DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter Honors Local Veterans Through Grave Preservation

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Wooster-Wayne Chapter is actively engaged in identifying, documenting, and restoring the graves of Revolutionary War patriots across Wayne County.

This initiative is part of a nationwide effort leading up to America's 250th anniversary, aiming to preserve local history and honor those who fought for the nation's independence.

For over 130 years, the DAR has been committed to ensuring that all patriots receive recognition.

With the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, these efforts have taken on added significance.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, established in 1890, focuses on historic preservation, education, and patriotism.

Since its inception, more than 1 million women have joined its ranks.

The organization was founded at a time when women were not permitted to join the Sons of the American Revolution, which was formed a year earlier.

Preservation efforts include discovering, documenting, and maintaining the gravesites of patriots buried in the area.

According to Robbin Christman, regent of the DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter, "We want to preserve the history of our area."

Education is also a key component, with members visiting local schools and participating in events like Constitution Week, an annual celebration signed into law in 1956 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Patriotism is demonstrated through various activities, including the Wreaths Across America sponsorship, which honors veterans by placing wreaths at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery and on the graves of Revolutionary War veterans in Wayne County.

It's noteworthy that the Wooster-Wayne Chapter is named after Gen. David Wooster and Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, for whom the city and county are also named.

It is the only chapter serving Wayne and Holmes counties, among nearly 100 chapters in Ohio and over 3,000 nationwide and worldwide.

Identifying all patriots is a challenging task, as many were buried on battlefields, family farms, or in cemeteries that no longer exist or lack records.

This past summer, the DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter held a Patriot Grave Marker Dedication at Grace Church in Dalton, honoring eight Revolutionary War patriots buried in Wayne County.

Among those commemorated were Simon Chaffin (1764-1837) of the Minutemen Massachusetts Militia, buried in East Union Cemetery; Ebenezer Coe (1736-1827), a lieutenant in Barr’s Ranger Detachment, buried in Dalton Union Cemetery; and John Davis II (1762-1856), a private in the Artillery Regiment PA Continental Militia, buried in Pleasant View Cemetery.

"This was the first dedication for patriots' markers in quite a few years," Christman noted.

"When a patriot is discovered and the research has been completed, we must go through the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for their approval on documentation that the individual is a proven patriot."

Jolene Dyer joined the DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter after discovering that many Revolutionary War veterans were buried in the area.

"I was totally caught off guard," Dyer said.

"I had never considered we had patriots here, and my curiosity was piqued."

As the chapter’s historic preservation chair, Dyer and her husband embarked on a six-year project to identify or confirm the graves of patriots.

Through their research, they confirmed 44 patriots buried in the county who served in the Revolutionary War, with 40 others believed to possibly be buried there.

"Research mentions there may have been as many as 7,000-8,000 patriots buried in Ohio," Dyer said.

"But many are believed to have been buried on family farms, initially marked with a field stone or a wooden marker, now long lost to time and weather."

Estimates place the number of American soldiers who fought in the Revolutionary War at close to 400,000.

In a perfect world, they’d all be accounted for sooner or later.

The world is not perfect, though, and the DAR is doing its best to fill in the blanks.

"You need to be aware of those with the same name living in the same general area and be able to distinguish between them," said Cheryl Abernathy, DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter registrar.

"One of the patriots in Wayne County could not be distinguished from another man of the same name, so we were not sure if it was the same one that ended up here."

It's not only about soldiers.

As Abernathy explained, that's only one criterion for being called a patriot.

"They could have been a spy, a public servant, or paid a supply tax," she said.

"Any of these qualify.

You just need to prove, with documentation, that they did these things."

Beyond documentation, the DAR cleans headstones, weeds grave sites if needed, and provides bronze Revolutionary War markers where they may be missing.

In Wayne County, the 44 headstones are in 30 different cemeteries spread over 15 townships.

Township trustees are contacted before any work is done.

Dyer reported that most headstones clean up well and just need to be sprayed off each spring.

Patriots whose headstones are broken or missing get new ones, or repairs are made with grant money and DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter funds.

Those interested in joining the DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter or one of the other 100 chapters around the state can do so, provided they are 18 and have provable lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.

Visit the DAR's official website and click Join.

In addition to these preservation efforts, the DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter is actively involved in community events.

On November 10, 2025, they co-hosted a free program at the Wayne County Historical Society featuring Kyle von Kamp, a Revolutionary War reenactor, presenting "Scruples — The George Washington Edition."

This interactive event allowed attendees to explore the personal and political moral dilemmas faced by George Washington, from the battlefield to the presidency.

Such events underscore the chapter's commitment to education and community engagement.

Through these dedicated efforts, the DAR Wooster-Wayne Chapter continues to honor the legacy of Revolutionary War veterans, ensuring their sacrifices are remembered and appreciated by future generations.