New Initiative to Honor
William Eckerson, Civil War Solider
Hey Relatives and
Descendants of Schoharie Valley and the Eckerson Family -- I was sent a
wonderful article (Times Journal, enclosed) about some really neat happenings up
to the Stone Fort -- they are putting up a monument to honor the Civil War
Soldiers of Schoharie County. This monument will be "to the right of the Fort,
alongside the World War and Vietnam monument. Cherry Valley Memorials is
producing the monument and pavers.". According to the article "Pavers,
inscribed as a fundraising project, will be in front of the monument to form a
“Tribute Walk” flanked by two cannons". Our ancestor William Eckerson Jr. is
listed on that monument (he's also on a monument in Gettysburg at Little
Roundtop). What is especially neat for us, is that William Eckerson is
Thelma's great uncle (he was also in an elite combat Corp known as Ellsworth's
Avengers. I have a huge chapter about him in the Eckerson Book I'm working on).
But there is more -- if you go to the Stone Fort now and you're walking up -
just above the door, slightly to the right is "John Eckerson in favor of the
grounds" -- that is our John Eckerson and that is William Eckerson Jrs.
great-grandfather! So this is a Very Eckerson Event!
For my Eckerson/Gras(s) family who are on my reunion email list: In an
effort to support the cost of this effort, they are soliciting to purchase the
pavers that I've described above. I was asked to see if there is interest in
collecting for a paver and I am most certainly very, very enthusiastic and
willing to spearhead this effort. You can also buy an individual paver and they
run $60 for the small one and $100 for the larger one. I would like to
purchase at least one large paver that says "In Honor of the Eckerson Family" or
"In Memory of William Eckerson Jr" or I am open to suggestions. I will
financially back at least one large paver. If the collection is big enough, I
will support the balance of whatever I collect to arrange for the number of
pavers we can support. For instance, if I collect $75 for a paver, I'll pick up
$25 for a large paver. If I get $150, I will kick in $50 to pick up two pavers.
I will round up to the cost of the next paver.
Statistically, William Eckerson, Jr. beat all odds, surviving to early June 1864,
just after his 29th year. He'd been captured and injured several times
during the way and saw some of the ugliest fighting of the war in Gettysburg.
He's buried in Richmond; I've been there to honor him. He was an Ellsworth's
Avenger and I am very proud of that. His youngest brother, Henry David was five
when he left for the war. That's three degrees of separation, my friends. ;-)
The monument will be dedicated on May 30th, Memorial Day. As Mr. Sherman
explains, "Those people paid an incredible price. We're proud to do
this."* -- So are we Mr. Sherman!
*Printed Article View http://www.timesjournalonline.com/printdetails.asp?id=50418
I attach the monument information, the timesjournal article and the front and
back of the monument as proposed and the monument/paver information. If you are
interested in donating, please do let me know. The event will be held May 30th.
This is the link that started it all:
http://www.timesjournalonline.
;-)
Cindy