On Saturday’s warm and sunny afternoon, representatives of area Sons of the American Revolution donned full Revolutionary-era garb — wool coats, pants and hats as well as heavy rifles and flags — to honor Isaac Shelby and unveil a new monument in his honor.

Saturday afternoon, The Kentucky Society Governor Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution held a memorial monument dedication ceremony in honor of Isaac Shelby at the Isaac Shelby Cemetery Historic Site in Lincoln County.

Shelby was Kentucky’s first and fifth governor. He was a leader in the Battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War that helped lead to a final victory over the British, and he was a Major General during the War of 1812.  

The monument is a 4-foot-by-18-inch stone with bronze plaques from several historical societies that focus on the Revolutionary War period as well as the exploits of Isaac Shelby. This includes the Sons of the American Revolution, Daughters of the American Revolution, Children of the American Revolution, Society of the War of 1812 in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the Overmountain Victory Trail Association.  

According to a news release sent by Mike King, member of the Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Kentucky Society SAR, “some of the reasons for dedicating the monument on Sept. 23 was because it coincided with the date Isaac Shelby began gathering pioneer militia from ‘over the mountain’ to defend themselves against the British, who threatened to come over the mountain to burn their homes and kill all those who fought against the British Crown. The gathering of militia with others led to the Battle of Kings Mountain in South Carolina on Oct. 7 that ended the threat from the British and ultimately led to the end of the Revolutionary War at Yorktown. Currently, many historical lineage societies begin celebrating the efforts of Isaac Shelby, William Campbell and John Sevier at this time, with many groups meeting at Kings Mountain on Oct. 7 to celebrate that victory and the live of these leaders.”