The Revolutionary War in Beaufort, South Carolina

Sources:
Sea Islander, “A View of Thomas Heyward, Jr.”, by Robert E. H. Peeples, August 1975, pp. 9-11.
The Revolutionary Soldier 1775-1783, by C. Keith Wilbur, Rowman & Littlefield, Guilford, pp. 10-12, 14, 19, 40-42.
https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_beaufort.html
https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_fort_lyttleton_1.html
https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_fort_lyttleton_2.html
https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_port_royal_island_1.html
https://www.carolana.com/SC/Revolution/revolution_port_royal_island_2.html
https://www.hussarsaddlery.com/rev-war-american-copy
https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/declaration/bio19.htm
https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/declaration/bio43.htm

India and the American Revolution

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.

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
Military Veterans
The Pennsylvania Delegation
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.

Washingtonburg Chapter President, Dale John Joseph Leppard officiated at today’s ceremony.
President Leppard provided the backdrop regarding the significance of those who were honored.
Washingtonburg Secretary/Treasurer, Steven Scott Burd, was our guest speaker.
Secretary/Treasurer Burd places a SAR Marker on the grave of a Revolutionary War Patriot.
SPCO Todd Allen Hockensmith, USN (Retired) places a marker on the grave of a Revolutionary War Patriot.
The SAR Grave Marker that was placed on five Patriot graves today.
Associate Member Raymond Andrew Mowery IV, Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR and Jeffry Peter La Marca, President Jockey Hollow Chapter, NJSSAR carry wreath honor all of the Revolutionary War Patriots buried at the Big Spring Presbyterian Church Cemetery (including Patriots whose graves have not yet been marked).
Associate Member Mowery and President La Marca, adjust wreath.
(Left to Right): Jockey Hollow President La Marca, Washingtonburg President Leppard, and Associate Member Mowery in authentic 18th Century garb.
Following today’s grave marking ceremony, Washingtonburg Chapter Members and guest attended a BBQ and Chapter Meeting at the William Denning State Park.
President Leppard led today’s meeting. In addition to Washingtonburg Chapter business, he also discussed the Intolerable Acts in recognition of events that eventually sparked the revolt against the British.
Secretary/Treasurer Burd receives the Bronze Henry Knox Medal from President Leppard in recognition of his outstanding service to the Washingtonburg Chapter.
Compatriot Steven Pearson Messner receives the Bronze Henry Knox Medal from President Leppard in recognition of his outstanding service to the Washingtonburg Chapter.
Compatriot Steven Lee Dedmon and Associate Member Glen Halliman are related to Danel Boone! However, both men are descended from two of his sisters.

SAR Commemorates 250th Anniversary of Intolerable Acts

and Conducts Grave Marking Ceremony that Pays Tribute to Cumberland County Patriots

The Washingtonburg Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is hosting a commemorative event to honor fallen patriots from the American Revolution. This solemn ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 15th, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at the historic Big Spring Presbyterian Church in Newville, Pennsylvania.

The event will feature an official SAR Grave Marking Ceremony at the Big Spring Cemetery, located next to the church. Participants are welcome to wear 18th-century attire to add to the historical significance of the occasion.

Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to a catered lunch at a nearby pavilion within Colonel Denning State Park. A nominal fee will cover the meal, with details provided upon RSVP (reservation) to help with headcount.

Commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Intolerable Acts

This gathering coincides with the 250th anniversary of the Intolerable Acts, a series of punitive laws passed by the British Parliament in 1774 in response to colonial resistance, culminating in the Boston Tea Party.

The afternoon will feature a brief presentation on the Intolerable Acts, followed by the Washingtonburg Chapter SAR regular quarterly business meeting with award presentations.

Earning the Bronze 250th Anniversary Medal

All participants are eligible to earn points towards the Bronze 250th Anniversary Medal program. This program recognizes individuals who contribute to events commemorating the American Revolution.

RSVP and Participation

To RSVP for the event and the catered lunch, please contact us. Indicate the number of people attending in your RSVP.

We encourage everyone to join us in honoring the sacrifices of the patriots who secured American independence. This event is a meaningful way to connect with history and celebrate the legacy of our forefathers.

Additional Information

The NSAR Washingtonburg Chapter awards medals for participation in commemorative events. For details on the Bronze 250th Anniversary Medal program, please contact us.

About the National Sons of the American Revolution

The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) is a lineage society composed of male descendants of the patriots who fought for American independence in the Revolutionary War. The NSSAR is dedicated to preserving American history and promoting good citizenship.

Respectfully,
Dale J. J. Leppard
President and Genealogist, Washingtonburg Chapter SAR

Perry County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution Flag Day

Perry County Chapter Regent Bobbi Wertz-Hoy
welcoming the newly elected Regent

Washingtonburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution was represented at the Flag Day Luncheon hosted by the Perry County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on June 1st, 2024. Featured presentation included the celebrated rugs created in a style created by Perry Countian, Magdalena Briner Eby. Following the luncheon, members of the Chapter produced a short video of the Pledge of Allegiance which was subsequently aired by ABC27.

SAR & DAR Present a Workshop on Researching Your Ancestors

Saturday, May 25, 2024
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 P.M.

LENIG-FOCHT LIBRARY
HOME OF THE PERRY HISTORIANS
763 DIX HILL RD., NEW BLOOMFIELD, PA 17068

Washingtonburg President Dale Leppard speaking about membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and researching Revolutionary War Patriots
at The Perry Historians’ Lenig-Focht Library in New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania

The Perry Historians will open the doors to the Lenig-Focht Library on Saturday, May 25 for a workshop hosted by the Washingtonburg Chapter of the Cumberland County Sons of the American Revolution and the Perry County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Doors open at 10:00 a.m.

If you have uncovered an ancestor or relative who you think had service in or
assisted the cause during the Revolutionary War and would like to know how to become a member of either the Sons of the American Revolution or the Daughters of the American Revolution, this workshop is for you!

This workshop will share where and how to research and find resources and proof that the SAR and DAR will accept for entry into the membership of the organization.

Members from both the Cumberland County Chapter of SAR and the Perry County Chapter of the DAR organizations will be presenting and also available for assisting anyone wishing to do research on your ancestors.

There is no need to pre-register, just show up that day…. and bring along any names and research you have on possible Revolutionary War ancestors.

Washingtonburg Chapter Receives PASSAR Award for Largest Membership Growth!

May 4, 2024 – The Washingtonburg Chapter received the Trimble Trophy, the PASSAR award for the chapter with the largest growth over the past year (200 percent) at this weekend’s Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Board of Managers meeting!

Pictured (left to right): Washingtonburg 1st VP Jeff La Marca, President Dale Leppard, PASSAR President Eric Troutman.

The Washingtonburg Chapter, PASSAR also received the Keystone Award for Small-Sized Chapters!

New 2024-2025 PASSAR officers for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania including Washingtonburg President Dale Leppard (who will be serving as both the PASSAR 2nd VP and Secretary).

Washingtonburg Chapter Joins With Cumberland County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution to Celebrate Washington’s Birthday

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.

December 17, 2023 Quarterly Meeting & Holiday Dinner

On December 17, 2023, the Washingtonburg Chapter held its first Holiday Dinner at the historic Two-Mile House at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Guests were encouraged to wear period dress!


EPHRAIM BLAINE, WASHINGTONBURG, AND TWO MILE HOUSE.

Ephraim Blaine was born in 1741 in Londonderry in the Kingdom of Ireland. He immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1745 with his parents and settled in Toboyne Township, then in Cumberland but today in Perry County. He was commissioned an Ensign in the Royal American Regiment and served with distinction at Fort Ligonier as commanding Lieutenant during the French and Indian War. After the war he settled in Carlisle and focused on commercial activities in the Indian trade, with mills, etc., until his election as Sheriffof CumberlandCounty. He lived at the house still standing at 4North Hanover Street, next to the First Presbyterian Church where he worshipped. As tensions with the British increased, he was once again commissioned a Lieutenant, this time of a Company of Associators. As a result of the closing of the Port of Boston, the citizens of Carlisle, including Ephraim Blaine, Francis Allison, John Armstrong, Robert Callendar, Jonathan Hoge, and James Wilson, met at the First Presbyterian Church on July 12th, 1774, to denounce the tyranny of the British in what is sometimes called the “Carlisle Declaration of Independence”. As a result, Ephraim Blaine was appointed to a Committee of Correspondence. During this time he was also engaged in diplomatic efforts with the Indians. He went on to serve as Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel of Cumberland County Battalions of Militia. He was further appointed County Lieutenant and subsequently Commissary, then Deputy Commissary General of Purchases, and finally Commissary General, by Congress. During the American Revolution Washingtonburg served as the main source of ordnance and commissary supply for the Continental Army during the Mid-Atlantic Campaign. In the late 18th century, Ephraim Blaine owned the property upon which Two Mile House was erected. It is believed that the kitchen and an adjacent section of the dwelling date to the ownership of Ephraim Blaine, but proof remains lacking. The Georgian stone architecture dates to circa 1820 and is currently in the possession of the Cumberland County Historical Society.