Remembering Benjamin Burch, Revolutionary War Patriot
Remembering Benjamin Burch, Revolutionary War Patriot
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In honor of Manor House Chapter's 125th anniversary in 2023, the chapter undertook a project relating to Benjamin Burch, the Patriot Ancestor of our founding chapter regent, Mrs. Ballinger. We learned about Burch, who is buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Washington, D.C, cleaned and marked his grave, and created a lesson plan to share with local schools about Burch, grave-cleaning and memorials to our ancestors.
During the American Revolution, men from all over the 13 colonies took up arms to defend their liberty against tyranny from the monarchy overseas. Benjamin Burch was a resident of the colony of Maryland when the war began, and like many other men, he enlisted in the army to help win American indpenendence. Benjamin Burch served in the U.S. Army until November 1783. His service to his country did not end there. Once the war was one, a Congress was established, and Benjamin Burch served as the “Doorkeeper” of the United States. This meant, essentially, that he served as something between a receptionist and a security guard. He helped ensure that only people who were supposed to be accessing the members of Congress could enter the halls where they were meeting. He would also help keep order on the floor.
Was Benjamin Burch done with service to his country then? He was not. When war broke out with Britain (again) he also served in what would become known as The War of 1812. Benjamin Burch was married to his wife Rebecca for 48 years! They had at least four children: Martha, Mildred, Samuel, and Verlinda. Benjamin Burch died in 1832 at the age of 70 and was buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in NE Washington.
Download Our Lesson Plan
Download Our Lesson Plan
In honor of the chapter's 125th anniversary, we created a lesson plan about Burch, historical records like gravestones and pensions, and grave cleaning as a form of remembrance. This is built around serving middle and high schools, but a great learning opportunity for everyone.
Creating lesson plans for local schools is one way that DAR promotes education and connects schools with the amazing resources of our organization and members.
Chapter members cleaned the gravestone over several sessions in 2023 using D2 and traditional grave-cleaning methods. Seeing the inscription come through was a delight for members in attendance! This was the first time this grave had been cleaned in almost two decades.
Gravestone cleaning is something DAR often takes part in--brushing away the dirt, cleaning up the greenery, and scrubbing safely to ensure that the names, dates, and inscriptions relating to our past can endure for future generations.
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