From left to right: Culpeper Mayor Michael T. Olinger, CMM Treasurer Don Jennings, CMM Past President Larry Alexander, CMM Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey, CMM President Bill Schwetke.
Six CMM members and two wives attended the dedication of Col John Jameson Boulevard in Culpeper this afternoon. The near freezing drizzle abated and, though it was still quite cold, there was a good turnout of about fifty people for the dedication of the new .61 mile long boulevard with three roundabouts that will greatly improve the traffic flow on the northeast side of Culpeper. The CMM Color Guard provided the colors for the ceremony and CMM President Bill Schwetke presented a short biography of Col Jameson for the program. The new boulevard is named for John Jameson, a captain and company commander in the 1775 Culpeper Minutemen, and later Colonel in the Continental Army. Those attending were Past President Larry Alexander and his wife Beverly, Past VASSAR President Jim Bayne, Chaplain Len Cowherd, Treasurer Don Jennings, CMM Color Guard Commander Lon Lacey, President Bill Schwetke and his wife Cat.
 New road sign for Col Jameson Blvd, looking northwest on US522 to the roundabout where Col Jameson Blvd intersects US522, Sperryville Pike. |  CMM President Bill Schwetke addresses the gathering, with the CMM Color Guard as a back drop. |
President Schwetke's Remarks
The man who we honor in naming this boulevard, John Jameson, was born in Essex County in 1751 and was an educated man, a graduate of The College of William and Mary. He settled in Culpeper County and in 1775 he was serving the king as the Clerk of Culpeper County, but he also was elected by the citizens of Culpeper County to be a member of the Committee of Safety, dedicated to organizing resistance to the abuses of King George III. When the Virginia Convention called for the formation of militia battalions able to respond “in a minute”, one such battalion was formed from the citizens of Orange, Culpeper & Fauquier Counties and named the “Culpeper Minute Men”. John Jameson answered that call and was elected one of the captains commanding a company of the Culpeper Minute Men. In December of that year Captain Jameson led his company in the battle at Great Bridge where Continental forces, including the Culpeper Minute Men, defeated the British and denied them control of Virginia. Because of this victory General Washington was able to freely shift forces between the northern and southern colonies, reap the harvest of Virginia agriculture to feed his army, and recruit many worthy soldiers from the men of Virginia.
Captain Jameson remained in military service rising in 1777 to the rank of major in the Continental Light Dragoons. He fought at Brandywine and was at Valley Forge with General Washington. He was wounded in a skirmish at Valley Forge, but recovered and continued to serve, eventually rising to the rank of colonel.
In 1780 forces in Col Jameson's command captured the British spy Major Andre who was in disguise. They discerned the true nature of Major Andre and thwarted the traitor Benedict Arnold’s plan to betray the strategic fortress at West Point to the British.
After the war Col Jameson returned to Culpeper County and was elected Clerk of Culpeper County, remaining in that position for the rest of his life. He married Elizabeth Davenport, raised a family, and prospered as a free man.
Today we have our liberty, won for us by the valor of many such as Col Jameson. It is our privilege to gather to dedicate this boulevard in his honor.
Captain Jameson remained in military service rising in 1777 to the rank of major in the Continental Light Dragoons. He fought at Brandywine and was at Valley Forge with General Washington. He was wounded in a skirmish at Valley Forge, but recovered and continued to serve, eventually rising to the rank of colonel.
In 1780 forces in Col Jameson's command captured the British spy Major Andre who was in disguise. They discerned the true nature of Major Andre and thwarted the traitor Benedict Arnold’s plan to betray the strategic fortress at West Point to the British.
After the war Col Jameson returned to Culpeper County and was elected Clerk of Culpeper County, remaining in that position for the rest of his life. He married Elizabeth Davenport, raised a family, and prospered as a free man.
Today we have our liberty, won for us by the valor of many such as Col Jameson. It is our privilege to gather to dedicate this boulevard in his honor.
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