DAR, SAR to hold patriot grave markings Saturday, Sept. 15 in Hardin County

NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 — The Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution will conduct a Patriot grave marking for Corp. James Slate and Capt. Thomas Helm.

A grave marking is a service conducted by the DAR and SAR honoring a Patriot from the American Revolution with an unveiling of a new grave marker.

The Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter SAR Colorguard from Louisville will participate in the event.

Corp. James Slate was born in Virginia in 1757. He served in the 2nd Virginia Regiment from the spring of 1776 to the summer of 1783 when he was discharged from service in Richmond, Va. Corporal Slate fought in the Battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and Stony Point.

The grave marking for Corp. James Slate will take place at 2 p.m. Sept. 15, 2019, at the Vine Grove Cemetery, North Mill Street, Vine Grove. North Mill Street runs parallel with the railroad track in Vine Grove. From Elizabethtown to Vine Grove, cross the railroad track, turn right, cemetery is on the left. Take the road to the end and park.

Capt. Thomas Helm was one of three original colonists to settle in Severn’s Valley in the 1780s. This area later became what is now, Elizabethtown. He was a Lieutenant in Capt. Philip Richard Francis Lee’s Company, 3d Virginia Regiment, commanded by Col. Thomas Marshall, his commission being dated 8th March, 1776; resigned 27th November, 1777.

The grave marking for Capt. Thomas Helm is 4 p.m. Sept. 15, 2019, at the Helm Cemetery, US 31W, Elizabethtown. If you are coming from the North on 31W, pass Hardin Memorial Hospital on the right, pass Wendy’s on the left, pass the Helmwood Animal Clinic and turn left immediately. The cemetery is behind the Helmwood Animal Clinic, 804 N Dixie Hwy. There is a fairly large hill to climb to the cemetery. There should be plenty parking at the strip mall, 790 N. Dixie Hwy.

Participants are advised to bring their own chairs as there is no seating available for either grave marking ceremony.

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