Revolutionary lineage societies mark Delaware State Service Day

To honor fallen soldiers, Delaware State Service Day was celebrated Nov. 12 at Old Christ Church in Laurel.

Thanks go to Ginger Trader, past historian general, NSDAR, for securing the venue and planning this year’s observance. 

Constructed in 1772, Old Christ Church is a historic place of worship, and one of the few remaining unaltered wooden structures of its age and type in the United States. The structure has paneled walls, original glass windows, a barrel-vaulted ceiling and wooden box pews that are evocative of pre-Revolutionary days when meeting places like it were the community centers of rural Colonial America.   

After the laying of a wreath at the graves, guests entered the church and were welcomed by Carol Evans, Delaware state chaplain, NSDAR, followed by the church service conducted by Dave Hudson. Attendees joined in singing the national anthem, led by Troy Foxwell, president of the Lewestown chapter of the SAR. 

Following the service, guests were treated to an informative tour of Rosemont, Laurel’s oldest home, dating to about 1769. It is located at 121 Delaware Ave., overlooking Records Pond, and the town that grew up around it. Most notable among Rosemont’s residents was Maj. Nathaniel Mitchell, who was an officer in the continental Army during the American Revolution, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, and governor of Delaware from 1805-08. 

Following the tour, attendees gathered for lunch at Abbott’s on Broad Creek.    

For more information about becoming part of DAR, CAR or SAR, contact Allen Greenly, registrar general, NSSAR, at 404-788-8824. Chapters are located throughout Delaware, and the Lewestown Chapter of the SAR is now launching in Lewes.