In recognition of the upcoming 250th celebration of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, the DAR America 250! Committee of the Botetourt County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is placing a spotlight on members’ Patriot ancestors who helped the country achieve American Independence.
The DAR recognizes three types of service that an ancestor can have performed for a woman to join: served in the military, provided supplies, or supported the effort of the Colonies in other ways.
John D. Robinson is a Patriot ancestor of member Dana Dalton Long.
Born in Ireland in 1750 to John Robinson and Grizzel Ross, John D. Robinson immigrated to America and married Keziah “Cary” Karren Denney in Chowan, N.C., on December 31, 1774. At the time, John was 25, and Keziah was 15. Together they had at least 12 children.
John served as a Major in the Grayson County Militia and held civil roles as High Sheriff, Justice, and Revenue Commissioner. Military records and a cenotaph in Baywood, Va., honor him as a Lieutenant in the Continental Line during the Revolutionary War, likely serving in the Southern Campaigns. He died in 1832 and is buried, along with Keziah, in unmarked graves at the Robinson-Fields Cemetery in Grayson County.
Lafayette Jennings, great-great-grandson of Major John Robinson, is a great-great-grandfather of Dana Dalton Long. He is descended from a long line of Revolutionary War Patriots in the Carroll, Grayson, and Fincastle areas of Virginia. His ancestry includes prominent families such as the Jennings, Cox, Blevins, Cooley, Burke, Leonard, Brown, Belcher, McGowen, and Denney families.
Many of Lafayette Jennings’ ancestors lived in close proximity and likely knew one another. Other documented Revolutionary War Patriots in his family include John Blevins, Lt. David Cox, Pvt. Abraham Cooley Sr., Captain Thomas Burke, and John Jennings.
Land records show that John Robinson owned property near Burk’s Fork in present-day Dugspur—also home to another ancestor, William Isham Dalton, a fellow Revolutionary veteran.
Captain Thomas Burke, another ancestor, married Lady Clara Frazier, a descendant of British nobility and Mary, Queen of Scots. They had 14 children and are buried in Pembroke, Va.
Lafayette Jennings’ lineage reflects the tightly knit network of early Virginia families whose shared sacrifices in the Revolutionary War left a lasting legacy. Their stories highlight the deep familial, patriotic, and geographic ties that shaped the history of Southwest Virginia.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political organization open to any woman who has lineage to a Patriot who contributed to the success of the American Revolution. Founded over 125 years ago, it is focused on service to the community and fosters Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism.
If you are interested or have questions about joining the chapter, contact Membership Chair Emily Talbot-Guillote via email at eptg1019@gmail.com, or Registrar JoElla John, jjohnregistrar@gmail.com
~ Botetourt Chapter DAR
