The Treaty of Paris (1763) formally ended the Seven Years’ War and transferred French territory in North America to Great Britain. A Royal Proclamation was subsequently issued by King George III on 7 October 1763, essentially creating an Indian reserve and forbidding all settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains. The proclamation and access to western lands was one of the first significant areas of dispute between Britain and the colonies.
The Northwest Territory, formally known as the Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, was formed from unorganized western territory of the United States after the American Revolution. Established in 1787 by the Congress of the Confederation, it was the nation’s first post-colonial organized incorporated territory. Conflicts between settlers and Native American inhabitants of the Territory resulted in the Northwest Indian War culminating in General Anthony Wayne’s victory at Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. The subsequent Treaty of Greenville in 1795 opened the way for settlement of southern and western Ohio.
After the Revolutionary War, the federal government, and nine state governments, awarded bounty lands to citizens and soldiers for services rendered. In its simplest form, this involved the exchange of land for military service.
These actions paved the way for thousands of Revolutionary War veterans to settle in what is now modern day Indiana and the surrounding states. The Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution has, for several decades, been locating, cataloging and marking the graves of these patriots. A searchable database of these grave records currently contains over 2,500 names.
The Indiana Society has recently partnered with the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to erect historical markers recognizing patriot burials. One of the Foundation’s initiatives is helping people celebrate their community’s history, by providing grants to obtain signage in the form of roadside markers and plaques.
Standards & Guidelines
The following standards and guidelines are intended to ensure the accuracy and uniformity of the text placed on Patriot Burials historic markers. The Pomeroy Foundation will have the final decision on the appropriateness of any text placed on a marker.
- The name of the cemetery or burial site must be determined and appear on the marker.
- The applicant must obtain necessary written permission from the property owner where the marker is to be installed.
- The applicant must provide primary sources to document both the Patriot’s Revolutionary War service and burial. SAR and DAR application forms are not acceptable proof of service. Acceptable proof of service includes, but is not limited to pension records, muster rosters, military bound land records, official state government-compiled records (i.e. Massachusetts Soldiers; Sailors in the War of the Revolution). Acceptable proof of burial includes, but is not limited to records of the entity that owns the cemetery and photos of original headstones placed at the time of burial. Replacement headstones and memorial plaques are not proof of burial.
- All known Patriots in the cemetery or burial site must be recognized. A single Patriot must not be identified for commemoration while ignoring additional Patriots buried at the same grounds. The applicant must conduct a good faith effort to identify any and all Patriots. Proof of this good faith effort will be required.
- If the number of Patriots is minimal, an effort will be made to include their name(s) on the marker. If there is sufficient room, the rank of the Patriot(s) will be included. Otherwise, only the number of Patriots will be indicated.
- Additional text describing the Patriot’s post-war activities will only be included if room is available after the above guidelines are met.
- Markers will only be placed in cemeteries or sites where similar signage indicating Patriot burials does not already exist.
Applications will only be accepted for markers commemorating a cemetery or burial site that is either publicly accessible without having to cross private property or is visible from the site where the marker is installed.
Historical Accuracy
The applying chapter must provide primary sources to document both the Patriot(s) Revolutionary War service and subsequent burial in the cemetery. Acceptable proof of service includes pension records, muster rosters, military bounty land records, and official state government-compiled records, such as Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution. Acceptable proof of burial includes records of the organization or agency that owns the cemetery, as well as photos of original headstones placed at the time of burial.
Additional program information is available in a downloadable flyer. A downloadable sample application is available as guidance. Chapters interested in markers for patriot burials in their area, should contact Indiana Society markers program coordinator, Allen G. Manning.