Central Arkansan Ties to War That Won the Nation Independence
By: Josh Berry
Updated: July 4, 2012
The freedom we celebrate Wednesday, the Fourth of July is all thanks to the actions of the people who serve and have served our country in war. That dates all the way back to the 1700s.
But the day has a different meaning for those with ties back to the war that won us independence.
One west Little Rock woman has a 5th great grandfather who was held captive and shipped in a barrel across the Atlantic, then served our nation during the Revolutionary War.
It turns out though, she's not the only one with ties like this.
"There are a lot of us out there," said Frances Jernigan. "And probably more than even know that they are."
When we set out to find someone with a story like her's to tell, it turned out a lot easier than we thought.
We found a whole organization, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), dedicated to preserving history and remembering those that fought to provide our freedom.
There's thousands everywhere, and right here in Arkansas.
"There's one in Jacksonville, one in North Little Rock, two over here (Little Rock)," Jernigan explained. "It's just a neat group of women who really care about preserving our history."
They've even left their mark at the oldest cemetery in Little Rock, Mount Holly Cemetery. Beneath a symbol of American freedom lays a marker, remembering one soldier, once buried in Little Rock. DAR helped donate the marker.
The catch to be a member: a family tie to the Revolutionary War. Apparently if you have one, you've got a lot.
"Well I have about 8 or 9 honestly," Jernigan said.
The one that she knows the best, Captain Matthew McCauley. He's her closest tie. Capt. McCauley is her, count them: great, great, great, great, great grandfather.
The British didn't particularly didn't like him. He had a price on his head by the Crown.
While he was a Captain, not all members in DAR have those kinds of direct ties.
Jernigan explained, "You could just be a good patriot who believed in America's fight for independence so, this a special day to me for that reason."
It's a special day for all families who have any tie to someone still fighting for our freedom.
"Families have always suffered in war, we know that but... I think it's, it's a day we ought not to take for granted."
There's bits of history everywhere in Central Arkansas. From the marker at Mount Holly Cemetery on Broadway to the cemetery in Jacksonville that has a grave of another person that played a role in the Revolutionary War, who also helped settle the Arkansas territory, you don't have to look far.
But the day has a different meaning for those with ties back to the war that won us independence.
One west Little Rock woman has a 5th great grandfather who was held captive and shipped in a barrel across the Atlantic, then served our nation during the Revolutionary War.
It turns out though, she's not the only one with ties like this.
"There are a lot of us out there," said Frances Jernigan. "And probably more than even know that they are."
When we set out to find someone with a story like her's to tell, it turned out a lot easier than we thought.
We found a whole organization, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), dedicated to preserving history and remembering those that fought to provide our freedom.
There's thousands everywhere, and right here in Arkansas.
"There's one in Jacksonville, one in North Little Rock, two over here (Little Rock)," Jernigan explained. "It's just a neat group of women who really care about preserving our history."
They've even left their mark at the oldest cemetery in Little Rock, Mount Holly Cemetery. Beneath a symbol of American freedom lays a marker, remembering one soldier, once buried in Little Rock. DAR helped donate the marker.
The catch to be a member: a family tie to the Revolutionary War. Apparently if you have one, you've got a lot.
"Well I have about 8 or 9 honestly," Jernigan said.
The one that she knows the best, Captain Matthew McCauley. He's her closest tie. Capt. McCauley is her, count them: great, great, great, great, great grandfather.
The British didn't particularly didn't like him. He had a price on his head by the Crown.
While he was a Captain, not all members in DAR have those kinds of direct ties.
Jernigan explained, "You could just be a good patriot who believed in America's fight for independence so, this a special day to me for that reason."
It's a special day for all families who have any tie to someone still fighting for our freedom.
"Families have always suffered in war, we know that but... I think it's, it's a day we ought not to take for granted."
There's bits of history everywhere in Central Arkansas. From the marker at Mount Holly Cemetery on Broadway to the cemetery in Jacksonville that has a grave of another person that played a role in the Revolutionary War, who also helped settle the Arkansas territory, you don't have to look far.
