On Sunday, 19 October 2025, New Hampshire SAR was joined by the Daughters of the American Revolution and American Legion Post 17 (Groveton) in commemorating the 250th anniversary of John Stark’s service at the Battles of Chelsea Creek and Bunker Hill, as well as his later service at the Battles of Bennington and Saratoga. President Dick Baynes read a proclamation to commemorate the event, Children of the American Revolution member Henri Elliot placed a wreath at the statue, and new NHSAR Compatriot Phil Bascom was inducted.
New Hampshire SAR and members of the DAR then participated in grave marking ceremonies to honor five patriots in two different cemeteries in Stark: Abijah Potter (1760-1842) and Daniel Rowell (1745-1842) in Percy Cemetery, and Elisha Blake (1743-1820), Peter Massure (1745-1842), and Caleb Smith (1736-1803) in Emerson Cemetery (relocated from their previous internment in Blake Cemetery after it eroded into the Ammonoosuc River in 2020).
President Dick Baynes was the master of ceremonies. Rev. Andy Akers was the chaplain during the grave marking ceremonies. Color Guard Commander Curtis Hermann and Vice-Commander Barry Lewis led Stark’s Company Color Guard, consisting of Phil Bascom, Russ Cumbee, and Ron White. We were joined by prospective member Rob Sigmon on the drum.
Please follow the link for photos, courtesy of Lydia Cumbee:
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