American, British, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Danish replica coins
During the American Revolution and the early years of our Republic, many foreign coins circulated in the colonies and states. In addition to locally produced coins and tokens, trade with other neighboring countries, Islands, and territories brought in specimens from many lands. The British, French, Spanish, Dutch, and Danish, all had colonies or Islands which were trading partners and coins from all of these places and more continued to circulate widely. In addition to the coins, as minted, it was common practice to cut Spanish 8 Reales coins into halves and quarters and eighths in pie-shaped form for use as smaller change. The Spanish 8 Reales coin was the forerunner of the United States Dollar. A 1/4 piece of the coin was the equal to our Quarter Dollar and the 1/8 piece would be worth 12 1/2 cents in the United States.
(L-R) Reenactor portraying the Marquis de Lafayette, 1st Vice President of Washingtonburg Chapter Dr. Jeffry Peter La Marca
1st Vice President of Washingtonburg Chapter, Dr. Jeffry Peter La Marca, represented the Chapter at the opening segment of the Lafayette Farewell Tour at Sandy Hook, New Jersey, which reenacted the view that the Marquis had of America as he landed upon his return. The view was afforded through a dinner cruise attended by Dr. La Marca wearing the attire of a Continental Soldier of the Pennsylvania Line. The Bicentennial of the travels of the Marquis de Lafayette during his return visit to the United States is being commemorated and celebrated at various points corresponding to his original journey in 1824 and 1825. For more information see:
The First Presbyterian Church of Carlisle and Historic Carlisle, Incorporated, kindly invited Washingtonburg Chapter to join with them on July 1st, 2024, to recreate the historic Carlisle Declaration of Independence. Under the leadership of luminaries such as James Wilson (signer of the Declaration of Independence) and Ephraim Blaine (later Commissary General of the Continental Army), the citizens of Carlisle gathered on July 12th, 1774, to renounce the actions of the British in Boston and New England and to show their support. The reenactment 250 years later underscored the significance of the event and included key historical figures represented by members of the present congregation as well as members of Historic Carlisle, Incorporated, who with Washingtonburg Chapter, also provided local extras in 18th century attire. Awards were presented to Historic Carlisle and the First Presbyterian Church by Washingtonburg Chapter in recognition of this important and extraordinary effort, and a wreath was placed in the Church in honor of the courageous members who blazed a trail to independence in 1774.
One of the display vendors at the 134th Sons of the American Revolution Congress in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was a company owned by Compatriots from the New Jersey Society (NJSSAR), who specialize in reproductions of historical swords, particularly from the period of the American Revolution. The sword and baldric above were purchased from this vendor by the President of Washingtonburg Chapter, Dale J. J. Leppard, and worn during the week with colonial attire. The Lion’s head pommel caps a green dyed camel bone handle wrapped in wire.
First Time Delegates Attending 134th Annual Congress
Washingtonburg Chapter 1st Vice President, Dr. Jeffry Peter La Marca, at Fort Ligonier in Pennsylvania, wearing 18th century style chain mail from India, courtesy of the museum staff, who were explaining that chain mail was still worn in India during the 18th century to protect the wearer from the swords and bladed weapons which were in common use at the time. India was a theatre of operations during both the Seven Years’ War (known in America as the French and Indian War) and the American Revolution. With the entry of France and Spain into the struggle for American Independence, the War became a global conflict. The final Battle of the American Revolution was a Naval engagement fought between the French and the British on 20 June 1783 off the coast Cuddalore in India. Dr. La Marca was part of the Delegation from Washingtonburg Chapter, including President Dale Leppard, 3rd Vice President Eric “Dutch” DeVries, and District Deputy COL Samuel L. Russell, who attended the PASSAR Board of Management Meeting in Ligonier, Pennsylvania on August 3, 2024.
Washingtonburg member and PASSAR District Deputy COL Samuel Russell, USA (Ret.) (L) receives Galvez Medal
Reestablishing an old tradition dating from the foundation of Washingtonburg Chapter in 1992, the Compatriots joined together with the Ladies of the Cumberland County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to celebrate Washington’s Birthday. The original meeting was postponed due to a severe storm. The rescheduled meeting was held in March 2024 at the Carlisle County Club, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. PASSAR District Deputy and Washingtonburg Compatriot, COL Samuel Russell, USA (Ret.), an author and authority on the Coulon de Villiers family of French Colonial America, gave a presentation on this interesting family, which culminated in the surviving brother moving to Louisiana, where he served under General Galvez and King Carlos III of Spain and the Indies as an ally of George Washington. In recognition of his research into the Coulon family, Washingtonburg Chapter President Dale Leppard presented the Galvez Medal and Certificate to Colonel Russell. Chapter President Leppard was then surprised by Regent Coanne O’Hern of the Cumberland County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution with the new Hannah White Arnett Medal. The event was well attended, and included Washingtonburg Compatriot State Representative Perry Stambaugh, PASSAR President Eric Troutman and his wife Stephanie, PASSAR Treasurer and Former PASSAR President Michael Seibert and his wife Maribeth, National Vice Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution Beth Watkins, and many more. The ladies also provided a life-size cutout of George Washington, which provided a perfect backdrop for photographs.
Presentation on the Forbes Road and the British in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War
(L-R) Washingtonburg Compatriots 2nd Vice President William Sloane, 1st Vice President Jeff La Marca, and Jeremy Winn
Washingtonburg Chapter held its 3rd Quarter 2023 Meeting at the United States Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Author and Washingtonburg Compatriot Douglas Cubbison gave a presentation concerning the British in Pennsylvania during the French and Indian War with an emphasis on Forbes Road and other early pathways through the region.
