Grave Marking for Patriot Nathan Lewis in Bluff City, TN

 

Grave marking of Patriot Nathan Lewis in Bluff City, TN.  David Carr gave the commencement address, and Rob Richmond, Ben Stonecypher and Bob Waugh participated in the event.

Local veterans honored by descendants more than 250 years later

 

WVVA - "Two veterans who lived in Tazewell County in the early days of our country’s history were honored Saturday, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War’s first battle in Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. This all came about through Jimmie Andrew Jackson, a historian living in Kentucky who made it his life mission to honor his ancestors who played an important role in history."

This Patriot Grave Marking was hosted by General William Campbell Chapter, VASSAR, and members of the Kings Mountain Chapter TN Color Guard participated in the ceremony as well. 

Capt. William L. McFarland Grave Marking in Bastian, VA

 

In Bastian, VA the Kings Mountain Chapter Color Guard teamed up today with our Brother Chapter, General William Campbell Chapter, in Virginia for a grave marking for Captain William Lilbourne McFarland. Afterwards a Ceremony remembering what happened 250 years ago today in Lexington and Concord Massachusetts.  L-R:  Rob Richmond, David Carr, Bob Waugh and Ben Stonecypher.

In the News: DAR Mary Amis Rogers Chapter holds grave marking ceremony

 

The Daughters of the American Revolution held a grave marking ceremony for Mary Amis Rogers at Rogers Cemetery in Crockett Springs Park, honoring the namesake of their chapter. Attended by chapter members and descendants, the event included a historical tribute highlighting Mary's life as the daughter of patriot Thomas Amis and wife of Joseph Rogers, founder of Rogersville. The State of Franklin Chapter [ and the Kings Mountain Chapter] of the Sons of the American Revolution presented the colors, family members laid roses, and musical tributes were given. The ceremony celebrated local history and the preservation of heritage sites like the Amis Mill and Rogers Tavern.

Refn:  TimesNews, April 13, 2025

Dedication of Mary Amis Rogers grave by the Mary Amis Rogers NSDAR Chapter

DAR Grave Marker Dedication of Mary Amis Rogers hosted by The Mary Amis Rogers Chapter of Rogersville, TN.  Pictured L-R:  TN State Registrar Rob Richmond, State of Franklin SAR Chapter President Don Hills, Stephen Kirby, TN State VP Ben Stonecypher, Bob Waugh and Bill Pettis.  The ceremonies were held in the Rogers Cemetery in Rogersville, which is also the burial site of Davy Crockett's grandparents.

Who was Mary Amis Rogers?

"Mary Amis Rogers was a true Daughter of the American Revolution, as her father served our fledgling country in several capacities. She was born around 1768/70 in North Carolina to Thomas Amis and Alice Gale, the original settlers of the Amis lands on Big Creek, just north of Rogersville. When Mary was a child, her father served as a member of the Provincial Congress, then served in several regiments of the NC Continental Troops, as well as a superintendent of commissary in the 3rd Regiment of the NC Continental Line.

After the war Thomas was granted land and moved his family west to what would later be known as Hawkins County. He built a home and fort, as protection against attacks, and later established a store, blacksmith shop and forge, distillery, grist and saw mills, post office, tavern, and a school. Later Thomas Amis purchased the land that had belonged to David and Elizabeth Crockett, grandparents of Davy Crockett.

Joseph Rogers was working on her family’s homestead and the rumor was that Thomas Amis did not approve of Joseph courting his daughter.

Mary and Joseph fell in love and were married about 1785. Her father gifted the newlyweds with a large tract of land nearby where Rogersville was founded as the county seat for Hawkins County in 1787, and chartered in 1789.

Mary and Joseph had at least 14 children together and some of their descendants still live nearby. The Rogers also established the Rogers Tavern that hosted many important people, including William Clarke, of the Lewis & Clark Exposition, and the future President Andrew Jackson. While it is in the process of architectural investigation, that building still stands today as one of the oldest structures in the state of Tennessee.

The spirit of love shared between Joseph and Mary Rogers was so strong that when Joseph succumbed to a fatal illness in 1833, Mary followed only a few short weeks later.

It is said that she died of a broken heart. Their final resting place is just behind the Old Tavern in the Crockett Cemetery, Rogersville.

Mary helped build this town, along with her patriot father and her loving husband. Thus, the initial organizing members of our chapter thought Mary Amis Rogers deserving of the honor to have our chapter be her namesake."

Refn: The Rogersville Review, Feb 23, 2004, by Staff Report

Meeting - "Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site, the site of the Battle of the State of Franklin, and home to Revolutionary war Patriot Colonel John Tipton" - April 10, 2025

 

An over view of this area via a brand new video. Presented by Board member John Neth.

If you interested in attending this event, we meet on the second Thursday of each month in The Depot Room located at Food City 920 N State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604. Please contact David Carr to make Reservations.

New Members - Three new Compatriots sworn-in

 

Had a great March 13th meeting at the Depot Room inside Food City. Installed three new members: Larry Justis, James Morgan and Dylan Shaffer. President Ben Stonecypher administered the Oath and VP Stephen Kirby penned them with the SAR Rosette. Congratulations Compatriots !!

244th Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse

President General Darryl Addington and First Lady Mary Addington, TN State Registrar Rob Richmond and TN State VP Ben Stonecypher at the National Battlegrounds of Guilford Courthouse.  Statue of General Nathaniel Green in the background.

Meeting - "The Other Revolution - How We Changed the Way We Talk" - March 13, 2025 @ 6:00PM

Dr. John Wakefield will provide an interesting description of another revolution that took place in colonial America—the revolution in how we talked. And we often spoke differently than our friends and family in England. We think of the Melting Pot happening in the late 1800s, but it really started in colonial America. At that time, New York City had more people speaking German than anywhere in the world but Vienna. New York City had more Irish than anywhere but Dublin. The colonists didn't know they were carrying out another revolution, but they were. John will speak about how this happened, and what it means for us today.

If you interested in attending this event, we meet on the second Thursday of each month in The Depot Room located at Food City 920 N State of Franklin Rd, Johnson City, TN 37604.  Please contact David Carr to make Reservations. 

In the News - Battle of the State of Franklin re-enacted at historic site

Local re-enactors Rob Richmond, left, Phillip Cooper, Thomas Miller and Dustin Odom converse before the start of the Battle of the State of Franklin at Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site on Saturday.

This article from Johnson City Press highlights the annual re-enactment of the 1788 Battle of the State of Franklin held at the Tipton-Haynes State Historic Site in Johnson City, Tennessee. Visitors learn how Col. John Tipton and John Sevier — opposing figures in the frontier’s bid to form a separate state named Franklin — turned Tipton’s property into a dramatic battleground. After moving from Virginia, Tipton became a loyalist to North Carolina, while Sevier served as governor of the fledgling State of Franklin. Tensions mounted for years, primarily over disputes about taxes owed to North Carolina. Matters culminated when the North Carolina sheriff, under Tipton’s orders, seized some of Sevier’s property, prompting Sevier to march on Tipton’s home with around 100 men on February 27, 1788.
For several days, Tipton, his family, and a small contingent of supporters withstood Sevier’s siege. Reinforcements arrived for Tipton during a heavy snowstorm, and when firing began, Tipton rallied his men to defend his cabin. After only about ten minutes of fighting, Sevier and his Franklinites retreated. Although the conflict was brief, it effectively thwarted Franklin’s hopes, and the would-be state dissolved a year later. Ironically, both principals went on to shape Tennessee’s future: Tipton helped the region become the 16th state, while Sevier became Tennessee’s first governor.
Today, the Tipton-Haynes site preserves this pivotal piece of Tennessee history. Situated on 45 acres, it features 11 historic buildings, a cemetery, a limestone cave, and a nature trail, offering visitors a window into the region’s frontier past.