Revolutionary Soldiers

REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS

Buried in Washtenaw County 

Who They Are

A Heroine's Long Walk

To Warn the Revolutionary Army of Enemies Approach—She Too Is Buried in Washtenaw

At the meeting of the Ann Arbor chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution this week, Mrs. H. M. Slauson, the secretary read the following sketch of what the chapter had done, which was sent to the Smithsonian Institution of Washington, D. C..

The Ann Arbor chapter, of Ann Arbor, sixty-two members, has devoted considerable time the past year to the study of early Michigan history and several valuable papers have been prepared and read by members of the chapter at the regular meeting.

The historical library established in 1898 has received valuable additions and an annual appropriation for the purchase of new books has been made.  A corner in the Ladies Library has been set apart for the books and has been decorated with flags, colonial furniture and other relics belonging to members of the chapter.

In February 1900, a subscription of $75 was made to the Continental Hall Fund.  Of this sum $50 has been paid and the remainder will be paid before the close of the present year.  Contributions have also been made to the fund for the purchase of an armory for the use of Company I, Michigan State Militia, for the restoration of the Pohick church, near Washington, and for the placing of a monument to La Salle at St. Joseph, Michigan.  Members of the chapter have also aided in the purchase of the Betsey Ross House.

The Committee on Burial Places, Mrs. Emily Clarkson chairman, report that the graves of four Revolutionary soldiers and one Revolutionary heroine have been found in this county and vicinity.  They are as follows:

I.  John Terhune born April 6, 1759 at Hackensack, New Jersey.  He served as ensign all through the war and received nine wounds.  He died Jan. 6, 1839 and is buried at Carpenter's Corners, Pittsfield township.

II.  His wife, Sarah Vreeland Terhune, buried beside him, walked in the night nine miles, to warn the Americans of the approach of the British, who had encamped at nightfall on her father's plantation at Hackensack.  She died Aug. 27, 1850, aged 88 years, 8 months and 13 days.

III.  Ebenezer Annibil, a sergeant and seaman in the Revolutionary war, died Sept. 23, 1842, aged 86 years.-(Inscription on tombstone at Bridgewater Center, Bridgewater township.)

IV.  Capt. Asher Davis, died Aug. 16, 1827, aged-, (Inscription on tombstone in Judd Cemetery, York township.)  That he was a Revolutionary soldier is testified to by Mr. H. F. LeBaron, of York, Mich.

V.  George Sorter, died Sept. 14, 1851, aged 95 years.  (Inscription on a plain marble slab in a cemetery  near Raisinville, six miles west of Monroe.)  From Mr. Elisha Sorter, his son, who still lives in Raisinville, it was learned that George Sorter enlisted at the age of eighteen years, drove a provision wagon for four years and carried a gun for two years.  Mrs. Elisha Sorter cannot give date or place of his father's enlistment.

The committee has given the name of Elisha Sorter to the Michigan chapter of Sons of the Revolution.

In addition to these names the committee has the names of six veterans of the War of 1812 buried in Washtenaw County which they have files to be given to the Daughters of 1812, if they wish them.

The committee is still at work and will, doubtless, have new names to report another year.

Respectfully submitted.

(MRS.) CLARA L. SLAUSON,

Secretary, Ann Arbor Chapter.