Sons of the American Revolution honor Colonel William Grayson

On March 12, 2023, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter participated in a ceremony to honor Colonel William Grayson and celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. The event was held in Woodbridge, Virginia at the tomb of Colonel William Grayson. It was emcee’d by Michael Wilson, President of the Colonel William Grayson Chapter and Past President Ross Schwalm. Despite the wet, snowy conditions, the event was well attended with Chancellor General Michael Elston, Virginia State President Ernie Coggins, Virginia State 2nd Vice President Michael Weyler, Virginia Children of the American Revolution President Will Elston; compatriots from four SAR chapters, the Daughters of the American Revolution and two C.A.R. Societies.

The wreath presenters. (Photos courtesy of Colonel William Grayson Chapter)

Committees of correspondence were emergency provisional governments in response to British policies leading up to the Revolutionary War. These groups were appointed by the various colonies legislatures to provide leadership and inter-colonial cooperation. The exchange of ideas, information and debate between different committees of correspondence helped organize and mobilize patriotic resistance in communities throughout the colonies and built the foundations for the Continental Congress. With the outbreak of war on April 19, 1775, at Lexington and Concord, the committees of correspondence became the de facto government of the rebellious colonies. Though replaced by provincial congresses during the conflict, they continued to function at the local level.

The color guard preparing to march, from left to right: Andrew Mills, Sean Carrigan, Dave Cook, Dale Corey, Barry Schwoerer, Thad Hartman, Thomas “Chip” Daniel. 

William Grayson was a soldier, lawyer, planter and statesman from Virginia. He was one of the first two U.S. Senators from Virginia. Grayson became involved in politics before the revolution, serving on various Committees of Correspondence prior to joining the military. In June 1776, he became an assistant secretary to George Washington and promoted to aide-de-camp in August. This came with a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. In January 1777, he recruited a regiment which became known as Grayson’s Additional Continental Regiment, serving as it colonel. This regiment was attached to General Charles Scott’s Brigade and saw action in the Philadelphia Campaign. He fought in skirmishes in Norther New Jersey, the Battle of Brandywine and the defense of Philadelphia. He was among the troops who suffered the winter at Valley Forge. In the absence of General Lee, Grayson commanded an assault at the Battle of Monmouth. In 1778, he served on a commission dealing with prisoners of war and in 1779 resigned his commission to serve on the Congressional Board of War. After the war, he returned to his home and legal practice. He had moved to Frederick County, but he died while visiting his brother on March 12, 1790. He was buried in the family cemetery on a hillside with a view towards the Potomac River. Grayson was also the first member of Congress from Virginia to die while holding office. His brother Spencer, a patriot was laid next to him at the site now maintained by Good Shepherd Housing Foundation and the Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation.

Colonel James Wood II Compatriots, from left to right: Michael Weyler, Dave Cook, Sean Carrigan, Thomas “Chip” Daniel, Dale Corey.

Members of the SAR participating included Andrew Mills (Color Guard Commander) and Jack Mills from Colonel William Grayson Chapter; Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey and Thomas “Chip” Daniel from Colonel James Wood II Chapter, Dave Cook from Fairfax Resolves Chapter and Barry Schwoerer from Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter. Wreaths were presented by Michael Elston, Chancellor General of National Society Sons of the American Revolution; Ernie Coggins, VASSAR President; Michael Weyler, VASSAR 2nd Vice President, Michael Wilson; David Cook; Thomas “Chip” Daniel; Barry Schwoerer; Rand Pixa, George Washington Chapter, SAR; Janice Dixon, Fairfax County Chapter DAR; William Elston and Issac Bodge, Light Horse Harry Lee Society, C.A.R.