On Sunday, September 29th, the Fort GreeneVille Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated the Ohio Underrepresented Patriots grave marker at the gravesite of American Revolutionary War soldier Benjamin Williams.
Benjamin Williams, born about 1762, was a free person of color who enlisted in the American Revolutionary War in 1781 in the Maryland Continental Line at Georgetown. He served as a Private under Capt. Winchester, Col. Adams and General Mordaecai Gist’s Brigade. He was at the Siege of Yorktown and assisted in the capture of Cornwallis’ Army in 1781. He continued his service for a total of 3 years under Capt. Reveille’s Co. At the end of the war he was discharged at Annapolis Maryland. He applied for a pension in Hamilton County Ohio November 22, 1819 receiving $8.00 per month.
Sometime after 1835 Benjamin moved from Hamilton County with his family to Darke County Ohio settling near the Greenville settlement (Longtown) in German Township (now Liberty Township). Benjamin died February 19, 1839 as noted in Darke County Probate Court records.
The special grave marker represents underrepresented Patriots of the American Revolution. For consideration for this marker a Patriot is required to be female, African American, Native American, French, French Canadian, Dutch, Spanish, Jewish, or of mixed heritage.
Click here for all the photos.