On Sunday, October 14, 2023, The Andrew Jackson Chapter along with the Tombigbee Chapter of the Tennessee Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (TNSSAR) held a grave marking and dedication for Joseph Brittain. The ceremony occurred at Joseph Brittain’s grave site in the Brittain-Ezell Cemetery in Holt’s Corner. Although the weather was a little more like winter than fall, there were numerous attendees. They included various representatives from TNSSAR chapters, members of the Robert Lewis Chapter NSDAR, descendants of Joseph Brittain, and other interested people. In addition to the local descendants, descendants traveled from other states to attend. Many of the SAR participants dressed and carried Revolutionary era costume.
Fred Rand, President of the Andrew Jackson Chapter opened the event with a welcome, introduction, and acknowledgements. The Invocation was performed by Jim Sandman, Chaplain of the Stones River Chapter, TNSSAR. Doug Dickerson commanding the Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard oversaw the posting of the colors and standards. Wayne Jones, Compatriot led the attendees in the pledge of the allegiance. This was followed by the SAR Pledge led and recited by John Breyfogle, President of the Tombigbee Chapter.
Emily Gordon, Robert Lewis NSDAR and the fifth generation great granddaughter of Joseph Brittain presented the tribute. Joseph Brittain was born about 1756 in North Carolina, the second child of Joseph and Jemima Brittain. Joseph Brittain served in the American Revolution as a private in the Wilmington District Brigade of the North Carolina Militia. This militia was formed by the North Carolina Provincial Congresses in May of 1776; it disbanded at the end of the war. Regiments of the Wilmington District Brigade took part in forty-nine engagements, including: the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, the Battle of Eutaw Springs, and Kings Mountain.
Joseph Brittain married Dorothy Horner in Orange County, North Carolina, on March 8, 1786. By July 1808, he had moved his family to Davidson County, Tennessee. Joseph and Dorothy had seven children: Elizabeth Holloway Brittain, Jemima Brittain, James Brittain, Mary Brittain, Amelia Louisa Brittain, Sarah Brittain, and Joseph H. Brittain. Four of the children are known to be buried in this cemetery with them.
The descendants gathered to view the marker after Mr. Rand unveiled and dedicated it. Then the SAR chapters and the Robert Lewis chapter presented the wreaths. The SAR Color Guard fired muskets during the three-volley salute. The ceremony wrapped up with a performance of taps by Sanford Payton, Dr. Mark Young led the group in the singing of “My County Tis of Thee, and Jim Sandman performed the benediction. The event concluded with Fred Rand starting the participants in the Recessional.
Marion and C.T. Joyce introduced their book “In the Shadow of the Buckeye” which chronicles the descendants of Joseph and Dorothy Horner Brittain. They have researched and published this interesting history and genealogy. It is available on Amazon.
