08/21/2026
🇺🇸 Honoring Revolutionary Patriots in Baldwin County 🇺🇸
Members of the Tristan de Luna Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, were honored to attend today’s dedication of the new American Revolutionary War Monument at Bicentennial Park in Stockton, Alabama.
Bicentennial Park is one of Baldwin County’s wonderful historical treasures. The 367-acre park was established during Baldwin County’s bicentennial in 2009 to preserve the history and heritage of the county for future generations.
A particularly impressive area of the park is the Veterans’ Memorial Pathway, dedicated in 2012 by the Fort Mims Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, “in honor of the brave who keep America free.” The pathway and surrounding memorial area tell the story of American military service through beautiful granite monuments honoring those who served from our nation’s earliest conflicts through the wars of the 20th century.
Today, the beginning of that story received a very special addition.
The new American Revolutionary War Monument, 1775–1783, was placed by the Alabama Society Daughters of the American Revolution in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. The inscription commemorates the men and women who achieved American independence—Patriots who, “believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to found a new nation.”
The ceremony was led by ASDAR State Regent Malinda Williams, with Alabama Society DAR State Officers and members from across the state in attendance. The program included the SAR Revolutionary Color Guard, Revolutionary War soldiers and militia, a wreath laying, black powder gun salute and firing of the cannon.
Especially meaningful was the recognition of five Revolutionary War Patriots who eventually made their homes in Baldwin County:
🇺🇸 Benjamin Hadley — served in the North Carolina militia. As a young man, he survived a British raid in which his father was killed. Benjamin was captured, bound to a tree, lashed and abandoned, but managed to free himself and escape.
🇺🇸 Samuel Griffin — at age 17 served as a guide for Continental troops through the wilderness and Indian Country and later served under officers from South Carolina and Georgia.
🇺🇸 John Davis — served in the 2nd South Carolina Regiment and under Gen. Francis Marion, the legendary “Swamp Fox.” He fought in numerous battles, was captured by the British during the siege of Charleston, escaped and rejoined Marion’s troops.
🇺🇸 Joel Dees — served during the Revolution in North Carolina and stated in his pension application that he served under Gen. Francis Marion and Gen. George Washington and fought at Guilford Courthouse and Yorktown.
🇺🇸 Zachariah Godbold — served under Gen. Francis Marion and later moved with his family to Old Blakeley in Baldwin County.
Their stories are a wonderful reminder that the American Revolution is also our local history. Men who fought for independence eventually came south to what became Baldwin County, built lives here, raised families here, and were laid to rest here.
The Revolutionary War monument now joins an impressive collection of memorials at the park, including one honoring Gen. Bernardo de Gálvez, whose leadership helped secure the Gulf Coast for the American cause during the Revolution, as well as monuments commemorating the War of 1812, the Creek War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and our nation’s fallen soldiers.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, it is especially fitting that the Veterans’ Memorial area now so prominently honors the Patriots who fought for the independence that made all the generations of American history that followed possible.
The Tristan de Luna Chapter is proud to join the Alabama Society DAR and the Fort Mims Chapter in honoring and preserving the memory of these Patriots and all those who have served our nation.
May their courage, service and sacrifice never be forgotten. 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙
📷 Lizzie Nix
