Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter members travel to New York to honor their Patriot Ancestors

Two members of the Sgt Major John Champe SAR Chapter from Loudoun County, David Welker and Barry Schwoerer, traveled to western NY to honor three Patriots of the American Revolution. On Friday, April 24 bronze SAR Patriot markers were installed at the graves of Picus Austin, ancestor of Compatriot David Welker, and on the grave of Eliphalet Hodges, ancestor of Compatriot Jacob Schwoerer. Later the same day, a small granite Patriot marker was installed at the grave of Rowland Cotton, distant cousin of Compatriot Barry Schwoerer. Before installing the markers the grave stones of Eliphalet Hodges and Rowland Cotton were cleaned. Patriot Picus Austin is buried at County Line Road Adventist Cemetery, near Alden in Erie County, NY. Patriots Hodges and Cotton are buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Attica, Wyoming County, NY

On Saturday, April 25 the day started cold with heavy rain. Despite less-than-ideal weather three members of the Buffalo Chapter NY SAR, seven members of the Rochester Chapter NY SAR, and three members of the Mary Jamison Chapter NY DAR arrived at County Line Adventist Cemetery to participate in dedication of the grave markers. The team was honored to have the President of NY SAR, Tim Middlebrook, and his wife Judianne, participate. By the time the team moved to Forest Hill cemetery in Attica, the rain had stopped.

Participating for the Rochester Chapter NY SAR were Tim Schulze, Gary O'Dea, Gary Fague, Brent Downing (President and event Master of Ceremonies), David Foster, Carl Berg and Steven Richardson. Participating for the Buffalo Chapter NY SAR were: Douglas King Jr., Andrew S. Peirce, and David Sherman.

Participating for Daughters of the American Revolution were Pam Ware, Bonnie Coniber and Kandie Gay from the Mary Jamison Chapter NY DAR; Paula Schwoerer from the Elizabeth McIntosh Hammill Chapter VA DAR; and Margaret Welker from the Lanes Mill Chapter VA DAR.

Two, five-times great granddaughters of Patriot Picus Austin attended with their husbands. They were: Nancy and Jeffrey Fortais and Janis and Michael Bommer. Both Mrs. Fortais and Mrs. Bommer are sisters of David Welker. Mr. Fortais was presented a SAR Bronze Good citizenship medal for his work as a school teacher going above and beyond by bringing the history of the Revolution to life through several hands-on projects and living history programs

Locating, cleaning, preserving, and marking the graves of Patriots of the American Revolution is a primary objective of the Sons of the American Revolution. Each Chapter is given an annual goal to mark six Patriots. In the five years the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter has been active, it has met the goal every year and expects to meet goal in 2026.

For more information about the Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter, please visit our website at https://johnchampe-sar.org/