Mainers bow heads in honor of Revolutionary War soldier

Benjamin Walton would probably be very surprised that anyone cares where he’s buried or what he did while he was alive. But people came to Milo’s Evergreen Cemetery from miles around on Oct. 13 to “mark” the grave of the Revolutionary War veteran.

They heard words from Washington’s Prayer at Valley Forge that still are timely:

Deliver us also, we beseech thee, from the greater danger of ourselves. Have mercy upon us and forgive us our part in the present desolation of the world. Awake us each one to a sense of our responsibility in saving the world from ruin. Open our minds and eyes and hearts to the desperate plight of millions.

Born in New Hampshire, Walton was married to Mary Wescott of Stoddard, N.H. On the day of the observance, a wreath of fall flowers adorned the grave of Benjamin Walton, whose stone states that he “Died Oct. 1, 1851, Aet 91.”

It was Dr. Harold Borns, University of Maine geology professor and descendant of Walton, who arranged for the plaque honoring Walton’s service as a private in the 10th and 5th Regiments of the Continental Line in Massachusetts. His ancestor served under captains Hobbs, Turner and Hobby; and colonels Tupper, Bradford and Putnam.

Borns’ daughter, Donna Borns Moore, a member of Esther Eayres Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, unveiled a replica of the plaque during the ceremony.

Jack Eastman, band director at Penquis Valley Middle School, played taps for the occasion. University of Maine ROTC Cadet Anders Hamlin led the Pledge of Allegiance, and American Legion Post 41 of Milo provided the Color Guard.

Participants included Donna Hoffmann of Bucksport, state regent, Maine DAR; Jane Whelden, regent, Esther Eayres; Barbara Joyce, regent, Katahdin Valley-Lydia Putnam Chapter; Deborah King, historian, Esther Eayres; Beverly Antonitis, chaplain, Esther Eayres; town manager Jane Jones, cemetery sexton Dean Henderson and members of Frances Dighton Williams Chapter.

I have visited the grave of one of my Revolutionary War ancestors, William Hayford Sr., and his wife, Betty (Bonney), off a wooded path in the Maine town of Hartford. Markings are a way to honor and remember those who served.

The DAR, the Sons of the American Revolution and the Children of the American Revolution honor Revolutionary War veterans who served 1775-1783. Included are “patriots” who performed civil service such as membership on a town committee or providing material goods to the troops.

Using the National DAR Web site at www.dar.org, you can search the card catalog online to find out what books are available at the DAR Library in Washington. For instance, the catalog tells us that the library has the Bangor Historical Magazine.

You could use the library for a small fee while in Washington, or you could use titles you find in the catalog and check whether they might be available locally, for instance at Bangor Public Library or Maine State Library. Check these libraries and the University of Maine campus libraries through URSUS at http://130.111.64.3/.

The DAR has begun indexing its Genealogical Records Committee volumes, which comprise records collected by the state and deposited at the DAR Library in Washington. Maine volumes are available at the Maine State Library, and some are at the Bangor Public Library and the Maine Historical Society in Portland.

At www.dar.org, it’s possible to check the index thus far for surnames and locations. If you find a GRC volume (or other book) that you feel sure has something you want, you don’t have to travel to Washington. The DAR has a search service that allows users to pay a fee and have something photocopied from these sources.

Kathleen Nichols has published “Descendants of Daniel Hill and Elizabeth Holmes: From Maine, New Brunswick, & Westward,” through Gateway Press in Baltimore.

Hill was a pioneer settler of Machias and Calais. The 518-page indexed book covers five generations, including female lines, plus names in the sixth generation. The price before Nov. 1 is $53.50, shipping included, from Kathleen Nichols, 1522 Puerto Vallarta Drive, San Jose, CA 95120. After Nov. 1, the cost is $64.

3340. HALL-DUQUETTE-SMITH-KEARNS. Seeking the family of Fred Leon Hall, son of Fred and Mary (Duquette) Hall. Have family photos and World War I certificates to return to his family. Fred died Dec. 15, 1971 at Togus and was buried in Veazie. He had two daughters: Joanne (Mrs. Herbert) Smith of Kennebunk; and Barbara (Mrs. Joseph) Kearns of Biddeford; five grandchildren. Lisa Michaud, Franco-American Centre, Crossland Hall, University of Maine, Orono 04469-5719; telephone 581-3789; e-mail LisaMichaud@umit.maine.edu.

3341. SAWYER. Seeking any information on family of my grandfather, Raymond Keeler Sawyer, a sea captain born in Castine. My father, Miles R. Sawyer, was born in Rockland. John E. Sawyer, PO Box 4877, Seminole, FL 33775; jsawyer6@tampabay.rr.com.

Send genealogy queries to Family Ties, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; or send e-mails to familyti@bangordailynews.net.