After almost two years of planning and execution, the Amelia Island Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a rededication ceremony this past April at the Vaughan-Scott Cemetery on the south end of Amelia Island. Vaughan descendants, local and state dignitaries, contributors, and guests witnessed a program honoring John Daniel Vaughan and celebrated the preservation of a piece of Amelia Island's history.

The Amelia Island DAR hosted a rededication of the
Vaughan-Scott cemetery on April 14, 2007.
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In September of 2005, members of AIDAR became concerned about the survival of the small cemetery, located on First Coast Highway next to the Waterwheel Art Gallery, when the adjacent property was sold and land clearing began for the development of The Landings on Amelia River. The Vaughan-Scott Cemetery is the final resting place of Revolutionary War Patriot John Daniel Vaughan, who died here on Amelia Island in 1860. The Vaughan-Scott Cemetery Preservation Committee was formed to raise funds, plan, and execute the work of restoring the cemetery.

John D. Vaughan was born in Massachusetts on March 13, 1763. He enlisted in January, 1777, at the age of 14, serving as private in Captain Wiley's company, Colonel Michael Jackson's 8th regiment until his discharge at the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783. After the Revolution, he served almost continuously in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Georgia, as well as other states. In January 1795, he was appointed Lieutenant of militia at Burnt Fort, Georgia.

The new plaque at the Vaughan-Scott Cemetery
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In 1796 he married Rhoda Effingham at Burnt Fort, Georgia, and the following year he received a Spanish land grant for a large tract of land at the south end of Amelia Island. When the United States declared war against England in 1812, he left his family at his plantation, crossed into Georgia, and once more served the United States war effort.

When the war ended, he came home to Amelia Island where he expanded his plantation, raising large crops of sea island cotton. He died at the age of 97 on April 16, 1860.

The exact age of the Vaughan-Scott Cemetery is not known, but it is believed that the Vaughan family set aside this portion of their property for burials shortly after they arrived on Amelia Island in 1797. In 1927, the site was recognized by the United Daughters of the War of 1812 when they held a ceremony at the cemetery and placed a memorial plaque at Vaughan's gravesite. Sadly, this plaque has disappeared.

Many of John Daniel Vaughan's descendants, some from as far away as  
California, attended the rededication ceremony.
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The preservation project has received contributions from a wide range of supporters. The Goodbread family and other descendants became involved in the effort. Monetary contributions have come from AIDAR and its members, Vaughan descendants, Sons of the American Revolution, and many other generous individuals. Members of AIDAR assisted in clearing years of overgrown bushes and saplings. The cemetery was surveyed and several sunken markers had to be raised and reset. The markers, including a beautiful obelisk commemorating Vaughan's life and service, were carefully cleaned. A wrought iron fence and gate were placed surrounding the gravesites, and landscaping was added. Members of the Princess Malee Society, Children of the American Revolution, cleared a walkway for public access.

At the rededication ceremony on April 14, 2007, 39 descendants, some from as far away as California, attended the ceremony. Members of the Amelia Island Chapter of DAR, the Jacksonville Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, the Patriot's Chapter United Daughters of 1812, the Princess Malee Society Children of the American Revolution, and Vaughan descendants Gordon W. Keller and Rev. Nancee Martin-Coffey took part in the ceremony. At the end of the ceremony, Abaca Dowling of the Princess Malee Society and two of the Vaughan descendant children, Garret and Rose Goodbread, laid a wreath of lilies in the shadow of the Vaughan Memorial obelisk as the sound of taps resonated across the crowd.

AIDAR has raised some funding for perpetual care of the cemetery. However, additional funding is required. A tax-deductible donation can be made by sending a check, payable to AIDAR, to Vaughan-Scott Cemetery Perpetual Care, c/o AIDAR, P.O. Box 1664, Fernandina Beach, FL 32035.