The Magazine Williamsburg Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution By signing the Declaration of Independence, the fifty-six Americans pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. Nine died of wounds during the Revolutionary War, Five were captured or imprisoned. Wives and children were jailed, mistreated, or left penniless. Twelve signers’ houses were burned to the ground. No signer defected. Their honor, like their nation remained intact. Vol. XXVI I am happy to announce that based on the member survey regarding the resumption of in-person meetings, your Board of Managers has agreed that we will hold our May 8 luncheon meeting in-person at the Fords Colony Club. To ensure the safety of all members and to meet current guidelines, the following ground rules will be in effect: 1. Members must be masked when entering and exiting the facility and until the meal is served. 2. A maximum of six members will be seated at a table that normally holds 10. 3. All servers will be masked. 4. Members must RSVP and pay by check in advance. 5. Meeting attendance will be capped at 50. Payment at the door will not be allowed. We hope you will take the opportunity to enjoy a fine meal, get reacquainted with your fellow compatriots and listen to our fine speaker. Given the 50-person limit, please send in your RSVP and checks promptly. Details follow in the newsletter. Our April speaker was member Gary Dunaway, who discussed the Nelson Family and provided some very interesting little-known facts about the family and the house. Our May speaker is Gregory Burkett. He will be discussing James Monroe and his bio can be found later in this newsletter. The judging of our Youth Brochure Contest is complete. First and second place winners for both the 6th and 7th grades were chosen. An overall winner was then selected to represent the chapter at the Virginia state level. Thanks to the 7 members that supported this important part of our Youth Programs. Four members represented the chapter at the 278th Anniversary of Thomas Jefferson’s Birthday at his boyhood home, Historic Tuckahoe on April 11. I presented a wreath at the virtual national event for the 245th Anniversary of the Halifax (NC) Resolves on April 12 and I attended the 263rd Anniversary of James Monroe’s Birthday Celebration at Highland on April 24. While there will not be a parade this year, we will be commemorating Memorial Day in-person at 10 am on Monday, May 31 at the Governors Palace in CW. More details will follow. Next, we will commemorate the Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary on June 26 at Freedom Park. With the easing of Covid restrictions, I look forward to seeing you again at the upcoming Chapter activities. Roger W Cross, III www.williamsburgsar.org Page 1 Chapter News Thomas Jefferson’s birthday at historic Tuckahoe Monday May 3, 2021 10:00 BOM meeting by ZOOM Saturday May 8, 2021 11:30 Social 12:00 Chapter meeting Fords Colony CC (reservation on last page) Wreath presentation by Chapter President Roger Cross III Monday May 31, 2021 Memorial Day Celebration 10 AM Governor’s Palace Colonial Williamsburg Monday Jun 7, 2021 10:00 BOM meeting by ZOOM Saturday Jun 12, 2021 Invocation by Chapter Chaplin Jim Morford 11:30 Social 12:00 Chapter meeting Fords Colony CC Saturday Jun 26, 2021 Battle of Spencer’s Ordinary Freedom Park. PHOTOS BY Dave Westenberger Chapter Compatriots in attendance www.williamsburgsar.org Page 2 CHAPTER EVENTS James Monroe Birthday at Highland Chapter President Roger Cross III presenting our James Monroe’s Birthday Celebration wreath at the 263rd Anniversary of James Monroe’s Gun salute Birthday Celebration at Highland. May 8TH meeting Fords Colony CC ST 11:30 Social MEMORIAL DAY MAY 31 12:00 meeting 10 AM at the Governors Palace – Colonial Williamsburg www.williamsburgsar.org Page 3 Wm. Gregory Burkett, Companion of the Rappahannock Area Son’s of the American Revolution, founding member & Past Secretary, is a passionate Historic Preservationist and currently serves on the James Monroe Memorial foundation board of Trustees. A native of Virginia, and a veteran of the United States Navy, he also is a active Mason, who currently resides in King William County. Topic James Monroe : Patriot and President www.williamsburgsar.org Page 4 Registrar's Corner Did You Know: A member in good standing can apply to NSSAR for a life membership. watch the You Tube video https://youtu.be/LW6mvBp4Lqk. The cost of life membership is based on age and does not include chapter annual dues. Membership applications are submitted to the Virginia Society Secretary and then the NSSAR for approval. If interested I will be glad to help. We have had one new member, John Stuckey, recently approved, and have four new member applications and one supplemental waiting for approval. Hunt Berryman Registrar Email: [email protected] Seeking your assistance and hopefully possible input for our monthly meetings. "Speakers Wanted" If you have heard or know of a speaker who you think the membership (and guests) would be interested in hearing at one of our luncheons next year, please contact VPres. Steve Mcguffin at [email protected] Your serious interest and potential response to this matter will be greatly appreciated! www.williamsburgsar.org Page 5 Sgt. Moses Adams Brochure Contest Winners The 1st and 2nd places for both the 6th & 7th grades have been chosen along with an overall winner that was our entry in the Virginia state society contest. The winners will receive certificates and cash awards later in the school year. Paul Huchko WHO WAS SGT. MOSES ADAMS? A Soldier of the American Revolution November 30, 1748 – June 13, 1778 In 2011 the Sons of the American Revolution [SAR] named one of its National Youth Programs “The Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure Contest,” honoring a representative Soldier of the American Revolution who made the ultimate sacrifice. Moses Adams of New Marlborough, Massachusetts joined with his brothers and neighbors and marched with their Minute Man Company in response to the Alarm of Lexington and Concord, April 21, 1775. He then joined the Continental Army and rose to the rank of Sergeant in the 13th Massachusetts Line. He died at Valley Forge June 13, 1778. The SAR dedicates its annual middle school program, as a living memorial, to honor the thousands of men and woman who, like Sgt. Adams, gave their lives for the cause of freedom, and also to their families who suffered their loss for generations. www.williamsburgsar.org Page 6 Compatriots, Mark your calendars for the Martin's Station National Commemoration on Saturday, May 8th, at 1pm. The event this year will be held in a new location in Martinsville, VA, where General Joseph Martin resided. This will be an onsite wreath laying ceremony at the General Joseph Martin Monument at the Historic Henry County Courthouse in Martinsville. See the attached flyer for more information. The event this year is co-hosted by the Martin's Station and Col. George Waller chapters and sponsored by the Martinsville-Henry County Historical Society. To register for this event, email your name, title and chapter to Andy Doss at [email protected] by Saturday, May 1st, stating if you will participate in the event (yes/no), wreath laying (yes/no) or Color Guard (yes/no). In Patriotism, Jeff Thomas President Virginia SAR www.williamsburgsar.org Page 7 The History Channel John Paul Jones Leads American Raid on Whitehaven, England At 11 p.m. on April 22, 1778, Commander John Paul Jones leads a small detachment of two boats from his ship, the USS Ranger, to raid the shallow port at Whitehaven, England, where, by his own account, 400 British merchant ships are anchored. Jones was hoping to reach the port at midnight, when ebb tide would leave the ships at their most vulnerable. Jones and his 30 volunteers had greater difficulty than anticipated rowing to the port, which was protected by two forts. They did not arrive until dawn. Jones' boat successfully took the southern fort, disabling its cannon, but the other boat returned without attempting an attack on the northern fort, after the sailors claimed to have been frightened away by a noise. To compensate, Jones set fire to the southern fort, which subsequently engulfed the entire town. Commander Jones, one of the most daring and successful naval commanders of the American Revolution, was born in Scotland on July 6, 1747. He was apprenticed to a merchant at the age of 13 and soon went to sea from Whitehaven, the very port he returned to attack on this day in 1778. In Virginia at the onset of the revolution, Jones sided with the Patriots and received a commission as a first lieutenant in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775. After the raid on Whitehaven, Jones continued to his home territory of Kirkcudbright Bay, where he intended to abduct the earl of Selkirk, then exchange him for American sailors held captive by Britain. Although he did not find the earl at home, Jones' crew was able to steal all his silver, including his wife's teapot, still containing her breakfast tea. From Scotland, Jones sailed across the Irish Sea to Carrickfergus, where the Ranger captured the HMS Drake after delivering fatal wounds to the British ship's captain and lieutenant. In September 1779, Jones fought one of the fiercest battles in naval history when he led the USS Bonhomme Richard frigate, named for Benjamin Franklin, in an engagement with the 50-gun British warship HMS Serapis.