The Hightower Trail Chapter, NSDAR

02/12/2026

02/10/2026

On today’s date in 1777, the Battle of Carr's Fort took place in Wilkes County, Georgia. Colonel Andrew Pickens of South Carolina, with Colonel John Dooly and Lieutenant Colonel Elijah Clarke of Georgia, led 340 men in an attack against a group of approximately 200 Loyalists under the command of Colonel John Hamilton. The Patriots abandoned the siege when they learned that several hundred loyalists were approaching to support Hamilton. The loyalists were surprised and routed at the Battle of Kettle Creek.

01/04/2026

250 years ago on January 10th, Thomas Paine published 'Common Sense,' forever changing the course of our nation.

Before this, many colonists were still hoping for reconciliation with King George III.

Paine’s plain-spoken, fiery argument against monarchy and for American independence became an overnight sensation, selling roughly 100,000 copies in its first year—proportionally the biggest bestseller in American history.

Common Sense[1] is a 47-page pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775–1776 advocating independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies. Writing in clear and persuasive prose, Paine collected moral and political arguments to encourage common people in the Colonies to fight for ega...

12/13/2025

Remember Honor Teach
Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom. It’s the mission of Wreaths Across America. You can join us by sponsoring a wreath, volunteering or partnering with us on National Wreaths Across America Day and every day.

https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/167917/Overview/?relatedId=14806

11/22/2025

A prosperous merchant and civic leader, John Alsop had supported the American embargo of British imports and had helped recruit and supply Patriot militia.

Many of the colonists in British North America remained loyal to the crown and actively fought against the revolutionary Patriots. Likewise, many of the colonists were indifferent to the fight and chose to try to stay out of it altogether. And some took the Patriot side in the disputes with the mother county, but favored trying to resolve those disputes, and did not support a declaration of independence. In the latter category, the best remembered is John Dickinson, who as a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress refused to sign the Declaration of Independence, resigned his seat, and joined the Patriot militia. He did not agree with the decision to declare independence but once done he did not hesitate to take up arms in defense of the new country.

Another man who took a similar route was New Yorker John Alsop. A prosperous merchant and civic leader, Alsop had supported the American embargo of British imports and had helped recruit and supply Patriot militia. He was elected to the First Continental Congress at age 50 and was afterwards elected a delegate to the Second Congress. He had been a warm supporter of the rights of the colonies throughout the struggle, but for Alsop independence was a bridge too far. Rather than sign the Declaration, like John Dickinson, he resigned his seat.

But also like Dickinson, Alsop was no Tory. He declined his opportunity to be forever remembered as a “Signer,” but he continued to support the American war effort after he left Congress, illustrating one of the several courses of conduct Americans took as the Revolution unfolded.

John Alsop died in New York at age 70, on November 22, 1794, two hundred thirty-one years ago today.

11/15/2025

Learn about the courageous Patriots who changed history during the Revolutionary War and with the DAR discover your connection to America’s story.

11/08/2025

Hightower Trail spent the morning honoring and remembering area Veterans by placing American flags on graves at Macedonia Memorial Cemetery.

Chapter members placed about 200 flags, stopping after each placement to say the name of the veteran and thanking them for their service.

It was a beautiful sight to see all the flags waving in the breeze! 🇺🇸

11/02/2025

Want to honor a veteran this holiday season? Order a wreath for $17.
wreathsacrossamerica.org/GA0351P

Wreaths Across America ("WAA") coordinates wreath-laying ceremonies every December to "Remember, Honor, and Teach" about the sacrifices made by our veterans and their families. Please check out this page to learn how you can help by sponsoring Veterans Remembrance Wreaths or by joining us on Decembe...