By Taylor Boyd
A monument honoring the men who fought in the American Revolutionary War was erected in front of the Patrick County History Museum and Library building on March 3.
The project was created and sponsored by the Patrick County Historical Society.
John Wesley Martin, who came up with and funded the monument project, said he was inspired to do so because of his love of history and his family.
“All my people were all from Patrick County, and I always had a real soft spot in my heart and in my mind for the mountain people because of my association with my grandmother and my grandfather and all of them,” he said.
Martin said he wanted to recognize the men for all they did during the Revolutionary War.
“They were true heroes of the American Revolution because of what they done for this country. They lived a hard life, and then they had to go off and fight in a war. Their mothers and their wives were at home taking care of the farm, and it was just a very hard life. I just wanted to do something to recognize them,” he said.
Martin first broached the idea for the monument during a historical society meeting.
“Of course, everybody voted that it would be great,” he said.
To ensure accuracy, Martin extensively researched the names listed on the monument.
“You have to do the research first because that’s the base of it and then organizing all of it,” he said.
Martin also advertised the project in The Enterprise, seeking contacts from families interested in adding relatives names to the monument.
“People called me from just about everywhere wanting to make sure that their ancestor was on that,” he said.
The monument’s installation was unanimously approved by the Patrick County Board of Supervisors during its November 2024 meeting.
The monument includes two large granite tablets with the names and birth years of more than 240 Revolutionary War veterans. In between the two tablets is a smaller tablet depicting a soldier. Underneath are the words:
“Placed in Memory of Heroes of the American Revolutionary War by Captain John Wesley Martin SAR Henry, Patrick, and Franklin Counties, VA.”
Despite his hard work Martin said not every veteran’s name was put onto the monument, including that of his great-great grandfather Jacob Newman.
“But I’m going to figure out a way to get him on there,” he said.
Martin noted there’s enough space on the right most tablet for four or five more names to be added to the monument.
“What will happen now if someone comes up and they want their ancestor’s name on it who was in the American Revolution – they’ll have to do the financial part of it. We will get someone to inscribe the names.
“Everybody knew that I was doing this project for like a year and then I extended the time and put it in the paper so everybody would know. I think about everybody is covered because no one is calling me and saying, ‘I’d like my ancestor on it,’” he said.
