America's 250th: The Semiquincentennial Anniversary of American Independence

On July 4, 2026, we will be celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. As we approach this date, it is a momentous opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey of our nation. This is not only a commemoration of a date in our history; it is a celebration of the enduring principles of freedom, democracy, and equality that has shaped our nation's identity. This anniversary allows us to honor and revisit the vision of our Founding Fathers who laid the groundwork for this nation built on the ideals of justice and liberty.
The Gardiner Summer Student Semiquincentennial Fellowship is designed to help students work with local/town historians in preparation for the 250 Anniversary of the American Revolution.
This summer of 2024, distinguished Professor of History Michael Leroy Oberg of SUNY Geneseo chose Jeanne Mest from the Sheldon Historical Society and Canisius University student, Emma Johnson to work together in preparing for this anniversary. Emma prepared a display in the Schoolhouse Museum about the Revolutionary War and Sheldon's soldiers buried at the Strykersville Pioneer Cemetery. She continued to work on various projects for the summer.​
To learn more about the Gardiner Foundation Semiquincentennial Summer Fellowship Program:
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This page was created by Emma Johnson and is dedicated to Sheldon's history of it's Revolutionary War soldiers who are laid to rest in surrounding cemeteries and their stories.

Strykersville Pioneer Cemetery



Omri Warner

Service: Enlisted August 1777 and served for 8 months, enlisted May 1778 for 9 months, and enlisted March 1780 serving alternately with his brother, Levi until Levi died.
Private in Massachusetts Continental Regt. 1777-1778 under Capt. Stone, Col. Brewer's Regt.
Jacob Turner
Born 1757
Died 1820
Married to Sally
3 children
Rev. War marker placed in cemetery, Private in NY Regiment, served in NY unit
Said to have helped build the first sawmill in 1814 Him and sons settled in Town of Aurora (Wales) before 1808 and built the first mills in what is today town of Wales
Built the 1st frame house in Wales
Service: Private in NY Unit

Samuel Kelsey

Service: Pensioned for his service as a private in the Connecticut Militia.
Enlisted in May 1775 with cousin John Stanclift in Capt. Griswold's company under Co. Himan.
Marched to Albany, then to Crown Point where they stayed through the summer.
In fall, went by water through Lake Champlain under the command of General Schuyler to Island Ore, then under General Montgomery and took St. Johns after a siege of 6 weeks.
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Born March 30, 1756 in New Hartford, Litchfield Co., CT
Died January 28, 1838
Married to Betty Hollister, also buried in Pioneer Cemetery
Early settler in Strykersville, tombstone has not been found, while Betty is still visible
(John) Jacob Franciseus
Service: Served from Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania, applied and received a pension while a resident of Erie County


Humphrey's Hollow Cemetery


Jared Barber

Born February 29, 1764 in Simsbury, CT
Died July 23, 1826 in Sheldon, NY
Married to Eunice Bissell
2 Children
A Farmer
Service: Enlisted in Simsbury, CT as a member of the 3rd Company of the 18th Regt. He is said to have held the inkstand while George Washington signed the order of execution of Major Andre. His father, Daniel Barber, also served in the Revolutionary War

Joseph Dodge
Born around 1752, possibly born in England Died January 12, 1835 at the age of 82 years old Married to Elizabeth Flowers, also buried in Humphrey Hollow 6 children Farmer Service: served in the Lexington Alarm in 1775 as a private in the CT line

Varysburg Village Cemetery


John M. Coughran
Born 1763
Died 1814
Married to Betsey Moore, also buried in Varysburg Village Cemetery
10 Children
Service: Unknown, his name appears on the records of the Vermont Militia
Both his parents are buried here as well, James and Agnes

David Hoard

Born July 4, 1758 in Scituate, Rhode Island
Died June 16, 1804- one has shared the idea that he had died June 20, 1805 of bilious fever while pioneer accounts say that he was killed in a falling tree incident
Married to Lydia Gates, reninterred from farm to here
4 children
Service: First entered service at Little Hoosick, Albany Co. (now Renessaler), NY in April 1776 with Co. Wynkoop’s NY Regulars for 9 monthsMarched to Ticonderoga in Spring 1777 for 6 months and 17 days with Capt. Harrison’s Regt. and was engaged in Indian Scouting serving 9 months called out with the militia in 1778 with Lt. Hubbs and marched to Stillwater, serving for 15 daysEnlisted again in Captain Chipmary Company in Co. Harper’s Regt. of Militia for 9 months in company and regiment and served at Fort Arns as a scout at Palmyra Station and Schenectady and closed his service at Fort Stanwix and he served in said company and regiment for 9 months as a private soldier His widow recieved a pension
Came to Sheldon in March 1804
Ivory Luce
Born October 21, 1756 in Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Died February 10, 1847 at 90 years old
Married to Mary Look (1st wife) but buried next to 2nd wife, Sabra
12 children with 1st wife- 14 children total?
A farmer
Service: At Hartland, VT, May 1777 he volunteered in the Vermont State Militia under Lt. Jonathan Barke/Burke, Col. Olcott’s Regt. and marched to Ticonderoga and remained there until the fort was surrendered to Burgoyne. In October 1778, he again volunteered under Capt. Elias Wells and marched to Royalton, VT in pursuit of the Indians but returned home in about 2 weeks. In June 1779, volunteered under Capt, Safford and served as a scout and to protect the inhabitants in the neighborhood of Royalton, VT. Soon after Royalton was burned he was discharged and returned home to Hartland, VT and eventually was pensioned.

Frinks Corners


James R. Case
Born April 2, 1744 in CT
Died January 7, 1822
Married to 1st wife, Phebe Tuller, then 2nd wife Lydia A. Case
He had 3 children with 1st wife then 12 with 2nd wife
Service: Widow applied for a pension February 17, 1845 as resident of Wyoming County, NY but was rejected for failure to provide proof of service in the Connecticut Line. According to his DAR, he served as a LT. in Capt. Nathaniel Wood’s Co., Col. John Ashley’s regt.- entered service in October 15, 1781 and was discharged on October 26, 1781. Again he served for 11 days - marched from London (now, Otis, MA) to Stillwater on an alarm. It is believed he came to Sheldon prior to 1820 to reside with his son, James R. Case Jr., and nephews Fithen Case and Jasper Case. They settled in the area of Humphrey Hollow, Town of Sheldon, along with family members of his sister Betty Case, who married to John Barber.
William Mann
Born 1764 in Blanford, MA
Died in Sheldon, March 20, 1841 at 77 years old
Married to Rebecca Larcom, died here as well
7 children
A farmer
Service: Pension- granted for Pvt. Mass. Line
Enlisted for 3 years in Capt. Ely Smith’s company under Col. Tupper and was honorably discharged in 1783
Lemanuel Chipman
Born July 25, 1754 in Salisbury, CT
Died April 28, 1831 in Sheldon (reported by local news accounts)
Married to Asenath Jesina in 1789 children
A physician
Service: Assistant Surgeon in the Continental Army at the Battle of Bennington
Was a member of the VT. State Constitutional Convention; Judge for the Rutland Co. Vermont for 8 years. In November 1792 elected as a presidential elector for the State of Vermont; Town Supervisor of Pittstown, Ontario Co., NY; April 1800 elected to represent Ontario Co. NY in the NY Legislature; elected Judge of Ontario Co. NY in 1803 with Oliver Phelps purchased all the land that is today the Town of Sheldon and in 1807 bought out his partner and thereafter controlled much of the Town of Sheldon

Thomas Cemetery

Lodowick Thomas/ Ludwick P.J.
Born about 1762 in Rhode Island
Died June 6, 1848 at 86 years old in Sheldon
Married to Esther Gates
7 children
A farmer
Service: enlisted as a private in the New York Militia; his name in on a return of prisoners sent from the province of Quebec November 8, 1782 by sea to Boston
His nephew was Col. William Vary who Varysburg, Town of Sheldon, is named after.