Photo provided
Angel Walker is shown at at Daugherty Cemetery.
A local chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution is working to restore and dedicate the graves of Revolutionary War soldiers in Bartholomew County.
The National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is centered around historical preservation, education and patriotism. The organization has an emphasis on community service as part of its new year-long campaign, “America 250,” that began in May. Grave cleanings and dedications will take place throughout the year.
The Joseph Hart chapter of DAR is led by Chaplain Barbara Hull and Regent Carolyn O’Neal and includes members from Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jennings and Johnson counties. With over 150 members, the chapter logged more than 4,500 volunteer hours last year and anticipates exceeding that goal in 2025. Each year, the chapter restores over 40 graves in local cemeteries.
The grave restoration project has been led by Hull, a process she is familiar with. As a child, she went to work with her father at Garland Brook Cemetery in Columbus, helping to put flags on soldiers’ graves for Memorial Day or Independence Day. At the time, she saw it as an activity to do with her father.
“He took us around the cemetery and we put the flags out, but I didn’t think too much about it at the time,” Hull said. “Patriotism is not just waving a flag, it’s something much deeper than that.”
Last year, Hull was able to preserve the grave of Isaac Bullard. Unknown to her at the time, Bullard is her grandfather from six generations ago. Using D2, water and a soft brush, she washed away the years of dirt and debris, uncovering and restoring the grave. Hull placed a Pomeroy marker at the entrance to Garden City Cemetery, where Bullard is buried.
A Pomeroy marker a historical marker funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, which provides grants for the creation and installation of the markers noting significant people, places, events, or things from the past, often focusing on local history.
“Not everybody enjoys going out and cleaning gravestones; it’s hard work and usually done in hot weather,” Hull said. “It just helps us remember why we do this, what these gentlemen gave up to win our freedom.”
DAR member Angel Walker has learned how to clean and rebuild grave stones with her sons, Jesse and Luke. She frequents Daugherty Cemetery during the spring and fall months to restore and repair the graves of her family or other military service members.
“You feel a connection,” Walker said. “You’re reflecting on the past and what life was like. You don’t think about it being gross or dirty when you’re cleaning it, but it feels rewarding, like these people that fought are not forgotten.”
While O’Neal has not cleaned any gravestones herself, she enjoys the genealogy and research. One of her greatest challenges is locating graves that are unmarked or have been moved. More than 10 graves of Revolutionary War soldiers that were in Bartholomew County were moved during the construction of U.S. 31. There are no records to show where the graves were moved to, O’Neal said.
Some graves only have a general location, and a search would have to be conducted to pinpoint the location of the grave. Locations of other graves are documented, but DAR is unable to preserve them because they are on private property, she said.
“The graves on private property, we can’t do anything about,” O’Neal said. “They’re degrading and breaking down. A 250-year-old Revolutionary War soldier’s grave site is at risk for being lost.”
Outside of locating graves, O’Neal oversees the dedication of patriot graves. She receives grants from DAR, National Society Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) or the Pomeroy markers, then hosts dedication ceremonies with members of DAR, SAR and descendants of the soldier.
“When it happened, even the visitors who came were emotional,” O’Neal said. “He and all the other patriots fought for what we have, and built a foundation for our country.”
O’Neal has led two dedication ceremonies, including that of Isaac Bullard as a part of DAR’s Revolutionary America 1775-1783 program. The dedication planned for next May is that of Joseph Hart, the chapter’s namesake and a Revolutionary War soldier who is now buried in Garland Brook Cemetery.
“He was a big part of the development of Columbus,” O’Neal said. “It will be especially poignant for me and other DAR members.”
