TENNESSEE SOCIETY SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

John Sevier 97th Anniversary Compatriot Grave Markings x5 Ceremony, 15 OCT 2022, Forest Hills Cemetery, Chattanooga.

President Dr. David C Chaffin

Welcomes you on behalf of the over 1413 Compatriots
to the Website of the TNSSAR!

Welcome to the Tennessee Society

Sons of the American Revolution

TNSSAR members can be found across the state within our six Districts comprising 23 active local Chapters. Our Society supports and works closely with the Children of the American Revolution and The Daughters of the American Revolution promoting American Heritage.

Our Mission: Perpetuating the stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy, and triumph of the men and women who achieved the independence of the American people in the belief that these stories are universal ones of man's eternal struggle against tyranny, relevant to all time, and will inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it too is called upon to defend our freedoms on the battlefield and in our public institutions, including the stories of those brave men and women who came to this Tennessee wilderness with little more than their raw grit and determination and proceeded to claw out a gracious society of which WE are the recipients.

President Dr. David C Chaffin (Contact David by clicking on his picture)

TNSSAR
President's

19 April ......the Minute Men

“ … to march at a Minute's Warning, to the Relief of any Place that may be attacked, or to the Support of our Army …”

While all minute men were part of the militia, not all militia troops were minute men. Starting in the fall of 1774, the Massachusetts legislature, meeting in defiance of the Royal Governor, General Thomas Gage, assumed control of the province’s militia forces. On October 26, 1774 they recommended that towns recruit volunteers and that the field officers, so elected, forthwith endeavor to enlist one quarter, at least, of the number of the respective Companies, and form them into companies of fifty Privates, at the least who shall equip and hold themselves in readiness to march at the shortest notice; and that each and every company, so formed, choose a captain and two lieutenants to command them on any necessary and emergent service … form them into Companies of fifty Privates at the least, who shall equip and hold themselves in Readiness to march at the shortest Notice. (LOC)
     In December 1774, the town created a company of minute men who were instructed to “hold themselves in readiness at a minute’s warning, complete in arms and ammunition; that is to say a good and sufficient firelock, bayonet, thirty rounds of powder and ball, pouch and knapsack.”
      While each town’s process for establishing minute companies could certainly differ from others, most towns within the colony complied with the request of the Provincial Congress. Minute companies would, however, comprise only about a quarter of each town’s militia force. Overall, these elite, highly mobile companies were very well trained in the art of maneuver, usually the first to arrive at the scene of action, and in the use of their flintlock weapons, mainly smoothbore muskets, and fowling pieces.
       On the morning of April 19, 1775, despite the myths and fireside stories that would be passed from one generation of Americans to the next, some suggest that the truth is that there were no Lexington minute men standing on the Village Green to witness the first shots of the American Revolution. Rather, standing on the Green with Captain Parker that fateful morning were men who made up, not a minute company, but a traditional New England training band. They were friends, neighbors, and kinsmen; they were the militia and brave men, all. (American Battlefield Trust, Wilcox)
      The National Society Sons of The America Revolution decided on the term Minute Man for its highest award in honor of all the Minute Men of 1775. The award is presented annually and is usually given to only six individuals who have demonstrated distinguished service to the SAR at multiple levels. The most recent recipient from the Tennessee Society is Dr. Darryl Addington.

Schedule for Upcoming STATE/BOG Meetings:
BOG Saturday, 29 JUL 23 (0900 EDT start time / see details in Constant Contact Message issued in email 08 MAY23).

Libertas et Patria!

Tennessee Society Sons of the American Revolution Chartered 02 DEC 1889

JOIN the SAR! Click on the logo to get started. Select Tennessee on the National Map. Complete and submit the contact sheet. A member of the Chapter in the area where you reside will make contact with you. Thank you for your interest. We will contact you soon to aid in your wishes to become a member.