Grave Marking Ceremony to Honor War of 1812 Patriot Private Samuel B. Tharp on October 24,, 2026

                                                       Grave Marking Ceremony  

                                                                     Honor War of 1812 

                                                        Patriot Private Samuel B. Tharp

                                                                         1796–1885                                                                                 Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM

Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery
       5789 Bethel Road, Southport, North Carolina

On Saturday, October 24, 2026, Commissioner Charles Gause, Chapter No. 433, North Carolina National Society Daughters of 1812, will conduct a grave-marking ceremony in memory of the War of 1812 patriot Private Samuel B. Tharp (1796–1885). Tharp served in the Third Regiment, Fourth Company, Detached North Carolina Militia.

The ceremony will take place at 10:00 AM at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, 5789 Bethel Road, Southport, North Carolina. During the ceremony, the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 will dedicate a bronze War of 1812 veterans’ marker at his gravesite.

Samuel B. Tharp was born on November 28, 1796, in Brunswick County, North Carolina, to Charles and Sarah Tharp. Raised in the coastal plains of southeastern North Carolina, he answered his nation’s call during the War of 1812 and served as a private in the detached North Carolina Militia.

Following his military service, Tharp returned home to Brunswick County. In 1823, he married Susannah “Susan” Hewett (1805–1872), and the couple settled in Smithville Township, present-day Southport. They raised nine children, leaving a family lineage rooted in Brunswick County.

Tharp died on September 2, 1885, at the age of 88 and was laid to rest at Bethel Cemetery. Four members of Commissioner Charles Gause Chapter No. 433 of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 are descendants of Samuel B. Tharp.

The objectives of the National Society United States Daughters of 1812 include promoting patriotism and preserving and increasing knowledge of the history of the American people by preserving documents and relics and marking historic spots.

                                   War of 1812 War Bronze Grave Marker

Wreaths Across America - Deadline to Purchase Wreaths is Dec. 2, 2026

 

We are now in the countdown stage for the Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 19, with only three months to go. The cutoff date for wreath sponsorships is midnight on December 2.

Last year, we began our 2026 campaign in December, but this year Wreaths Across America shortened the 2-for-1 sale program to just two weeks, which gave us much less time to encourage wreath sponsorships. Our chapter members have generously donated at one of our three yearly meetings, and that support has made a meaningful difference.

As we get closer to the deadline, we ask General Guase 1812 members to consider sponsoring a wreath—or sharing the opportunity with family, friends, or others who may wish to help. If you know someone who would like to sponsor one or more wreaths for our organization, please have them contact Phyllis Wilson at par4wilson@gmail.com. She will be glad to provide the information needed to complete a sponsorship. For additional information on purchasing wreaths, click on the Wreaths Across America tab at the top of the blog on the right.

How Did Moore's Creek National Battlefield Become a Naitonal Battlefield?

 

Let Us Never Forget 9/11

We tend to forget so many things, yet it’s ingrained in our minds where we were when we learned the tragic news of 9/11. It’s hard to believe that 25 years have passed since the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. In observance of this year’s Patriot Day, we gathered 20 facts about the devastating attacks in hopes of healing, remembrance, and reflection.

1. Aside from the two planes flown into the World Trade Center buildings, a third plane hit the Pentagon, and a fourth plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

2. Cleanup for the 1.8 million tons of debris took 3.1 million hours. It was finally finished on May 30, 2002.

3. The ages of the nearly 3,000 victims ranged from two to 85 years old. About 75-80% of the victims were men.

4. It is estimated that it cost $500,000 for operatives to carry out the 9/11 tragedy.

5. Only 12 survivors were pulled from the rubble after the collapse of the towers.

6. To take over the planes, the hijackers smuggled box-cutters and knives through security.

7. 9/11 was not the first attack on the World Trade Centers. In 1993, there was a bombing that killed 6 people and injured over 1,000.

8. After the attacks, it took firefighters 100 days to extinguish all the fires around Ground Zero.

9. $100 million worth of art was lost in the collapse of the towers, including a memorial piece for the victims of the ’93 bombing and paintings by Pablo Picasso.

10. During the destruction, a guide dog named Roselle led her blind owner down 78 flights of stairs to the safe home of a friend.

11. On a normal day at the towers, up to 50,000 employees worked in the buildings and an extra 40,000 passed through.

12. After the tragedy, there was a three-day flight ban over the United States.

13. When the National Guard went after Flight 93, the two pilots who took to the air didn’t have time to properly arm their jets. The pilots knew that if they intercepted a hijacked plane, they would have to fly their jets into the aircraft with no guarantee of their own ejection.

14. The 9/11 attack is the largest loss of life in a foreign attack on American soil, higher than even Pearl Harbor.

15. More than 1,100 people who worked or lived near the World Trade Centers during 9/11 have been diagnosed with cancer due to exposure to toxins from the site.

16. September 11, 2001, was Ben Sliney’s first day on the job as FAA National Operations Manager. Sliney ordered every plane in the air over the United States to land, approximately 4,200 planes.

17. Upon the first plane striking Tower 1, people in Tower 2 tried to evacuate but were urged to stay at their desks by an announcement. Some tried to leave anyway but were turned back by security.

18. Canada took in 255 diverted flights from the United States on 9/11. Upon receiving them, the Canadians fed the stranded passengers.

19. Over 100 search and rescue dogs were deployed to help find survivors in the rubble of the towers.

20. While workers were going through the debris, they found 65,000 items, including 437 watches and 144 wedding rings.

The  above 9/11 information comes from the AOP's educational blog, where they share history facts, lesson plans, and teaching resources for families. If you are looking to formally credit or cite them for the article, you can reference them as Alpha Omega Publications.

Photo Taken on Saturday, August 2, 2026 at the NCUSD 1812 State Council Meeting

 

Jane Johnson; Michele Russell; Honorary State President Laura Edwards; President National Cher Sesma; NC State President Mary Tatum; Honorary Vice President National Gwen Causey; Honorary State President Brenda Hamilton; Carol Jutte

Lecture about Captain Ottway Burns in Rocky Mount, NC at 6PM, Thursday, July 23rd in the Warner Room - Hope You Can Attend!

 

Otway Burns (c. 1775–1850) was a North Carolina privateer, shipbuilder, and politician whose exploits during the War of 1812 made him one of the state’s most famous naval heroes of the era. The author will speak at the Rocky Mount Library. 

 

Celebrataing 250 Years - People, Places, & Themes

 

"This program is in honor of the 250th anniversary of Our Nation. It is provided by the Brunswick Town Chapter of NSDAR and is open to the public. We hope you can attend during your visit to this area."