Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard members in various period attire
The Pledge of Allegiance led by members of the Col. Return Jonathan Meigs N.S.C.A.R. From left, Mary Margaret Gillis, Lucy Beaumont and Annie Beaumont. Also seen in the photo are Charles Dammann (back to camera) Master of Ceremony for the opening ceremony and Charley Manker behind Lucy.
Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution Junior members lead the SAR Pledge. From left, Tyler Bobenhausen and Noah Dumitru (John Sevier Chapter), Ezekiel Pritchett and Jedsen Pritchett (Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter).
Chamberlain family members reenacting as “the British” prepare to advance and disarm the Patriot Militia at “Lexington Green” during the first station presentation lead by Dr. David Chaffin. Our “Little Red Coat” squad was led by Dr. Don Chamberlain (John Sevier Chapter). Other members are his granddaughters (left to right): Elizabeth Dallas, Evelyn Dallas, Francesca Dallas and Eleanor Dallas.
C.A.R. members took turns presenting the history of action taken by the “old men” of the town of Menotomy. From left, Rory Dumitru, Noah Dumitru, Mary Margaret Gillis, Kinsley Forshee, Hannah Boyd, Ezekiel Pritchett, Jedsen Pritchett, Annie Beaumont and Lucy Beaumont.
The ladies of several area DAR chapters then teamed up to present short biographic sketches of ladies who were documented as being involved in the events of April 19, 1775. Sketches of Patriot women included: Abigail Cutler Whitney, Sarah (Whittemore) Reed, Hannah Adams, Martha Moulton, Elizabeth Hager and Mary Alvis Draper. DAR members briefing included (left to right): Elizabeth Kalabus, Chestuee Chapter, Sherri Manker, Sequatchie Valley Chapter, Michelle Morgan Blair, Ocoee Chapter, Briar Rose Blair, Ocoee Chapter, Patsy Holland, Ocoee Chapter, Judie Brock, Ocoee Chapter and Kristie Mantooth, Ocoee Chapter.
Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard members fire a musket volley salute in honor of the Patriots of April 19, 1775
The local area chapters and societies of the Sons, Daughters and Children of the American Revolution hosted a 250th Anniversary Observation honoring the patriots of the Lexington, Concord and Menotomy and the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” at Audubon Acres.
The program was organized into six focused presentations by various members of the societies. Chaplain Greg Banther started the day’s events with an invocation to start the opening ceremony. The TNSSAR Color Guard presented and posted the ceremonial colors, members of the Col. Return Jonathan Meigs N.S.C.A.R lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and the ladies of area DAR chapters lead the Salute to the Tennessee Flag. Members of the Col. Edward Bradley N.S.C.A.R. presented the American Creed, Junior members of the SAR lead the SAR Pledge and all members of N.S.C.A.R. presented the C.A.R. Creed. A historic overview of the immediate events leading to April 19, 1775 was provided by Master of Ceremony Charles Dammann (TNSSAR past president and John Sevier Chapter member) which set the stage for the audience of about 120 friends and visitors to participate in the walk stopping at various points to learn about key events of April 19, 1775.
The first presentation point focused on the events at Lexington Green with Master of Ceremony Dr. David Chaffin (TNSSAR part president) providing a historical overview. The members of TNSSAR color guard stood in for the Lexington Minutemen. Don Chamberlain (John Sevier Chapter, 1VP) and his four granddaughters turned out in attire resembling the British providing an interactive visual. Paul Bobenhausen reenacted the firing of the shot that started the shooting at Lexington resulting in the death of eight minutemen. Historians are still divided as to who actually fired first at Lexington. Patriots lost at Lexington Green included: Jonas Parker, Jonathan Harrington, Jr., Ensign Robert Monroe, Isaac Muzzy, Caleb Harrington, John Brown, Samuel Hadley and Asahel Porter (a British Prisoner from earlier in the morning from Menotomy was unarmed and shot trying to run away).
The second presentation point focused on the town of Menotomy and the action taken by the “old men” who destroyed the British supply train of Lord Percy. C.A.R. members took turns presenting the history of this action. Historians have noted that with the attack on Lord Percy’s supply train, the “old men” of Menotomy accomplished the American Revolution’s first forcible capture of enemy provisions and military supplies. We would not have an official Army until June 14, 1775.
The third presentation point was located at Audubon’s suspension bridge standing in for the day as Concord’s North Bridge. Master of Ceremony Cliff Kent (TNSSAR Color Guard Commander) gave a brief presentation on the events at Concord’s North Bridge, with our “Little Red Coats” providing the British volley which was countered by the “Shot Heard Round the World”. Members of the TNSSAR Color Guard fired a musket volley salute in recognition of the American Militia action and patriots lost. Captain Isaac Davis and Abner Hosmer were killed. The wounded included Fifer Luther Blanchard, Ezekiel Davis (brother of the captain) and Joshua Brooks. Notable actions at the bridge included Col. James Barrett summoning the officers for a council of war what would be the first of the American Revolution in which they agreed on what was the first offensive action against the King’s Troops.
The ladies of several area DAR chapters then teamed up to present short biographic sketches of ladies who were documented as being involved in the events of April 19, 1775. The sketches of Patriot women included: Abigail Cutler Whitney, Sarah (Whittemore) Reed, Hannah Adams, Martha Moulton, Elizabeth Hager and Mary Alvis Draper.
The celebration ended at the Audubon Acres picnic table area where a historical summary was provided by Claude Hardison, Jr (TNSSAR past president), benediction by DAR Chaplain Leigh Ann Boyd, a musket volley salute by the TNSSAR Color guard in honor of all the patriots of the day and participation recognitions.
The local SAR, DAR and CAR members want to thank Audubon Acres for allowing the use of their nature park for this celebration. A special thanks is also extended to Sheila Cannon for photography support throughout the day.
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