Discover Our History
Chapter History
Representing the Sons of the American Revolution. Named after the First New York Regiment which was authorized on 25 May 1775 and organized at New York City from 28 June to 4 August, for service with the Continental Army under the command of Colonel Alexander McDougall. Colonel Alexander McDougall served as a major general in the Continental Army and as a delegate to the Continental Congress. After the war, he was the president of the first Bank in the state of New York and served a term in the New York State Senate.
The 1st New York Continental Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution was incorporated on August 23, 1995. It is a corporation with the purpose a follows:
Patriotic, Historical, and Genealogical education and activities
In furtherance of its corporate purposes, the corporation shall have all the general powers enumerated in section 202 of the
Not-For-Profit Corporation Law, together the power to solicit grants and contributions for the corporate purposes.
The initial directors were Charles P. Galbraith, David A.S. Brashear, and Wesley M. Oler IV.
Chapter Goals
- The 1st NY Continental Chapter SAR is dedicated to promoting American history and patriotism. We engage with the community to foster a deeper understanding of our nation's founding principles.
- The 1st New York Continental Chapter Goals
- Patriotic Goals
- Inspire the community with the principles upon which our nation was founded
- Maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom
- Carry out the promises expressed in the Preamble to the Constitution
- Provide recognition for public service
- Honor, respect and support veterans, especially those in the Department of Veteran Affairs hospital facilities
Historical Goals - Commemorate and provide memorials for the people and events of the American Revolution
- Preserve records relating to the events leading up to and during the American Revolution
- Support genealogical research and presentations, through books, articles, and talks, that interpret the history and people of the American Revolution
- Educational Goals
- Perpetuate knowledge of our founding documents
- Identify stories of patriotism, courage, sacrifice, tragedy and triumph of the Patriots who achieved the independence of the American people
- Inspire and strengthen each succeeding generation as it too is called upon to defend our freedoms
The 1st New York Continental Chapter Activities:
- Grave Markings
- Medals and certificates to JROTC students
- Historical Oration Contests
- Liberty Tree plantings and plaques
- Color guard at local events
- Honoring Eagle Scouts
- Marker unveilings
- participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, the Flag Day parade in Manhattan, and the Lower Manhattan Fourth of July parade, Evacuation Day Parade--Manhattan, and Wreathes Across America every December
Current 1st New York Continental Chapter Officers:
- David Nelson, President
- Thom Taylor, Vice-President
- Scott Postell, Secretary & Treasurer
- Reverend Evan Cummings, Chaplain, CSP
Support Our Historical Mission Today
Your generous donations help preserve our local history and support educational programs. Join us in making a difference in our community by contributing to the 1st NY Continental Chapter SAR. Every gift counts and helps us continue our work.
upcoming chapter events
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16TH
Tuesday, December 16th
Battle of Brooklyn & 1st NY Continental Chapters SAR
Meeting and Christmas / Holiday Party
6-9 PM
Old Stone House
336 3rd St, Brooklyn
ESSSAR Events
Saturday, December 13, 2025 Wreathes Across America
· Various Locations
Saturday December 13th & Sunday December 14th
(The following is via Tim Middlebrook, ESSSAR President):
As many of you know, the Knox Artillery Train will be coming through Lake George and Saratoga on the 13th with events at Fort Hardy Park in Schuylerville involving our Color Guard and at Van Schaick Mansion in Cohoes on Sunday, Dec. 14th , Where our 250th Committee will be dedicating a bench.
The organizers at the Mansion are hoping for a good turnout from the SAR. Details on the event on the 14th are below. I hope to see many of you there.
Tim Middlebrook, President
Empire State Society, SAR
The Henry Knox’s Noble Train of Artillery
Arrives on Van Schaick Island on December 14, 2025
Join Us As We Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of This Heroic Event
The regional collaboration to honor Knox and celebrate the 250th anniversary of this heroic event between states, counties, and historic sites will include a “cannon relay”, handing off a replica Revolutionary era cannon from place to place on its path from Fort Ticonderoga to the high ground over Boston Harbor in the winter of 1775-1776 – a 300-mile trek by ox and horse - drawn sleds. Knox made it happen!
December 14, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – The Historic Van Schaick Mansion
On Sunday, December 14, 2025, Albany County will receive the cannon at approximately 10:30 a.m. at The Historic Van Schaick Mansion in Cohoes, New York. The Noble Train will depart Peebles’ Island State Park at approximately 10:00 a.m. and travel along Delaware Avenue (part of the original King’s Highway) the 1.3 miles to the mansion. Attendees are invited to stand along Delaware Avenue and to join the procession to the mansion after the linstock and accompanying reenactors have passed by.
At 10:30 a.m. please join us for the 250th anniversary to commemorate the formidable, fearless, and successful winter of the 1775 journey of Henry Knox and the patriots who delivered the vital cannon artillery from Fort Ticonderoga to the high ground above Boston Harbor that caused the British to leave the city.
Costumed interpreters and members of the Albany County Rev War 250 Commission will greet guests for the official hand off of the linstock to Albany County. The event will include a welcome ceremony, an open house of the mansion, a meet & greet of the regimental interpreters from New York and Massachusetts with ample time to visit with the draft animals and see the replica linstocks and replica cannon.
At Noon, a Dedication ceremony will be held to recognize The Empire State Society SAR whose organization is gifting a granite bench to the Van Schaick Mansion to Celebrate 250 years of American Freedom from 1776-2026. The program will close with a cannon salute by the members of the 2nd Continental Artillery Regiment.
Sandra Ann Pratt Zerrillo
Regent General Peter Gansevoort Chapter
Executive Director Van Schaick Mansion
Albany County Rev War 250 Commissioner
Cohoes America 250 Commissioner