---

---

    Not only glory but pride, honor and gratitude as well shall now "guard with solemn round" the lonely and remote grave of Wm. Meservee, Revolutionary patriot whose memory was honored on last Sunday afternoon, November 11th, Armistice day, with beautiful and impresive ceremonies, at the old Kellar cemetery north of Brewersville, Ind., by the Sons of the American Revolution, The Jennings County Historical Society and the American Legion Post from Columbus, Indiana, and the Sunday school class of the Memorial Baptist church, Indianapolis, Ind., and the community of Brewersville and a great delegation of citizens from various parts of Jennings county.
    Wm. Meservee served under General Washington at Valley Forge and was 100 years and 3 months old at the time of his death. There are many traditional stories about him which have been gleaned from the oldest inhabitants of Brewersville, among them an account of his painful suffering from frost bitten feet, the result of the dreadful winter at Valley Forge.
    Mr. Cornelius F. Posson president of the Indiana S.A.R called the meeting to order and in the absence of the Rev. V.K. Ledbetter, the opening prayer was given by Rev. Barker of Brewersville, who also lead in the singing of one verse of America. Two buglers in the field started the military exercises. The military record of Wm. Meservee was then read by Mr. Posson following this a representative of the class of the Memorial Baptist Sunday school at Indianapolis spoke a few words on behalf of his class who presented a large flag which was raised on a flag stand over the partiot's grave and then lowered to half mast.
    The American Legion represented by a firing squad from the Post at Columbus, Ind., under Commander Dipper then took charge of the ceremonies and read their impressive ritual at the grave at the end of which they fired three salutes in honor of the dead hero.
    The Hon. Frank E. Little, representing the Jennings County Historical Society, made an eloguent address which embodied the true spirit of patriotism, and which was a glowing tribute to the memory of those who like Wm. Meservee had made this glorious Republic not only a possibility but an accomplished fact, he closed with some beautiful lines from Whittier's Centennial Ode.
    One verse of the Star Spangled Banner was sung and then the solemn exercises were closed by the blowing of taps over the grave now distinguished by a handsome bronze marker and a large magnolia wreath by the Sons of the American Revolution and American Flag preseented by Mrs. Richardson and the large flag and flag staff before mentioned.
    Mr. George Robinson of Brewersville was the moving spirit from the beginning in the planning of this honor to the memory of Wm. Merservee who gave "his today for our tomorrow". Mr. Robinson hewed down the tree for the large flag staff corresponded with S.A.R. and American Legion Posts and Jennings County Historical Society in order to plan the program; he had hand bills printed which conveyed the information to the public and credit for this most commendable and patriotic measure is due entirely to him and will forever an impressive memorial to his love and honor for his country and its heroes.
    A great many people were assembled to honor the occasion and the old cemetery was the scene of a ceremony fraught with deep devotion to the highest ideas of which the human mind and heart are capable.

---

You may use this material for your own personal research, however it may not be used for commercial publications without express written consent of the contributor, INGenWeb, and