Chronicle Photo By Kelly Cambrel Members of the Pack Horse Ford Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and General Adam Stephen Chapter National Society Sons of the American Revolution held a dedication for new cemetery markers in honor of fallen Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Shepherdstown. Markers were unveiled at the Lutheran and Reformed graveyards outside of Christ Reformed Church.

In celebration of the 250 year anniversary of Shepherdstown, The Pack Horse Ford Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) and the General Adam Stephen Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) held a ceremony, dedicating of two markings placed at the Lutheran Graveyard and the Reformed Graveyard Saturday.

The markers were added in honor of Revolutionary War ancestors buried in both cemeteries.

Dorrene Hale, registrar for the DAR Pack Horse Ford Chapter, gave the history of each graveyard during Saturday’s service.

Following the ceremony, Hale explained that the event was NSDAR’s way of paying tribute to Shepherdstown’s earliest citizens.

“They really were kind of the first people in Shepherdstown,” she said.

Hale described the year long process of locating and then verifying the resting places of the revolutionary era soldiers as a service to a town rich with history.

“I’m sure there are probably more that we can’t find,” she said.

Cynthia Nicewarner, member of the NSDAR chapter and descendent of Revolutionary War soldier John Adam Link, Jr. unveiled the Lutheran Church markers Saturday.

Joe Khare, president of the General Adam Stephen Chapter of NSSAR led the dedication.

The event featured a welcome by Lori Robertson, Town Recorder for the Corporation of Shepherdstown.

Robertson, who filled in for Mayor Jim Auxer at the event, said she felt honored to participate.

“I was proud to be, not only as a representative of our town, but also as a resident to know how much work went into it by the DAR and SAR,” she said.

“The plaques are absolutely beautiful and the attention to military rituals to honor the fallen soldiers was humbling,” Robertson said.

Members of the local community who are direct descendents of revolutionary war veterans were asked to rise during the nearly hour long ceremony held at Christ Reformed Church on East German Street.

The Revolutionary patriots buried at the Lutheran Graveyard are Michael Entler, Philip Entler Sr., Philip Entler Jr., Daniel Foulks, John Adam Link Jr., Andrew Ronemous, Lewis Ronemous and Philip Sheetz.

The Revolutionary patriots buried at the Reformed Graveyard are Henry Cookus Jr., Michael Cookus, John Haines, Jacob Haynes, Lawrence Hensel, John Hoffman, Nicholas Schell, Peter Seever, Peter Staley, Martin Walforth and Michael Yeasley.

The Pack Horse Ford Chapter of the DAR, which celebrated its 96th birthday last February, works to preserve the country’s past for future generations.

Hale said of Shepherdstown, “It’s just a great place to have a DAR chapter because of the history of the town.”