Maryland Society,

Sons of the American Revolution

History of the

John Paul Jones Chapter

The John Paul Jones Chapter owes its existence to the Honorable Wilson King Barnes, former National President General, who invited a few potential members and their wives to his summer home on the Magothy River in Anne Arundel County on September 25, 1971.  Subsequently, the organizational committee met at the homes of C. Braddock Jones, Stephen W. Duckett and Howard MacCarthy, Jr was Organizing President.

The Chapter’s namesake is regarded as the ‘Father of the American Navy’.  His heroism in fighting against larger and better equipped ships in the Revolutionary War establish a tradition that has never been forgotten.  John Paul Jones’ reply to a British demand to surrender, ‘I have not yet begun to fight’ has become the Navy slogan.

The Chapter hosted the Semi-Annual Meeting of the Maryland Society in October 2019 in time to celebrate the Anniversary of the Burning of the Brig Peggy Stewart in Annapolis and the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown.  Annually, in December, a wreath is placed at Jones’ crypt in the United States Naval Academy.  In 1985, the Chapter placed the SAR’ Patriot marker on Jones’ tomb.

The Chapter also awards an SAR Award to a selected midshipman of the Naval Academy’s History Club in memory of Horace Porter, who was President General of the SAR and responsible for finding and returning the remains of John Paul Jones to the Naval Academy in 1905.

The Chapter sponsors a high school Good Citizenship Medal program within the counties of Anne Arundel, Calvert, St Mary’s and Charles.  The SAR Law Enforcement Medal is also awarded annually.  Meetings are held at various locations in and around Annapolis, including the Navy Alumni House, Annapolis Yacht Club, and Naval Academy Officers Club.  Space is most generously donated by Dr. and Mrs. A Weems McFadden for use as a Chapter House and communication center in Annapolis.

Past Presidents