John, I’ve got one of the plaques, and plan to do something with it when I can. To have it attached to the current gravestone would be risk breaking it. Besides, the gravestone already mentions his role in the army at Saratoga, as well as his American army service for three years. The words are only readable by making a rubbing – which is not a good idea. So, in the future, I plan to add an additional memorial with the Hessian plaque, and a plaque for his service with the American side. The DAR has long recognized him as a patriot, and the Sons of the Revolution, which I belong to, has my paperwork for him as well. Enjoy your trip! Bill Smith Descendant of Daniel Engelcke, of the Ehrenkrook Company, von Specht Regiment, and the Massachusetts Continentals 1781-1784. ----- Original Message ----- From: john <jmerz@cogeco.ca> Date: Monday, May 23, 2005 9:42 pm Subject: [HESSIAN] Re: Trip to Hanau, Germany. in June 2005. > Hello Hessian descendants; > > So far I have heard from one of you supporting me with > pictures from Hessian grave dedication with a plaque. >

Hello John, I've been reading your emails about your trip, it should be quite an adventure. I do not have a plaque, but neither do I have a headstone for my Hessian. The cemetery chose to remove all the old headstones.. A shame and a loss. Most of the about 2000 descendants of Johann Jacob Bonstein are scattered all over the United States. I have set up part of my website as a memorial to the Bonstein Hessian, since most of the descendants will never visit the cemetery.. nor could we find the actual plot if they were lucky enough to get there. As I have said before "OUR" Bonstein Hessians are the only documented set of brothers that one went home and one stayed. With the help of Gunther , we have been getting the documentation (Birth/death/marriage records) for his ancestors and siblings from Germany. We have pictures of Grossropperhausen, and just reciently got a picture of the actual home they lived in. Has the SAR set up anyone to help non SAR members wanting research on their Hessian? Is there an email contact? a cost? Just wondering? I hope your trip turns out to be as wonerful as it sounds like it will be. Hessian History: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin/hstry/bonhist1.htm My Bonnstien / Bonstein family: (Starting in 1640 we hane 15 generations recorded) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin/b/b4.htm Nelda Nelda L. Percival nee Gilpin, IBSSG http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin/ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gillock/ http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin/