DAR honors local Revolutionary War soldiers with markers

Three local forefathers were honored Saturday by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution with dedication markers at Old Bethel Baptist Cemetery in Jackson.

Ithamar Hubbel, born in 1762; Enos Randol Sr., born in 1744; and Robert Wicker, born in 1738, were the three who received markers. Two DAR chapters, the John Guild Chapter and Olde Towne Fenton Chapter, collaborated for the event, filling the cemetery with descendants of the three who aided in achieving independence for the United States. Members of the Cape Girardeau Baptist Association, Allen Laws Oliver Sons of the American Revolution, Missouri State Society and Children of the American Revolution were also in attendance.

T. Wayne Lewis of Jackson, a descendant of Robert Wicker, said he was there to "pay homage to" the values of those who fought and died in the Revolution.

Wicker enlisted in 1776 while living in South Carolina and fought in the Revolutionary War along with his son, William, and son-in-law, Thomas English.

English, Randol and Wicker are among about 60 names etched on a cemetery monument not far from the church because they are listed in the Old Bethel Church minutes.

In 1806 Wicker and his wife, Hanna, traveled with many family members in a wagon train to Cape Girardeau County and were received as church members of Old Bethel Baptist Church in 1807. He died in 1821 in Cape Girardeau County.

Ronald Beasley of Cape Girardeau, a descendant of Robert Wicker and Enos Randol Sr., also attended the dedication in an official role as member of the Sons of the American Revolution. The group posted the colors and were recognized for their dedication in implementing the memorials for Revolutionary War soldiers.

Enos Randol Sr. married Sarah Van Gordon in New York. One of their four children, David Randol, served in his father's place during the Revolutionary War in NJ. His second wife, Rebecca Harker came west with him. They had nine children. In 1797 they received Spanish Land Grants from Louis Lorimier. Randol Creek and Randol Township in Cape Girardeau County are named after the family. He died in 1811 in Cape Girardeau County. Several of his descendants were in attendance.

Nora Reynolds Zimmer of the Old Towne Fenton DAR chapter read the biography of Ithamar Hubbel. A 1967 graduate of College High School in Cape Girardeau, Zimmer now resides in St. Louis. She said there are 25 or 30 descendants of Hubbel in Cape Girardeau County. She gave a Hubbel family history book to the Cape Girardeau County Archive Center on Saturday in memory of her mother, Elsie McLain Reynolds.

Hubbel enlisted in the New York Militia in 1779 at age 17 and served as a private and spy. He contracted smallpox at the end of his term. In 1780 he enlisted again and served in General Schuyler's guards.

In 1797 he came west with family including his son, Ebenezer. A businessman and landowner, Hubbel established a water mill and a saw mill in Gordonville on Hubbell Creek.

He served on the first grand jury, Court of the Common Pleas for the Cape Girardeau District in 1805. He died in 1840.

DAR chapters are involved in preserving historical properties and artifacts, promoting patriotism within their communities and raising funds for local scholarships and educational awards.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

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