Join the Virginia SAR: Unite in Patriotism and Heritage!

The Virginia SAR welcomes members from across the United States and internationally. Prospective members, junior members, and even dual membership may be of particular interest and benefit for member compatriots whose patriot ancestors lived or fought in Virginia.

Virginia has been the birthplace of many influential figures in the fight for American independence. Patrick Henry, with his impassioned cry of "Give me liberty, or give me death!", ignited the revolutionary spirit. Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, articulated the vision of a new nation. George Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, led the colonies to victory and became the first President of the United States.

Joining these illustrious patriots were George Rogers Clark, a militia officer who led successful campaigns in the Northwest Territory; Mary Draper Ingles, a courageous woman who provided crucial support to the Virginia militia; and James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved man who served as a spy and provided vital intelligence that contributed to the American victory at Yorktown. These Virginians, among many others, were instrumental in shaping the course of American history and securing the liberties we cherish today.

Was your Patriot ancestor living in Virginia and supporting American forces by rendering material aid (e.g., horses, gunpowder, livestock) with or without renumeration?  Perhaps your Patriot ancestor served on a Committee of Correspondence, or helped draft one of the many "Resolves" at the county-level throughout the Commonwealth? Did your Patriot ancestor participate in one of the many skirmishes or battles held in Virginia? Do you descend from French forces under General Lafayette or Rochambeau, such as the Royal Deux-Ponts Regiment?  Here are just a few of the many battles fought (and now commemorated on anniversaries) within the Virginia Colony:

  • Battle of Point Pleasant (October 10, 1774) - This battle was the only major action of Dunmore’s War and was fought between the Virginia militia and Shawnee and Mingo warriors; the victory resulted in the signing of the treaty to end Dunmore's War; location now in West Virginia.

  • Gunpowder Incident (April 20, 1775) - A standoff in Williamsburg where Virginia’s governor, Lord Dunmore, removed gunpowder from the magazine to a Royal Navy ship.

  • Battle of Kemp’s Landing (November 14, 1775) - A British victory where Lord Dunmore’s forces defeated the Patriots.

  • Battle of Great Bridge (December 9, 1775) - A significant Patriot victory that forced Lord Dunmore to evacuate Norfolk.

  • Battle of Gwynn's Island (July 8–10, 1776) - This battle saw the defeat of Lord Dunmore's forces, leading to the end of British control in Virginia 

  • Battle of Petersburg (April 25, 1781) - British forces under General William Phillips defeated the American militia.

  • Battle of the Chesapeake (or Battle of the Capes) (May 5, 1781) - This crucial naval battle and French victory was strategically decisive as it prevented the British from reinforcing or evacuating their besieged forces at Yorktown, Virginia.

  • Battle of Green Spring (July 6, 1781) - A battle near Jamestown where British forces under Cornwallis clashed with American troops led by Lafayette.

  • Siege of Yorktown (September 28 – October 19, 1781) - The decisive battle where American and French forces besieged General Cornwallis’s army, leading to the British surrender and effectively ending the war.

You may live anywhere, but did any of your patriot ancestors live, fight, serve with or die in Virginia? Or, in the harsh winter at the Valley Forge (Pa.) encampment? Virginia regiments played significant roles in several key battles of the American Revolution outside their home state. Here are a few notable examples:

  • Battle of Brandywine (1777): Virginia regiments, including the 4th, 10th, and 12th Virginia Regiments, fought in this battle in Pennsylvania.
  • Battle of Germantown (1777): These same regiments also participated in the Battle of Germantown, which took place in Pennsylvania
  • Valley Forge encampment (1777–1778): Many Virginia regiments, encamped during the harsh winter during the Philadelphia campaign.
  • Battle of Monmouth (1778): Virginia regiments were involved in this battle in New Jersey, showcasing their resilience and fighting capabilities.
  • Siege of Charleston (1780): Many Virginia regiments, including the 12th Virginia Regiment, were captured during the Siege of Charleston in South Carolina.

These battles highlight the extensive involvement and contributions of Virginia regiments in various critical engagements throughout the Revolutionary War.

State Regiments and Local Militia

  • 1st Virginia State Regiment
  • 2nd Virginia State Regiment
  • Culpeper Minuteman
  • Rockbridge Volunteers 
  • Morgan's Riflemen (or Provisional Rifle Corps)

  • Virginia Militia Division: Brigadier General Thomas Nelson, Jr.

    1st Brigade: Brigadier General Robert Lawson
    2d Brigade: Brigadier General Edward Stevens
    Weedon's Brigade: Brigadier General George Weedon
    Lewis' Rifle Corps: Colonel William I. Lewis

Continental Line (or "Virginia Line") Regiments

  • 1st Virginia Regiment
  • 2nd Virginia Regiment
  • 3rd Virginia Regiment
  • 4th Virginia Regiment
  • 5th Virginia Regiment
  • 6th Virginia Regiment
  • 7th Virginia Regiment
  • 8th Virginia Regiment
  • 9th Virginia Regiment
  • 10th Virginia Regiment
  • 11th Virginia Regiment (Morgan's Rifles) (Gen. Daniel Morgan) [a Virginia SAR chapter]
  • 12th Virginia Regiment (Colonel James Wood) [a Virginia SAR chapter]
  • 13th Virginia Regiment
  • 14th Virginia Regiment
  • 15th Virginia Regiment
  • Maryland and Virginia Rifle Regiment (or Rawlings' Regiment)
  • Washington's Life Guards
  • 1st Continental Light Dragoons (or Bland's Horse)
  • Lee's Legion (or 2nd Partisan Corps) (with Sgt. Maj. John Champe) [a Virginia SAR chapter]
  • Gist's Additional Continental Regiment
  • Grayson's Additional Continental Regiment (Colonel William Grayson) [a Virginia SAR chapter]

  • Thruston's Additional Continental Regiment

Honor your patriot, get updates on activities and events across the Commonwealth ... plan on visiting Virginia as we honor our history with educational, patriotic and historical programs from commemorations of signings, re-enactments and anniversaries of land and sea battles.... 

Throughout the Commonwealth, the history of our Nation runs through Virginia as we begin to celebrate national, state and local celebrations centered around our 250th Anniversary as a nation through the many America 250 and Virginia 250 programs. Visit the homes of our Founding Fathers including: George Washington's Mount Vernon, George Mason's Gunston Hall, Patrick Henry's Red Hill, James Madison's Montpelier, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello... especially during a SAR-designated events such as: Washington's Birthday Parade (February), The National Memorial Day Parade, The March to Washington's Tomb (each July 4), or Presidential Birthday weekends.

Next Steps?

A compatriot may establish membership in more than one state society by applying for Dual Membership to the additional state society. He must be a full, dues-paying active member in his home state to hold dual membership in other state societies but will continue to pay his national, state, and chapter dues in his home state. He will pay the state and chapter dues only as a dual member in other states and will not be reported to the National Society as a member on their rosters. He is eligible to be a delegate from his dual state or home state, but not in both societies.

For new and prospective members, check out our pathway to membership.

You can choose your chapter (map) - or become a member of the Jamestown, HQ chapter.