Sons of the American Revolution honor Revolutionary War patriot with Grave Marking Ceremony

On April 10, 2021, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter (CJWII), Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sponsored a Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony to honor William Ewing, a Revolutionary War Patriot. The ceremony was held at the Ewing Family Cemetery, Stephens City in front of several descendants of William and neighbors from the surrounding area.

The combined color guard, standing left to right: Bill Wright, Larry Jonson, Bill Schwetke, Dale Corey, Dennis Parmerter, Erick Moore, Will Reynolds, Paul Christensen, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Brett Osborn, Dave Cook and Paula Schwoerer; Kneeling left to right: Jacob Schwoerer, Marc Robinson, Eric Robinson, Ken Bonner, Doug Hall, Sean Carrigan, Barry Schwoerer, Mike Weyler and Charles Jameson. Photos courtesy of Deborah Corey.

William Ewing was born in 1711 in Ireland. His family immigrated to the new world in 1729 to avoid religious persecution. They arrived in Chester, Pennsylvania and settled just south of Lancaster. In 1737, William, along with other pioneers, migrated to the Shenandoah Valley. They settled in what was known at the time as Stephensburg. He purchased land from Lord Fairfax and after several legal disputes settled on 625 acres.

During the French and Indian War, William Ewing served in the Frederick County Militia in a company commanded by Colonel George Washington. He was 64-years-old when the Revolutionary War started, but supported the colonial effort by providing goods and services to the militia contributing butter and cheese. He had a brother and two sons who served in the militia during the War, and his wife provided support to the cause after William’s death. He died December 27, 1781, and was buried in the family cemetery on land from the original Ewing homestead.

The wreath presentation from left to right: Anita Bonner, Will Reynolds, Bill Schwetke, Charles Jameson, Mike Weyler, Dave Cook, Barry Schwoerer, Sara Boppe, Paula Schwoerer, Jacob Schwoerer, Bill Ewing and Nancy Watford.

The ceremony was emceed by Dale Corey, with the Virginia Society Color Guard commanded by Ken Bonner with Doug Hall (drummer), Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Dave Cook, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Erick Moore, Brett Osborn, Dennis Parmerter, Will Reynolds, Eric Robinson, Marc Robinson, Bill Schwetke, Barry Schwoerer and Jacob Schwoerer. The Rt Rev Larry Johnson provided chaplain duties with a family presentation by Mike Ewing. Wreaths were presented by Ray Ewing (Ewing Family), Mike Weyler, (Governor Virginia Order of Founders and Patriots), Will Reynolds (CMWII SAR), Virginia Society Past President Bill Schwetke (Virginia Society SAR), Barry Schwoerer (Colonel William Grayson SAR), President Charles Jameson (Culpeper Minutemen SAR), President Dave Cook (Fairfax Resolves SAR), Regent Sara Boppe (Fort Loudoun DAR), 2nd Regent Nancy Watford (Ketoctin DAR), Paula Schwoerer (Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill DAR), Anita Bonner (Lanes Mill DAR) and Jacob Schwoerer (Colonel William Grayson Society C.A.R.). Bill Wright played the bagpipes during a Betsy Ross Flag folding by Chip Daniel and Charles Jameson.

The flag was presented to Ray Ewing, the eldest descendant of William present for the commemoration. A musket salute was performed by Ken Bonner, Sean Carrigan, Dave Cook, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Brett Osborn and Barry Schwoerer. Also participating for the CJWII Chapter were Marshall DeHaven, Gary Fletcher and Peter Himmelberger. Descendants of William who were present included Ray Ewing and his wife Betty, Bill Ewing, Charles Ewing and his daughter Kim and Mike Ewing with his wife Brenda and son Kyle.

The musket squad preparing to fire from left to right: Ken Bonner, Sean Carrigan, Chip Daniel, Dave Cook, Mike Dennis, Barry Schwoerer and Brett Osborn.