On Sunday, August 2, 2026, the Kings Mountain Chapter of the Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution joined members of the John Sevier–Sarah Hawkins, State of Franklin, Mary Patton, and Fort Chiswell chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with members of the Tennessee Society Children of the American Revolution, for a special ceremony honoring Revolutionary War Patriot Capt. Samuel Brashears (1763–1829).
Held at the Mountain Home National Cemetery Annex, the ceremony was hosted by Cemetery Director Rich Munoz. Randa Blackley performed the National Anthem and later led those assembled in singing "America the Beautiful." Chaplain Samuel Godfrey delivered the invocation and benediction, and Allen Jackson presented a biography of Capt. Brashears.
Members of the DAR placed a commemorative wreath in Capt. Brashears' honor. The Kings Mountain Chapter Color Guard fired three musket volleys, and C.A.R. members Ivan Daniels and Cohen Daniels provided drum and fife music. Cohen Daniels concluded the military honors by playing "Taps" on the fife.
Samuel Brashears began his military service at the remarkable age of thirteen as a fife player and advanced to the rank of private by age fifteen. Two months after his sixteenth birthday, he fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. He later served at Cowan’s Ford and Beattie’s Bridge and was likely present at the Battle of Cowpens.
Brashears continued with the American forces to Yorktown, where, at eighteen years of age, he witnessed the surrender of British General Cornwallis and his army on October 19, 1781. He remained in military service for at least another decade, received an officer’s commission, and eventually attained the rank of captain.
After leaving military service, Samuel married Margaret Eaken. They became the parents of ten children and made their home in what is now Sullivan County, Tennessee.
Capt. Brashears is one of 49 Revolutionary War veterans interred or memorialized in Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries and VA-administered soldiers’ lots across the country. The ceremony was part of the VA's yearlong commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. Similar ceremonies were held at 16 locations nationwide to mark August 2, 1776, the date on which most delegates to the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence.
Through this ceremony, we remembered the service, sacrifice, and patriotism of Capt. Samuel Brashears and all those who took up arms in defense of liberty and helped establish the United States of America.