Gen. Aaron Ward (1790-1867)

Gen. Aaron Ward (1790-1867). Lawyer, Military Leader and Congressman. Aaron Ward led an exemplary life of service that began at home in Sing Sing (Ossining), where he was one of six children born to settlers Colonel Moses Ward (1753-1812) and his wife Ann Sherwood Ward. Aaron followed his father's example in military service; he was appointed lieutenant in the 29th Infantry at the beginning of the War of 18 12 and was promoted to captain. He completed his military career as Major General of the New York State Militia 2nd Division at Mount Pleasant from 1835 to 1853. , Ward began his law practice in Sing Sing about 1820. In 1821 he served as Westchester County District Attorney before election to Congress for six terms over the years from 1825 to 1843. He served as trustee of Mount Pleasant Military Academy, and was the first president of Dale Cemetery in 1851. A world traveler, he chronicled his journeys through Europe, Egypt and the Holy Lands in Around the Pyramids (1863). , His personal life was prolific as well. Ward married Mary Watson in 1820, and together they had 10 daughters and one son. A large family required a large home. In 1835 he commissioned Careswell, a mansion on South Highland Avenue built of Sing Sing marble quarried at the state prison. The building stood until about 1940 when, despite the efforts of his great granddaughter Virginia Larkin Redway, the home was demolished to build an addition to Ossining High School. Many of Ward's descendants are here in this cemetery, and since descent was through his daughters, his legacy includes the well-known Ossining family names of Borup, Brandreth, Hyatt, Kane, Larkin, Potter and Todd.