Photo provided The entrance to the Hawpatch Liberty Cemetery in Bartholomew County.
The N.S.D.A.R. Joseph Hart Chapter, the N.S.S.A.R. Clifty Creek Chapter, the Philip Schoff Chapter of the US Daughters of 1812, and the Indiana General Society of 1812 will have a Patriot Grave Dedication at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 26th.
The dedication will be at the Hawpatch-Liberty Cemetery at County Road 500N and 100E in Bartholomew County, directly north of the Bakalar Airport.
Just more than 200 years ago, the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 faded into the history books of a young United States of America. Pioneers are migrating across the unknown prairies, looking to own land, raise a family, and create a community. Pioneer families included Marr, Everroad, Hamblen, Hege, Lindsey, McQueen, Moore, Norton, Pence, and many more. Soldiers and their families settled in an area that would become what we know as Bartholomew County, Indiana. The Hawpatch- Liberty Cemetery was established in 1821 as these founding families needed a place to bury their loved ones.
Over the years, many soldiers, including two Revolutionary, four War of 1812, two Mexican War, and 20 Civil War, found a resting place in the Hawpatch-Liberty Cemetery. Time, weather, and vandalism had damaged this 200 year old cemetery.
The Joseph Hart Chapter started the project as part of its 100 year celebration. Later, local historical groups came together to repair, clean, and preserve history. More than 37 gravestones have been professionally reset and cleaned. Volunteers cleaned another 20 headstones. GPS mapping has been completed on 34% of the graves.
Traffic control will allow cars to park along County Road 500N and County Road 100E for the dedication. Hawpatch-Liberty Cemetery can be accessed from the northwest by U.S. 31 and County Road 550N, or from the northeast by Marr Road, then 550N. If coming from the south, use River Road running along the west side of Bakalar Airport and 500N. Handicap parking will be available. Volunteers will be available to direct traffic. Attendees are encouraged to carpool from Bakalar main entrance or the parking lot for the Jeanne Lewellyn Norbeck Memorial Chapel.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with more than 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over 1 million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.
To learn more, visit dar.org or email your name and contact information to [email protected].
