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At the May 2026 Logan County
Genealogical and Historical Society meeting, Bill Donath talked
about Revolutionary War soldiers buried in various Logan County
cemeteries.
When the Daughters of the American
Revolution organization asked Donath to speak on this topic he
needed to know who these men were and find out where they are
buried. Donath knew there was a list of six soldiers’ names on a
bronze plaque at the Logan County Courthouse, which was a good
starting point.
The DAR verified all these men were Revolutionary War soldiers and
placed this plaque in the courthouse in June 1975 to help
commemorate the upcoming United States Bicentennial. As Donath
researched these soldiers, he looked at DAR records, veteran
records, pension index, and family records.
Those who died before Logan County was established in 1839 were
buried in Sangamon first. Donath said we then inherited them.
Since the DAR put up the plaque almost 50 years ago, Donath said two
more Revolutionary War soldiers buried in the county have been
verified by the DAR.
Donath showed photos of the soldiers’ graves then shared information
about where each one is buried, their dates of birth and death, when
and where they served, what battalion or company they served in,
their rank and their families.
The soldiers and their service
John Downing, who was born around
1762 and died December 18, 1838, is buried in Bowers-Templeman
cemetery near Mt. Pulaski on top of a hill where there is a big
tree. He also has a bronze marker on his grave. He served in
Washington County, Pennsylvania as a Private in Captain James
Scott’s 8th company, third battalion as part of the militias.
Downing’s spouse was Hannah Frakes and they had nine children.
Around 1800, Donath said the family moved from Pennsylvania to Ross
County, Ohio. By the 1830s, they had moved further west eventually
ending up in Illinois.
Henry Kime, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1759 and died in 1833 in Sangamon, Illinois, is
buried in Zion Cemetery on Nicholson Road. Donath said Kime served
in three different battalions. In 1780, Kime served as a Private 8th
class in Edward Vernon’s company in the Chester County Militia. From
1781 to 1782, he served in Captain James Denney’s company and in
1782, he served under Colonel John Gardner. His spouse was Hannah
Rudolph and they had eight children. Kime is an ancestor of LCGHS
board member Diane Farmer.
Henry Lantis, who was born in
Frederick County, Maryland in 1764 and died in Tazewell County
December 22, 1841, is buried in Reed Cemetery. Donath said Lantis
later moved to Ohio before settling near the Musick family in 1823
in the Northeast corner of what is now West Lincoln Township. His
spouse was Susanna Elisabeth Green Lantis and they had seven
children.
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Abraham Lucas, who was born in
Morris County, New Jersey in 1761 and died in 1841 is buried in
Steenbergen Cemetery, which is near Mt. Pulaski. Donath said Lucas
served as an Indian spy in an expedition against the Indians. He
served in Captain Brompton’s company under Colonel Lachlen
McIntosh’s regiment in Pennsylvania for four months. Since Lucas
served less than six months, when he applied for a pension in 1939,
he did not receive one. His spouse was Marcy Kelsey.
John Musick died in 1849 in Logan County and is buried in Musick
Cemetery. Because the cemetery is in bad shape and markers are piled
up, Donath could not find Musick’s grave. Musick served in Captain
Burney’s company of Colonel Francis Taylor’s Virginia Convention
Guards Regiment formed in Orange County, Virginia. He also served by
guarding prisoners taken at Saratoga. His spouse was Mary Berry and
they had ten children.
William Patterson was born in 1757
and died March 16, 1840, and is buried at Downing Cemetery, which is
in Chester Township. He was interred with Martial honors on March
18. When Patterson died, local papers said another revolutionary war
patriot was gone. He faced the dangers of the war to achieve our
country’s independence. In an early period of the war, Patterson
joined the American army and took an active part in many of the most
trying events of our revolutionary struggle. Donath said most of the
Patterson family is buried at Bower’s Templeman Cemetery, so he is
not sure why Patterson was buried at Downing Cemetery. Patterson
served in Pennsylvania then later lived in Ohio before coming to
Logan County.
Humphrey Scroggin, who was born in
South Carolina in 1763 and died in 1845, is possibly buried at
Carlyle cemetery near Mt. Pulaski. He served as a Private in
Virginia with Captain S. Tarrant’s company with Major George Waller
and Colonel Abram Penz regiment. Donath said Scroggin was at the
battle of Guilford Courthouse and was also at the siege at Yorktown.
His spouse was Sarah Kirby.
James Turley, who was born in 1761
and died in 1836, is buried in Carlyle Cemetery, though Donath could
not find his gravestone. Donath said Turley served in Virginia as a
Private in Captain Thomas Pollard’s company, then later Colonel
Ramsey’s regiment and for four weeks served in Colonel Lyon’s
regiment. He was in the Battle at Germantown. Turley’s name is on
the marker at the old state capitol in Springfield. Turley was
married twice, first to Agnes Kirby and then to Sarah Hoblit Lucas.
He had twelve children altogether.
On Sunday, May 31, a movie titled "Revolutionary America,” which
tells the story of the revolution and founding of America, will play
for one day only at the VIP Lincoln Grand 6 movie theater. Showtimes
are 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Next month’s LCGHS meeting will be on Monday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m.
[Angela Reiners] |
