FAIRFAX RESOLVES CHAPTER MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF NAMESAKE SIGNING

​Representatives from the SAR, DAR, CAR, and other lineage society present their wreaths and the commemoration of the 247th anniversary of the signing of the Fairfax Resolves, held at historic Pohick Church July 17.

​The Fairfax Resolves Chapter hosted its annual commemoration of the signing of the Fairfax Resolves at historic Pohick Church in Lorton, Virginia July 17.  The ceremony marked the 247th anniversary of the Fairfax Resolves, which were written by George Mason and adopted by a Fairfax County committee chaired by George Washington on July 18, 1774.  The Resolves came in response to the Intolerable Acts (also known as the Coercive Acts), passed by the British Parliament in March 1774 to punish the colonies after the Boston Tea Party. The acts enraged the colonies and mobilized resistance. Many colonists saw the acts as a violation of their constitutional rights and their colonial charters. 
Pohick Church, the venue for the commemoration was built in 1774 and was the home church of George Washington and George Mason.  Fairfax Resolves President Dave Cook emceed the commemoration which featured a Virginia Society Color Guard comprised of members from five chapters, and led by Virginia Society Color Guard commander Ken Bonner.  Fairfax Mayor David Meyer, a member of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter, presented a proclamation declaring July 18, 2021 “Fairfax Resolves Day” in Fairfax City.  Virginia Society President spoke of the history and significance of the Fairfax Resolves and their signers.   Compatriots portraying signers read a selection of the Resolves.  Readers included Ken Bonner, Mark Jackson, Carl Loveland, Rev. Tom Costa, Rich Garlick, John Thomas, Rhett Wade and Ray Dade, a descendent of signer Rev. Townsend Dade, Jr.  More than 20 SAR, DAR, and CAR chapters and societies and other lineage organizations participated in the ceremony both on-site and virtually, as well as 15 Color Guard members.
Twenty-five patriots signed the Fairfax Resolves, which have been called “one of the most important documents in American history” and “the best single document for understanding the constitutional and legal issues between the colonies and England.”  The Fairfax Resolves, the namesake of the Fairfax Resolves Chapter, were a significant first step forward in organizing for revolutionary action.  

​Members of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution are pictured at the commemoration of 247th anniversary of the signing of the Fairfax Resolves, held at historic Pohick Church July 17.  Pictured left to right are: Sam Huxsoll, Paul Christensen, Mike Weyler, Ken Morris, Pat Kelly, Ken Bonner, Marc Robinson, Thomas "Chip" Daniel, Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey and Dave Cook.