Ramsey House - Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony - Knox County, TN

 

A Patriot Grave Marking Ceremony was held at the Historic Ramsey House, and was hosted by the Stephen Holston Chapter of the TNSSAR.  Pictured Upper Right:  Chapter member Stephen B. Kirby (far right) participated in the musket salute to honor the patriots.

Two of the Patriots honored at this ceremony are directly associated with the Ramsey House (John Alexander 1733-1814 and Reynolds Ramsey 1736-1816).

The Ramsey House, also known as Swan Pond, is a historic two-story stone home located in Knox County, Tennessee. Built in 1797 by English architect Thomas Hope, it was commissioned by Colonel Francis Alexander Ramsey (1764–1820), one of the region’s early civic leaders. The Ramsey family operated a plantation at the site until the Civil War, and in 1969 the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places for both its architecture and its significance to early Tennessee history.

Francis Alexander Ramsey first came to present-day Greene County in 1783. Soon after, while surveying the Holston River, he identified the future location of his family estate. Ramsey played an active role in the short-lived State of Franklin and later served in the governments of the Southwest Territory and the State of Tennessee. His descendants included William B. A. Ramsey, an early mayor of Knoxville, and historian J. G. M. Ramsey. During the Civil War, the family’s Confederate loyalties forced them to flee Knoxville, and the home was sold in 1866.

Meeting - New Members - August 14, 2025

 

Pictured L-R:  Ben Stonecypher (VP TNSSAR & Chapter President), Alex Long, Stephen Danner, Wendell Shelton Sr., Wendell Shelton Jr..  Welcome to the Kings Mountain Chapter of the TNSSAR.

Meeting - John S. Taylor "Some East Tennessee Taylor's were Famous. Others Decided to Work"

John S. Taylor, a Jonesborough attorney licensed for 44 years, earned his B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University in 1978. He recently shared a fascinating presentation on the history of the Taylor family in East Tennessee.

Mr. Taylor traced his family’s deep roots in the region, beginning with their role in the Watauga Association, one of the earliest experiments in self-government on the American frontier. He also highlighted the distinguished career of his grandfather, Alfred A. Taylor, who served as Governor of Tennessee from 1921 to 1923 and earlier represented the state in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1889 to 1895.

The program provided valuable insight into how the Taylor family contributed to both local and state history, blending personal family stories with significant moments in Tennessee’s political and civic development.

Crockett Days Festival at Doak House Museum

 

Pictured L-R:  Tim Massey (President of Watagua SAR Chapter), Ben Stonecypher (VP TNSSAR and President of Kings Mtn. SAR Chapter), Rob Richmond (TNSSAR Registrar) and Bob Waugh.
The annual Crockett Days Festival, honoring frontiersman David Crockett, was held Saturday and Sunday, August 9–10, at the Doak House Museum on Tusculum University’s campus. Normally hosted at David Crockett Birthplace State Park, the event was relocated due to damage from Hurricane Helene in 2024.

Revolutionary War Flags Presentation to State of Franklin Chapter

 

Chapter member, Bob Waugh, traveled to Rogersville, TN to give a presentation to the State of Franklin SAR Chapter on Revolutionary War Flags.

Ned Jilton II: Visiting the grave of a Continental Army soldier

 

Refn: Johnson City Press - Visiting the grave of a Continental Army soldier - July 19, 2025

Born in Virginia, Deaderick enlisted at age 17 and served in the Continental Army under General George Washington. He rose to adjutant sergeant of the 8th Virginia Regiment under General Peter Muhlenberg and fought in the pivotal battles of Monmouth and Brandywine.

Following the war, Deaderick became one of Jonesborough’s earliest merchants, opening a general store in 1788. His frontier business wasn’t without challenges, including a tense encounter with John Sevier and a group of armed men demanding whiskey - a dispute that ended with gunfire and injury.

Despite such challenges, Deaderick became a respected civic leader. He was instrumental in founding Washington College in 1795, served on the board of East Tennessee College (now the University of Tennessee), and was a state senator representing Washington and Carter Counties in 1799. He also held leadership in early banking efforts and helped govern the town as one of its appointed commissioners.

David Deaderick passed away on October 20, 1823. His obituary in the Knoxville Register praised him as a man of great integrity, morality, and public service - “one of the noblest works of God.”

The Kings Mountain Chapter of the SAR honors the memory and legacy of this exemplary Patriot whose life helped shape early Tennessee.

Battle of Huck's Defeat - York County, SC

 

Celebrating the 245th anniversary of the "Huck's Defeat" or the Battle of Williamson's Plantation.  Compatriot Rob Richmond, Chapter member & TNSSAR Registrar, participated in this event on July 12, 2025.

James Williamson settled on Fishing Creek in 1766 and built a log house 400 yards SE of here. On July 12, 1780, 120 British and loyalist troops, led by Christian Huck, camped at the Williamson home. They were attacked and defeated by 140 local patriot militiamen led by Colonel William Bratton and other officers in the Battle of Williamson's Plantation or "Huck's Defeat."

SAR Participates in TN250 Teacher’s Institute Seminar

Pictured: Ben and Dave manning the TNSSAR booth; Dave Carr explaining the available programs offered by the SAR; East TN Hictorical Society CEO and SAR member, Dr. Warren Dockter, addressed the conference on the importance of teaching history.

On Friday, July 11, Kings Mountain Chapter members Ben Stonecypher (State VP & Chapter President) and Dave Carr (Region 1 Director) represented the Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution (TNSSAR) at the TN250 Teacher’s Institute Seminar, held by invitation at Sycamore Shoals State Park.

They set up an information table featuring SAR Youth Programs and promoted the SAR History Teacher of the Year award. Most attendees, including educators and event sponsors, were unfamiliar with these opportunities, making the outreach especially impactful.

Ben and Dave also introduced the Patriot's Chest Program - an educational initiative where SAR members visit classrooms in period dress to deliver engaging first-person presentations on the American Revolution.

This event is part of TNSSAR's ongoing commitment to educational outreach.

Color Guard at James White's Fort on July 4th, 2025

 

Kings Mountain Chapter Color Guard participating in the 4th of July Celebration at the James White's Fort in Knoxville, TN.  This event was hosted by the Stephen Holston Chapter of the TNSSAR.  Pictured L-R:  Alan Bell, John Neth, Bob Waugh, Rob Richmond (State Registrar) and Ben Stonecypher (State VP & Chapter President).

Flag Day celebration in Jonesborough on Saturday, June 14th 10:00am

 

Pictured above is the Flag Day 2024 in Joneborough, TN.  Hosting the event was the State of Franklin DAR.  The Kings Mountain Chapter SAR provided the Color Guard. 
Refn: Flag Day Celebration returns to Jonesborough, Herald & Tribune, June 6, 2025