WILLIAMSBURG, VA, (May 27, 2025) — On 3 May 2025, the Williamsburg Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation conducted a ceremony to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of Virginia’s first military response to the Royal Governor’s taking of gunpowder stored in Williamsburg’s powder magazine. Governor John Murray, Earl of Dunmore falsely claimed it was for Virginia’s protection. During the night of 20–21 April 1775, British Marines landed at Burwell’s Landing on the James River and marched to Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capitol. They had been ordered by Governor Dunmore to remove the gunpowder stored in Williamsburg’s powder magazine. The Marines were spotted and an alarm raised. As a result, they returned to their ships without completely emptying the magazine.

Public discontent increased throughout the colony fomenting unrest, with militia companies mustering to force return of the gunpowder. Patrick Henry learned of the event and issued a call to arms. On 2 May 1775, 160 mounted militiamen from Hanover County under Henry’s command began their ride to Williamsburg to either recover the powder or be paid for it. On 3 May, they stopped at Doncastle’s Ordinary near Toano in James City County. It was here Carter Braxton convinced Henry to halt his march. Braxton, the son-in-law of Virginia’s Receiver General, Richard Corbin rode into Williamsburg to negotiate the settlement of the incident. He returned to Henry with a payment of 330 pounds to pay for the gunpowder that was taken from the armory. The Hanover militia returned to their homes and Henry journeyed to Philadelphia to participate in the Second Continental Congress. Dunmore feared for his safety and on 8 June, he and his family left in the middle of the night to take up residence aboard the British ship HMS Fowey. This incident led to the Virginia Colony’s government being taken over by a Committee of Safety and Patrick Henry becoming the independent state’s first governor in July 1776.

The commemorative event was the drew approximately 250 attendees, with a least 113 individuals from 18 Virginia Society Chapters, 10 DAR Chapters and two C.A.R. Societies. The colors were presented by the Virginia Society’s Color Guard with greetings being delivered by the Virginia Society President Dr Michael Weyler. The commemorative event was this year's second event of President Weyler's Virginia in 1775 Presidential Initiative, honoring the 250th anniversary of important events celebrated in 2025.

Lineage societies that participated included the SAR, DAR, C.A.R., Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Order of Founders and Patriots in Virginia, and the Virginia Society Daughters of the Founders and Patriots. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation provided fifes and drum along with a three round musket salute to commemorate the occasion.

Virginia Society SAR chapters participating in this event were Williamsburg (host chapter), Richmond, Norfolk, Thomas Nelson Jr, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, George Washington, Culpeper Minute Men, Richard Henry Lee, James Monroe, Fort Harrison, Dan River, Colonel Fielding Lewis, Colonel William Grayson, Colonel James Wood II, Sergeant Major John Champe, Jamestown Headquarters, and Great Bridge.

First photo is the Color Guard at present arms (courtesy of John Lynch).

Second photo is the Honor Guard parading flags (courtesy of Bob Davis).

Third photo is the Honor Guard at present arms (courtesy of John Lynch)