By Judy Seifert
(Contact / Staff Bio)
May 2, 2009 - 01:39 p.m. EST
MILLINGTON — Hundreds are expected to gather at an upcoming ceremony to honor forgotten Revolutionary War patriot Nathaniel Blackmer.
Buried at Richfield Union Cemetery in Richfield Township, Blackmer served his country 228 years ago.
“These are the veterans we’re searching for,” said Gerald Burkland, a member of the Michigan Society of The Sons of The American Revolution. “We know that approximately 1,400 patriots are buried in Michigan, but to date we’ve only identified around 350. But the search is important and the search goes on.”
Burkland said family members are expected to attend the service. “There are a large number in the area and several are flying in from out of state to attend. I think that’s just wonderful,” Burkland added.
Born in Massachusetts in 1763, Nathaniel Blackmer was 17 years old when he joined the Massachusetts Continental Line. He served between August 1780 and May 1781.
In 1787, he married Aurilla Limekins. The couple and their six children moved to New Hampshire, western New York, Canada and eventually, Michigan. Around 1830, the family settled in Richfield Township, their farm is located at Coldwater and Irish Roads in Russellville.
“The family’s research helped us track down the graves,” Burkland explained. “His name was found on a rejected pension list in Genesee County’s Circuit Court. Eventually, the family was able to prove that he had fought in the war and the pension rights were reinstated.”
Researching family histories can take months, even years of hard work, he explained. It was research conducted by Richard Bucknam, a descendant of the Blackmer family, that got the ball rolling.
“Jeff Carmean of Columbiaville, also a descendant, was and is extremely helpful in getting this all organized. We can’t do it without the help of the family,” Burkland added.
Also involved in the upcoming service are members of the Genesee County Daughters of The American Revolution, members of the Elias Cady Chapter of the CAR, American Legion Posts 63 and 267, and VFW Post 4087. Burkland said the Flint Scottish Pipe Band will attend and perform as well.
The service begins at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 3, at the cemetery. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend.
“The public is entirely welcome,” Burkland said. “We are all honoring this veteran.”
For additional information, contact Burkland at (989) 871-9569.
The cemetery is located 1/2 mile north of Richfield Road on Irish Road.
Home
Discuss story 
iPod friendly version
May 4, 2009
10:29 a.m.Report inappropriate content
The ceremony was amazing. I would like to Thank Gerald Burkland for finding and honoring Revolutionary War Patriots. Our family was very moved and so very PROUD! I wish I could post photos from the day, it was beautiful. I would also like to thank the Patriot Guard Riders, they lined the street with American flags, saluted our patriot, and made us all feel the pride of being an AMERICAN! There are a long list of people that made this day special, and we want to Thank them all!
May 10, 2009
9 a.m.Report inappropriate content
Very well said Tim. It was nice to hear the National Anthem sung like it is written. The VFW, American Legion and their auxiliaries, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution all did a faultless job. A big thank you to all of the parties concerned for their time and effort in making this such a remarkable time for the Blackmer Family.