Bailey Anderson, Sr
MARKING A HERO
Event: Revolutionary War Veteran's GraveReceives A Marker During Ceremony
by Robin Y. Richardson
Marshall News Messenger
Sunday - October 26, 2003
(Note: Bailey Anderson, Sr., the soldier featured at the ceremony, has had many generations of descendents living in Panola County)
After viewing the movie "the Patriot," Peggy Nader, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a descendant of a Revolutionary Patriot, was awestruck.
"It impressed me," she said. "I had a Revolutionary soldier so close who wasn't being recognized and he needed to be."
The movie starring Mel Gibson, whose character lost two sons in the Revolutionary War, depicts the rough times for families throughout that period. The families sacrificed their homes and fortunes while soldiers fought for America's freedom.
Because of this, Ms. Nader, with the help of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Longview and East Texas Sons of the American Revolutionary Chapter No. 57 of Longview, decided to honor and preserve the history of her relative, Revolutionary War patriot Bailey Anderson, Sr. whose grave is in Elysian Fields.
After a year of planning, the entities hosted a dedication and grave marking ceremony Saturday for Anderson, who served approximately two years in the war.
More than 50 Revolutionary War patriots have been identified as being buried in Texas. Today, 19 of those graves are still identifiable, according to Gary D. Fletcher, president-elect of the East Texas Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolutionary War.
"The rest have been lost to rivers changing course, weather, farming or vandalism," he said. "It's important to mark the existing graves of patriots, document them and preserve them.
"In remembering the past, we honor the men and women who gave their lives for the preservation of our freedom and future," said Harry M. Fife, District 10 vice president of the Texas Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, during the dedication.
Because of this, relatives of Anderson, some of whom weren't familiar with him or his gravesite location, traveled from as far as Colorado to honor the man whose "heroic sacrifices aided and advanced the cause of independence."
For years, Guy Anderson, Sr. said he always heard something about his relative living in a tree house.
While listening to the biography of the war patriot, he realized "it's the real deal now."
The dedication also answered a lot of questions Anderson said he had about the man.
"It was very impressing," he said. "I learned a lot."
Anderson's wife, Ailsa, said it was very exciting. She agrees with the woman on the bus ride to the gravesite that said, "We have a responsibility to remember these people, because without their sacrifices, we wouldn't have a country to come to."
"You don't think of that as you go through your everyday busy lives," Mrs. Anderson said, adding that you should.
The patriot's descendent Sherry McFadden-Hitt thought the dedication was "wonderful."
Ms. McFadden-Hitt, a seventh generation descendent, said she lives about 25 miles away from the gravesite and never knew it was there until she was given directions about five years ago.
"I made it this summer," she added, noting that it wasn't hard to find because of the three big oak trees shading the site.
Claire Anderson, an eighth generation descendent who traveled from Dallas, said she didn't know her roots traced back that far.
She also thought it was exicting to "be able to go back and look at what they (war patriots) did and get in touch with other relatives."
Mary Riley Richardson, a seventh generation descendent who attended with her husband Delbert Richardson, traveled from Shreveport, La.
Mazie Pyle, a sixth generation descendent of Anderson, came from Logansport, La. To attend.
Tom Timmons, a great-great-great-grandson of Anderson, Sr. gave the history of his great-great-great grandfather.
Anderson was born Nov. 13, 1753 in Virginia and was the eldest of John and Sarah Anderson. He served in the Battle of Musgrove's Mills, Black Stocks, Ninety Six and the Siege of Augusta. In his baggage he always carried an ax and ammunition.
After the Revolutionary War, he moved his family to Kentucky and then to Indiana. In 1818 he moved to Texas.
"His wife died on the trip." Timmons said. "She was buried on the banks of the Mississippi River."
In August of 1832, Anderson fought in the Battle of Nacogdoches during the Texas Revolution and in December 1835 he fought in the Battle of Bexar. Anderson, who was a warrior for both the United States and Texas, died Aug. 1, 1840 at age 86. His great-great grandson, which is Timmons great-grandfather, Hampton Anderson, is buried next to him.
"This marker her today is a befitting tribute to the old pioneer," Timmons said of Bailey Anderson, Sr.