On April 13, 2024, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted two commemorations to honor events from the Revolutionary War era.  The ceremonies were held at the Wayside Inn, Middletown, VA.

The first event was a commemoration of Patriots Day. On April 19, 1775, approximately 700 British Regulars were sent to Concord, via Lexington, looking for arms and ammunition, as well as leaders of the patriot cause. The intentions of the British were passed to Joseph Warren who dispatched Paul Revere and William Dawes to warn the countryside the “Regulars are Coming!” In response, the Minute Men grabbed their weapons and headed towards town.

SAR participants in the ceremonies. Front row, left to right: Jim Simmons, Allan Phillips, Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey and Brian Bayliss; Back row, left to right: Steve Gahr, Paul Christensen, Marc Robinson, Barry Schwoerer, Doug Hall, Paul Parish, Bryan Buck, Richard Tyler and Kelly Ford. (Photos courtesy of Larry Clowser Webb)

When the British arrived in Lexington, they were met by 77 militiamen gathered on the town green, led by Captain John Parker. British Major John Pitcairn called to the militia to “Throw down your arms!” Captain Parker ordered his company to disperse. At some point, a shot rang out and the British fired, eight of the militia were killed with 10 wounded. The British then continued on to Concord. They were met by roughly 500 colonials with more on the way.

A British company of 220 men was sent to cover the Concord Bridge where they were met and outnumbered by the colonial Acton Company, led by Captain Isaac Davis. When Davis’ company came within range, the British opened fire, killing Davis and one other with four wounded. The British lost three killed and nine wounded. It was the battle at the North Bridge which is considered the “Shot heard round the world!”

The British formed the troops to begin a retreat to Boston. This began a rout of the royal forces as the colonials attacked from all sides along what is known as Battle Road. The British were pursued for 16 miles until they reached Charleston where they met with reinforcements and came within range of the British ships cannons. All total, there were 3,960 colonial militia involved against 1,500 British. The Americans suffered 93 casualties with the British losing 300. After a presentation on the battle, wreaths were presented to honor the event and a three round musket salute was fired.

Wreath presenters, from left to right: Paul Christensen, Paul Parish, Bryan Buck, Barry Schwoerer, Michelle Phillips and Doug Hall.

After that event, a celebration to honor Thomas Jefferson’s 281st birthday. Jefferson was a true renaissance man. He was a politician, farmer, lawyer, scientist, architect, family man and prolific writer. He was the son of Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph, born April 2, 1743. In 1752, England moved from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar, which added 11 days, moving his birthday to April 13.

His father owned a plantation of 5,000 acres known as Shadwell, located in central Virginia. When Jefferson was 14, his father died and he inherited the plantation. In 1768, he cleared 250 square feet of land on top of a 868 foot mountain on the property and built a brick one room house with basement. This named Monticello. The house became the south portico of the mansion that was built over a 40 year period. In 1772, he married Martha Wayles Skelton, producing six children. Only two of the children reached adulthood. Martha died in 1782, he lost what he considered “the cherished companion of my life.”

Best known as the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, he served in a multitude of public service offices, including as President, Vice President, first Secretary of State, Minister to France, Virginia Governor, Member of the House of Delegates and the House of Burgesses, covering almost five decades of public service. In 1774, he authored a draft for Virginia’s delegation to the First Continental Congress, “Summary View of the rights of British America.” In addition, he and James Madison combined to right the Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. A prolific writer, he wrote over 19,000 letters during his lifetime and was an avid reader.

In 1815, he sold his 6,500 volume library to the United States which replaced the books lost when the British burned the National library during the War of 1812.  During his Presidency, he was responsible for the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. This added 529 million acres of land to the United States. He was responsible for sending Meriweather Lewis and William Clark to explore the new territory and find a northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean.

Musket squad firing a salute.

His final public service was the founding of the University of Virginia, securing it’s location, designing the buildings, planning the curriculum and serving as first rector. Jefferson and John Adams died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Ten days prior to his death, he wrote “All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man.” Jefferson wrote his own epitaph, designing the grave marker with the three accomplishments of which, he was most proud. The Declaration of American Independence, The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and Father of the University of Virginia. He was not a gifted speaker, but a shy, voracious reader and gifted correspondent. He wrote “I have no fear that the result of our experiment will be that men may be trusted to govern themselves.” He spent his life insuring that the great experiment would continue. A man among men, a patriot and founding father.

Wreaths were presented in memory of Thomas Jefferson with a musket squad firing a three round salute. Wreaths and honors were presented by the Colonel James Wood II, General Daniel Morgan, Sgt Maj John Champe, and Fort Harrison SAR Chapters; Pack House Ford West Virginia DAR Chapter and the Order of Founders and Patriots of America.

SAR members participating included Brian Bayliss, Bryan Buck, Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Kelly Ford, Doug Hall, Paul Parish, Marc Robinson, Jim Simmons and Richard Tyler. Color guard commanders were Allan Phillips from Colonel James Wood II and Barry Schwoerer from Sgt Maj John Champe. The DAR was represented by Michelle Phillips.