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Pikeville DAR and SAR dedicate Liberty Tree as part of America 250 observances
Summary
Members of the Pikeville chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Big Sandy Sons of the American Revolution held a public dedication of a Liberty Tree and marker as part of America 250 activities leading to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Esther Taylor, regent of the Pikeville chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presided over a ceremony in Pikeville to dedicate a Liberty Tree and accompanying marker as a “living tribute to the courage and resilience of those who fought for our freedom.”
The dedication is part of a series of local observances tied to the America 250 commemoration leading to the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in July 2026; chapter members said they began local events in December 2023. The program included readings of the Pledge of Allegiance and the preamble to the Constitution, musical presentation of the national anthem, historical remarks, and closing prayers.
At the ceremony, Edward (Ed) Keaton, president of the Big Sandy chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and other SAR members joined the Pikeville DAR. “By joining together, we can amplify and make ourselves stronger for the purpose of preserving this country, this constitution, and the country we love,” Keaton said. The event also featured posting of the colors and a vocal performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Paula Spradlin, America 250 chairman for the Piper chapter of the DAR, gave a historical overview of the original Liberty Tree in Boston. She said, “The Liberty Tree was a large elm tree located near the Boston Common at the modern day intersection of Washington Street and Essex Street. It was planted in 1646 and was nearly 120 years old by the time of the American Revolution.” Spradlin described how the tree became a meeting place for protests against British taxation, noted the 1765 protest involving an effigy of the stamp collector Andrew Oliver, and recounted that British forces cut down and burned the tree during the 1775 siege of Boston. She also quoted later references to the site, including Thomas Jefferson’s allegory and remarks by the Marquis de Lafayette.
Organizers said a marker is installed with the planted Liberty Tree at the site; the transcript records that the tree “has been planted here,” but the date of planting and details about ownership or maintenance of the tree and marker were not specified at the ceremony. The program concluded with a short closing prayer led by Sheila Moon, chaplain of the Piper chapter.
This was a ceremonial community event; no formal government action, vote, or ordinance was recorded during the program.
