Boerne DAR, SAR travel to Kentucky for patriot’s grave-marking ceremony

Revolutionary War patriot Cpl. Augustine Lawless was honored at a recent grave-marking ceremony by the George W. Kendall Chapter of Boerne, Texas, and the Jane Lampton Chapter of Jamestown, Kentucky, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

The May 18 ceremony celebrated the placement of the 2-foot by 2-foot grave marker for Cpl. Lawless and his wife, Sarah Dillon Lawless, in Jamestown, Kentucky. This marked the culmination of 50 years of research to locate the grave site.

Karen Gibson, a descendant and member of Boerne’s George W. Kendall chapter, developed the plan for the DAR chapters in both states to collaborate and host a memorable ceremony to honor this Revolutionary patriot.

The dedication service was conducted at the final resting place of Cpl. Lawless and his wife, on the Baker Carnes Family Farm in Jamestown. Representatives from numerous organizations also participated in the service.

Karen Gibson provided the dedication statement, indicating the significant contributions of patriot Lawless and outlining how much the ceremony meant to the descendants.

A biography of Col. Lawless, who was born in 1752 and died Oct. 19, 1832, was presented by Michael C. Watson, staff member at the Adair County Genealogy and History Research Center in Columbia, Kentucky.

At least 90 people attended the event with local newspaper and radio coverage. Boerne Chapter 64, Sons of the American Revolution, sent representatives to assist during the ceremony.

“Many DAR members contributed their time and effort to make the event a wonderful success,” Gibson said. “I have developed an appreciation for the difficulty of identifying the grave sites of Revolutionary War soldiers, as changing patterns of land use and loss of local knowledge contribute to the challenges.”

The DAR is a service organization with genealogically based membership. Its mission is patriotism, education and historic preservation. If interested in learning more about DAR membership, email to: GWKChapter@gmail. com, or visit the George W. Kendall Chapter website at: https://texasdar.org/chapters/ GeorgeWKendall.