This past Wednesday, 6 November, the Lima Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) rededicated a 70-year-old historic marker in Lima.
The marker was originally erected and dedicated by the Lima Chapter DAR on 7 November 1954 to mark the site of Lima’s first cemetery and the burial site of Revolutionary War Minuteman, Pvt. Elijah Stites. The plaque was mounted on the outer wall of what was then the Allen County Lumber Company warehouse, 220 North Central Avenue.
Historic marker dedication, 7 Nov 1954
After 70 years, the plaque had weathered and needed refinishing. The Lima Chapter DAR raised funds for the project and Classic Bronze Resources, Iowa, did the restoration work.
Plaque before restoration
Pvt. Elijah Stites (1758-1843) was born in Essex, New Jersey, and during the American Revolution he was a Minuteman in the Essex County Militia 1st Regiment. He was a color bearer at Yorktown when the British Army surrendered to George Washington on 19 October 1781. He was in the Battle of Monmouth, and he continued on as a soldier through 1788, stationed at Old Redstone Fort near Pittsburgh.
After the war, Pvt. Elijah Stites eventually made his way to Lima, where he died 6 January 1843.
Pvt. Elijah Stites was buried in Lima’s first burial ground, Tanner Street Cemetery, a public burial ground begun about 1832. The cemetery was located on the east edge of the young town, on Tanner Street, which is now Central Avenue.
By 1850, Tanner Street Cemetery was nearly full and new burials were forbidden. Families were asked to transfer the remains of their loved ones to a new cemetery a few blocks away.
However, not all the bodies were moved to the new location.
The body of Pvt. Elijah Stites was not disturbed. His body remained in the original burial ground.
By 1873, Tanner Street Cemetery was abandoned and in 1885 part of the property was sold for use as a lumberyard.
The cemetery was forgotten until 1919, when building excavations unearthed wooden coffins and human remains. There were no cemetery records and the remains could not be identified. The remains were left buried there and a building was erected over what was once Tanner Street Cemetery.
On 7 November 1954, the Lima Chapter DAR erected and dedicated the historic plaque to mark the burial place of Pvt. Elijah Stites and the site of Lima’s First Cemetery. The plaque was mounted on the outer wall of what was then the Allen County Lumber Company warehouse.
Late in 2023 the marker had to be removed from the building because of building renovations and the Lima Chapter began raising funds for the renovation process. The restored historical plaque:
The restored Lima DAR historical marker.
Some photos from Wednesday’s Plaque Rededication Ceremony:
The historical marker was covered before the ceremony.
DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024
A Minuteman:
DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024
Posting of the Colors:
DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024
OSDAR State Regent Susan Leininger:
Susan Leininger, OSDAR State Regent
Lima Mayor Sharetta Smith:
Sharetta Smith, Lima Mayor
County Commissioner Cory Noonan:
Cory Noonan, County Commissioner
Tim Jackson, of Charles Construction & Lima DAR Regent Lana Gerber:
Tim Jackson & Lima Regent Lana Gerber
The historical marker is unveiled:
DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024
DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024
A group photo:
DAR marker rededication, 6 Nov 2024
Appropriately, the historical marker rededication was less than a week before Veterans Day, next Monday.
Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day and was created to commemorate of the end of World War I. Fighting between the Allied Nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Armistice Day became a legal holiday on 11 November 1938, primarily to honor World War I veterans and dedicated to the cause of world peace. After World War II and the Korean War the name was changed to Veterans Day.
On 1 June 1954 Veterans Day became a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
To all veterans, thank you for your service to our country. We owe you so much.
1 comment
Karen thank you for sharing this. What to so many seem as small inconsequential moments in history need to be remembered and taught.
Above all a most heartfelt thank you to all our veterans present and past and the families and loved ones who supported them. We can never show our gratitude deeply enough.