DAR Attends Sycamore Shoals Rededication

The Annual Gathering of the Overmountain Men in the reconstructed Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals State Park and a special Rededication of the Sycamore Shoals Monument at the site of original Fort Watauga were attended by seven members of the Martha Dandridge Washington (MDW) Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR): Ellie Betts, Jane Busdeker, Elizabeth Finchum, Karen McFarland, Carolyn Mitchell, Wendy Rudolph, and Katie Schmidt.

The Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution (TNSSAR) and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association (OVTA) hosted the event to honor the 238th Anniversary of the September 25, 1780, gathering of militias under William Campbell (Virginia), Isaac Shelby (Tennessee Sullivan County) and John Sevier (Tennessee Washington County). Those forces made the difficult march to King’s Mountain and ultimate victory over British Major Patrick Ferguson on October 7, 1780. That battle was a turning point in the Revolutionary War.

After lunch with Tennessee Society Daughters of the Revolution (TSDAR) Regent Charlotte Reynolds, the MDW chapter members proceeded to Monument Place for the Rededication of the Sycamore Shoals Monument hosted by the John Sevier-Sarah Hawkins Chapter NSDAR and the Bonny Kate Chapter NSDAR. The monument was originally erected by the John Sevier (Johnson City), Sycamore Shoals (Bristol), and Bonny Kate (Knoxville) chapters of TSDAR and dedicated on June 14, 1910, to honor the Overmountain Men. The original celebration drew 3,000 persons from several southern states.

Key speaker was TSDAR Regent Reynolds. The restoration was done by talented Restoration Artist and Spencer Clack Chapter NSDAR member Mary Ruden.