Patriot Cause Evoked

The following article was provided in Representative Perry Stambaugh’s Capitol Report issued on May 28, 2025. Rep. Stambaugh can be contact through his website at https://www.repperrystambaugh.com/

During the May 23 ceremony honoring the service of Revolutionary War patriot Jacob Stambaugh, I learned about Jacob’s Continental Army uniform from Dale Leppard, genealogist and registrar and past president of the Washingtonburg Chapter (Perry and Cumberland counties) of Sons of the American Revolution. A descendant of Jacob’s, Leppard sported a regimental coat worn by the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line in 1779 and further commissioned a leather cap, regimental flag, and knapsack unique to the unit.

Dr. Steven Messner, chairman of the Perry County America250PA Committee, right, and committee member Dale Beaver, left, posed with me and Nancy Bratton, who owns the property where Jacob Stambaugh is buried.

Last Friday, I spoke at a ceremony on the Spring/Centre township line east of Elliottsburg where a Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) grave marker was unveiled recognizing a Revolutionary War patriot — in this case, my great-great-great-great-grandfather Jacob Stambaugh (April 18, 1761-May 29, 1837).

Born Johann Jacob Stambach in Berks County, Pa. — then on the fringe of settlement in colonial America — Jacob anglicized his name early in life and during the War of Independence served with American troops in the Light Infantry Company of the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line. Later, he was a corporal in the Northampton County militia.

During his time in the Continental Army, Jacob fought at the Battle of Stony Point, N.Y., in 1779, where American troops captured the British fortification in a well-planned, three-phase nighttime assault with unloaded muskets, using only bayonets and courage. Jacob apparently was part of the first wave of the attack.

In 1788, Jacob and his brother and their families embarked to find new lands in Kentucky but halted their journey somewhere in Central Pennsylvania due to reports of troubles with Native Americans on the western frontier. As a result, Jacob settled on the farm near Elliottsburg — now owned by his descendant, Nancy Bratton — where he is buried. At some point Jacob even served as a first lieutenant and then captain in the Cumberland (now Perry) County militia.

In my remarks, I pointed out some of the reasons young Americans like Jacob fought against British rule and its repressions of liberty and freedom. I noted that while we have enjoyed fruits of the Continental Army’s victory (chiefly, an independent United States governed as a representative, constitutional Republic for nearly 250 years), the fight to preserve the Revolutionary principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution continues today and will shortly fall to the next generation.

The event was sponsored by the Perry County Committee of the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA), as well as the Perry County Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and Washingtonburg (Cumberland and Perry counties) SAR Chapter.

(Full disclosure: Jacob’s oldest son, John Jacob Stambaugh II, who died before his father in December 1832, acquired the farm in Green Park where I reside.)

Marker Dedication at Stroh’s Cemetery with Harrisburg, NSDAR

The Harrisburg Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution held a marker dedication ceremony for two Pennsylvania Revolutionary War Patriots at Stroh’s Cemetery in Lower Paxton on April 12th, 2025. Stroh’s Cemetery is located on the Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area, 401 Fishing Creek Valley Rd, Harrisburg, PA 17112. Members of the Washingtonburg Chapter SAR, including compatriot John Guinan, were in attendance.

The following information was derived from https://harrisferrysar.org/:

The Harris Ferry Chapter SAR has a significant link to this cemetery, as Past President and Compatriot Oscar H. Stroh is buried here. Mr. Stroh was instrumental in compiling, detailing, and publishing countless records on Dauphin Country Revolutionary War Patriots.

Following the DAR’s ceremony, Harris Ferry will conduct its own Patriot and Compatriot Grave Marking Ceremony for Patriots George Stroh, Christian Stucky, and Compatriot Oscar H. Stroh. The ceremony will be slightly condensed, since the DAR will have handled the majority of the rituals.

Marker Dedication at Stroh’s Cemetery with Harrisburg, NSDAR

Washingtonburg Chapter Holiday Dinner at Two Mile House in Carlisle

Past President and current Genealogist Dale Leppard with wife Susan Riley
(photo by Anthony Ebersole)

Despite a few last-minute cancellations due to inclement weather and illness, approximately 50 members and guests of Washingtonburg Chapter gathered at historic Two Mile House in Carlisle on the 15th of December 2024 for the annual Holiday Dinner. The annual event encourages 18th century attire, which was worn by nearly half of those attending. The meal was catered by Chef Mark Little of New Bloomfield and featured an 18th century fixed plate menu, which was supplemented by hot and cold period punches prepared by Compatriot Brian Engle. Colonial era music was provided by Forbes Road Frolic, attired in 18th century clothing with period instruments. Carriage rides in the light snow were provided by Benchfield Farms of Newville, whose drivers and attendant were in colonial attire. A toast to His Excellency George Washington was made using Rye made at Mount Vernon according to the recipe of Our First President and Commander-in-Chief. Those attending signed the guest list in the form of a reproduction Revolutionary War Militia roster using a quill pen and ink well. Each setting included a souvenir program and menu as well as a tavern bill customized to Two Mile House. Reproduction newspapers dating from the period were circulated among the guests. The Two Mile House property was owned in the late 18th century by Ephrain Blaine, Commissary General of the Continental Army. The house is predominantly of Georgian construction, but a part of the kitchen dates to the late 18th century consistent with the ownership period of Blaine.

A photo gallery documenting the event may be found here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dVASb-gCCFQe2XHVG

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First Annual Washingtonburg Wreaths Across America Ceremony

Saturday, December 14th, 2024 Marked the Inaugural Washingtonburg Wreaths Across America Ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the Middle Spring Presbyterian Church in Shippensburg, PA. In attendance were several local veterans, PA District 193 Representative Torren Ecker, Colonel Park Bierbower, Girl Scout Troop 80063, Washingtonburg compatriots Raymond Mowery, Captain Dennis Dyckman, Steven Messner, Douglas Cubbison, Colonel Jeffery “Tank” Patton, Rev. Douglas Reagan, Dale Leppard, Jeremy Winn, Theron Winn, Rev. William M. Sloane, William S. Sloane, and members of the public. 100 wreaths were sponsored through the program and these were placed on every veteran’s grave in the Lower, Upper, and Modern sections of the cemetery.

*Colonel Park Bierbower and Honorable Torren Ecker*

Live with Purpose

The Honorable Torren Ecker, PA District 193 Representative, and Colonel Park Bierbower spoke on the year’s theme, “Live with Purpose”, before laying the ceremonial wreath at the Soldier’s Memorial outside of the church.

Looking Forward to Next Year

The Washingtonburg chapter hopes to make this event a holiday tradition and plan to be back at Middle Spring Presbyterian next year on Saturday, December 16, 2025. Wreaths Across America will match every wreath sponsored at our location for next year’s ceremony from now through January 17, 2025. Please use this link to sponsor wreaths: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181029/Overview/?relatedId=180890

Gallery

Civil War Veterans Monument
Washingtonburg Compatriot Raymond Mowery
Frank Gelwicks
Washingtonburg Compatriot Steve Messner
Washingtonburg Compatriot Douglas Cubbison
Kyla Jones
Washingtonburg Compatriot Col. Jeffery “Tank” Patton
Washingtonburg Compatriot Rev. Douglas Reagan
Washingtonburg Compatriots Douglas Reagan and Dale Leppard
Rev. Ed Blank
Washingtonburg Compatriot Cap. Dennis Dyckman
Washingtonburg Compatriot Jeremy Winn
Washingtonburg Compatriot Theron Winn

Volunteer For Wreaths Across America Event

Dear Washingtonburg Chapter,

As the cool, fall air and colorful leaves arrive, we must prepare for our inaugural Wreaths Across America event. The goal of Wreaths Across America is to place holiday wreaths on all veterans’ graves across the country. We will do our part to honor America’s veterans by hosting a ceremony on Saturday December 14, 2024, at 10:00 am, at Middle Spring Presbyterian Church and Cemetery, one of the oldest in Shippensburg (135 Middle Spring Road, Shippensburg, PA).

There are 100 veterans, including over one dozen Revolutionary War soldiers, buried in the church’s cemetery. Our goal is to place wreaths on all 100 veterans’ graves, but we need to have that number of wreaths sponsored at our location. Currently, we have 44 wreaths sponsored with seven weeks remaining in our campaign. For every two wreaths sponsored at our location, we get a third wreath for free. They are only $17 each. So, we only need to sponsor 37 more wreaths. If you would like to sponsor wreaths, use the QR code below, or contact Ray Mowery (raymondmowery@hotmail.com).

We are also looking for volunteers to participate in our ceremony. We are looking to fill these roles:

A veteran from the navy to place a navy stick flag on a display at the front of the church.
A veteran from the air force to place an air force stick flag on a display at the front of the
church.
A veteran from the coast guard to place a coast guard stick flag on a display at the front of
the church.
A veteran from the space force to place a space force stick flag on a display at the front of
the church.
A veteran to place a POW/MIA stick flag on a display at the front of the church.
A member to read the History of Wreaths Across America (the paper to read will be
provided).
A member to introduce our first speaker, Representative Torren Ecker of the PA 193rd
legislative district (the paper to read will be provided).
A member to introduce our second speaker, retired Colonel Park Beirbower (the paper to
read will be provided).
Three members to serve in the Color Guard (in Colonial attire).

If you would like to participate in any of these roles, please notify Ray Mowery
(raymondmowery@hotmail.com). We hope for a big turnout from our members for this event.

Thank you,
Ray Mowery

Check-out the Wreaths Across America Page that I Support!

Lafayette Fairwell Tour Cruise

(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:

Lafayette 200 – Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour 2024–2025 the Nation’s Guest

Carlisle Declaration of Independence

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.

Washingtonburg Chapter Joins Wreaths Across America

WASHINGTONBURG’S
WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA CEREMONY
SATURDAY DECEMBER 14, 2024 — 10:00 am
Middle Spring Presbyterian Church & Cemetery
(135 Middle Spring Rd – Shippensburg, PA)

To sponsor a wreath:

Visit this website: https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/181029/Overview/?relatedId=180890
Click the red “Sponsor Wreaths” button in the top right corner
Select the number of wreaths you would like to sponsor
Click the red “Review My Sponsorships” button
Complete the payment information
Email me to make a grave-specific wreath sponsorship: raymondmowery@hotmail.com

* Your sponsorship is tax deductible, so print your receipt.

Our goal is to sponsor 100 wreaths to cover all veterans’ graves in the Lower, the Upper, and the Modern Cemeteries. For every 2 wreaths that are sponsored, we receive a 3rd free wreath. All wreaths that we sponsor above 100 will be donated to other Wreaths Across America locations, like Spring Hill Cemetery or Locust Grove Cemeteries across town.

134th Annual Congress, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution

President General John Dodd (L) and PASSAR President Kurt Winter (R)

Opening Session of the 134th NSSAR Annual Congress

PASSAR Officers (L-R), Treasurer Michael Seibert,
Secretary/2nd VP Dale Leppard, President Kurt Winter,
1st VP Peter Reinhart, 3rd VP Jason Miller, Registrar Eric Troutman

Washingtonburg Chapter Delegation (L-R)
District Deputy COL Samuel Russell, 1st VP Dr. Jeffry La Marca,
President Dale Leppard, 3rd VP Eric “Dutch” DeVries

Washingtonburg Chapter 1st Vice President Jeffry Peter La Marca
displaying his book “Simple Citations for Genealogical Sources“

Washingtonburg Chapter Honors Revolutionary War Patriots

The Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR sponsored a grave marking ceremony, which recognized the contributions of five Revolutionary War Patriots buried in the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Newville, Pennsylvania. The Patriots who received the SAR Grave Markers are: Capt. Thomas Buchanan, Major William McFarlane, Sgt. William Denning, Artificer William Ferguson, and Pvt. Peter Tritt.