Members of the United States Daughters of 1812, Colonial Dames 17th Century, Dardanelle Rock Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, General Society War of 1812, DeSoto Trace Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, and the Yell County Historical Society recently met at Mount Zion Cemetery in Briggsville to dedicate and mark the grave of War of 1812 veteran Pvt. George W. Ferguson.
Ferguson served in Capt. Edwin L. Gingle's Co., NC Militia. He received bounty land in Arkansas for his service and by 1855 settled here with his wife, Dovey Higgins, U.S.D. 1812 said in a news release.
The Russellville Courier Democrat reported on his death in June 1878: "Died on June 14th, 1878, at his residence in Yell County Arkansas, in his 95th year, Mr. G.W. Ferguson. The deceased left North Carolina in 1852, stopped two years in Mississippi and then came to Arkansas, since which time he has been a resident of Yell County Ark. He served in the War of 1812, and always enjoyed sound health, never having required a physician at his bedside until he was 52 years old."
This is the second grave marking in two weeks planned and coordinated by Baseline-Meridian U.S.D. 1812 Chapter President Pat McLemore. Attendees traveled from Stuttgart, Mount Ida, Hot Springs Village and Dardanelle and included three state societies' presidents: Jerrie Jones Townsend, U.S.D. 1812; Charles McLemore, SAR; and Pat McLemore who also is state president of CD17.
Assisting in the formal dedication were Wayne and Karen Shewmake, the McLemores, Bobbie and Dale Lovell, Gloria Craig, Julia Taylor and Sheila Beatty, U.S.D. 1812 State Markers chair.
"As Ferguson did, many Veterans of the War of 1812 settled in Arkansas due to receiving Bounty Land for their service. Over 6,000 Federal Bounty Land Grants were allotted in Arkansas and although most did not claim the land, or sold it, it is estimated more than 15% of the Veterans did," the release said.
