On-line Virginia Bulletin Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution ___________________________________________________________________ 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