Last Friday, before leaving for the Juniors retreat, I had the opportunity to participate in several Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution activities on Sept. 13 as they began their weekend of events surrounding the 238th Gathering at Sycamore Shoals. Tennessee patriots gathered in Northeast Tennessee at Ft. Watauga to rally troops to cross over into the mountains to look for Major Patrick Ferguson and his forces. Ultimately the Over Mountain Men would find Ferguson and his army and the resulting Battle at Kings Mountain would be a major victory in the Revolutionary War.
The first event of the weekend was a grave marking of five patriots. Held at New Bethel Cemetery, in Piney Flats, TN, the historic cemetery is the final resting place for Patriot John Allison (1758-1832), Private David Hughes (1757-1849), Private John King, Jr. (1758-1837), Private Thomas King (1754-1847), and Private John White (1754-1796). The SAR had lovely granite markers made for each of these graves and they were presented during the event. Current State SAR President David Carr asked me to attend on behalf of the state society, give greetings and present a wreath. Oddly enough for the first time in the history of either organization the state leaders are both from Kingsport, which makes this year of service we share even more historic.
My brief greetings are included….
Good Afternoon. On behalf of our 6,000+ Tennessee members, I am honored to bring greetings from the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
It is my honor to be with you for this grave marking to remember five brave patriots that helped us gain our independence. Certainly if not for the unstoppable Over Mountain Men you will be celebrating tomorrow, that gathered to set out to find Major Patrick Ferguson, there could have been a vastly different outcome to the Revolutionary War, and we might be gathering to have tea today instead of gathering to honor our courageous ancestors at a wreath laying.
Our two organizations have worked hard since the 1890’s to make sure that our nation does not forget the sacrifices that were made to achieve American independence. It is wonderful to see our traditions of honoring the commitment to freedom our patriot ancestors gave their lives and fortunes to achieve has continued all these years.
It is my hope that events like this wreath laying and The Gathering tomorrow continue on through our future generations, so that we will never forget what was given on our behalf and that we will never know what it is like to be without liberty and freedom from tyranny. Thank you.
After the presentation of the 25 wreaths representing various lineage organizations, the crowd dispersed to gather later for a dinner in Johnson City. It was my pleasure to sit with the TSSAR State President David Carr and NSSDAR Surgeon General Dr. Darryl Addington and their wives. David’s wife Linda and Darryl’s wife Mary are both members of my Long Island Chapter, NSDAR, and Mary is currently serving the TSDAR as our DAR/SAR Liaison.
Dinner attendees were given the opportunity to learn more about the new Tennessee State Museum which opened last October. Richard White, Curator of the 18th & 19th Century TN History and SAR member gave the presentation about the museum and shared photos of several of the permanent exhibits. Richard is also the son of our own Barbara White, who is currently serving as DAR Good Citizen Vice Chair for Cumberland District.
I hope members will take the time to visit our new museum located on the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Nashville. There is no admission charged for the museum and it is opened every day but Monday. For more information on visiting the museum or exhibits please visit www.TNMuseum.org.
Unfortunately my duties called me away, and I was unable to meet with them the following day for The Gathering on Sept. 14. However, Appalachian District Director, and John Sevier Sarah Hawkins Chapter Regent Johnda Burdette, placed the TSDAR wreath on our behalf.
In Service,
Cecile
