Look Back: Conclusion of Revolutionary War patriots buried in Wood County
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Joseph Spencer -- Dr. Joseph Spencer was born in Conn. in 1750. During the Revolution Dr. Spencer held the title of surgeon. In 1794 Spencer purchased a large tract of land which would become the City of Vienna. He married Deborah Seldon to whom eleven children were born. He died at his home at Vienna in 1824 and is buried there in what is known as Spencer Memorial Park.
Jonathan Sheppard -- Born about 1760 in Hampshire County, Va. He enlisted in 1775 and served until the end of the war. In 1786 he married Martha C. Wilson, they had 11 children. Following his service the family ended up in Reedy, near Palestine, WV. Where he died in 1825, and was buried in the Sheppard graveyard, not far from where his cabin once stood.
Philip Wigal -- Wigal was born in Germany about 1757. After coming to this country he settled in Pennsylvania, coming to Wood County in 1799. During the Revolution he served as a private in the 13th Pennsylvania Regiment. He died about 1815. His burial site is uncertain but thought to be in the Wigal Cemetery.
Other patriots thought to have been interred in Wood County, whose burial sites are not known are: Samuel Bell, William Congrove, Adam Deem, Philip Dilts (Dils), Johnathon Enoch, James Gillispie, John Gillespie, James Holder, Frances Keller, George Leach, Thomas Leach, Richard Nichols, Derrick Pennybacker, Arch Robinson, John Sheets and John Spencer.
In addition to the scores of patriots buried at the Mound Cemetery in Marietta, there are nearly a score of patriots buried at the Cedarville Cemetery near the Ohio River in Belpre, Ohio.
The Signers of The Declaration of Independence, (from The Parkersburg Weekly Sentinel, June 24, 1876).
The following facts respecting the personality of the illustrious men who imperiled their property, their liberty and their lives by attaching their signatures to that instrument which established our national independence will be read with interest as the centennial anniversary of the day which witnessed the act is commemorated.
The thirteen States then comprising the American Colonies were represented in the assemblage that passed the measure by fifty-one members. Thirty-seven enjoyed the benefits of collegiate training; twenty were lawyers; four were physicians; five were clergymen; three were farmers and the remainder were engaged in various mercantile pursuits, except Roger Sherman, the shoemaker, and Benjamin Franklin, who boasted of being a printer, yet was a statesman and a philosopher. Benjamin Franklin was the oldest among the members and Edward Rutledge the youngest. Robert Morris was the most opulent and was the financier of the administration, negotiating extensive loans for the use of the Government upon his personal credit. He died in prison, having been incarcerated for a debt; a beautiful commentary on those laws that made no discrimination between the honest but unfortunate debtor and the convicted felon. Samuel Adams was the most needy; his impoverished condition being well known. The management of his pecuniary affairs made it necessary for him to seek a burial at the public expense. Josiah Bartlett was the first to vote for the measure, and first after President [of the Continental Congress] Hancock to sign the document. Two of the number, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, were subsequently Presidents. It is a remarkable fact that these two men, having been Presidents, associated on the committee that framed the Declaration of Independence and the first recognized leaders of two great political factions of our country, died on the same day, the 4th of July 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the day upon which they had contributed so much to the welfare of their countrymen. Charles Carroll was the only member that added his place of residence, and the reason for its being done in this instance is somewhat peculiar. The patriots that formed that convention knew full well that by their actions on that day they hazarded their lives. When Carroll was signing, someone near him remarked, "He will get off; there are so many Carrolls they will not know which one to take." "Not so," he replied, and immediately added, "of Carrollton." He lived to see all the memorable men with whom he acted on that eventful day pass away, and enjoyed the prosperity of his country until 1832, when he died in his ninety-fifth year.
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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.