THE purposes of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution are patriotic, historical and educational.  Its object is to perpetuate the memory of individuals who, by their services or sacrifices during the war of the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the American people.

WE welcome you to the web site of the New Mexico Society, Sons of the American Revolution.  The Compatriots of the NMSSAR invite you to join our ranks as we strive to keep patriotism and the memory of our Revolutionary War heritage burning in the hearts and minds of every American, young and old.

THE NMSSAR sponsors events throughout the year, including: oratory and essay contests for young people; awards programs honoring Eagle Scouts, ROTC members and educators, law enforcement and fire safety personnel, and veterans and service personnel; and, ceremonies honoring our flag and the patriots of the Revolution.

Decendents (Anglo, Spanish American, or any other ethnicity) of the men who fought in the Revolution and/or supported the Revolution are welcome to join the Sons of the American Revolution here in New Mexico.  We have about 100 members in the state and our chapters are open to all who can qualify.  Note:  Female descendents of those individuals are eligible to join our sister organization, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Although not commonly known, Spain and NEW MEXICO were involved in the American Revolutionary War.   Consequently the present king of Spain and his son are members of the SAR, as well as the descendents of Lafayette in France and those of Bermando de Galvey of Spain who captured Pensacola, Florida from the British on May 9, 1781, and for whom Galveston Bay and Galveston, Texas are named.

In March of 1780 Carlos III of Spain decreed that “his vassals in America contribute a one time donation of one peso ( $30.00 in present value) per Indian and other castes and two pesos ($60.00) for each Spaniard and noble, to sustain the present war,”  Spain had declared war on Great Britain in 1779 in support of the war for American independence from Britain following extensive covert assistance as early as 1777.  In early August, 1780, the commandant of the Internal Provinces of northern New Spain, Teodoro Cavellero De Croix, advised the governor of New Mexico, Juan Bautista de Anza, to begin collecting the tax.  The soldiers at the several Presidios in New Mexico (and other Presidios in California, Texas and Arizona) supported the Revolution by giving up one Peso of their pay, it is alleged to fund the refitting of the French fleet that lay at anchor at Cuba’s port.  The French fleet sailed to block the English fleet at Yorktown and held the English fleet at bay resulting in Cornwallis’s surrender at Yorktown.  Without the Spanish support the battle of Yorktown may well have not been the great victory that it was.  After the war it was officially reported that 3,677 pesos ($110,000 present value) from New Mexico had been collected.  (We have a member who could document that his ancestor paid that tax and thereby supported our Revolution.)

Our state flag is the red Zia Sun on the yellow background.  These colors represent the colors in the flag carried by the Conquistadors as they traveled north from Mexico to explore the territory.  The Native American influence that was foremost in the early days of the New Mexico Territory and still has great impact on New Mexico is represented in our flag with the Zia Sun.