Re-Enactors and Revolutionary War Costumes

I’ve written about the value of hereditary organizations before. I’ve been a member of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) for 15 years, and I’m very impressed with everything the organization does to honor the patriots who fought in the Revolution and to preserve history.

SAR members often dress in authentic costumes for events. You can see some of the members of the San Antonio chapter of SAR in costume at last year’s Fourth of July celebration and at my recent inauguration as President of the chapter.

You can  find a description of the uniforms worn by various Revolutionary War units on the national SAR Web site:

Orders issued from Headquarters at Moore’s House 1779 October 2, specified uniforms that were intended to make the various units easy to identify.

Everyone was to have a blue coat [and a tricorn hat].  All but the artillery units and officers had white linings and white buttons.

Some enthusiasts become so interested in history that they become re-enactors. The national SAR Web site has information about becoming a re-enactor.

A re-enactor is someone who recreates history down to the last details.   This is done by portraying the look and actions of a person from a given era. 

Even if you aren’t interested in dressing in period costumes and becoming a re-enactor yourself, you might find watching re-enactments an entertaining and effective way to learn history.

DAR and SAR Dedication Ceremony

The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) marked the grave of Revolutionary soldier William Galbreath in a dedication ceremony on July 19, 2008 in Ashmore, Illinois.

A Tribute to Ancestors and Patriots

Two hundred and twenty seven years ago today, my ancestors’ farm was turned into a battlefield.

According to the National Park Service Web site Guilford Courthouse: A Pivotal Battle in the War for Independence:

The morning of March 15, 1781, was clear and cold. A light frost had disappeared under the first rays of the sun, but the ground underfoot was soft and spongy from long winter rains and snows. In the damp woods of what had been an isolated farming community in the Piedmont on a major east-west road through North Carolina, some 4,400 American troops, in various uniforms and country clothes, waited for battle.

This backwoods county seat of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, was the site of a pivotal battle in the Revolutionary War’s decisive Southern Campaign. The engagement set the stage for the region’s liberation from enemy occupation and impelled British general Lord Charles Cornwall to take the ill-fated road that led him to final defeat at Yorktown, Virginia, seven months later.

My fourth great grandfather, Adam Mitchell, was one of the local militia in country clothes that day. As the battle spread, the nearby Mitchell Farm became part of the battlefield. Adam’s mother, wife, and children hid in the spring house, where Margaret Mitchell defied a British soldier to save the family pewter, which would have been made into bullets if captured.

Spring House: Book 1 in the Westward Sagas tells the whole story of the battle, Adam’s capture by the British, his mother’s negotiations for his release, young Robert being compelled to bury the dead, and the effects on the battle on the children.

Today, I just want to pay tribute to a famous battle on an infamous little farm in Guilford County – a little farm that is now part of the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.

[tags]Battle of Guilford Courthouse, Revolutionary War[/tags]

Best of the Internet for Genealogists

DearMyrtle, who has been online since 1984 and giving practical, down-to-earth advice for family historians since 1995, recognizes outstanding genealogy resources on the Internet each week.

She lists best blog, instruction, database site, scanned image site, podcast, video, commentary, innovation, most interesting thread, and ethnic studies. All good resources to check out … and I especially liked #9 on this week’s list.

[tags]DearMyrtle, genealogy[/tags]

Upcoming Course: Genealogical Research Today and Tomorrow

I’ve told you about the Hill Country Family History seminar I recently attended. Now I’d like to pass on information about an upcoming six-week class put on by the Genealogical Society of Kendall County, the same folks who put on the excellent seminar. Harry and Mary Alice Dell will present the course.

The press release announcing the classes states:

A free class, “Introduction to Genealogical Research” will be given Saturday March 1 at the Boerne Library, starting at 11 a.m. following a meeting of GSKC at 10 a.m. This class is open to the public whether they are interested in taking the six-week course or not.

The course will be held on six consecutive Thursday evenings, from 7 to 9, beginning March 6 and ending April 10, at the Boerne Convention and Community Center. Cost for the course is $50.00 for those who have not attended one of GSKC courses previously. Returning alumni of the course who are members of GSKC will pay $35.00.

You can download a flyer for more information or to register. If you’re in or near the Texas Hill Country, I highly recommend you consider this course.

[tags]Genealogical Society of Kendall County, genealogy[/tags}