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Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Vermilion County, Illinois



Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Illinois by Mrs. Harriet J. Walker, Reprinted for the web.

In the preparation of this work, every effort has been made to obtain the records of these soldiers, to verify them, and to ascertain their places of burial. This has been accomplished in various ways, by ascertaining the names of all who were pensioned and where the application was made. This does not always locate the burial place owing to the changing of the boundary lines of the counties of the state, making it necessary to obtain from the U. S. Treasury department the time and place of payment of the last pension.


Revolutionary War Graves of Soldiers Buried in Vermilion County Illinois:


The third of September, 1915, was a memorable day for the Gov. Bradford Chapter, D. A. R., of Danville. Several years age the chapter decided to erect some fitting memorial to the memory of the soldiers of the American Revolution buried in Vermilion county. Plans crystallized into action and they decided to erect a drinking fountain. The design presented by Mr. Daniel French was accepted and the fountain complete was unveiled September 3, 1915.

The memorial consists of a floor thirty feet long, with seats at either end; a granite shaft eleven feet high holds in the center a bowl, into which water constantly flows. The shaft is ornamented near the top by a bronze wreath of laurel leaves, in which is the significant date, 1776. The granite shaft is superimposed with a four-foot bronze statue of a soldier of the Revolution standing at rest parade.

The names of the men are inscribed in the granite tablet set into the floor of the fountain. The inscription reads: "This status is erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in memory of the soldiers of the War for Independence who are buried in Vermilion county, Illinois." The chapter was most fortunate in having a "friend at court" in Hon. J. G. Cannon, who secured from the government an unused balance of money left from the erection of the government building, amounting to $6000, which was applied to erecting the shaft; the D. A. R. chapter being responsible for the bronze statue, costing $2000.

The program was as follows: Mrs. Daniel Hogan, regent of the chapter, presiding. "America," sung by "all the people," led by H. Y. Mercer, accompanied by the Soldiers' Home band. Invocation by Rev. George Howk Simonson. "Ritual of the Chapter," Mrs. James A. Meeks, chaplain. "Greetings," Mrs. W. E. Fithlan. "Our Ancestors," Mr. W. R. Jewell. "Art in Bronze and Stone," Mr. James M. White, supervising architect of the University of Illinois. "The Revolutionary War in the West," Dr. Otto L. Schmidt, president Illinois State Historical Society. Address, Hon. J. G. Cannon. Dedication and presentation of statue, Miss Lottie E. Jones, chairman Fountain Committee. Response, Gen. Frank S. Dickson, adjutant general, state of Illinois. The statue was unveiled by nine descendants of the men memorialized. Miss Lottie E. Jones deserves especial credit for the happy results of such strenuous labors, as she was the prime mover in the plans. The Soldiers' Home band furnished the music for the occasion. This is a most appropriate way to perpetuate the memory of brave men and brave deeds, since in the performing of such duties we promote a love of knowledge and intensify the patriotism of our people.

WILLIAM ADAMS was a native of Virginia, where he served in the war. After the war he removed to Kentucky. Coming to Illinois in 1825, he settled in Vermilion county, in Newell township, where he died, and is buried in the Martin burial ground. "Virginia Records."

DAVID BAIRD was born in New Jersey March 4, 1760. He enlisted in Monmouth county in the First New Jersey Militia, September, 1776. He re-enlisted, serving for different periods each year till the close of the war, serving under Capts. David Gordon, Kenneth Harrison, Coons, Samuel Carhart, John Price and Cornelius Schanck; Cols. Asher Holmes, Thomas Henderson and Cahart Walton. He served as private, sergeant, ensign, lieutenant and quartermaster. He came to Vermilion county to reside and died February 20, 1837; is buried in the Lebanon cemetery, Indianola. "New Jersey in the Revolution."

ROBERT BROWNFIELD was in the service in Pennsylvania with the Rangers. He came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and there applied for a pension. "Pennsylvania Archives" and "Pension Report."

JOSEPH COUGHRAN was born in Virginia January 16, 1761. He enlisted in June, 1781, in Hampshire county, with Capts. James Anderson, Alexander Dick and Isaac Parson, Col. Edwards, serving first four months and again for two months. After the war he came to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he applied for a pension in 1834. He died March 19, 1845. He is buried in Vermilion county, but the exact place is not known. He was pensioned.

KINZER DICKERSON was born in Maryland in 1757. He enlisted in the Pennsylvania line of troops in 1778, serving but one month under Col. Daniel Broadhead; he again served in 1779 for two months with Capt. Uriah Springer and Gen. Lachlen McIntosh. He again enlisted in 1782 for six weeks with Capt. John Crawford and Capt. J. Bean; again he served for one month with Capt. George Jenkins in Wheeling, Virginia. He came to Vermilion county, Illinois, to reside, where he applied for a pension, but having served less than six months it was not granted. "Pension Reports."

JOHN FRAZIER was a native of Virginia, where he served in the war, enlisting near the home of Laurence Washington. He served during the entire war and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis. The place of his burial is not known, but he died in Vermilion county. "Virginia Records."

JACOB GUNDY was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 13, 1759. He enlisted April, 1779, in Pennsylvania militia, under Capt. Sebastian Wolf and Quartermaster General Robert Patton, in Lancaster county, serving as a teamster for two months, and again for one month. After the war he removed to Ohio, and from there came to Vermilion county in 1830, with his son Joseph. He died in 1842, and is buried in the Gundy burying ground near Bismark. He was pensioned.

DANIEL HARRINGTON was born in Pennsylvania January 1, 1756. He enlisted in September, 1776, with Capt. Jacob Treck, Col. Michael Swope, in York county. He enlisted again, serving under the same officers, and a third time in Maryland with Capt. Daniel Shaw, Col. Edward Cockey, serving in all ten months. He came to Illinois, settling in Vermilion county, where he died in 1836. He was pensioned.

WILLIAM HARRIS served in the war from Pennsylvania. He came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and there applied for a pension, but not having served six months it was not granted. "Pennsylvania Archives" and "Pension Reports."

JAMES HULS was born in Virginia in 1761. He enlisted March 18, 1778, in the Fourth Virginia Regiment with Col. John Neville and Capt. John Stith, serving one year. He came to Vermilion county, Illinois, and died there in 1834. His widow drew his pension.

HUGH KING was born in North Carolina December 17, 1754. He enlisted in Mecklenburg county in 1778, re-enlisting twice, serving under Capts. John McRea and William Alexander, Major William Davis and Col. John Moore. He again enlisted in the South Carolina troops in 1781, serving with Capt. Andrew Alexander and Col. Wade Hampton in Washington's dragoons. In all he served seven times for a period of two years and ten months. He was in several skirmishes at Charlotte, North Carolina; Strawberry Fields, Quarter House and Ninety-six. He removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he died, and is buried in Springhill cemetery, Danville. He was pensioned.

THOMAS MAKEMSON was born in Pennsylvania in 1753. He enlisted with William Brown, commander of the Floating Battery, Putnam Station, twelve miles below Philadelphia. He served three years. Coming to Illinois, he located in Vermilion county, where he died in 1813, and is buried near Oakwood. He was pensioned.

THOMAS MORTON was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 29, 1752. He enlisted three times, in 1775, 1776 and 1777, serving as ensign with Capts. James Elliott and James Lee, Col. Robert Culbertson. In 1780 he removed to Kentucky and served there with the Virginia troops as captain under Col. and Gen. George Rogers Clark. He was in skirmishes at Statton Island and with the Indians at Chillicothe. He came to Indiana, where he appointed judge in Perry county in 1814. He removed to Vermilion county, Illinois, where he died. He was pensioned.

ZACHARIAH ROBERTSON, SR., was a soldier from Virginia, where he served in the war. He removed to Harrison county, Kentucky, and in 1834 came to Vermilion county, Illinois, settling in Newell township. He died on the land where Bismark now stands, at the advanced age of 94 years. "Virginia Records."


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