Dumfries Town Council Honors Prince William County’s most famous Revolutionary War patriot.

On March 3, Dumfries mayor Derrick R. Wood issued a proclamation on behalf of the Dumfries Town Council and the citizens of Dumfries proclaiming March 12 as “Colonel William Grayson Day” encouraging all residents to reflect upon Colonel William Grayson’s enduring legacy of leadership, service and dedication to the principles of freedom and constitutional government.

William Grayson (1740 – March 12, 1790) was a soldier, lawyer, and statesman. Grayson practiced law in Prince William County and is frequently mentioned as a guest at Mount Vernon, and as a hunting companion of George Washington. At the outbreak of the American Revolution, Grayson served as a captain of the local militia but left the Virginia forces to become an aide-de-camp to General Washington. He later took command of one of the sixteen regiments of the Continental Army. After a bloody battle at Monmouth, New Jersey that virtually destroyed his entire regiment, Grayson went on to serve on the Board of War. After the war, Grayson served as a member of the Continental Congress and was later one of Virginia’s first two Senators. Grayson died in Dumfries on March 12, 1790, the first member of the United States Congress to die in office.

The Colonel William Grayson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) will host a Vigil at the Tomb of Colonel William Grayson, Prince William County’s most famous Revolutionary War patriot. The ceremony is scheduled for 1:00 PM, March 15, 2026, at the Colonel Grayson tomb located at 2338 West Longview Drive, Woodbridge, Virginia. Wreaths will be placed at the tomb by other SAR chapters prior to the vigil. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

The Colonel William Grayson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a civic organization serving Prince William County and western Fairfax County. The SAR serves and honors, veterans, first responders, Scouting America, Junior ROTC, and other patriotic, civic, and historical groups and organizations. Membership in the Sons of the American Revolution is open to the lineal descendant of a Revolutionary War soldier, sailor or Patriot. This includes persons who not only fought in the military or militia, but who also may have provided supplies, medical aid, signed oaths of Faith and Fidelity and similar acts. Contact the chapter’s registrar Michael Blythe mblythe@comcast.net for help in applying for membership.