The Richard Henry Lee Chapter of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution hosted a celebration of the 247th anniversary of the Battle of Cricket Hill at the water’s edge in front of the original battle earthworks at Morningstar Marinas, Hudgins, on Saturday.

The battle, which took place mere days after the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, was a signal victory for Patriot forces. Virginia’s last Royal Governor, John Murray, the Earl of Dunmore, had set up camp on Gwynn’s Island after being deposed in Norfolk. He was driven out of Virginia by a force under the command of Gen. Andrew Lewis of the Continental Army.

Participating in Saturday’s celebration were Virginia Society SAR past president and keynote speaker Jeff Thomas, a Virginia Society SAR Color Guard contingent, and Dr. Kenneth Hawkins, Governor of the Virginia Society Order of Founder and Patriots of America.

Also participating were representatives from several Vi...