The Stephen Preston Chapter, United States Daughters of 1812, held a dedication ceremony at Pentwater Township Cemetery last month to honor War of 1812 veterans Bartow Underhill and Calvin Lewis. The ceremony was led by Chapter President Marsha Dekker.
Underhill was born on Sept. 3, 1785, in New York. He enlisted on Oct. 1, 1812, serving as a private in Captain Butterworth's New York Militia. During the war, he was stationed on Staten Island and was honorably discharged on Nov. 25, 1812. On Nov. 1, 1853, he received bounty land in Michigan. By 1860, he was living in Pentwater as a farmer. He passed away on April 7, 1861.
Lewis was born in 1793 in Vermont and served as a private in Captain Greene’s New York Militia. He later settled in Michigan, where he died on May 9, 1867.
Chapter members in attendance included Michelle Buurma, Shannon Larson (of Pentwater), Royetta Doe and Barb Martin. They were joined by prospective member Sarah Deming, as well as Adam Youker (of Hart), a member of the General Society of the War of 1812.
The event was a meaningful tribute to two patriots whose service helped shape the young nation. Their memory was honored with reverence, reflection and a deep sense of gratitude.
