Group honors once 'forgotten' Revolutionary War soldiers from New Milford
Roger Sherman Chapter, DAR chaplain Marcella Martin offers the invocation at the start of the ceremony.
The ceremony at Center Cemetery honored Pvt. Samuel Phillips and Pvt. Jeruel Phillips, two African-American soldiers from New Milford.
“To see the outpouring of community support,” said Denise Doring VanBuren, president general of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. “This does my heart good.”
William Fothergill of Hartford, a descendant of Samuel and Jeruel Phillips, places an American flag at the grave sites.
“I’m humbled to think what the founding members of (DAR) would think if they could see this,” Doring VanBuren said, noting this is the 130th anniversary of the lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the Revolutionary War.
In addition to honoring Jeruel Phillips and Samuel Phillips, the ceremony recognized Jeruel’s two brothers, Reuben and Shubel Phillips, who also served in the war.
“We’re here to honor the memory and spirit of these men,” Doring VanBuren said. “I cannot imagine a better illustration than those looking back at me.”
New Milford Police Captain Al Wilcox places a rose at the grave sites of the Phillips brothers.
DAR members joined William Fothergill, of Hartford, a descendant of the Phillips men, as guests listened closely while social distancing as the history of the men was shared by local genealogist Kathleen Zuris.
State Rep. Bill Buckbee, R-67, presented a a proclamation for the special occasion from the state General Assembly. It was signed by Buckbee, state Rep. Richard Smith of the 108th House District and state Sen. Craig Miner, R-30.
DAR representatives and William Fothergill, center, a descendant of Samuel and Jeruel Phillips, take a moment to have a photograph taken at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Buckbee shared his appreciation for being part of the occasion, saying the legacy of men like Jeruel and Samuel “tends to be forgotten” and now it isn’t.
“I think it’s outstanding,” he said.
Mayor Pete Bass issued a proclamation each for Jeruel and Samuel.
“I want to thank DAR for keeping history alive,” he said.
Other special ceremony offerings included the placing of the soldier’s accoutrements by Lt. Ross Kenney and the 6th Connecticut Regiment, a musket salute and the dedication of the grave markers.
The Roger Sherman Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution held a grave marking dedication ceremony for the Revolutionary War services of two African-American soldiers from New Milford, Samuel Phillips and Jeruel Phillips Sunday at Center Cemetery in town. Above, a soldier’s accoutrements - a helmet, a cartridge box, a musket and a canteen - are placed in front of their gravestones by Lt. Russ Kenney of the 6th Connecticut Regiment.