Revocation of Edict

Origin of the SAR

In 1876 there were many celebrations to commemorate the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. As part of this patriotic fervor, a group of men in the San Francisco, California, area who were descendants of patriots involved in the American Revolution formed an organization called the Sons of the Revolutionary Sires. Their objective was to have a fraternal and civic society to salute those men and women who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor to the battle for independence from Great Britain. They desired to keep alive their ancestors' story of patriotism and courage in the belief that it is a universal one of man's struggle against tyranny - a story which would inspire and sustain succeeding generations when they would have to defend and extend our freedoms.

Out of the Sires grew the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution which was organized on April 30, 1889 - the 100th anniversary of the inauguration of George Washington as our nation's first President. The National Society was chartered by an Act of the United States Congress on June 9, 1906, and signed by President Theodore Roosevelt who was a member of the SAR.

Objectives of the SAR

The SAR is a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit, United States 501(c)3, corporation that seeks to maintain and extend

• the institutions of American freedom
• an appreciation for true patriotism
• a respect for our national symbols
• the value of American citizenship
• the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people

Membership in the SAR

The SAR is a "lineage" society which means each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783. It is composed of lineal descendants of men who

• wintered at Valley Forge
• signed the Declaration of Independence
• fought in the battles of the American Revolution
• served in the Continental Congress
• otherwise supported the cause of American independence

Contact Information

For further information about the SAR or for additional information regarding eligibility and/or applying for membership please visit their website at www.sar.org or contact them directly at the address below.

Material for this page obtained from The Sons of the American Revolution website at www.sar.org. Please note there is no affiliation between the SAR and the Descendants of Marie Ferree organization. The above information is provided only as a courtesy to anyone who may have an interest in joining a lineal society.