Vigo Revolutionary War soldiers to be honored at Woodlawn Cemetery

The Revolutionary War ended 241 years ago. A Hoosier organization is working to preserve the memory of five Vigo County veterans of the battle for America's independence.

A ceremony Saturday morning in Terre Haute's Woodlawn Cemetery will be the result of that effort.

The local John Martin chapter of the Indiana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution will conduct a grave marking at the historic cemetery. It's scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday near the circle on the south side of Woodlawn at 1230 N. Third St.

"It's to educate the public about patriotism and the principles this country was founded on," said William Behnke, vice president of the Indiana Society of the SAR.

The remains of two Vigo County Revolutionary War veterans are buried in Woodlawn, after having been reinterred in the past from Indian Orchard Cemetery, which was disturbed by construction of a canal in the 1800s and dormitories in the 20th century, Behnke said.

The graves of three other Vigo Revolutionary War veterans originally interred at Indian Orchard Cemetery were lost. A new headstone honoring those three soldiers will be unveiled during Saturday's event, "so they can be remembered," Behnke said.

The Vigo veterans to be honored Saturday include Jonathan Kniffen, William Bildad Soules, John Hamilton, Joshua Patrick and Ethan Pomeroy.

Society members from Indiana, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky will participate, wearing Continental Army and militia uniforms, Behnke said. A color guard will be present, and biographies of the five veterans will be read.

The Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783 as residents of the 13 North American colonies of Great Britain fought for independence from colonial government rule.