DAR, SAR honor Revolutionary War Patriot Samuel Townsend

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Photo 4: New patriot marker placed at the grave of Samuel Townsend during a special ceremony. Photo submitted

Special to the News

 

Members of the Captain William Bibb Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and General John Archer Elmore Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, gathered at Pine Grove Cemetery in Equality on Saturday, October 3, to honor American Revolutionary War Patriot Samuel Townsend and dedicate a DAR marker at his grave.

Born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1755, Townsend was living in the Camden District of South Carolina when he entered service during the American Revolution. He served as a volunteer horseman and private and later as a sergeant, participating in multiple tours and scouting parties.

Townsend remained ready to serve through the closing years of the war, recalling late in life that he “kept his horse for that express purpose.”

Following the Revolution, Townsend lived in several Georgia counties before moving to Alabama in 1816. He first settled in Montgomery County and later moved to Coosa County.

Several of Townsend’s descendants, representing multiple branches of his family, attended the ceremony to honor their shared ancestor.

The Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard presented the Colors and rendered a musket salute.

Alabama DAR First Vice Regent Janet Deaton, NSDAR Vice President General Patrice Donnelly and Alabama Society SAR Secretary Bill Sauser brought greetings. Earl Gillian, ALSSAR genealogist, presented an account of Townsend’s Revolutionary War service.

The ceremony concluded with Taps performed by Matthew Burford of Real Taps for Real Heroes.

“One generation of Samuel Townsend’s descendants made certain that his grave was preserved. Today, another generation has gathered to make certain that his story is preserved, as well,” said Jessie Burris, a descendant of Townsend and member of the Captain William Bibb Chapter, NSDAR.

The grave marking was held as the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence.

Through grave markings and other historic preservation projects, DAR and SAR members work to preserve the stories of the men and women whose service contributed to the founding of the United States.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War.

Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with more than 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world.

DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. More than one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

To learn more about the Captain William Bibb Chapter, NSDAR, visit Facebook: @captwmbibbnsdar or email captainwmbibb@gmail.com.

For more information about the General John Archer Elmore Chapter, ALSSAR, email gjaesar1776@gmail.com.