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Plaque Marks Revolutionary Soldier's GraveSHERIDAN, — A plaque honoring Revolutionary War veteran Hezediah Stebbins was unveiled in Sheridan Center Cemetery on Monday following the Memorial Day services. .Milo Barrus Shaffer of Arlington, Va., who was responsible in his untiring efforts to trace the burial plot of his great, great grandfather Hezediah Stebbins whose daughter Betsy married Benjamin Barrus, his grandfather, was present with his wife for the ceremonies, and spoke of the family lineage.Mr. Shaffer who was born in Utah where one branch of the Barrus family migrated after embracing the Mormon faith, has made an extensive study of the family genealogy, and in his search made many trips to this area.A retired dvil employe of the Navy Department, he has resided in the Washington, D.C. area for many years. He was assisted in his search by Miss Elizabeth Crocker of Fre-donia, Chautauqua County historian, and other interested persons. Miss Crocker made remarks concerning the process used in finding the grave-site.Miss Crocker was instrumental in setting up a project which the local county historians are undertaking in making a survey of the markers on all Revolutionary solders' graves in the county and she noted there are approximately 350 such graves,She stated that in cases where markers are gone, defaced or broken they are replacing them with bronze markers which are supplied by the United Statesgovernment, Department of theArmy. It was such a marker which was unveiled in Sheridan on Monday.She stressed the fact that all county supervisors are cooperating with the historians by providing the foundationsfor the markers, however in the case of Hezediah Stebbins, jVTr. Shaffer donated the foundation.Winfield Stebbins of Sheridan represented the Stebbins family at the ceremonies. Heis a great, great, great grandson of the Revolutionary War veteran.Unveiling the plaque were John and Russell Stebbins; also assisting in the ceremony were Douglas, Mark and Peter Stebbins, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler Stebbins of Bennett State Road, and grandsons of Mr. and Mrs. Mead Stebbins of Bennett State Road. They are great nephews of Winfield Stebbins.Alison Kroon of Rochester, daughter of Eric and Sheila Barris Kroon and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Record Barris of Cassadaga, placed a bouquet of flowers on the grave.These youngsters are sixth generation descendants of the Revolutionary War veteran.Mr. Stebbins in his remarks said that he was proud of his ancestry, those fine men and women who had helped to settle and build this country. He remarked that in this area alone there are many descendants of Hezediah Stebbins naming the Davis, Collins and Barris families.On behalf ot the town board Robert Keddie, town justice, placed a wreath on the grave.Mrs. Raymond Orr, former regent of Major Benjamin Bosworth Chapter, NSDAR was present at the ceremonies to represent that chapter.Miss Crocker concluded the program with a prayer.
Newspaper Details
Dunkirk Evening Observer
Dunkirk, New York, US
Tue, Jun 01, 1971
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Carol L.
USA 07 Apr 2020
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