New Bern Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution

10/21/2026

On this day in 1797, the USS Constitution slid into Boston Harbor, earning the nickname “Old Ironsides” in the War of 1812 and still serving today as the world’s oldest commissioned warship afloat.

USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. She is the second oldest naval vessel still in commission, and the oldest still afloat.[12][Note 1] She was launched in 1797, one of six original frigates authorized for constructi...

10/20/2026

On this day in 1803, the Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, doubling the size of the United States for $15 million, possibly the greatest real estate deal in history.

The Louisiana Purchase treaty was ratified by the Senate on October 20, 1803. This guide provides access to digital materials at the Library of Congress, links to related external websites, and a print bibliography.

10/19/2026

During the weekend of Oct 17th, several local SAR members attended the John Lawson Legacy Days event in Grifton, NC. During their stay they set up a “bivouac” to keep them dry during the rainy weather, spoke to attendees about life during the Revolutionary War and provided several Musket Volley demonstrations. Those attending from the New Bern area were Scott Brick (New Bern Chapter Color Guard Commander), David Webster (New Bern Chapter member), Brandon Hall and Gary Riggs (future SAR members) and Bill Lovewell (Andrew Jackson Chapter),

10/19/2026

New Bern Chapter members participated in the John Lawson Days event. About halfway through this video there is a quick look at the Rev War tent.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1HpLCQ1uJt/

10/19/2026

On this day in 1781, British Gen. Charles Cornwallis surrendered some 8,000 troops to George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. Cornwallis pleaded illness and skipped the ceremony, and when his deputy tried to hand his sword to the French commander, he was directed to Washington instead, who passed the honor to his own second-in-command.

The Siege of Yorktown proved to be the decisive engagement of the American Revolution. The British surrender forecast the end of British rule in the...

10/17/2026

On this day in 1777, British Gen. John Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga after two battles and an American siege. The victory persuaded France to recognize American independence and provide aid crucial to winning the Revolutionary War.

British general and playwright John Burgoyne surrenders 5,000 British and Hessian troops to American General Horatio ...

10/17/2026

On Oct 16th, Gary Gillette (President, New Bern SAR Chapter), Tammy Gillette (Regent, Richard Dobbs Spaight DAR Chapter) Lisa Bonebrake (Service for Veteran’s Committee Chair, RDS Chapter) and Ruth Ann Bonebrake (Service for Veterans Committee member) delivered an estimated $2,800 of “donated snacks” to the Canteen at the NC Veterans Home in Kinston, NC. The Home’s Canteen includes various “snack items”, which residents can purchase for .25 cents each. It provides the 100 residents at the Home, with an opportunity to periodically enjoy things they can’t normally get on the standard menu. The snacks were collected by the New Bern SAR Chapter, the Richard Dobbs Spaight DAR Chapter, and members of the Student Veterans of America at the Craven Community College in New Bern.

10/15/2026

On Oct 10th, several members of the SAR attended an event at the Old St. John’s Church (build in 1743) in Henderson NC. The event was hosted by the Halifax Resolves SAR Chapter and the Elizabeth Montfort Ashe DAR Chapter. During the ceremony, Mark Pace (Halifax Resolves Chapter President) spoke about the history of the Church and about John Penn (one of the “Signers” of the Declaration of Independence).
SAR Chapter members in attendance were Bill Lovewell (Andrew Jackson Chapter), Mark Pace, Scott Brick (New Bern Chapter) and Brandon Hall (future New Bern Chapter member).

10/13/2026

On this day in 1792, the cornerstone of the White House was laid at the site chosen by President George Washington and Pierre Charles L'Enfant, city planner for the nation's new capital.

The cornerstone is laid for the White House in the newly designated capital city of Washington, D.C.