Grave marker dedicated to War of 1812 veteran in Ridgeway

The Craig Austin Rowley Chapter, Society of the War of 1812 in Texas and the John Cavet Chapter #39, United States Daughters of 1812 held a grave marker dedication ceremony Dec. 12 for Private James Young who served in Captain John Gordon’s Mounted Spies of the Tennessee Militia.  Chapter members were joined by representatives from the Hopkins County Genealogy Society and descendants of Private Young.  Around 20 people attended the patriotic service at the secluded cemetery near Ridgeway.  

James Young was born in Kentucky Aug. 28, 1790 to Henry Young and Sarah Pfeiffer and grew up in Maury County, Tenn. He enlisted in the Spy Corps at Ten Islands, Tenn. Sept. 24, 1813 and served in Capt. John Gordon's Company, Mounted Spies, Tennessee Militia. The unit served in the Creek War against the Red Sticks and in the Seminole War under the command of General Andrew Jackson.  The Red Sticks were a faction of the Creek from the Upper Towns, known for carrying war clubs that were painted red. They wished to continue observing traditional Creek culture and to no longer cede land to the United States. The Red Sticks were allied with the British against the Americans. 

Gordon’s spies were instrumental in gaining knowledge of the enemy’s numbers and position in the battles of Talladega and Horseshoe Bend and in the capture of Pensacola.  After serving primarily in Florida, James Young was honorably discharged at Huntsville, Ala. May 10, 1814. 

James Young married Margaret “Peggy” Jones in 1816. The couple moved from Tennessee to Illinois to Arkansas and finally to Texas in 1846.  By 1850, the family is found on the U.S. Census farming at Black Jack Grove in Hopkins County.  The children who accompanied them to Texas were Thomas J. Young, Sarah Clarissa Young Russell, James Jackson Young of Denton County, William Wesley Young, Henry Fletcher Young, and Dorinda Emily Young McIntire.

James died Feb. 16, 1856, and Peggy  died Jan. 4, 1880.  The couple is buried in Oakland Cemetery.  

The late Dr. Montie Monzingo of Sulphur Springs is credited with bringing the grave location and 1812 service of this patriot to the attention of the two societies, thus starting the effort to mark the grave.  

Master of Ceremonies for the event was Paul Ridenour, past president of the Craig Austin Rowley Chapter.  The invocation was given by Stephen Johnson, chaplain.  Pledges to the U. S. Flag, the Flag of the State of Texas and the 15-star U.S. flag, known as the “Flag of 1812” or the Star-Spangled Banner, followed.

Greetings were brought from the Society of the War of 1812 in Texas by state First Vice-President, Drake Peddie. Greetings from the United States Daughters of 1812 were brought by Librarian National, Ora Jane Johnson.

Chapter President Walter Thomas spoke about the importance of honoring those who served our country in all wars.

“We are here today…to fulfill a promise…a promise to never forget those who served…and to reaffirm our commitment to the principals…of what our Patriot ancestors sacrificed so much for,” Thomas said. “They were ordinary people…until they heard the call of duty and answered it. They left their families…their homes…and their lives…not for recognition or fame …or even the honors we bestow upon them today. They served to preserve the language of the time…and the language of the time was liberty.”

John Cavet Chapter President, Pat Thibodeau, talked about the highlights of America’s Second War of Independence, the War of 1812. 

Ms. Thibodeau stated “Congress declared war on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on June 18, 1812. The American navy engaged the British on the open seas, the coastline, on America’s inner waterways, and our Great Lakes. Army and militiamen faced the British and Native populations on the northern border, the western frontier, the eastern shores, in the streets of our Nation’s Capital, and on the banks of the Mississippi near New Orleans. For the second time in 30 years, the United States fought the world’s greatest military power, and we held our own.”

Charles Stephenson, president-elect of the CAR Chapter, talked about the purposes of the General Society of the War of 1812. He listed these purposes as, “The first is the collection and preservation of muster rolls, pay rolls, records and other documents of the War of 1812.  Second is the encouragement of research and the preservation of historical data and memorials to patriots of that era.Third is the caring for the graves of veterans of the War of 1812 as we are doing today for Isaac Nation. Fourth is the cherishing, maintenance and extension of the institution of American freedom. Fifth is the fostering of true patriotism and love of country.”

President Thibodeau talked about the U.S. Daughters of 1812 society, stating, “The U.S.D. 1812 is a volunteer women's service organization committed to teaching and emphasizing the heroic deeds of the civil, military and naval life of those who molded this country during our historic time period.  ”

Two society markers were unveiled, one from the Daughters of 1812 and one from the Sons.  Ms. Thibodeau noted that the Daughters’ marker “incorporates the Society’s insignia - a single star, resting upon an anchor, encircled with a narrow band – the Star of Hope upon the Anchor of Faith within the circle of Friendship.”  The markers had been prepared by Mr. Peddie and were placed at the grave by Mr. Ridenour and Mr. Thomas. 

A memorial wreath was presented by the ladies of the John Cavet Chapter. 

An honorary salute by volley was fired by the Color Guard under the leadership of Bob Kubin.  Those providing the salute were Drake Peddie, Walter Thomas, T. L. Holden and Stephen Johnson.

Persons interested in the two societies are invited to learn more about the United States Daughters of 1812, at www.usdaughters1812.org and about Society War of 1812 at gswar1812.org

Submitted by Ora Jane Johnson, Richardson, Texas