We acknowledge the kindness of those who, having read the record of the Revolutionary soldiers buried in Illinois in the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, have added to the list of names, giving records as well as the places of burial. The work of verifying the military service of over four hundred soldiers of the American Revolution who are known to be buried in the State, is necessarily slow, and many months may elapse before these records are complete. At least sixty-five counties have the honor of being the last resting places of these soldiers. It is expected that all records will be verified by the time of the Centennial of the State of Illinois. We shall be glad of information from any person who is knowing to facts concerning these Revolutionary soldiers.
Cook County
David Kennison
David Kennison was a "Revolutionist before the Revolution;" he was the last survivor of the historic "Boston Tea Party." Upon the outbreak of the war he lost no enthusiasm. His autobiography gives a remarkable record of service for his country.
David Kennison was born in New Hampshire November 17th, 1736; when an infant his father removed to Maine. There he lived at the time of the Boston Tea Party. He was in the battles of Bunker Hill, White Plains, West Point, and Long Island, also Fort Montgomery, Staten Island, Delaware and Philadelphia, and was present when Cornwallis surrendered. His patriotism did not wane, since he served in the second war for independence. When peace was declared he evidenced his love of country by casting his vote for Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Jackson, Van Buren and Polk. He was a strong "free soil" man and was active during the campaign. David Kennison died in Chicago February 24, 1852, at the advanced age of 115 years. On December 19, 1903 a granite boulder monument was unveiled in Lincoln Park, Chicago, which marks the place of his burial. The monument was erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Sons of the Revolution. Mrs. Benjamin A. Fessenden was regent of the Chicago Chapter at that time and her daughter Dorothy Dayton Fessenden unveiled the monument in the presence of over five hundred citizens of Chicago. The record of David Kennison s life will ever be an object lesson of rare love of country.
Ogle County
Rufus Perkins
Rufus Perkins was a native of Massachusetts, born at Bridgewater about 1763. When a mere lad he enlisted at Ashfield in Captain Abel Dinsmore's company, serving three months and fourteen days. He again served six months under Captains Canston and Hughs. He re-enlisted August 10, 1778, with Captain Enoch Chapin, serving until January 1, 1779; again he enlisted under Captain Oliver Shattuck and Lieutenant Colonel Barnabas Sears, and was discharged in 1781. He removed from Massachusetts to New York State and in 1847 he came to Illinois, settling at Buffalo Grove, near Polo.
The aged veteran, Rufus Perkins, made the long journey by stage and steamboat to Chicago and from Chicago to Buffalo Grove in a lumber wagon. He only lived one year, died October 30, 1843. Three years since a bronze tablet was unveiled in the Polo Public Library in honor of this patriot by the Polo Historical Society, assisted by the Daughters of the American Revolution of Rockford, Rochelle, Freeport, and Dixon and the Polo Post, Grand Army of the Republic, The tablet was unveiled by Edgar Thomas Clinton, great, great grandson of the hero, Rufus Perkins.
Ogle County
Daniel Day
Daniel Day was born in Keene, New Hampshire, January, 1763; he enlisted April 4, 1780, and served until December the same year under Lieutenant Benjamin Ellis and Colonel Henry Dearborn. He was only seventeen years of age at the time of his enlistment. At an early day he removed to Illinois, settling in Ogle County. He died in 1838 and was buried in the Daysville cemetery, where a monument was erected to his memory.
Peoria County
Phineas Bronson
Phineas Bronson was a native of Connecticut, born at Enfield November 9, 1 764: died in Peoria County, Illinois, October 24, 1845, and is buried in Princeville Cemetery, where a tomb-stone inscribed, "A Soldier of the American Revolution," tells the story of service.
He served in the Third Company of the Second Regiment, Major Walbridge and Colonel Butler commanding. (Prepared by Mrs. Clara K, Wolf, Historian of Peoria Chapter, D. A. R.)
Peoria County
William Crow
William Crow was a private in the Virginia line of troops; was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1758, died in Peoria County, Illinois, January 25, 1854. He lies buried in a private cemetery in Limestone Township near Pottstown.
Peoria County
James Harkness
James Harkness was a "Minute Man," marching on the first alarm from Pelham, Massachusetts, in Captain Candless' company, Colonel Benjamin R. Woodbridge's regiment; serving eleven days; he re-enlisted for eight months; reenlisted June 22, 1778, serving as corporal and sergeant in Captain Joseph Perkins' company. Colonel Nathaniel Wade's regiment. James Harkness was born June 2, 1756, died at Harkness Grove, Illinois, August 18, 1836, and is buried in Harkness cemetery near Trivoli, Peoria County.
Peoria County
John Montgomery
John Montgomery was a private in the Virginia troops; was born in 1764 and died in Peoria County, Illinois, January 26, 1845, and is buried in the Princeville Cemetery. "A Soldier of the Revolution," is inscribed upon his tombstone.
Peoria County
Zealy Moss
Zealy Moss was wagon-master and assistant quarter-master in the Virginia troops; he enlisted in Loudon County in the spring of 1777, and served two years in the quarter-master's of the war. Zealy Moss was born in Loudon County, Virginia, March 5, 1755; died in Peoria, Illinois, October 30, 1835, and is buried in Springdale cemetery, Peoria. His grave is marked.
McLean County.
Has preserved in bronze and stone the name of every soldier and sailor who ever resided in the County who participated in any war in which the United States has been engaged. On Memorial Day, May 30, 1913, the monument was dedicated with fitting ceremonies. Twelve names of Revolutionary soldiers who lie buried in McLean County are engraved on the monument. The work of locating the graves and verifying the records of these soldiers was accomplished by Mrs. H. M. Rollins, historian of the Letitia Green Stevenson Chapter, D. A. R., ably assisted by Milo Custer, Esq., who is adding to this accredited list the names and records of Revolutionary soldiers buried in counties adjoining McLean. The spirit of gratitude towards soldiers of any war needs fostering. Their lives, their sacrifices, need to be frequently recalled. ''Lest we forget; lest we forget."
McLean County
Ebenezer Barnes
Ebenezer Barnes was born in Boston, Massachusetts, February 3, 1759; he served his country by enlisting five different times, first as corporal in 1775 under Captain Batchelder, Colonel Read; later the same year as sergeant with Captain Aldrich; again in 1776 for nine months as sergeant under Captain Foster, Colonel Smith: re-enlisting in 1777, he was made lieutenant with Captain Samuel Fletcher, Colonel Bedel's regiment, serving four months; finally the following summer, 1778, he served ten months as lieutenant with Captain Tyler, Colonel Fay, all in Massachusetts line of troops. He was in the battle of White Plains, was pensioned.
He came to McLean County, Illinois, in 1829, settling at Barnes' Grove in Danvers Township; he died May 17, 1836, and is probably buried in Stout's Grove cemetery.
McLean County
Joseph Bartholmew
Joseph Bartholmew was a native of New Jersey, born March 15, 1766; was a private in Captain Jonathan Rowland's company, Tradyffren, Pennsylvania line of troops, in 1780. He settled in Money Creek Township in McLean County, Illinois in 1830; died near Clarksville, Illinois, November 2, 1840, and lies buried in Clarksville Cemetery.
McLean County
Samuel Beeler
Samuel Beeler, a native of Virginia, born about 1760; he served in Captain Samuel Beeler's company in the Virginia line of troops. He came to Illinois about 1830, settling in McLean County; died there near Twin Grove January 14, 1840, and is buried in East Twin Grove cemetery.
McLean County
Philip Crose
Philip Crose was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, 1757; served as private in Captain Daniel Richardson's company for six months, again the following year, 1781, for four months. He enlisted from Hampshire County, was in the battle of Guilford Court House. After the war was over, he removed to Illinois, settling in Shawneetown, Gallatin County, removed to Indiana, where he applied for and received a pension; from there he came to Illinois and settled in; McLean County in 1836, Randolph Township, where he died July 4, 1848.
McLean County
David Haggard
David Haggard was born in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1762; served in the Virginia line of troops, was in the battle of Yorktown. He came to Illinois in 1836, settled in Bloomington, McLean County; died there April 15, 1843. This record is taken from the Haggard Genealogy; no official record of service has been found. He was doubtless a brother of James Haggard, who is buried in Sangamon County and who was pensioned.
McLean County
Moses Hougham or Huffman
Moses Hougham or Huffman, was a soldier of the American Revolution, serving in the Virginia line of troops. He received his pay at the close of the war at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Moses Hougham came to McLean County, Illinois, about 1830, died in 1845, aged 101 years, and is buried in Scogin's Cemetery, Bloomington Township.
McLean County
Captain John C. Karr
Captain John C. Karr was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1758; served as captain in Second Battalion, Somerset County, New Jersey, line of troops. He settled in McLean County, Illinois, in 1839; died near Leroy December 16, 1840; buried in Heyworth cemetery. Captain Karr left in a will the inscription to be placed on his tombstone: "Sacred to the Memory of John Karr, a Soldier of the Revolution in 1776." He also left a request that he be buried with the honors of war, which request was complied with in full.
McLean County
William McCullough
William McCullough, born in Baltimore, Maryland, 1756; served as private in Captain Alexander Lawson Smith's company. Colonel Moses Rawling's regiment, Maryland troops, for two years. He settled in McLean County about 1830, died November 23, 1832, and lies buried in the old McCullough family cemetery, on what is now the Elkins farm.
McLean County
William McGhee
William McGhee was born in Louisa County, Virginia, 1761; was a private, serving two years and six months; enlisting five different times in Captain Pond's company. Colonel Wade's regiment; also in Captain Bracken's Company, Colonel Lofton's regiment; also in Captain Smith's company, Colonel Shepard's regiment; also Captain Armstrong's company. Colonel Lewis' regiment; also Captain James Shepard's company. Colonel Lewis' regiment, all in the North Carolina line of troops. He enlisted from Mecklenburg, was in the battle of Wilmington. He removed to Illinois in 1828, settled in McLean County; died at Diamond Grove, and is buried in the cemetery at that place; died October 6, 1843.
McLean County
John Toliday
John Toliday was born near Poughkeepsie, New York, October, 1763; served as private in Captain Samuel Bowman's company of New York Rangers for four months; again under Captain James Harrison's company, Colonel Dubois' regiment, for six months. About 1830 he came to reside in Mount Hope Township, McLean County, Illinois. He died in Leroy, Illinois, about 1849, and is buried in Oak Grove cemetery.
McLean County
Jacob Williamson
Jacob Williamson. The official record of service of Jacob Williamson has not been ascertained. There is no doubt of his having served in the Revolutionary War. He doubtless served in the New Jersey line of troops. Mr. William Hieronymus, Jr., an aged resident of McLean County, remembers Jacob Williamson and of hearing him tell of his service in the war. After the war had closed he removed to Tazewell County, settling at Hittle's Grove, about 1826. He died in what is now Danvers Township, McLean County, June, 1838, and is probably buried in Stout's Grove cemetery.
Marshall County.
Joseph Warner
Joseph Warner was born in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, March, 1738; he removed to Fairfax County, Virginia, and enlisted from there; was in the battle of Germantown, 1779. In 1802 he removed to Ohio, and in 1838, at the advanced age of 100 years, he came to Illinois, coming the entire distance on horse-back, residing at Cherry Point, Marshall County. He longed for his old home in Ohio, and when 102 years of age, he started back, walking twelve miles across the unbroken prairie, where friends gave him shelter and persuaded him to return to Cherry Point.
Another incident illustrating the indomitable courage and zeal, both Christian and patriotic, with which these pioneer patriots were endowed. One cold, sleety Sunday, his daughter thought Mr Warner ought not to attend church, but fearing he would be left at home, he started on foot. There was a creek to be crossed which he did by lying down and crawling over on two icy poles. This when he was 102 years of age. The aged patriot died September 5, 1842, and lies buried in Cherry Point, where a monument marks his last resting place. Lemuel Gaylord was born February 14, 1765, in Bristol County, Connecticut; died November 17, 1854, and is buried in Cumberland cemetery, Evans Township, Marshall County, Illinois.
Marshall County
Lemuel Gaylord
Lemuel Gaylord's father was killed in the famous massacre of Wyoming, July, 1778. His mother at once started for her old home in Connecticut, suffering untold hardships on the way. Three years after her return, Lemuel enlisted, serving as ensign in Colonel Roger Enos' company. After the war he removed to Illinois, settling in what is now Marshall County. Kathryn Gaylord, his mother, was the first Revolutionary heroine, for whom a public monument was erected, and the Bristol Chapter, D. A. R., of Connecticut, is named in honor of Kathryn Gaylord, the mother of this hero of the American Revolution.
Source: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Volume 6, Number 2, April 1913, p. 445 to 451, Phillip' Bros., Printers, Springfield, Illinois, 1913.
Submitted by: Judy White