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The DAR Martha Jefferson Randolph celebrates their Revolutionary War Patriots in celebration of the PBS documentary The American Revolution beginning Nov. 16
By Janet Wagnon, Martha Jefferson Randolph DAR chapter
Nov 16, 2025
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Local DAR members share stories
of their Revolutionary War ancestors

From November 16 to 21, PBS will premiere The American Revolution, a primetime, 6-part, 12-hour documentary series directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. The film follows dozens of Revolutionary War era figures from a wide variety of backgrounds. DAR members of the Martha Jefferson Randolph descend from Revolutionary War Patriots like those highlighted in the documentary.

Cynthia Prewitt Vaughan's patriot ancestor is Byrd Prewitt #A091930. Byrd was very active during the war as was his family, including 5 of 6 brothers (the youngest being 14), and his father donated beef and brandy as patriotic service. Byrd was about 6’ tall of medium stature and was said to have been as "strong as an ox" and a deadly accurate shot. He was an educated man and could read and write. He enlisted in 1776 for a term of 2 years with the Virginia Line and fought in the Battles of Germantown and Brandywine under Captain Henry Terrill and Colonel Josiah Parker. He was discharged from Valley Forge in 1778 having served his full term. He later enlisted in the Virginia militia for 9 months where he was involved in several skirmishes. He was born in 1753 in Bedford Co., VA and died at the ripe old age of 80 in 1833  in Fayetteville KY. He was married to Sarah Hurt, whose father, Moza Hurt, also served.

Member Janet Wagnon has 25 proven patriots. One patriot ancestor is James Gheen A04496. James furnished supplies, providing patriotic service to the cause.  Born in Pennsylvania  and trained as a cabinet maker, he took his woodworking skills to Rowan County North Carolina.  Some of his dressers survive today and one recently sold at auction.   Another is Samuel McGaughey A07689.  Samuel, then 15 years of age, substituted for his father, serving under Capt. John Shelby; then he served in the same capacity in Aug. 1778 under Capt. James Montgomery. On 1 March 1779, he volunteered for service in his own name, and the pension record shows that he served 12 months as a private in the North Carolina and Virginia Militia; 4 months as Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain in 1781.

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is one of the largest and most well-established patriotic women’s service organizations in the country with more than 190,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters nationwide focused on historic preservation, education, patriotism, and service. Members must be able to trace their lineage back to a man or woman who contributed to securing our nation’s independence.  DAR is sponsoring the airing of the documentary in various local PBS markets around the country.

Nationwide, it is expected that the documentary will create buzz and heightened interest in the American Revolution. By focusing on telling the stories of the individuals who participated in the Revolutionary War, the documentary complements the founding purpose of the DAR, to preserve the memory and spirit of the men and women who contributed to American Independence.

The airing of the series provides a timely opportunity for DAR to share its rich genealogical resources and inspire the public to search for and find their own personal connection to a Patriot of the American Revolution.  To learn more about uncovering a genealogical connection to a Revolutionary War Patriot, reach out to the Martha Jefferson Randolph DAR chapter in Sherman- please contact Janet Wagnon, jgwagnon@gmail.com or mjrdaughters@gmail.com .

The American Revolution documentary premieres on PBS at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16. 

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. Through the DAR Genealogical Research System www.dar.org/GRS, the public can access a free database of information amassed by the DAR about these Patriots. One of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.