American Revolutionary Patriot Allen Gay will be honored with a Musket Firing and Full Color Guard on October 13 at 4 p.m. at the Macedonia Baptist Church, in Newnan. An SAR grave marker and a new military grave marker will be dedicated by descendants of Allen Gay, as well as members of the Georgia State Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, Marquis de Lafayette Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, and General Daniel Newnan Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Boy Scout Troop 144 sponsored by Macedonia Baptist Church, Macedonia Church members, as well as other SAR, DAR and CAR (Children of the American Revolution) Chapters. The community is invited.

“Allen Gay would probably be surprised at all the fuss,” noted Larealia Camp, Genealogist for the General Daniel Newnan Chapter DAR. Camp first noticed the gravesite about a year ago, bringing it to the attention of her DAR Chapter for the possibility of recognizing this Patriot. The Marquis de Lafayette Chapter SAR, Paul Grimes, Graves Dedication Chair, has been instrumental in obtaining the SAR grave marker, bringing members of the SAR together to make this a memorable event for the descendants of Allen Gay and Macedonia Baptist Church, as well as the DAR and SAR.

As a young man, just 16 years old, fighting in America’s Revolutionary War, Allen Gay did his duty. Gay volunteered to act as a substitute for his father, Thomas, who had been summoned to appear at the high hills of Santee for twelve months' service. He was attached to a battalion belonging to General Greene's army. At the battle of Eutaw Springs, the company for which he was attached as part of the advance, gave Allen the opportunity to “display a courage which would have done honour to veterans,” according to the Historical Recollections of Georgia by Rev George White. “Upon this occasion he actually took five of the enemy prisoners.”

After the war, Gay and his family moved from North Carolina to Georgia, settling in the Madras area. He was instrumental in founding the Macedonia Baptist Church, and is buried in the church cemetery on Macedonia Road.

Preserving American History is part of the work done by the SAR and the DAR, along with Education and Patriotism. For information on this event, contact Brenda Jessel, past Regent, 770-254-8579. Both the SAR and DAR are open to all who can prove lineal descent from a patriot or help in the cause of the American Revolution. Contact David Jessel, Registrar, 770-254-8579 for information on the SAR, and Jeannine Jackson, Membership Chair for information on the General Daniel Newnan Chapter DAR, 770-253-6517, Lorenda Todd 770-502-8914 for information on the General Daniel Newnan Society, CAR.

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