Living to be 105 seems like a difficult feat to accomplish today.
Imagine living over 140 years ago and fighting in the Revolutionary War, yet still living beyond 100 years.
That’s exactly what Solomon Davis, who’s buried in Springfield Township, did. The Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Springfield Historical Society honored Davis by rededicating his grave on August 6.
Davis, buried in the Davisburg Cemetery on Davisburg Road, received a new bronze grave marker recognizing his service in the war which earned this country’s independence.
‘It’s our intention not to let these patriots be forgotten. He’s been lying here for quite a few years. The grave has been marked, but the marker was taken. There was an SAR marker on the grave, but we wanted his name on there. We thought it was a little more appropriate,? said Gerald Burkland, president of the Michigan Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (MISSAR). ‘As Solomon Jones lies here we want him to be assured he’s in good hands.?
According to the speech given by Burkland of MISSAR, Davis was born in 1760 in Saybrook, Connecticut. He enlisted in the 6th Company of the Conneticut Militia under Captain Abyah Rowles in 1775 despite the age requirements of 16 to 60.
Eight of the regiments of the Connecticut Militia were taken into the Continental Army and Burkland said Jones appeared to have been stationed on Long Island Sound until Sept. 14, 1775. Long Island Sound was a key area to taking British ships and stopping the supply line. Jones was also brought to help get rid of the British in the Siege of Boston, said Burkland.
Burkland also said there exists suspicion that Jones served in the War of 1812, but no solid proof has been produced.
According to a press release for MISSAR, Jones came to Michigan in 1843 and located in Springfield. He lived in Groveland with his son Jesse for his last five years. Jones died in 1865 at 105 years of age.
At the ceremony, former Vice President General of the Great Lakes District of the Sons of the American Revolution Richard Steele spoke about the patriots of the American Revolution.
‘We only think of the patriots as all men. Fighters who signed an oath of allegiance and went to war. That’s not true. Men, women and children were all valuable,? said Steele.
Steele went on to explain how many militiamen depended on assistance from homes maintained by women during the war. He also pointed out the role of teen drummer boys and spies during the war.
Charlie Martinez, a board member of the Oakland County Historical Society, attended the rededication, but did not address the crowd.
‘Thirty-three percent of all the Revolutionary War dead from Michigan are buried in Oakland County,? said Martinez.
Also on hand were several members of the Springfield Historical Society, members of MISSAR, the Elias Cady Society of Children of the American Revolution from Waterford, Chaplain Reverend Hugh Fitch, VFW Color Guard from Post 63 of Clarkston, the MISSAR honor guard and several other interested people from the area.
In an interview prior to the event, Burkland said the MISSAR identified nearly 300 deceased veterans who served in the Revolutionary War. He estimated there to be an additional 1,200 war veterans who cannot be located in Michigan.
Burkland said the SAR has a nationwide membership of 28,000, with 300 statewide made up of proven descendants of those who were patriotic or fought during the Revolutionary War.
The Springfield Historical Society is still looking for decendants of Jones. They know he married his second wife, Hannah Friday, and had seven children: Chauncey, Daniel, Isaac, Timothy, Wealthy, Jesse and Polly.
Descendants of Solomon Jones are encouraged to contact the Historical Society at 248-634-3208.