This Blog is now inactive

This site in now inactive. It has become very difficult to post on Blogger with an Explorer Browser since Bloggers purchase by Google .  You can find us on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Scottish-Society-of-Fredericksburg-VA/111947582161982?bookmark_t=page

Location for March Meeting

Our Chieftain has located a meeting place for us on Wednesday. It is at Salem Church Library, Meeting Room B (turn to your left at the front door), at 7 pm. Well done, Bob!

Monthly Meeting Announcement

We will hold our monthly meeting this Wednesday, 4/25th at 7 PM, but it won’t be at the library on Caroline Street! We got word late last week that because of their annual book sale all rooms have taken for its use.


Chieftain Bob Glasgow has been trying to find a suitable location so that we can have our planned program on Scottish Country Dancing by Diane and Skip Nolan. Failing that quest we will reschedule the program for another time and meet at Park Lane Tavern to have the business meeting and some cheer. Stay tuned!

UMW Eagle Pipe Band Performance

The UMW Eagle Pipe Band will a concert this Friday, 4/20 at 7:00 PM in Dodd Auditorium on the campus of the University of Mary Washington.

National Tartan Day Celebration

We will be celebrating Tartan Day on Saturday, April 7th at Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary Shop downtown on Caroline Street between 11 AM to 3 PM. It is always a fun time. Deborah Wenrich will be playing her fiddle. Rumor has it the MacDonald lass will be telling Scottish short stories in the back garden.

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations

St. Patrick’s Day is upon us this Saturday, the 17th. So here are some activities you can join our Irish cousins in celebrating the Saint’s day. All events are this Saturday:

St. Patrick’s Day Parade – 12 noon at the Blue & Grey Brewery

AON Band – performs at Lee’s Retreat Pub (Blue & Grey Brewery) at 2:30 PM

UMW Eagle Pipe Band – performs at Capital Ale House at 6:00, 8:00 & 10:00 PM

Moch Pryderi - performs at the Blarney Stone Irish Pub at 9:00 PM

The Society will be celebrating National Tartan Day on Saturday, April 7th (11:00 am - 3:00 pm) downtown at Hugh Mercer’s Apothecary Shop. Come and join us as we meet and greet the public. We will have some music and Scottish story telling.

Don’t forget our monthly meeting at the downtown library on Wednesday, 3/28th at 7:00 PM. You can pick up your Tartan Day buttons Saturday at the Parade or at the monthly meeting. You don’t have to wait till Tartan Day (4/6) to start wearing them!

The Meadow Highland Games & Celtic Festival

It is with great sadness, we share with you the news that The Meadow Highland Games & Celtic Festival is no more. Many of you will know it as the former Richmond Highland Games. Unfortunately we lose our State Fair, too.

http://www.statefair.com/pr/sfva12ch7.pdf

Hugh Mercer Day!

Hugh Mercer served as an assistant surgeon in the army of Bonnie Prince Charlie in “The 45”. He fled for his life at the defeat of the Jacobites on Culloden Moor and was a hunted man by the British. He made his way to the American colonies and settled in Pennsylvania establishing a medical practice in the frontier.

Several years later in caring for British soldiers of General Edward Braddock wounded in defeat in battle by the French and Indians in the Seven Years War, he joined the British as a soldier. Becoming a Captain in a Pennsylvania regiment and quickly becoming in a Colonel. He became friends with another Colonel, George Washington. At the end of the French and Indian War, Washington convinced Mercer to move to Virginia. Mercer opened his medical practice in Fredericksburg, Virginia. His Apothecary Shop where he practiced medicine remains there, today as a museum. Washington would also sell him his boyhood home, Ferry Farm across the Rappahannock River from the city of Fredericksburg.

Mercer’s plan to establish a town in Ferry Farm was never realized due to the outbreak of the American War of Independence. General Washington convinced Mercer to join him in the American Continental Army and commissioned him a Brigadier General. Although not documented it is believed by some historians, it was Mercer who conceived of Washington’s night crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Eve to surprise the Hessians defeating them in the Battle of Trenton in December 26, 1776.

Mercer would die of wounds in the Battle of Princeton. His brigade outnumbered by two British regiments and cavalry thought he was General Washington. Demanding his surrender Mercer responded in attacking the British. Overwhelmed by the British, Mercer received seven bayonet wounds and beatings to the head. Washington learning of the route of his friend rode to his rescue only to find him dying on the battlefield. Mercer would succumb to his wounds nine days later.

Washington’s victories in Trenton and Princeton would revitalize his army and received world acclaim. Mercer is recognized for his significant contribution in these victories.

There will be a celebration of Hugh Mercer's birthday this Sunday, the 15th at the Apothecary Shop on Caroline Street from noon to 4 PM.