GEORGE WASHINGTON CHAPTER CONDUCTS GRAVE MARKING-ST. PAUL'S CEMETERY, ALEXANDRIA

​On October 9, 2021, the George Washington Chapter VASSAR conducted a grave marking ceremony for two patriots interred at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Cemetery in Alexandria:  Lawrence Hooff, NSSAR Patriot 184360, born 1756, died 26 May 1834, who signed a Legislative Petition to Virginia House of Delegates, 27 May 1782, that included a request for a representative to the House of Delegates (formerly the House of Burgesses). Patriot Hooff was also a pallbearer at George Washington’s funeral and served on the first vestry of St. Paul’s. The second patriot honored was an in-law of the Hooff family: Peter Tatsapaugh, NSSAR Patriot 329280, born 1752, Lancaster, PA, died 5 October 1818 who was a Sergeant in Captain Peter Mantz’s Company, Maryland Militia, September 1775-October 1776.
 
VASSAR President Jeff Thomas dedicated the markers and the VASSAR Color Guard added dignity to the event by posting colors and firing a musket salute. We were also honored to have Hooff descendants present for the ceremony. The Reverend Jenni Ovenstone, Senior Associate Rector of St. Paul’s Parish, gave the benediction and a reading from Ecclesiasticus. VASSAR Chapters that presented wreaths included George Washington, Col Fieldling Lewis, Col. James Wood II, George Mason, and Fairfax Resolves. The Kate Waller Barrett Chapter, VADAR, presented a wreath, as did the Virginia CAR.