Revolutionary War veteran of Madison County to be honored Saturday
The gravesite and military service of a Revolutionary War veteran will be commemorated in a ceremony this Saturday, August 20, at 10 a.m. in the Eldridge-Powell Cemetery. The small cemetery is easily accessible and located just north of Bob Wade Lane in Madison County on West Ridge Dr.
The event will honor Patriot John Peyton Powell, who was a sergeant and later lieutenant in the 1st Regiment of the Virginia Continental Line. Patriot Powell was a first generation settler in north Alabama who arrived prior to statehood. He received a veteran’s pension beginning in 1828, while living in Madison County. He died in Madison County in 1844.
He served under Daniel Morgan for whom Morgan County Alabama is named. His pension application indicated that he had interaction with the future Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Marshall, during his military service. And, he was a participant in 1781 at the Siege of York/Yorktown, the final large battle which resulted in the British defeat and American independence.
The event is sponsored by the 200-member Tennessee Valley Chapter, National Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). This ceremony is a small element of a largescale project to locate, refurbish, and/or appropriately mark all of the gravesites of Revolutionary War Patriots in Madison, Morgan and Limestone counties. This project is an effort to remember America’s first veterans and is coordinated by SAR member, Benny Hannah. Completion of the entire project for all Revolutionary War Patriots is expected by July, 2026.
Several descendants of Patriot Powell are expected to be in attendance. Among them is the prominent veterinarian of Madison, Dr. Charles Whitworth. Representatives of other lineage groups, such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and Children of the American Revolution, will lay wreaths. There will also be a ceremonial firing of muskets by a group dressed in Revolutionary War military attire.
The event should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes.
For more information, contact either Jess Brown or Benny Hannah — Benny.harris.hannah@gmail.com or Jcbrown1951@gmail.com, 256 656 2486.
