Unknown Patriot Revolutionary War Soldier Interment near Jamestown

21 May 2016                                     near Jamestown, VA

report by Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow

     On Armed Forces Day Saturday May 21st, an Unknown Patriot Revolutionary War soldier was laid to rest at the Church on the Main near Jamestown.  He  was killed on July 6,1781 at the Battle of Green Spring.   His remains were discovered in 1978 by archaeologists from the Virginia Research Center for Archaeology on the nearby Harris Plantation where the most intense action occurred.    The soldier was hurriedly buried where he fell,  in a shallow pit, clothed in  his waistcoat and breeches, but lacking a coffin.  Based upon analysis by the  Smithsonian  Institution in  2015, he was a white male between 23 and  28  years old and was probably one of the number of Pennsylvanians who died in the battle. His remains were finally returned by the Smithsonian to be properly buried near where he fell.

     The interment project and associated ceremony was sponsored by the James City County Historical Commission with several members of  VASSAR and other heritage organizations in attendance.  Participants in  the ceremony included Frank J. Abbot, Chairman of the James City County Historical  Commission, Alain C. Outlaw, Archaeologist and dedication speaker, Rev. Dr. James  Henry, Williamsburg SAR Chaplain and the officiating clergy, Scouts from Williamsburg Boy Scout Troop 103 who performed  the tomb unveiling and VASSAR President Ed Truslow who placed the wreath upon the unknown soldier's tomb. 

Contemporary French map showing the engagement of Green Spring.

Participants, left to right: Alain Outlaw, Frank Abbot, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow, and Rev. Dr. Jim Henry

Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow honors the unknown patriot with a wreath.

Virginia SAR members at the ceremony, left to right, from the Williamsburg Chapter: Rev. Dr. Jim Henry, Virginia SAR President Ed Truslow, Fred Boelt. On the far right, from the Norfolk Chapter, Secretary Ed Douglas.