What Is The Sons of the American Revolution?
The SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was incorporated on January 17, 1890
in Connecticut and later chartered by the United States Congress on June 9, 1906.
Prior to this date a number of state societies were formed in the 1890's. The
Sons of Revolutionary Sires, organized July 4, 1876 in San Francisco led these.
The first Congress of the National Society was held in Louisville, Kentucky on
April 30, 1890 which was the 100th anniversary of George Washington's taking of
the oath of office of President of the United States. The purposes of the Sons
of the American Revolution are patriotic, historical and educational. This includes:
- Perpetuating the memory of Revolutionary War Patriots
- Promoting fellowship among their descendants
- Inspiring the community with a reverence for the principles of government
founded by our forefathers
- Encouraging historical research of the American Revolution
- Preserving the records of Revolutionary War patriots
- Marking the locations of the Revolution events and its soldiers
- Celebrating anniversaries of the Revolution
- Fostering true patriotism
- Maintaining and extending institutions of American freedom
- Carrying out the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution
- Following the injunctions of Washington's farewell address to the American people
The National Headquarters is located in Louisville, Kentucky. There are 50
state societies including the District of Columbia. There are also societies
in France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Switzerland. The current
membership is approximately 25,000 active members.
What Does The Organization Do?
- Honors individuals for outstanding and unusual patriotic achievement
on a national, regional and local level
- Honors persons for outstanding bravery and self sacrifice in the
face of imminent danger
- Honors members of the United States Congress for outstanding
service to the nation
- Honors outstanding high school students annually with the presentation
of a Good Citizenship Award
- Honors outstanding Junior and Senior ROTC cadets annually with the
presentation of the ROTC Award
- Honors Law Enforcement officials for outstanding service with the
Law Enforcement Award
- Selects an outstanding Eagle Scout annually at the chapter, state
and national level. The national winner receives a college scholarship
- Assists veterans in Veterans Hospitals
- Conducts a national historical orations contest annually
- Sponsors Boy Scout troops and societies of the Children of the American Revolution
- Places SAR Markers at the grave sites of Revolutionary War Patriots and SAR Members
- Commemorates Revolutionary War Patriots with appropriate ceremonies
- Participates in new citizenship swearing-in ceremonies
- Observes patriotic anniversaries
- Cooperates with the National Society of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, Children of the American Revolution and other hereditary
organizations in the promoting of patriotism
What Are The Requirements For Membership?
Any man of age eighteen (18) years or over, who is a lineal descendant of
an ancestor who supported the war for American Independence, is eligible
for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution. These ancestors are
referred to as Revolutionary War Patriots and include those persons who
fought in the military and/or the militia, who provided supplies to the
American cause, who served on political bodies supporting the Revolution,
who signed oaths of support and similar acts.
Acceptable Service
- Signer of the Declaration of Independence
- Military or naval service at the Battle of Point Pleasant,
- October 10, 1774 or in service from April 19, 1775 to November 26, 1783
- Civil service under the Colonies from April 19, 1775 to November 26, 1783
- Patriotic service by men or women during the Revolutionary period,
including members of committees made necessary by the war, such as
Committee of Correspondence, Inspection and Safety, committee to care
for soldiers' families including Committees from six months before the
Battle of Point Pleasant which furthered the cause of the Colonies
- Any pledge to support the cause of the colonies, such as signing the
Oath of Fidelity and Support, the Oath of Allegiance, Articles of Association
or the Association Test Members of Continental Congresses
- Furnishing a substitute for military service
- Signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration, 1775, the Albermarle,
- Virginia Declaration and similar declarations. Signers of petitions
addressed to and recognizing the authority of the provisional and new
state governments. Persons accepting obligations or acting under direction
of the new provisional and new state governments, such as persons directed
to hold elections, to oversee road construction, to collect provisions, etc
- Members of the Boston Tea Party; Kaskasia Campaign; Galvez Expedition;
Cherokee Expedition; Edenton Tea Party
- Physician, surgeon, nurse or others rendering aid to the wounded, and
ministers known to be in sympathy with the Colonies, either by sermon,
speech or action
- Defenders of forts and frontiers; rangers
- Prisoners of war, including those on the British ship "Old Jersey"
and other prison ships
- Rendering material aid, such as furnishing supplies with or without
remuneration; lending money to the Colonies; munitions makers and gunsmiths;
or anything which furthered the Cause
To Obtain Sponsorship for Membership
Contact J. Michael Jones, Membership Chairman,
jjones3549@cox.net
National SAR Society Online
The National Society of The
Sons of the American Revolution
Back to Top
Arizona Society