MOULTRIE – American Revolution pomp will be on full display, Saturday, November 16. 

An event will honor Major General William Moultrie, the Revolutionary War general and the City of Moultrie’s namesake. A dedication of a marker will take place at the Colquitt County Courthouse Square. The event is open to the public.

The Moultrie marker is the first to commemorate the City’s namesake and it is on the plaza area, on the west side of the Square. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m., on the west steps of the Colquitt County Courthouse.  

The event, sponsored by the John Benning Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, will feature the award-winning Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard in Continental attire. They will present the colors, using flags from the American Revolution. DAR members will also dress in Revolutionary period attire.

Dedication Program Activities

In addition to the Presentation of the Colors ritual, John Benning Chapter Regent Suzanne Leimer said, Mayor Bill McIntosh will speak about the founding of the city, and Jean Gay, the Chapter’s America 250 Co-chair, will present biographical information about General Moultrie. Also, Colquitt County High School 50th Regiment Band flutist Jaden Taylor will play “Yankee Doodle,” a folk song from the Revolutionary War era. Additionally, they will announce the winner of the Patriots of the American Revolution Essay Contest.

Then, at the close of the ceremony, SAR members will present a musket volley.

The members of the Thigpen Trail Chapters SAR and the Thigpen Trail Society, C.A.R will participate in the program, as well.

A portrait of General Moultrie, a gift from Roger and Margaret Futrell of Frankfort, Kentucky, will be on display. The Futrell’s commissioned a noted portrait artist, in 1965, to paint a copy of Colonel John Trumbull’s original portrait, which was illustrated in The South Carolina Historical & Genealogical Magazine, in October of 1904. The Museum of Colquitt County History will house the portrait.

History of Moultrie Marker

The “Moultrie” marker commemorates the incorporation of the City of Moultrie by an Act of the Georgia General Assembly on December 13, 1859.

The city was named in honor of Major General William Moultrie of South Carolina (1730 – 1805), who aided American independence through his service and sacrifice during the Revolutionary War. In 1776, he led forces defending the city of Charleston, South Carolina, against the British, an action believed to be the first decisive victory for the Americans during the war.

The marker also honors other patriots, who, believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to establish a new nation. The DAR is placing the marker in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States.

“This part of Georgia was not settled by colonists when the American Revolution was going on,” said Nancy Coleman, John Benning Chapter’s America 250 Co-chair. “There are only two connections with the Revolution within the county – the Thigpen Trail and the namesake of the town, Moultrie. Chapter members feel it is important for current and future generations to know the sacrifices made to establish this country.”

The Colquitt County marker that states when the county was established and for whom it was named, a marker that describes the totem pole that stood on that location for many years, and one that identifies the iconic magnolia tree adjacent to the area are also on the plaza.

DAR is a national women’s service and patriotic organization with the mission of education, patriotism and history preservation. For more information about the event, contact MoultrieDAR@gmail.com.