Chapter Chatter: Rancho Simi Chapter Collaborates to Mark Patriot’s Grave in New Jersey

A very unique and special commemorative grave marking event took place on Saturday, April 23, 2017.  Unique because it involved three chapters from three different states and special because it gave recognition to a long overdue Patriot’s request.

The Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, North Carolina Chapter; the Rancho Simi Valley, California Chapter; and the Old White House ~ General Frelinghuysen ~ Col. Lowrey New Jersey Chapter held a dedication ceremony at the grave of Revolutionary War Patriot, Jacob Mattison, for a Commemorative Marker. The small but meaningful event took place at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Ringoes, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey.

The marker signifies that Jacob Mattison provided goods to the cause of liberty and was a valuable member of his community providing funds for the building of the parsonage of his Church, the First Presbyterian Church of Amwell. He was also a Justice of the Peace and an Assessor. Jacob’s other claim to fame is that his daughter, Martha, married Jesse Hart, the son of John Hart, who Signed the Declaration of Independence.

The idea of a marker came about when NCSDAR member, Nancy McBride Wark, was doing research to prove Jacob as a supplemental patriot.  While transcribing Jacob’s will, Nancy McBride Wark discovered he had stated he wanted a foot stone at his grave. Research proved that in the 255 years since his death he had not received that foot stone.  The seed was planted and Nancy and her sister, CSSDAR member, Mary McBride, set out to do a Commemorative marker to fulfill Jacob’s request, and in doing so, also documented the maiden names of the women in this family and tied the Mattison and Hart families together.

Proving that daughters in DAR truly do work well together, Ann Rotunno, Vice Regent of the Old White House ~ General Frelinghuysen ~ Col. Lowrey Chapter NJDAR, agreed to host this event and contacted the New Jersey State Regent Karen Stroever, State Chaplain Kitty Bowers and State Historian Pat Sanftner, all of whom agreed to attend and take active parts in the event. Also showing their support by sending greetings were Peggy Carney Troxell, Vice President General, Honorary North Carolina State Regent, National DAR School Chairman; Elizabeth Candler Graham, North Carolina State Regent; and Beverly Roberson Moncrieff, California State Regent.

This project took over a year to come to fruition and enabled wonderful friendships to form among three daughters in three states.  We look forward to these friendships lasting a lifetime. This truly is Daughters helping Daughters.

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