The Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution are committed to promoting historic preservation, education of citizens and patriotism. One of the ways this mission is accomplished is marking the graves of patriot ancestors and their wives. Just like any war, the wives played an important role in making victory possible.
The plaques placed on the graves of Revolutionary War Patriots by DAR chapters and the granite markers placed by the SAR serve to recognize and preserve our history and to educate today's public and future citizens about the sacrifices made by those men and women who fought to secure the liberties and freedom that this Country enjoys today.
In June, two Chattanooga chapters, the Nancy Ward Chapter NSDAR and the John Sevier Chapter, TNSSAR, along with Charles Damman, state president of the TNSSAR, convened at the Green Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, Va. to honor five male patriots and two of their wives. Those that were honored were Adam Hope and his wife, Agnes Kinkaid and their son, Private James Hope. Also honored were Abram McConnell, his wife Rosanna Fryatt, Private Samuel Duff Jr. and his father Samuel Duff l.
The three privates served at the Battle of Kings Mountain and mustered at Sycamore Shoals near Elizabethton, Tn., along with others from Southwest Virginia and, what is today, upper East Tennessee and the westernmost part of North Carolina. The others served important roles in the War. Adam Hope was an overseer of roads and helped supply the militia, Samuel Duff l was a juror in Washington County, Va., Rosanna Fryatt ,was a 'First ' daughter of the Revolution because her father, Bartholomew Fryatt, signed the Oath of Allegiance to the cause of the colonist. Signing this Oath could mean execution of the signer, loss of his property and death of the signers family or imprisonment. Today, we cannot comprehend the magnitude of their sacrifice and bravery.
As part of the marking ceremony, members of the Overmountain Men Honor Guard from the General William Campbell Chapter VASSAR from Abingdon fired a musket salute. One of the guns used in the volley was built in 1776 and had seen service at the battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. Biographies of the individuals were read by their descendants, David S. McConnell of the John Sevier Chapter SAR, Amy McConnell Lowe, Ketocin Chapter NSDAR and Guy T. McConnell, General William Campbell Chapter VASSAR.
A reception followed the ceremony, hosted by the Women of the Green Springs Presbyterian Church. The church has held continual service since 1796 when it was founded and is the final resting place for many patriots.