Whitewater in Walworth County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Revolutionary War Veterans
Born August 24, 1760, in Middleborough, Massachusetts, Eli Pierce enlisted April 13, 1776, and served six months in Col. Christopher Lippett's Rhode Island "Minute Men" Regiment. He reenlisted on May 1, 1777, and served three more years in Col. Thomas Marshall's Massachusetts Regiment. Along with 13,000 other troops, Pierce fought in the Battle of Monmouth, the Revolutionary War's biggest one-day conflict, on June 28, 1778. He was discharged April 3, 1780.
At age 37, Eli married Polly Lyon, from Woodford, Vermont, on April 28, 1798. Together they had ten children. In 1847, Eli and family relocated here from upstate New York. Eli died December 26, 1852.
Born October 25, 1751, in Connecticut, Israel Ferris enlisted November 18, 1776, in Lt. Col. Jonathan Mead's Ninth Connecticut Militia. He served nearly two months under General David Wooster at "Saw Pits" now Port Chester, New York, where both armies often fought for the nearby port. Israel was discharged January 11, 1777.
In 1774, Ferris married Ruth Mead, born March 27, 1757, in Greenwich, Connecticut. Together they had thirteen children. Ruth died in 1827 in Milo, New York. Afterwards, Ferris moved to Whitewater with his second wife, Mary, and his son Thompson. Israel died January 2, 1844.
Erected 2007 by the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution, the Whitewater Historical Society, the American Legion Post 173, VFW Post 5470, Fort Atkinson-Eli Pierce Chapter NSDAR, and Carol Pierce Calkins. (Marker Number 512.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is January 11, 1856.
Location. 42° 50.034′ N, 88° 43.443′ W. Marker is in Whitewater, Wisconsin, in Walworth County. Marker is at the intersection of East Main Street and North Wakely Street, on the left when traveling east on East Main Street. The marker is in the Oak Grove Cemetery, which is fenced and locked, with a key available at the Hillside Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Whitewater WI 53190, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Whitewater Historical Society Depot Museum (approx. half a mile away); Whitewater Passenger Depot (approx. half a mile away); Stone Stable (approx. half a mile away); Lincoln Hill (approx. 4.9 miles away); Black Hawk War Encampment (approx. 6.2 miles away); Fort Koshkonong (approx. 8.4 miles away); Panther Intaglio (approx. 9.1 miles away); Cushman Mills Area (approx. 9.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Whitewater.
Additional commentary.
1. Ruth Mead Ferris
Ruth Mead Ferris was the daughter of Jonathan Mead, Lt in Capt. Ebenezer Husted and James Talmadge company, and Sarah Thompson Mead. Jonathan and Sarah are buried in Plasterville Cemetery, near North Norwich, NY.
Ruth was born and was married in Dutchess County NY. See North Norwich, Early Settlements in the History of Madison and Chenango Counties.
— Submitted March 30, 2012, by Hazel Mead Richmond of Gaithersburg, MD.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 17, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,598 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 17, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on February 14, 2012, by Kathleen Taylor of Toledo, Ohio. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 17, 2011, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.