The Battle of Elizabethtown and the Battle of Rockfish Chapters dedicated a NC Historical Marker honoring the Irish born Duplin County Revolutionary War patriot and US Senator the Honorable James Gillespie. I became aware of this outstanding patriot when I was privileged to assist one of his descendants with her DAR application. This discovery led to the Stamp Defiance Chapter marking his grave in the Congressional Cemetery on June 26, 2015, while at Continental Congress. Some of you were there.
The beautiful marker was anxiously unveiled by several descendants in the cool morning breeze of July 6th with great fanfare– bagpipes, SAR, DAR, and many descendants witnessing this long-awaited event. Wreaths were placed around the headstone of Gillespie’s wife Dorcas Mumford, who lies nearby in the Routledge Cemetery. Descendant Terry Smith spoke on “James Gillespie:Life of a Noteworthy Patriot” at the luncheon held afterwards at the Country Squire.
Tying the Past to the Present is our Gift to the Future. We thank the Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter, Terry Smith Regent, and Battle of Rockfish Chapter, Susan Corliss-Bland for this gift.
(James Gillespie NC Historical Marker image courtesy of WITN News)
Carole Weiss, State Regent
