Sherman, Texas -- It was a picture-perfect morning made for patriots when the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution gathered at Veterans Park in Sherman, Texas, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026 to dedicate the planting of a Liberty Tree honoring the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Dr. Gary Sisson, President of the Edmund Terrill Chapter, Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution, welcomed the crowd.
"Greetings from the Edmund Terrill Chapter of the Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution," Dr. Sisson began. "We are very honored by your presence here today as dedicate the planting and marking of this elm tree to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776."
On behalf of the City of Sherman, Pam Howeth, Sherman City Councilmember, presented a Proclamation to Dr. Sisson declaring November 11, 2026 to be Liberty Tree Day in Sherman.
The Original Liberty Tree was a large, stately elm tree planted in 1646 at the corner of Essex and Washington streets in Boston, Massachusetts, where colonists staged acts of defiance against British rule. The area became a central meeting place for the Sons of Liberty, which included such historical figures as John Hancock, Paul Revere and Samuel Adams.
When tensions boiled over during the Seige of Boston in 1775, British soldiers and colonists loyal to the crown chopped the tree down and burned it in hopes crushing the spirit of defiance.
That plan backfired when inspired colonists began designating other "Liberty Trees" in strategic locations throughout the 13 colonies.
Grayson County Pct. 1 Commissioner Josh Marr was one of the ceremony's featured speakers. Pct. 2 Commissioner Art Arthur and Pct. 4 Commissioner Matt Hardenburg were also in attendance.
Additional speakers included Linda Moore, Regent, Rebecca Crockett Chapter, Inc. NSDAR; and Debbie Kempe, Vice Regent, Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter, Inc. NSDAR.
