A relative of the most famous author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), was one of 10 people who appeared as early American colonials in the recent July 4th Parade in Fort Collins.
Neil Grigg, a long-time Fort Collins resident and Colorado State University civil engineering professor, appeared as Thomas Jefferson in the parade. Neil is the third person from the right in the photo. He is related through Jefferson’s aunt Mary, according to professional genealogists. She was the sister of Jefferson’s father. She later married Thomas Turpin, according to Jefferson the Virginian publication by Dumas Malone. Neil is descended from the Mary Jefferson – Thomas Turpin line
The colonials joined the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado which was chosen by parade judges as ‘Most Patriotic’ and ‘Best Overall’ out of over 50 entries.
The colonials appearing from left to right are George Washington (Jean Bourassa), Martha Washington (Linda Bourassa), General Horatio Gates (Jerry Arnold), Betsy Ross (Veronica Arnold), Benjamin Franklin (Wayne Colonial Patriots March in Parade D’Antoni), young militiaman (Rory O’Connor), Thomas Jefferson (Neil Grigg), Abigail Adams (Denise O’Connor) and Margaret Corbin (Mary Zenzen).
In the spirit of fulfilling the mission of the Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado, the colonials also reminded parade attendees that it has been our U.S. military veterans who have defended American freedoms for 242 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. For more information about the Veterans Plaza mission to honor U.S. military veterans and to educate future generations, visit: https://veteransplazanoco.org/