Joseph deserted from the British and enlisted under Washington, and served with him until the close of the war.
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Joseph died in 1833
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Pursuant to announcement, large delegations from Bern, and our own township, met at the mouth of Federal Creek, on the 13th instant, to clear out the grave yard that is at this point. Between fifty and sixty men with axes and mattocks, made an assault on the immense thicket of brush, and by noon had succeeded in bringing to view the graves of the departed dead. The ladies held the reserve with well loaded baskets of the choicest viands, pies, sweet cakes, etc., and when the work was completed, we all fell back to where these dear ladies were fortified with their baskets, and such a dinner never was spread to an audience in Rome township before! Conspicuous among those who are buried in this cemetery is Captain Nathaniel Sawyer, who was born in Haverhill, Mass, 1757, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The Indians, also, held him for some time in the wilds of Ohio. Mr. Joseph Wickham, is also buried here. He deserted from the British and enlisted under Washington, and served with him until the close of the war. He died in 1833. The late Judge Elijah Hatch, who was one of the pioneers of our county, and representd this county in Legislature for nine terms, is interred here, and last but not least, Lieut. Joseph Anderson is buried here. He died in 1863.
The citizens who were present, agreed to meet every year to keep this cemetery in proper order hereafter.
August 15, ’81 C.D.
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Athens Messenger
18 Aug 1881
