Members of the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR (L to R: Bob Stark, Ellis Bailey, President Jeff La Marca, and Sergeant-at-Arms George Link), unpacked and placed nearly 700 wreaths at distribution stations in preparation for tomorrow’s Wreaths Across America event!
If you plan to attend (and we encourage all compatriots to join us), here’s what you need to know:
On Saturday, November 15, 2025, the Jockey Hollow Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) dedicated a new Liberty Tree at Burnham Park in Morristown, marking the first officially sanctioned Liberty Tree dedication by the New Jersey Society SAR (NJSSAR).
In Revolutionary America, Liberty Trees were prominent community gathering places where Patriots rallied against British oppression, posted declarations, held public meetings, and organized resistance—becoming enduring symbols of the fight for freedom.
The SAR America 250 Liberty Tree Program, launched nationally to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026, invites SAR chapters to plant new Liberty Trees at significant public sites to honor these historic symbols and inspire patriotic education for future generations.
The ceremony drew strong community support and featured distinguished speakers, patriotic pageantry, and collaboration across numerous organizations. Guest speakers included:
Chris Sands, President, New Jersey Society SAR
Kristin Ace, Chair, Morristown Shade Tree Commission
Siva Jonnada, Morris Township Committeeman and Burnham Park Association member
Sarah Neibart, Chair, Morris County America 250 Committee and Mayor of Mendham Township
New Jersey State Senator Anthony M. Bucco (District 25)
Morristown Councilman Chris Russo, representing Mayor Tim Dougherty
Patriotic pageantry was provided by the NJSSAR Color Guard and the Colonial Musketeers Senior Fife and Drum Corps. Pat Sanftner, Chair of the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution America 250 Committee, performed “God Bless America.”
The Jockey Hollow Chapter also received a Legislative Citation from New Jersey’s 21st Legislative District, signed by Senator Jon Bramnick and Assemblywomen Nancy Munoz and Michele Matsikoudis.
Representatives in Attendance
Sons of the American Revolution: New Jersey State Society, SAR; Colonel John Rosenkrans Chapter, SAR; Monmouth Chapter, SAR; and West Fields Chapter, SAR
Daughters of the American Revolution: New Jersey State Society DAR (with multiple state officers present); Continental Chapter, DAR; Ferro Monte Chapter, DAR; General Frelinghuysen–Colonel Lowry Chapter, DAR; and the Morristown Chapter, DAR
Organizations with Member Representation: New Jersey Community Forestry Council (to the NJ Department of Environmental Protection), Morris County Historical Society, Morristown Partnership, and the Washington Association of New Jersey
“This Liberty Tree will stand as a living link between Morristown’s Revolutionary past and our future generations,” said Jeff La Marca, President of the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR.
This broad participation highlighted the shared commitment of these civic, veterans, patriotic, and community organizations to preserving America’s Revolutionary heritage as the nation approaches its semiquincentennial. The new Liberty Tree will serve as a lasting symbol of unity and remembrance in Morristown.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, is a nonprofit lineage organization, covering Morris, Somerset, and parts of Hunterdon Counties, dedicated to preserving the memory of the American Revolution through education, historic preservation, and patriotic outreach.
The new Liberty Tree in Burnham Park, Morristown, immediately following the November 15, 2025 ceremony.The Liberty Tree Dedication Plaque.New Jersey Society, SAR Color GuardColonial Musketeer Senior Fife and Drum CorpsChris Sands, President, NJSSARJeff La Marca, President, Jockey Hollow Chapter, SARGeorge Link, Jockey Hollow Chapter, Sergeant-at-ArmsJockey Hollow Chapter Compatriot Brewster Miner unveiling the Liberty Tree Dedication Plaque.Jockey Hollow Chapter Members (L to R: Chris Sands, President, NJSSAR; Jeff La Marca, President, Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR; Bruce Ryno, Genealogist, NJSSAR & Jockey Hollow Chapter; Roger Loomis, Past President, Jockey Hollow Chapter; Rich Perry; Alex Carmichael; Ellis Bailey; George Link; and Brewster Miner.New Jersey General Assembly (21st District) Citation signed by Assemblywomen Michelle Matsikoudis and Nancy Muñoz, and Senator Jon Bramnick.
For the second year in a row, the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is sponsoring the placement of wreaths on the graves of men and woman who have served our country. We are asking everyone to help us reach our goal of 100 wreaths at the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery & United Methodist Church Cemetery, 99 Main St, Succasunna, NJ 07876
So much has occurred over the past few months and our Chapter continues to grow (we are the largest in the state of New Jersey and we currently have more than 120 members) that the only way to keep our members informed about our latest events, occurring over the next few weeks, is through a newsletter. All chapter members, along with guests, visitors, and members of the public who wish to find out about our activities are urged to read through this so that you don’t miss out on our latest happenings!
Jockey Hollow Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution Sponsors Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony at Burnham Park
The Jockey Hollow Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), in partnership with the Burnham Park Association, the Town of Morristown, and the Morristown Shade Tree Commission, will be the first in the state to host a Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Burnham Park (Washington Street side, in front of the pond).
MORRISTOWN, NJ – The Jockey Hollow Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), in partnership with the Burnham Park Association, the Town of Morristown, and the Morristown Shade Tree Commission, will be the first in the state to host a Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Burnham Park (Washington Street side, in front of the pond).
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, the largest of New Jersey’s thirteen SAR chapters, funded the tree. With the support of the Morristown Shade Tree Commission, this dedication will serve as a living tribute to veterans and a reminder of the principles upon which our nation was founded.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend and take part in this special event celebrating both local and national history.
Thanks to the generosity of Jockey Hollow Chapter members, who have personally donated funds, we will be dedicating the first Liberty Tree in our community as part of the America 250 Celebration. The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has set a nationwide goal of 250 trees, while our state organization, the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American, has set of goal of one tree in each of our counties. As shown on the map, Jockey Hollow Chapter’s region covers Hunterdon, Morris, and Somerset Counties. Our first Liberty Tree Dedication will take place in Morris County at the historic Burnham Park in Morristown, NJ on November 15, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. next to the statute of the great American Patriot, Thomas Paine. The statute is one of only two in the Nation that displays the full figure of this great American Patriot.
About this Event
Thanks to generous compatriot donations, the chapter will be dedicating our first Liberty Tree, in accordance with the National SAR program. Please note that the Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR is non-profit 501(c)(3) apolitical, philanthropical lineage society and will we gladly accept additional donations to help fund at least two more Liberty Trees which will need to be planted at dedicated at Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, respectively. Please contact us if you wish to contribute.
A Princeton Elm will be planted in Burnham Park in Morristown, next to the statute of Thomas Paine at the historic site of Brig. Gen. Henry Knox’s Artillery Encampment (1779-1780) and home to one of only two statues in the U.S. of Thomas Paine, author of Common Sense and The American Crisis during the Revolution.
The statute of Thomas Paine is one of only two in the Nation that displays his full figure.Thomas Paine depicted as writing one of his “Crisis” papers.
Planting is expected mid-October and the ceremony is currently scheduled for 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. Future notification and more details will be sent to all chapter members. Area dignitaries and other lineage organization members are being invited.
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend this important event honoring the foundation of our county.
This plaque will be placed on the site as part of the Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony
In preparation for this year’s Wreaths Across America Program (Saturday, December 13, 2025), the Jockey Hollow Chapter will be assisting the Ferro Monte Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in cleaning some of the graves that will be marked with wreaths later. This event will take place:
If you have never cleaned graves before, it’s a very rewarding process and the results are often quite specular. All chapter members are encouraged to attend. For further information, please contact us.
The Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR held its first meeting for the 2025 – 2026 year. Although we have been the largest chapter in the state of New Jersey, we have begun our new year as the largest yet – with 121 compatriots and growing!
Additionally, we have many upcoming events on our calendar including, but not limited to a Liberty Tree Dedication Ceremony, Wreaths Across America, educational opportunities for students, and more!
Jockey Hollow Chapter President, Dr. Jeff La Marca, presided over the meeting.
Our newest member, Compatriot Brewster Miner receiving his membership rosette from President La Marca.
Compatriot Rich Perry receiving the Bronze Henry Knox Medal for placing American Flags on monuments from Trenton to Jockey Hollow along the Washington Trail.
Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR Secretary George Link receiving the Bronze Henry Knox Award for his outstanding service as the Jockey Hollow Chapter’s Sargeant-at-Arms.
Compatriots James Naisby, Paul Frits, Georg Robb, and Ellis Bailey received Certificates of Appreciation for their contributions to the chapter’s Liberty Tree Dedication Project (to be held on November 15. 2025).
Tim Crist, Ph.D. was our featured speaker. Dr. Crist provided a fascinating lecture on “Newark’s Bitter Divide: Patriots and Loyalists during the American Revolution.”
Jockey Hollow Chapter, SAR September 20, 2025 Meeting
Thanks to generous compatriot donations and the wonderful support of the Shade Tree Commission of Morristown, the Jockey Hollow Chapter will be dedicating our first Liberty Tree. A Princeton Elm will be planted in Burnham Park on Washington Street in Morristown, at the historic site of Brig. Gen. Henry Knox’s Artillery encampment (1779-1780) and home to one of only two statues in the U.S. of Thomas Paine, author of “Common Sense” during the Revolution.
The 250th SAR Liberty Tree Program was rolled out in 2023 by the NSSAR with the goal of planting 250 Liberty Trees for the 250th Anniversary of the United States and an objective to dedicate at least one tree in each state on or before July 4, 2026. It is hoped that planting a Liberty Tree will help enhance the public’s awareness and knowledge of the importance of the American Revolution and the sacrifices that were made to become our nation. To date, the SAR Liberty Tree Program has dedicated 160 trees in 26 states.
The first noted Liberty Tree (1646–1775) was a famous elm tree that stood in Boston near Boston Common, in the years before the American Revolution. In 1765, colonists in Boston staged the first act of defiance against the British government at the tree. The tree became a rallying point for the growing resistance to the rule of Britain over the American colonies, and the ground surrounding it became known as Liberty Hall. In 1775 the British had enough of these rebellious rallies at the Liberty Tree and had it cut down. Over time, many Liberty Trees were designated in towns across the colonies to serve as rallying points for the revolutionary cause. (Thanks to the NSSAR “Liberty Tree Project” web site for this information. Please visit their site for updates and additional information.)
Planting of our Liberty Tree in Morristown is expected mid-October, and the ceremony is currently targeted for Saturday, November 15, 2025. Future notification and more details will be sent to all chapter members. Area dignitaries and other lineage organization members will also be invited.
Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
Thomas Paine Statue at Burnham Park, Morristown, NJ.Thomas Paine Statue at Burnham Park, Morristown, NJ
The Liberty Tree plaque to be installed by our chapter.
