Three Revolutionary War Patriots To Be Honored With Grave Marking Ceremony

BREWSTER – The Revolutionary War defined a nation. Now, nearly 250 years later, the Sons of the American Revolution are continuing to uncover the history of the men who fought for the country’s independence. 

 On Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m., David Schafer, president of the Cape Cod and Islands Sons of the American Revolution chapter, along with other participants, will be at Red Top Cemetery in Brewster to hold a grave marking ceremony for three confirmed Patriot soldiers. 

 The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) is a nationwide organization that spotlights American ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. The mission of the organization calls for members to honor American Patriots by “promoting patriotism, serving communities and educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of the country.”

 Since the organization’s inception in 1889, chapters have been created internationally in Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain and parts of the United Kingdom. Membership is determined by eligibility, which requires a direct line of descendance from a Patriot. 

 Many of the programs started by the organization help to uncover the history of the men who served, including the grave marking ceremonies. 

 Saturday’s ceremony will honor Reuben Sears, Joseph Sears and Stephen Homer. 

 Homer grew up in the area east of Taylor-Bray Farm in Yarmouth. He first enlisted in the Continental Army at 17 for six months before becoming a private in the 16th regiment under the command of Colonel Henry Jackson. By the 1790s, he was a master maritimer and captained at least five vessels. His home still stands near the Brewster line on Route 6A. Homer died in 1840. 

 At 21 years old, Joseph served as a private in Captain Elisha Hedges’ company. That company of 48 men marched from Yarmouth to Rhode Island in 1777 in a secret expedition that lasted one month and four days. 

 “Which, by the way, really wasn’t so secret,” said Schafer. “That’s in the muster rolls.”

 Joseph was named one of the first three selectmen in Dennis when it was first incorporated in 1793. He died in 1836. 

 Reuben, a cousin of Joseph, was 24 years old when he enlisted in the Harwich Militia Company, led by Captain Benjamin Berry, with 16 other men. He died “sudden and unexpected” in 1844. 

 The grave marking ceremony will dive even further into the backgrounds of the men and provide more information, which will be shared by Kevin Keegan and Barbara Durst. 

 Christine Ecklund of the Brewster Historical Society will help to give context to the role Brewster men and their families played during the war. 

 The ceremony will begin with a proclamation by the SAR chaplain, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by a scout from Brewster Troop 77. 

 Granite grave markers will be added to each patriot’s plot, next to the headstone. Schafer said these are expensive, so they can only do a certain amount in a year without outside funding. 

 The Cape Cod and Islands chapter began cleaning the gravestones of patriots and their wives during COVID, and in 2024 alone were able to clean over 100 headstones. Schafer said about 12 of the 85 members have created a “stone crew” that continues to go out, research local soldiers and clean their gravestones. 

 “I want to underscore this because it is a gratifying thing that our members do,” he said. “It’s hands-on and takes half an hour to an hour to clean the gravestone, but you realize that you’re at the final resting place of a person who served in the American Revolution. It’s as close as you get to the actual people who served and what’s left of their memory.” 

 Schafer said he believes it’s one of the most significant things they do. 

 “You recognize that it’s a community from 250 years ago,” he said, referencing that many soldiers are buried with family members, including wives and children. “There’s an awareness that this was a real family and community group.” 

This year the crew has cleaned about 45 gravestones and is planning to match that number next year, focusing on Patriot graves in Cobb Hill and Barnstable Village. 

 Schafer said there is an endless supply of work, especially since many gravestones are taken over by lichen again within three or four years.

 After this weekend’s ceremony, Schafer said the chapter has a few other events scheduled. On June 26, the chapter will be marking 53 Patriot gravestones in Yarmouth with the help of town funding. 

 For more information about the organization, visit sar.org.