Naturally now that I’m perusing the C-Files (Cemetery Files) for shots of Revolutionary War veterans, I’m only finding War of 1812ers, etc. But I thought for the Fourth of July, I’d post a couple of our Revolutionary War heroes whose graves we’ve happened upon. I figured there must be at least a few of these because we tend to make it a habit to snap off pictures of them whenever we find them.

The Fourth of July is a nice, low-maintenence holiday I can really get behind. I’m not a big fan of holidays, as many people might know, which is strange given my absolute delight whenever I don’t have to work. However, the problem with holidays is that most encompass a variety of activities that might as well be work. The Fourth is nice. All it requires is that my parents and I settle down at some point during the day and watch Independence Day. I seem to recall watching ESB one time on the Fourth, but if you think about it, Return of the Jedi is the more appropriate film . . . Okay! Back to focus! The point is, I like the Fourth, and so the Headstoners Present for you a special collection of Revolutionary War heroes for your enjoyment.

First up is my personal favorite, Mr. Matthew Ferguson.

The grave of Matthew Ferguson

 Matthew Ferguson was born in County Antrim, Ireland (now Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland) in October 1748, the son of Irishman James Ferguson (1721-1771) and Englishwoman Rachel Walker (1720-1791). He was the younger brother of William (1746-1833), the twin of James (1748-1806), and the older brother of Margaret (1750-1835). The family relocated themselves to the state of Pennsylvania.

Matthew fought in the Revolutionary War, gaining for us independence from England (hooray), and in 1782 married Ann Chestnut (b. 1760), also in Pennsylvania. At some point they moved out west to the Ross County area of Ohio. It is entirely plausible that he recieved land for the service he had done his country, and this land was in present-day Ross County. He died in Green, Ohio, on the second of November, 1848, a short month after after his 99th birthday. He was the father of 8 children, five of whom were named for his parents, siblings, and wife. Although I happen to know that three of them married, including two sons, I do not know about their descendants. Clearly they were extremely intelligent and caring people, since they put half his biography on his tombstone, and those people always make me happy. Here’s to you, Matthew. You did a good job. Thanks!

Next up, Jacob Epictus . . . Something. (Good lord, if anyone knows or can figure out this fellow’s last name, I would deeply appreciate it!)

Jacob ???, Revolutionary Soldier

 Ah, young Jacob with the illegible last name, what can I say about you? Very little, I’m afraid, which makes me sad since you’re on the heels of Mr. Supreme Biography. But I must say it only gets vaguer from here. Anyway, Jacob was part of the Pennsylvania Militia during the Revolutionary War, and he was born on February 2, 1726, and died on April 6, 1802. That’s the year West Point was established! He is also buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Ross County, Ohio.

Here’s a good reason Jacob doesn’t need to feel bad about me knowing so little about him. I don’t even know this next guy’s name, or anything about him other than that he fought in the Revolutionary War and was eventually buried in Myrtle Baptist Cemetery, Champaign County, Ohio.

A veteran of the Revolutionary War

 And lastly, we have Darby Murphy, who enlisted on the 17th of July, 1777, which is a lot of sevens (7-17-1777?!), but who I can tell you nothing else about.

Darby Murphy, Salute!

He is buried in Salem Cemetery, Belmont County, Ohio, and someday I will learn to go around and take pictures of both sides of stones if there is something on them . . . Well, I was a bit distracted by my fellow headstoners locating the grave of the murdered girl we were in Salem to find in the first place!

Anyway, there are the veterans of the Revolutionary War for you. (Okay, not every single one of them.) But, men, we salute you, and thank you for making us our own country so we can get freaking far away from England! (Just kidding, I love you guys. No, really.) Have a happy fourth of July, everyone.