolves Chapter Liberty Memorial outside the McCoart participated in a 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Government Building in Prince William The Ft. Harrison Chapter presented a on Patriot Day 2011 at Westfield High County to observe 9/11. wreath at the 9/11 memorial in the School. The ceremony, co-sponsored by Stonewall Memorial Park in Elkton, VA. the Fairfax Resolves Chapter and the "We Remember 9/11" was a memorial Sully Station II Neighborhood Watch, It service held on September 11th and co- highlighted the impact of the First sponsored by the Shenandoah Chapter, Responders on 9/11/01. Attendees were NSDAR. The cross beam is an iron beam welcomed by local Boy Scouts and saw taken from the Twin Towers. US flags lining the stadium field -- one for each Police, Fire, and EMS personnel killed during the attacks in New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

9/11 Remembered I was in Washington on the day of the attacks. I was there for the annual testimony of The American Legion National Commander before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees. We were to begin at 10 a.m. The attacks changed all that, as the Hill was quickly vacated as rumors of the Capital being the target of another attack began spreading like wildfire. As we awaited instructions to vacate the Cannon House Office Building where we had gathered, we could clearly hear the muffled explosion of American Airlines Flight 77 as it slammed into the CMM President Lance Lyngar (R), Jerry Pentagon about three miles away. Three years later Helen and I paid our respects Hubbard , and CMM DAR Chapter at Ground Zero (above) when we visited New York City. – The Editor President Pat Lattin attended the 9/11 program in Culpeper. 10 Continued from Page 2 The Georgia Governor and Mammy Kate Was it worth risking and then losing his life and every material, earthly possession, especially when Virginia would not or could not repay him and his political enemies relentlessly attacked him after he served as governor over some petty matters, of which he was ultimately exonerated. I did not have to look far, because General Nelson answered the question himself near the end of his life with eloquent simplicity when he VASSAR Secretary Bob Carr officiated at the grave marking for his patriot ancestors said “I would do it all again.” and Mammy Kate and Daddy Jack, Compatriots from Virginia and Georgia attended the I believe that Nelson, from the very ceremony. Juiia Carr and daughters Ann and Pam show off their finery. beginning, understood that the worth of a man, and the esteem in which he will be later On October 15, 2011, more than 150 descendants, Compatriots from the Georgia and held if at all, is not measured by his success Virginia Society SAR, Daughters from Georgia and Virginia DAR Chapters, Historical in accumulating position, power, and money Society members, federal, state and local government representatives, and guest during his lifetime or even by how loving he gathered to pay tribute to Governor Stephen Heard, Capt John Darden, Capt Dionysius may have been to only those who love him, Oliver, his son Peter Oliver, Mammy Kate, the first African American woman Patriot to but rather by how he lived his entire life and be recognized in Georgia and Daddy Jack, Revolutionary War Patriots. Each in their the causes he served for the welfare and own way had a major impact on the History of the American Revolution and the state of benefit of his fellow man. For this reason, Georgia. Thomas Nelson, Jr. really died the wealthiest of men and he had the satisfaction of Bob Carr, State Secretary and President of the George Washington Chapter, a, knowing it. He certainly knew that he lived a descendant of Governor Heard and Capt Oliver said, “We are gathered here to honor good life in the selfless service of a uniquely people whose lives, because of social standing, should have never been intertwined, noble and just cause, such as the world at but because of fate, were drawn together.” that time had never seen. How many of us He was, of course, referring to these patriots who served their country during the can or will be able to say that of ourselves American Revolution and the two slaves of Governor Heard who also became when the time comes for us to depart? As distinguished as patriots by rescuing Governor Heard from Fort Cornwallis, a British we go forth today, to commemorate the prison in Augusta Georgia. victory at Yorktown, and then to the rest of Governor Heard was captured at the Battle of Kettle Creek where he fought our days, let the noble example of Thomas alongside Colonels Andrew Pickens, John Dooley, and Elijah Clark. He was one of 23 Nelson, Jr. inspire each of us to live a better Americans wounded and captured by the Tories. He was taken to the prison in Augusta and more selfless life in the service of a where he was to be hanged for treason. One “local legend” maintains that Heard would cause, or a principle, or others, or just have been executed had it not been for the courage of one of his female servants, something much larger than ourselves. Mammy Kate, who traveled on horseback from Fort Heard near Washington Georgia to In closing, I believe that Thomas Nelson, Augusta to free her master. Jr. was best summarized by his friend Kate befriended the guards by taking them food and ironing their clothes until she Colonel Innes, who, upon the occasion of gained their confidence. On the day before Governor Heard was to be executed, she Nelson’s death, wrote: asked to take clean clothes to her master for his execution and the guards agreed. It “His life was gentle: and the elements was during this visit that she placed Heard in her large clothes basket and carried him so mixed in him, that nature might stand pass the guards and out of the prison on her head. Her husband Daddy Jack, the up And say to all the world—this was a Heard gardener, was hiding in the woods with Captain Heard’s two Arabian horses on man” which they escaped. Kate was more than six feet tall, very strong, and absolutely fearless. In an old letter, God bless you General Nelson, the written in 1820, she was referred to as, “the biggest, the tallest, the most imposing Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United Negress I have ever seen and she has proven herself to be a strong, a kindly, a never States of America. failing friend to Heard and his family.” Mark S. Brennan, Sr For a complete report on the marking, click here: VASSAR President http://gwsar.org/pastevents13.html. Flag Certificate Report For the second year in a row, the Virginia Society has achieved 100% Chapter participation in the Admiral Furlong Flag Certificate program. It is the 11th year straight year of qualifying for the Furlong streamer aw2arded each year at the Annual Congress. You do good work Chairman Kirk Sheap.

Family and Friends gathered to remember Mammy Kate, her master and others. Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution CHAPTER DIRECTORY

Clinch Mountain Militia Tazewell area Colonel Fielding Lewis Virginia’s Eastern Piedmont Region Colonel George Waller Martinsville area Colonel James Wood, Jr. Northwest Virginia Colonel William Grayson Prince William County area Culpeper Minute Men Virginia’s Central Piedmont area Dan River Danville area Fairfax Resolves Fairfax County Fincastle Resolutions Roanoke Valley area Fort Harrison Harrisonburg area General Daniel Morgan Staunton area General William Campbell Abingdon area George Mason Arlington County Members of the Overmountain Men Chapter joined with George Washington Alexandria President General Larry Magerkurth for a photo following a James Monroe Upper Northern Neck program on September 15 to commemorate the gathering at Lieutenant David Cox Galax/Independence Sycamore Shoals in Tennessee in 1780. (L-R) Registrar nd Martin’s Station Cumberland Gap James Stallard, 2 Vice President Bobby D. McConnell, PG New River Valley New River Valley area Magerkurth, President Jimmy L. Guinn, pending member Norfolk Norfolk/Virginia Beach area Michael Rhoten Overmountain Men Gate City Richmond Richmond/Petersburg Rockbridge Volunteers Lexington Richard Henry Lee Lower Northern Neck Thomas Jefferson Charlottesville WhereThomas Nelson, Jr were. Newport you News/Hampton/Yorktown when theWilliamsburg Earthquake Hit?Williamsburg On Tuesday August 23, 2011, at 1:51 PM ET a magnitude 5.8 earthquake was recorded 2.4 mi (3.9 km) SW of Cuckoo on the western bank of Indiana Creek. In 1781, the Cuckoo Tavern stood in that neck On June 30, 2011, the Martin’s Station Chapter welcomed of the woods, and it was the beginning of Jack Jouett’s three new members, Donnie Brooks, Ronnie Brooks, and Frank Brooks. They are direct descendants of David Chadwell, ride to warn Virginia’s delegates meeting at Thomas a Capt. In the Revolutionary War, who later acquired land in Nelson’s Monticello home, of the arrival of Banastre Powell Valley, and built the old Block House called Chadwell’s Tarleton’s British cavalry. It would become known as Station. Martin’s Station Chapter President Tom Coker, Virginia’s own Paul Revere Ride. presented the SAR certificates to the new members. Vice- President Bill Cheak pinned SAR rosettes. I asked our members where they were and what they were doing when this year’s quake hit. The most interesting response came from Dr. Kirk Sheap: “I was in an examining room with a patient when it hit. The floor buckled a "wee bit" and the window shades rattled a lot and I heard my staff questioning as to what was happening. I simply opened the door of the room and told them it was an earthquake and then closed the door and continued my examination. Many years ago (early 1964) while a student at UVA, I was up at about 1-2 AM studying and felt a "rumble" come through the dorm. It was a quake centered in about the same area as today's. An interesting experience but truly "nothing to write home about". Been there and done that.”

Norfolk Chapter President Matt Hogendobler (R) presents the Today, the Washington Monument remains closed to visitors, Silver Good Citizenship Medal to author John Quarstein at the having suffered cracks up to 1 ¼ inches wide when the earthquake Chapter’s monthly meeting on September 10. hit. It was felt as far north as Canada and as far south at Georgia. -The Editor