RURAL HILL NEWS RELEASE
Contact: 704.875.3113 or office@ruralhill.net

JO GRAHAM DAVIDSON JR. FLAG
NOW HOME AT HISTORIC RURAL HILL

October 23, 2009

On September 30, 2009, the Mecklenburg Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution helped to bring home the memorial flag of 1st Lieutenant Jo Graham Davidson, Jr.   In storage since 1948, Ms. May Davidson made available to Rural Hill the flag that covered the casket of her brother, and it is now on display in the Davidson Room at Rural Hill where both Ms. May Davidson and 1^st Lt. Davidson were raised.

A flag ceremony was held in the Rural Hill graveyard in honor of the occasion.  The JROTC from Huntersville’s Hopewell High School folded the flag in a ceremony consisting of a color guard and six flag folders.  The folded flag was placed in a triangular display box provided by the Mecklenburg Chapter Daughter of the American Revolution. 

Rural Hill executive director Ed McLean commented, “What an honor and a privilege it is to be able to save this flag and display it in the Davidson Room.  The staff and volunteers at Rural Hill extend our sincerest appreciation to May Davidson, Miriam Smith, Sarah McAulay and the Daughters of the American Revolution for making this possible.”

1st Lieutenant Jo Graham Davidson, Jr. is the 4th child of Jo Graham Davidson and his wife Annie May Alexander Davidson.  Jo was born at Rural Hill November 21, 1914.  He graduated from Long Creek School and attended Georgia Tech.  When WWII started, he joined the Army and was on his way to South Africa when he died in a plane crash in Cayenne French Guiana.  His body was interred at the family grave at Rural Hill on May 1, 1948.

About Rural Hill

Rural Retreat, as it was first established, was the homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson. John Davidson served in the American Revolution and was one of the original signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. The small homestead ultimately developed into a thriving plantation.  Today, Rural Hill is a restoration in progress. There are 265 acres of magnificent rural vistas, farm animals and walking trails throughout the site.

Rural Hill is open to the public Monday through Saturday and offers a variety of activities such as guided tours, self-guided walking tours, many education programs and a two and a half mile hiking trail. Reservations are encouraged. Please note: These activities may be suspended during special events that are held throughout the year.

For a complete calendar of events, please visit www.ruralhill.net or call (704) 875-3113.

Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078.  The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is maintained and promoted by The Catawba Valley Scottish Society (CVSS).  Rural Hill features annual events such as the Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze and the Rural Hill Sheep Dog Trials.  CVSS is a non-profit organization supported through membership and donations, and with proceeds from its events utilized for the preservation of historic Rural Hill and its education efforts.  For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit www.ruralhill.net. 

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