Arkadelphians honored for service in War of 1812

The Baseline-meridian Chapter, United States Daughters of 1812, and the Arkansas General Society War of 1812 recently marked the graves of two War of 1812 veterans in Arkadelphia.

Assisted by the Sons of the American Revolution and the Clark County Historical Association, permission was obtained to mark the graves of Solomon Spence Sr., buried in Rose Hill Cemetery, and John Browning, buried on private land at the Bozeman Cemetery.

“Many War of 1812 Veterans settled in Arkansas due to receiving Bounty Land for their service,” a news release said.

“Over 6,000 Federal Bounty Land Grants were allotted in Arkansas and although most did not claim the land, or sold it, it is estimated 15% of the Veterans did. The Arkansas Society U.S.D. 1812, since 1908, has searched for the grave sites of these Veterans. Some will never be found, however, nearly 700 of their names are inscribed on the War of 1812 Memorial Fountain erected by U.S.D. 1812 at the State Capitol; it is the largest listing of War of 1812 Veterans in the U.S. on a monument,” the release said.

The other residents of Clark County already marked include William Hart and Wiseman Moore. The location of other patriots’ graves in Clark County is an ongoing investigation and includes Edwin Crosslin, William Adcock, Jacob Wingfield, John Caruthers, who also served in the Revolutionary War, and Walter Crow, the release said.

The dedication team was comprised of U.S.D. 1812 State President and Pine Bluff Simon Bradford Chapter President Jerrie Jones Townsend; SAR State President Charles Mclemore; U.S.D. 1812 State Markers Chair, Sheila Beatty-krout; Patricia Mclemore Baseline-meridian President; Bobbie Lovell, Baseline-meridian Markers Chair and her husband, Dale Lovell, GSW1812.

Submitted photo ■ The Dedication Team included, from left, Dale Lovell in period costume, Pat Mclemore, Charles Mclemore, of Mount Ida, Jerrie Townsend, of Pine Bluff, and Bobbie Lovell and Sheila Beatty, of Hot Springs Village, at the grave of Solomon Spence Sr. The Lovells, of Bismarck, provided a replica of the 15-Star Flag that flew over Fort Mchenry during the War of 1812 and often called the Star-spangled Banner.

Submitted photo Capt. John Browning’s grave after the dedication at the Bozeman Cemetery.