Near Ray in Steuben County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The Unknown Potawatomi
The Potawatomis' met the Scottish Covenanters on these lands in the middle 1830's. The northeast Indiana Covenanters and Potawatomis were extremely good friends. The Covenanter religion did not acknowledge the U.S. Constituton at the time due to the issue of abolition. The Northeast Indiana Covenanters felt all men were created equal. Billy Beaks, who lies in this cemetery, was a black member of their church and was fondly thought of by everyone in the settlement. Billy Beaks is buried Southeast of this marker. We dedicate here today the re-burial of the Unknown Potawatomi on a site overlooking the valley between this cemetery and the John Duguid homestead where once stood a log cabin.
The burial today is symbolic of the fact that no tomb or final resting place should ever be violated. The eulogy of the unknown Potawatomi was given by Chief N'swe Mak Ek, a Potawatomi Chief and Shup She Wana, a Potawatomi medicine man, sanctified this burial. Lee Duguid was present as elder statesmen to represent the Covenanter Church and Lynn Munger, acting as Master of Ceremony, was present for the occasion, The Girl and Boy Scouts, Brownies and Cub Scouts, among other guests were present to teach the valuable lesson that all people should be permitted to rest in peace, their spirit permitted to roam this land as they once did in previous generations.
Erected 1989.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is October 14, 1989.
Location. 41° 45.232′ N, 84° 51.638′ W. Marker is near Ray, Indiana, in Steuben County. Marker is on West Cora Lane (Local Road N700E) near Local Road E750N, on the right when traveling south. The marker is on the grounds of the Covenanter Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 750 W Cora Ln, Fremont IN 46737, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Beth Hadene (Tredway) McNaughton (a few steps from this marker); The Historical Marker Of Theodore McNaughton (a few steps from this marker); The Kenneth And George Johnson Plot (within shouting distance of this marker); Indiana's Northern Boundary Line (approx. 2 miles away); The Vistula Road (approx. 3.8 miles away); Steven A. Vaughn House (approx. 3.9 miles away); Michael-Sullins House (approx. 4 miles away); Fremont Indiana (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ray.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 329 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on May 4, 2023, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 26, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.