Formation
1926
Officially formed at the Philadelphia Congress when the National Society organized its territory into eleven districts.
A century of district service
History of the South Atlantic District
The South Atlantic District unites the Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina Societies of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution in a shared commitment to patriotic service, historical preservation, education, and cooperation.
Current composition
4 Societies
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina have comprised the district since 1973.
Documented name
1949
The South Atlantic District name first appears in NSSAR History Vol. I.
Formation and evolution
From state societies to a regional district
1889–1911
The four present-day state societies were chartered: South Carolina on April 18, 1889; Georgia on April 3, 1891; Florida on March 14, 1896; and North Carolina on February 22, 1911.
1918
The Middle and Coast District was formed and included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
1924
The original Southern District included Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
1926
At the Philadelphia Congress, the National Society divided its territory into eleven districts and officially formed the South Atlantic District. Its original composition included Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
1949
The South Atlantic District name was first listed in NSSAR History Vol. I. This documentary milestone should not be confused with the earlier 1926 organization of the district.
1973
On June 25, the Virginia Society transferred to the Mid-Atlantic District. The South Atlantic District thereafter consisted of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Mission in practice
Serving the National Society and the four states
The South Atlantic District is an integral part of the National Society, not a separate entity. It exists to advance the objectives, programs, and annual goals of the National Society while encouraging communication and cooperation among the state societies and their chapters.
The district supports patriotic education, historical preservation, youth recognition programs, Revolutionary War commemorations, and public outreach. Its state societies and chapters preserve local history, recognize patriot graves, support historic sites, and develop signature events that connect their communities with the founding era.
Three of the original thirteen states and ten of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence came from the present South Atlantic District, underscoring the region’s central place in the story of American independence.
District leadership
The Vice President General
Office and responsibilities
The Vice President General is elected by the National Congress as a National Society officer representing the district. Under district protocol, the VPG is the senior officer in the district when the President General is not present and assists in carrying out the President General’s annual goals.
- Presides at district meetings and represents the district at National Society meetings.
- Supports state society presidents, officers, chapters, and National Society programs.
- Represents the President General when appropriate and assists in coordinating visits by the President General or a designee.
- Receives state reports and submits required district reports to the National Society.
Rotation and administration
Under the district bylaws, the office of Vice President General rotates among the four state societies. The next society in rotation generally selects its candidate at its annual meeting; the district confirms the nominee, and the National Congress elects and installs the VPG.
The district secretary position was first implemented at the October 6, 2008 district meeting in Gaffney, South Carolina. The first district bylaws were adopted unanimously on April 2, 2011, in Columbia, South Carolina. In 2015, the office of District Webmaster was created to strengthen district communication and maintain the website.
District tradition
Meetings and reporting
District meetings have historically provided a setting for state leaders, trustees, past VPGs, and National Society officers to share reports, coordinate activities, and strengthen communication.
Historic meeting cycle
The district has traditionally met four times each year:
- A meeting associated with the annual Battle of Kings Mountain observance.
- A meeting associated with the annual Battle of Cowpens observance.
- The Annual District Meeting, usually conducted with the incumbent VPG’s state society annual meeting.
- A breakfast meeting held during the Annual National Congress.
These associations are customary arrangements made for convenience and are not formal requirements.
State reports
State society presidents submit written reports describing significant accomplishments, membership, new chapters, and other items of interest. The VPG incorporates these reports into required district reporting for the National Society.
The Annual District Meeting traditionally invites the four state presidents, National Trustees, past South Atlantic District VPGs, and National Society general officers.
Archival record
South Atlantic District snapshot — June 2016
These figures are retained as a historical snapshot and are not presented as current membership or chapter totals.
| Measure | Historical figure |
|---|---|
| Total district membership | 5,740 members |
| Total chapters | 111 chapters |
| Share of National Society membership | 17.4% of 32,951 members |
| North Carolina | 1,063 members in 26 chapters |
| South Carolina | 865 members in 20 chapters |
| Georgia | 1,718 members in 32 chapters |
| Florida | 2,094 members in 34 chapters |
Revolutionary War legacy
National events and historic observances
The district’s societies commemorate pivotal Revolutionary-era events throughout the region. The following examples reflect long-standing observances documented in the district history.
North Carolina
North Carolina Society observances include the Battles of Moores Creek Bridge, Guilford Courthouse, Ramsour’s Mill, and Cowan’s Ford, as well as the Halifax Resolves.
Since 2008, North Carolina and South Carolina have jointly supported the Battle of Kings Mountain commemoration. The battlefield lies in South Carolina; its observance draws on the work of both societies.
South Carolina
South Carolina observances include the Battle of Cowpens, the Daniel Morgan observance in Spartanburg, and the Battle of the Waxhaws / Buford’s Massacre. The South Carolina Society, organized in 1889, is the oldest society in the district.
Georgia
The Battle of Kettle Creek, fought February 14, 1779, is commemorated near Washington, Georgia. The Georgia Society also preserves and interprets the state’s Revolutionary War heritage through statewide and chapter programs.
Florida
Florida commemorates the Last Naval Engagement of the American Revolution, fought off the coast near Cape Canaveral on March 10, 1783, and the Battle of Pensacola, which recognizes Spain’s important role in the American Revolution.
A century of service
South Atlantic District Vice Presidents General
This selected roster identifies early, transitional, and recent service. The district’s VPG roster remains a continuing historical record, and early entries are subject to ongoing archival verification.
| Term | Vice President General | Society | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1926–1927 | John F. Jones | South Carolina | First listed South Atlantic District VPG in the updated roster. |
| 1927–1928 | Cornelius Christiancy | Florida | |
| 1928–1929 | Herman Gray Otis | West Virginia | Resigned October 25, 1928, after moving outside the district. |
| 1929–1930 | Park Mathewson | South Carolina | Appointed October 26, 1929; died in office June 4, 1930. |
| 1930–1932 | Daniel T. Smithwick | North Carolina | Appointed October 22, 1930. |
| 2019–2021 | William Allen Greenly | Georgia | |
| 2021–2022 | Patrick Jay Niemann | Florida | |
| 2022–2023 | George Kim Strunk | North Carolina | |
| 2023–2024 | James Lee Wyrosdick | South Carolina | |
| 2024–2025 | Kenneth Scott Collins | Georgia | |
| 2025–2026 | Earl Frederick Matthews, Jr. | Florida | |
| 2026–2027 | Gary Owen Green | North Carolina | Current term. |
National leadership
Service beyond the district
Compatriots from the South Atlantic District have served the National Society in the presidency general and many other general-officer positions. W. Allen Greenly of the Georgia Society, SAR, is serving as President General for the 2026–2027 term.
| President General | Term | Society |
|---|---|---|
| W. Allen Greenly | 2026–2027 | Georgia |
| Ray O. Edwards | 1962–1963 | Florida |
| Matthew B. Sellers III | 1976–1977 | Florida |
| Richard H. Thompson, Jr. | 1981–1982 | Florida |
| James R. Westlake | 1989–1990 | Georgia |
| Robert B. Vance | 1993–1994 | Georgia |
| Carl K. Hoffmann | 1997–1998 | Florida |
| Lindsey C. Brock | 2014–2015 | Florida |
| J. Michael Tomme, Sr. | 2016–2017 | Georgia |
| Larry T. Guzy | 2017–2018 | Georgia |
Other general-officer service
District compatriots have also held offices including Secretary General, Treasurer General, Registrar General, Historian General, Chaplain General, Surgeon General, and Genealogist General.
- Lindsey C. Brock served in several offices before becoming President General, including Historian General, Registrar General, Treasurer General, and Secretary General.
- J. Michael Tomme, Sr. served as Registrar General, Treasurer General, Secretary General, and President General.
- Larry T. Guzy served as Registrar General, Treasurer General, Secretary General, and President General.
- W. Allen Greenly of the Georgia Society has served as Registrar General, Treasurer General, and Secretary General and is the National Society’s President General for 2026–2027.
- Recent service also includes Lt. Col. Gary O. Green as Genealogist General and T. Brooks Lylles as Historian General, Registrar General, Treasurer General, and Secretary General.
A continuing history
At the 2002 South Atlantic District meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina, the district approved an annual update to its history. This page continues that tradition. Additions, corrections, and supporting documentation are welcomed and should be sent to the incumbent Vice President General or District Secretary.