FROM ALLEN HERROD
GEN JOHN ARCHER ELMORE CHAPTER, SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Revolutionary War Patriot Private Walter Filmore Ross, Sr. was honored at a recent service with a grave marking by the Gen. John Archer Elmore Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution. The dedication service was conducted at the Ross Cemetery in Deatsville on 23 October 2021.
Representatives from numerous patriotic organizations also participated in the service. The Color Guard and Honor Guard were dressed in period uniforms. Floral tributes included wreaths from the General John Archer Elmore Chapter of the SAR, and three Daughters of the American Revolution chapters; Peter Forney Chapter DAR, Captain William Bibb Chapter DAR and the Atagi Chapter DAR.
Welcome was given by former ALSSAR State President and General John Archer Elmore Chapter member William O. Stone with the invocation given by family member Kenneth Garner.
Elmore County Commissioner, Bart Mercer, and Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution Vice President, Bill Daniels were special guests and gave tribute during the event.
Family member David Garner presented the family history of Walter Filmore Ross, Sr. before the unveiling of the marker presented by the General John Archer Elmore Chapter. The headstone was placed by family member Tammy Gregg during the previous year.
The grave stone was marked with a distinctive bronze marker which depicts the familiar Continental soldier with his musket, ready to defend his country. The marker consists of four arms and eight points, each point being decorated with a gold head.
The source of the cross is the ancient chivalric Order of St. Louis. The cross is connected with a circular laurel wreath, a Napoleonic symbol recognizing faithful service and merit. The year 1775 is inscribed at the base – the year the “shot heard round the world” was fired at Lexington Green, Massachusetts. An American flag was appropriately placed at the rear of the marker.
Walter Ross was born in Caroline County, Virginia before he moved to North Carolina. He was drafted into the army in the Fall of 1777 or 1778 and served 3 months under Lt. John Jarman, Capt. George Wilson & Col. Thomas Wade who was the highest commanding officer in Anson County, North Carolina.
He served on two other occasions later during the war as a scout under the command of Capt. John DeJarnett scouting the Tories, serving three months each time. He was frequently ordered to enter Cumberland and Robeson County and several times into South Carolina in the vicinity of Lynches Creek.
He scouted with a man by the name of Thomas Douglass and ordered by Col. Wade to make stoves for the use of the Army, which duty they performed, and also to carry letters to Capt. McNeill in Cumberland County.
He was sent to Marlborough District in South Carolina after a load of leather. He was never attached to a larger Army regiment. He was engaged in small skirmishes with the Tories but never fought in any major battles. He never received a written discharge.
Margaret Williams Ross filed for her bounty and land entitlement as the widow of a Revolutionary War Pensioner and that she married Walter Ross on July 10, 1790. Walter Ross died October 25, 1848 and to this marriage, they had the following children: Betsey, William, John, Andrew, Nancey, Galespie, Francis and Catherine Ross.
He was pensioned at a rate of $30 per annum commencing March 4, 1831 for service as a private in North Carolina militia. His widow was pensioned in a like amount.
After the benediction from GJAE chapter member, Alan Davis, the colors were retired by the ALSSAR Color Guard. A musket salute presented by the ALSSAR Honor Guard to honor Private Walter Ross, Sr. whose voice has long been silent. Drum and Taps provided by Travis Parker.
Over 200 years have passed since the Revolutionary War Patriots were successful in their fight for independence from Great Britain.
The Sons of the American Revolution is an organization whose members carry out patriotic, historical and educational activities to perpetuate the memory and sacrifices of their ancestors who fought or aided in the American Revolution. One ongoing program is to locate and mark the final resting place of those who participated in the struggle for freedom.
Any information which will assist in this program or inquiries about membership in the Sons of the American Revolution should be directed to Earl Gillian or email pbpossum99@aol.com.
