The 250th anniversary of the United States of America! From 1776 when most of the world, especially England, thought we couldn’t win the war for independence, to July 4, 2026, when we are one of the strongest countries in the world! The United States is widely considered the most influential country due to our military strength, economy, technology and culture.
If we did not have such influential leaders of the revolutionary period, the many men who fought for our freedom and the determination to make our country as strong as possible, we may not have been successful. So many pieces to the puzzle – but they fit perfectly.
Today I would like to reference a few of the revolutionary soldiers who came to Kentucky after the war, 1784 – 1839. Many came because they received land grants for their service. Many – over 25 percent of those living on the eastern shores – came to make a better life for their families. I would like to share some of the photographs Ritchey and I have taken of those who gave service to our country in those important early years. These memorials are in the Mud Meeting House Cemetery in Mercer County. The men are listed as Private, Captain, Trumpeter, Corporal, Ensign, Sergeant, Drummer, Major. These men came from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Maryland to Kentucky!
This is one cemetery! Granted, not all older cemeteries have this many veterans, but it gives you an idea of how many there were fighting for our freedom – and how many survived to enjoy it! Happy Birthday America!
Cornelius A. Vanarsdall, July 5, 1748 – January 5, 1840
James Westervelt, August 15, 1755 – June 1, 1826
Lawrence DeMott, October 14, 1719 – May 14, 1800
Peter Luyster, May 31, 1761 – January 5, 1830
Daniel Brewer, 1718 – 1791
Thomas Kyle, 1757 – 1846
Barney Smock, October 5, 1738 – September 1812
James Stagg, September 18, 1738 – May 3, 1826
Peter Vanderveer, 1760 – March 12, 1823
Jacob Sortore, 1730 – 1824
John Smock, 1739 – 1812
Simeon Moore, 1734 – 1814
Francis Montfort, 1746 – 1825
Peter Van Harlyn Cozine, 1789 – 1857
Samuel Britton, 1754 – 1834
Samuel Banta, 1753 – 1833
Abraham Banta, 1745 – 1793
Daniel Coovert, 1758 – 1848
James Westervelt, 1755 – 1826
Cornelius O. Vanarsdall, 1760 – 1843
Peter Huff, March 10, 1756 – November 11, 1840
Peter Demott, April 14, 1758 – October 15, 1832
John Comingore, September 16, 1749 – October 6, 1845
Henry Comingore, September 16, 1749 – January 29, 1836
Samuel Brewer, 1757 – January 31, 1835
Daniel Brewer, July 5, 1719 – January 15, 1791
Gerardus Ryker, November 16, 1740 – September 15, 1781
