Patriot Park

As you drive through Watkinsville, you might notice a small triangle of land in front of Jittery Joe's that used to be an eyesore has been transformed over the past few years into a small greenspace called "Patriot Park" that also has a memorial to Oconee County's revolutionary war soldiers. This has been done thanks to the good works of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who are a very active civic group that is doing some great things in the area.

The formal dedication for the park will be this Sunday at 2 p.m., and all community members are invited to attend. Details are in the press release below. Many more details are in the press release below.
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Contact: Emily Givens, emily14@bellsouth.net

The Reverend John Andrew Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will formally dedicate PATRIOT PARK, a memorial greenspace honoring the heroic efforts of Revolutionary War patriots buried in Oconee County, on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2 p.m. The ceremony, with a reception following, will take place on the park grounds, located at 27 Greensboro Highway in Watkinsville, Georgia. The greenspace occupies the small plat of land that intersects South Main Street and the Greensboro Highway. Patriot Park is directly in front of Watkinsville’s Jittery Joes coffeehouse.

Brigadier General Maria L. Britt will be the keynote speaker and recipient of the NSDAR Women in History award. She is the first female Commanding Officer of the Georgia Army National Guard in the Guards’ 273 year history. Brigadier General Maria L. Britt is a native of Gloversville, New York and was commissioned from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York a Second Lieutenant in May 1983. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, Defense Intelligence Agency, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. BG Britt is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA., and has a second Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

On hand to present the award will be the Georgia State Society DAR Regent Mrs. W. Franklin Chastain. Other state and local dignitaries will also be in attendance and additional NSDAR awards will be presented, including a Community Service Award.

The Elijah Clark Militia and the award-winning Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard will be in attendance in colonial dress.

Ample parking will be available behind the Golden Pantry and across the street.

Patriot Park is filled with native and historical plants of Georgia. From the memorial granite monument that will be unveiled at the foremost point, to the roster of Patriot names gracing the entrance, the landscaping gradually increases in height from dwarf yaupon hollies, ornamental grasses, through white flowering dogwoods and to the back most point, the October Glory Maples. Knockout Roses, though not natives, are included to complement Watkinsville’s streetscape roses. Virginia Sweetspire and fragrant August Beauty Gardenia offer the beauty of spring and summer blooms of white.

Work on the Patriot Park garden began in the fall of 2008. A nearly $15,000 project, from the initial design plans to the plants and labor, the park has been financed by generous donations from individuals and local Watkinsville businesses

Patriot Park has received significant support from the community. The Rev. John Andrew Chapter, NSDAR, would like to extend special thanks to: Jim Flanagan, Allen Ward of Jittery Joes, Steve Brown, Cole Brown, Peter Givens, Jim Bennewitz, Bill Douglas, Chris Swann of Lotus Landscapes, Outdoor Specialty, Hancock Construction, Athens Area Master Gardeners, City of Watkinsville, Industrial Mechanical Inc., Southeastern Growers, Bridge Creek Nursery, Nasworthy Landscaping, The Stone Store, Boyd Granite Company, Inc, and Graphic Communications Corporation for their assistance.

Headquartered in Washington, D.C in a building encompassing an entire city-block, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was founded in 1890 and is a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. Any woman 18 years or older-regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background-who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership.

The Watkinsville chapter was founded on June 25, 2007 and is the youngest in the Georgia State Society NSDAR. The chapter meets monthly August through May, at the Oconee Library. To find out more about the DAR and genealogical research contact local Regent Dana Anderson at danadar@bellsouth.net or visit http.revjohnandrew.georgiastatedar.org.

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Reverend John Andrew Chapter

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

http.revjohnandrew.georgiastatedar.org

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Revolutionary Patriots buried in Oconee County, Georgia

Rev. John Andrew, (24 Sept 1758-10 Mar 1830), Mt. Zion Cemetery off U. S. Highway 441 S

John Barnett, (7 June 1762-10 Mar 1814), Buried in family cemetery off Barnett Shoals Rd.

William Scott Branch, (1765-1839), Branch Cemetery off U. S. Highway 441. 1 mile south of Bishop, GA

Stephen Crow, (28 Feb 1750-8 Aug 1830), Mars Hills Baptist Church Cemetery

William Daniell, (d. 5 Sept 1840), Mars Hills Baptist Church Cemetery

David Elder, (7 Jan. 1760-4 Aug. 1853), Elder Cemetery off Elder Mill Rd.

Anderson Fambrough, (10 Jan 1759-8 Nov 1815), Fambrough Cemetery off U. S. Hwy 15 S near Green County line

James Greer, (15 Jan 1742-ante 5 Sept 1825), Buried on the Greer family land off GA Hwy 53

Ben Hagood lived in Oconee County but was buried in Hancock County, GA. There is a memorial stone in the cemetery at Mars Hill Baptist Church

Moses Hopkins, (1760-6 Jan 1810), Mars Hills Baptist Church Cemetery

John Nunnally, (12 Feb 1758-10 June 1825), Nunnally Cemetery on Bishop Rd.

James Sloan, (1744-1808)

John Stroud, (1732-1805), Mars Hills Baptist Church Cemetery

Philip Tigner, (12 Feb 1758-10 June 1825). Buried in family cemetery on Beechnut Lane, near Elder Covered Bridge.

William Willoughby, (24 Sept 1759-ante 2 Nov 1829), Presumed to be buried at Antioch Christian Church, Antioch Church Rd.

About Brigadier General, Maria Britt; Commanding General, Georgia Army National Guard:

Brigadier General Maria L. Britt is a native of Gloversville, New York and was commissioned from the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York a Second Lieutenant in May 1983. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Engineering and a Master of Science Degree in Strategic Intelligence from the Joint Military Intelligence College, Defense Intelligence Agency, Bolling AFB, Washington D.C. BG Britt is a graduate of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA., and has a second Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies.

Her military education includes the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Jungle Warfare School, the Command and General Staff College, the Post Graduate Intelligence Program for Reserves, the Military Intelligence Officer Transition Course, the Military Intelligence Advanced Course for Reserves, the Military Intelligence Battalion Pre-Command Course, the Recruiting and Retention Management Course, the Joint Task Force Commander's Course and the Defense Support to Civil Authorities Course.

Brigadier General Britt’s assignments have included Platoon Leader, 411th MP Company, 720th MP Battalion; Executive Officer, Law Enforcement Activity, 89th Military Police Brigade; Field Operations Officer, 3rd Region Criminal Investigation Division; Company Commander, Military Police Company (FORSCOM Honor Guard) Ft McPherson, GA; Deputy Provost Marshall, Ft McPherson, GA; Security and Intelligence Officer, Headquarters STARC; Program and Support Specialist, HQ STARC; S-1 (Adjutant), 48th Infantry Brigade (M); Deputy Chief of Staff for Organizational Improvement; HQ STARC and Training Officer, HQ STARC; Commander of the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion (Tactical Exploitation), Fort Gillem; Commander of the Recruiting and Retention Force and Director of Personnel for the Georgia Army National Guard; the COS of the Georgia Army National Guard. BG Maria Britt is currently assigned as the Commanding General, Georgia Army National Guard.

Among Brigadier General Britt’s awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and the National Defense Service Medal.

She is married to Brigadier General Timothy B. Britt. They have three daughters.