Patriots Day, Marking of General Edward Stevens' Grave, Gathering & Blessing of Virginia Soil for Waxhaws

17 Apr 2021                        Culpeper, VA

30 minute video of ceremony available at this link.

Participants at the three ceremonies at Culpeper Masonic Cemetery. photo by Doug Graves, OFPA

     Today was a productive day at Culpeper Masonic Cemetery for the Culpeper Minutemen Chapter.  We comemorated Patriots Day, marked General Edward Stevens' grave, and gathered and blessed Virginia Soil for Waxhaws.  Six chapter members, and three dual members participated in the program.  Participants in the program included Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas, Virginia Order of Founders and Patriots of America Governor Michael Weyler, and members of six SAR chapters, two DAR Chapters, and one C.A.R. society.

Edward Stevens was born in Culpeper County, Virginia, in 1745.  As a Captain he led Culpeper’s Independent Company in response to the alarm over the seizure of weapons and gunpowder from the Williamsburg Magazine in April of 1775.  On December 9, 1775 he led the victorious Culpeper Minute Battalion in the crucial Battle of Great Bridge.  He then was commissioned as Colonel of the 10th Virginia Regiment and fought at Brandywine and Germantown.  He returned to Culpeper and was commissioned as a Brigadier General of Virginia Militia and led militia at Camden, Guilford Courthouse, and Yorktown.  After our Independence was gained, Edward Stevens returned to Culpeper where he served as a state senator and died in 1820.  The cemetery where he is buried is on land that he donated.

     The soil that was gathered will be taken by Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas to be spread on the mass grave of Virginians in the 3rd Virginia Detachment that died at the battle of Waxhaws on May 29, 1780.  This will occur in a ceremony memorializing that battle that will be conducted at the memorial on May 29, 2021.

Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas, on left, holds the urn of Virginia Soil while Father Minich of the Thomas Jefferson Chapter, on the right, blesses the soil. photo by Ducie Minich

Wreath presentations, left to right, Virginia OFPA Governor Michael Weyler, Virginia SAR President Jeff Thomas, and CMM President Charles Jameson. photo by Doug Graves, OFPA

Information for your Patriot Grave Marking Medal Form.  Are you tracking your accomplishments? - participate in marking a total of 15 similar graves and you're eligible for the NSSAR Patriot Grave Marking Medal.