Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter VA SAR namesake Honored on Saturday 28 OCT

The Sgt Maj John Champe Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) sponsored a ceremony to honor the Chapter namesake, John Champe. The ceremony was held at Champe's grave site in the cemetery adjacent to Fort Prickett State Park, near Fairmont, WV. Three Members of the John Champe Chapter participated: President Barry Schwoerer, Vice President Mark Sink and Past President Ken Bonner. Mr. Bonner is the 3rd Vice President of the Virginia Society SAR.

Other SAR Attendees included: Rudy Vincent, President of the George Rogers Clark Chapter West Virginia Society SAR, and Martin Brady from the Daniel Boone Chapter West Virginia Society SAR.

Representing Daughters of the American Revolution were: Anita Bonner, Regent, of the Lanes Mill Chapter Virginia DAR; Victoria Brady representing the Kenawha Valley Chapter West Virginia DAR; and Joan Gibson, Regent, Woodburn Chapter West Virginia DAR.

The program included a short biographical sketch of John Champe describing his assignment by General George Washington to fake desertion from American Lines, join the British Army and attempt capture of the traitor Benedict Arnold. Champe was also charged with determining if Arnold acted on his own or had co-conspirators. Relocation of Arnold as he prepared for the Virginia campaign prevented his capture, but Champe was able to report that Arnold did not have co-conspirators. Champe"s faked desertion was dangerous with risk of discovery and death by hanging as a spy. An obelisk to the memory of John Champe was erected in a field on his property in Loudoun County. On the obelisk is a plaque that reads: "Here was the home of Sergeant Major John Champe Continental Army who risked the inglorious death of a spy for the independence of his Country."