Search Results for: American

Flag of Gatinois Regiment

The Gatinois Regiment took part in the combined French and American assault on the British garrison at Savannah in 1779.  The regiment and colors are pictured in Van Blarenberghe’s 1786 painting of the Surrender at Yorktown.  Presented by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., an honorary member of the Virginia Society.

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Yorktown Day Celebration

The Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia has reserved seating for 50 members and their guests (on a first come first served basis) at the base of the Victory Monument for this wonderful annual event.  Activities as sponsored by the Yorktown Day Committee include the following:   8:30:  Commemorative Ceremony at the French Cemetery, Yorktown Battlefield. 9:10:  Commemorative Ceremony at the French Memorial honoring the French and American Alliance 9:15:  Wreath laying ceremony at the grave of Governor Thomas Nelson, Jr. at Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown. 10:30:  Yorktown Day Parade, Main Street. 11:15:  Patriotic Exercises and Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument to Alliance and Victory, Yorktown. 1:00:  3rd Infantry Old Guard Fife and Drum performance at Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. 1:45, 3:00 & 4:00:  Living History Associates will be providing programs focusing on the military aspects on the siege of Yorktown; Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. If you are interested in attending this wonderful annual event, please notify the Society through this website. Sponsored entirely by Colonial National Historical Park and the Yorktown Day Association.  For more information and additional activities, please see www.visityorktown.org.

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President’s Letter 2023

  December 20, 2025 Gentlemen of the Virginia Society,   The Virginia Society was created on June 7, 1895, with twenty charter members and was known as the Virginia Society in Richmond Virginia. Today we continue to be the third largest Sons of the Revolution society in the United States behind New York and Pennsylvania. The following February 22, 1896, we had our first Annual General George Washington’s Birthday Celebration, a tradition we continue today. I am again pleased to report that The Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Virginia is sound,  financially solid and our membership continues to grow. As time goes by, we have lost some long-standing members, however our recruiting efforts have produced a number of younger members who are already serving on committee and board positions.  At our current rate of growth, by 2027 we are poised to well surpass seven hundred. We also continue to be a model as to how a Society should function by our administrative and financial management, support of the overall mission in our programs, events, and philanthropy. We are entering the 250th year of the signing of the Declaration of Independence which was the beginning of our nation’s fight against the tyranny of the largest and most powerful empire on the earth. As descendants of those who led the fight and won the freedoms that we have enjoyed we must celebrate this momentous occasion with the reverence and recognition it deserves. I ask that you proudly represent the Virginia Society by being part of this celebration in your communities by stepping up and showing up for as many of the special events that will take place around Virginia as possible. Our respect for family lineage and knowing that our ancestors DNA is our DNA and that your family’s  contributions to the cause of freedom have created the history of our nation and its traditions. I ask each of you to step up and show up by becoming more active in our Society. The board also continues to refine and add new events for 2026.  Our 2025 Annual Meeting was well attended by members and guests, and a new venue is planned for our meeting on May 4, 2026. Our “Boots, Blue Jeans, Barbecue and Bluegrass” event was also well attended, and we thank Bev Mauck and members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans A.P. Hill Camp for the preparation of the Brunswick Stew we enjoyed. A new venue is also being discussed for this event next October. “Hats off” to our members who showed up to help make the Colonial Dames, Colonial Wars, and VSSR Wilton House Oyster Roast another success. Speaking of success, Scott Bussells and CL Sigmon’s efforts have not only continued to provide new members for our Society but they have added two new Membership Committee members, William Cabell and Alex Thorup. William and Alex have been working on some new event ideas and have organized a sporting clays event for March of 2026. The 2026 GWB dinner will be held on February 21st and will mark the two-hundred and ninety-fourth celebration of the birthday [...]
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Betsy Ross Flag

with the stars arranged in a circle. Although often used as a symbol of the American Revolution, This flag was never adopted by Congress. It was used by General Schuyler and the New York Troops. Presented by W. Brydon Tennant.

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The Naval Privateer Flag

Used by American privateers during the War for Independence. Sometimes, instead of the 13 alternate orange and black stripes, the colours were yellow and white. Presented in memory of the Rev. James Fitzhugh Ferneyhough by a group of his friends.

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The Rattlesnake Flag

Usually known as the Ensign of the South Carolina Navy., This flag is believed to have been designed by Colonel Gadsden of South Carolina, in 1776, for the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Navy. It was also used by various units of the American Army during the Revolution. Captain Gustavus Conyngham flew this flag on his vessels, the Surprise and the Revenge in his successful attacks on British commerce in 1777. The original flag did not survive. Presented by Robert Bolling Lancaster in memory of his ancestor, Captain Robert Bolling.

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The 3rd Virginia Regiment Flag

This is an example the earliest surviving documented American flag bearing 13 stars. The flag was carried by Lt. Col. Abraham Buford of the 3rd Virginia regiment and was captured on May 29, 1780, at the Battle of Waxhaws in South Carolina by British cavalryman, Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton. The flag was presented to the Society by Lewis A. Pitzer and Andrew C. Pitzer in honor of their ancestor, Gen. Andrew Lewis.

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The John Trumbull Yorktown Flag

This flag was depicted in the painting “Surrender at Yorktown” by American artist and one-time Washington aide-de-camp, John Trumbull. Presented to the Society by Pat Leary and David Leary in honor of their father, World War II veteran Richard Bierne Leary, Sr.

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How to Apply

Step 1 Download the microsoft word or pdf file below and fill it out completely. VSSR Scholarship App (Word) VSSR Scholarship App (PDF) Essays must adhere to the following guidelines: Essays should be single spaced with 12 pt font; should not be less than 2 pages in length and no more than 4 pages in length (not including the references); and contain a minimum of two references for qualification. 2022 Essay:  Describe the global legacy of the American Revolution. How have the political ideology and values of the revolution influenced other governments and societies? Due Date:  Essay and application process is CLOSED for 2022 (2023 Award).   Awards will be provided to one Undergraduate Student and one Graduate Student for enrollment year 2022 / 2023 and communicated no later than May 31, 2022. Step 2 Mail in your completed application or upload it using the form below "*" indicates required fields Name* First Last Email* File*Max. file size: 256 MB. By Mail: VSSR Scholarship Chairman Attn: J. Matthew Haynes PO Box 18032 Richmond, VA 23226 Questions regarding the Scholarship Fund can be directed to Scholarship Chairman at scholarship@vssr.org.
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