Virginia Society Cooperates with West Virginia Society on Site Survey of Revolutionary War Veteran's Grave in Harper's Ferry.

11 Aug 2016                                        Harper's Ferry, WV

Lt. William Broaddus' Grave.

     Recently, workers at Harper's Cemetery in Harper's Ferry, WV, discovered a tombstone that had been knocked over, broken, and buried.  When it was uncovered it was discovered to be the tombstone of Lt. William Broaddus, who fought at Monmouth with the 2nd Virginia, under Colonel Gibson.  Broaddus was born in Culpeper, VA in 1755, and late in life moved to Harper's Ferry, VA, where he died in 1830.  His wife, Martha Slaughter Jones, was from a prominent Culpeper Family.
     The name Broaddus, is, of course, familiar to the Virginia Society.  Our Society President in 2014-2015 was Bill Broadus, a relative, though not direct descendant of Lt. William Broaddus.  Our Bill Broadus is actively engaged in the effort to restore the tombstone.
     The restoration will be done by Robert Mosko, an expert in tombstone restoration.  Professor Mosko owns Mosko Cemetery Monument Services in Hanover, PA, which is wholly devoted to monument restorations.
     The Virginia SAR and our Knight/Patty Fund Board are considering how we might participate in restoring this memorial to a veteran of the 2nd Virginia in our Revolution.  The West Virginia SAR is planning a dedication ceremony for the restored tombstone on Saturday, October 15th.  The Virginia SAR is also considering participation in this ceremony.

Current condition of Lt. Broaddus' tombstone.

Professor Mosko, on the right, explains his plan for the restoration.

Participants in the site survey, from left to right: Lynn Vaughn, wife of the mayor and cemetery board member; Brian King, local historian; Professor Robert Mosko, professional monument restorer; Bill Schwetke, representing Virginia SAR; Cat Schwetke; Hardwick Johnson, representing WV SAR, town council and cemetery board; Tom Newcomer, cemetery board.