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Patriot Burials™ Marker Grant Program

Patriot Burials historical marker for Vevay Cemetery, Vevay, Indiana. Marker funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation.

This special historical marker series commemorates patriot burials. It is an opportunity to recognize those who fought in or were involved with the struggle for American independence.

The Patriot Burials™ Marker Grant Program provides Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) state societies with the opportunity to apply for markers to be placed in locations where Revolutionary War Patriots are buried. We are presently accepting applications from the following SAR state societies:

  • Alabama Society Sons of the American Revolution
  • Empire State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (New York State)
  • Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution
  • The Kentucky Society, Sons of the American Revolution
  • Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution
  • New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution
  • Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution
Apply for Grant

Grant Eligibility

Patriot Burial marker grants are available to SAR state societies who have a signed agreement with the Pomeroy Foundation. All state societies must apply through our online application portal, accessible via the “Apply” button on this page.

What is a Patriot?

The Pomeroy Foundation defines who a Patriot is based on the standards set by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Before beginning your application, please review the accepted definition and list of qualifying criteria available here.


Standards & Guidelines

The following standards and guidelines are intended to ensure the accuracy and uniformity of the text placed on Patriot Burials historical markers. The Pomeroy Foundation will have the final decision on the appropriateness of any text placed on a marker.

  • The name of the cemetery or burial site must be determined and appear on the marker.
  • The applicant must obtain necessary written permission from the property owner where the marker is to be installed.
  • The applicant must provide primary sources to document both the Patriot’s Revolutionary War service and burial. SAR and DAR application forms are not acceptable proof of service. Acceptable proof of service includes, but is not limited to pension records, muster rosters, military bound land records, official state government-compiled records (i.e. Massachusetts Soldiers; Sailors in the War of the Revolution). Acceptable proof of burial includes, but is not limited to records of the entity that owns the cemetery and photos of original headstones placed at the time of burial. Replacement headstones and memorial plaques are not proof of burial.
  • All known Patriots in the cemetery or burial site must be recognized. A single Patriot must not be identified for commemoration while ignoring additional Patriots buried at the same grounds. The applicant must conduct a good faith effort to identify any and all Patriots. Proof of this good faith effort will be required.
  • If the number of Patriots is minimal, an effort will be made to include their name(s) on the marker. If there is sufficient room, the rank of the Patriot(s) will be included. Otherwise, only the number of Patriots will be indicated.
  • Additional text describing the Patriot’s post-war activities will only be included if room is available after the above guidelines are met.
  • Markers will only be placed in cemeteries or sites where similar signage indicating Patriot burials does not already exist.

Applications will only be accepted for markers commemorating a cemetery or burial site that is either publicly accessible without having to cross private property or is visible from the site where the marker is installed.

Download Informational Flyer

Marker Design and Text Guidelines

Patriot Burial markers are blue with yellow raised lettering and border. The circle atop of each marker depicts a Patriot standing in front of the outline of the state where the marker is installed along with the name of the SAR state society. Markers are 32” x 18” cast aluminum with a 7’ aluminum pole. Each marker weighs approximately 30 pounds.

The title of the marker must state “Patriot Burials”. The five body lines can each have up to 27 characters. Please note spaces and punctuation count as characters. Either the exact date of the earliest burial or burials as early as (the year) needs to appear as part of the text.

There is a required credit line at the bottom of the marker which is always included.


Grant Application Deadline

2023 Important Dates

Round Two
  • 09/20/23 – Application becomes available online
  • 11/22/23 – Application deadline
  • February 2024 – Grants awarded

2024 Important Dates

Round One
  • 02/19/24 – Application becomes available online
  • 04/22/24 – Application deadline
  • June 2024 – Grants awarded
Round Two
  • 09/23/24 – Application becomes available online
  • 11/25/24 – Application deadline
  • February 2025 – Grants awarded

Historical Accuracy

The applying chapter must provide primary sources to document both the Patriot(s) Revolutionary War service and subsequent burial in the cemetery. Acceptable proof of service includes pension records, muster rosters, military bounty land records, and official state government-compiled records, such as Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors in the War of the Revolution. Acceptable proof of burial includes records of the organization or agency that owns the cemetery, as well as photos of original headstones placed at the time of burial.


Applications must include the following:

  • proposed installation location in specific detail (including GPS coordinates)
  • a brief description and historical significance of what is being commemorated
  • proposed inscription for marker
  • a letter from the landowner granting permission for the marker to be installed
  • primary source documents verifying proposed inscription

Marker Placement

Please carefully consider the location where the marker is to be installed.

  • Markers should not be placed on high-traffic roadways or roadways where vehicles are traveling at a high rate of speed if there is no place for a vehicle to safely pull over out of traffic.
  • Markers should not be placed where the visitor must intrude on private property to read it.

Before installing your marker, please be sure you are following all of your state’s guidelines around digging and excavation.


Questions?

Contact Christy at info@wgpfoundation.org or 315-913-4060, Monday – Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm (EST).