On Saturday, November 10, 2007, I had the privilege of joining a special group of people at the Prillaman-Turner cemetery in Henry, Virginia. Unusual circumstances had brought us together to honor Private Martel LeSeuer, a Huguenot who served in the Revolutionary War. Martel LeSeuer’s tombstone had been stolen and recovered. The ceremony was thoughtful, meaningful and magical. It was a beautiful day. Just imagine the hills and valleys colored with fall leaves with Nicholas Creek curving around the mountain in the distance. The rural beauty in those hills had likely changed little since our ancestors were there in the 1700's. The cannon shots that rang out over those hills at the end of the celebration honoring Martel LeSeuer were a fitting tribute of all that is good and right in our community. Following are remarks from Jim Self, a descendant of Martel LeSeuer and Elizabeth Bacon LeSeuer. A number of folks spoke on Saturday, but considering all that had transpired, Jim’s comments captured the most of what was important about the event and reveals the class act that he is. Just one addition, Jim left out one thing he mentioned at the podium. He noted that he had learned something new about the LeSeuer family of yesteryear: i.e., that they must have had good looks since the descendants before him were a fine looking group! >From Jim: I am very happy to be here today. It’s been an interesting journey. My Dad, Lee Self, started looking for Martel's grave site almost 30 years ago. I have been involved at least 25 years. It’s nice to solve that mystery, and especially to see the headstone restored to its rightful place. There are some folks I would like to thank. First of all, we have to thank Martel LeSeuer. We thank him for his service not only to our country, but thank him for his service to help establish this country. He put his life on the line as did many others of that time period. Within just a few miles of here in all directions many militia men and members of the state and Continental lines left their homes on numerous occasions to fight for independence . And their family members, old and young, and the women folk, supported them in every way. It’s fitting that this rededication ceremony take place on the eve of Veterans’ Day. In addition to honoring Martel LeSeuer and his service, we should always keep in mind the service and sacrifice of those who have followed that same tradition of answering the call through the years to serve in our Nation’s various military wars and campaigns. We have folks here today who have loved ones who have served, and who are currently serving throughout the world, and are also in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today being the 232nd birthday of the Marine Corps gives us an opportunity to really focus on sacrifice and service. None have done it better and with more dedication. I also would like to remember the effort of David LeSeuer, Martel's father. If he had not left Threadneedle Street in London and made that long and dangerous journey by sea to Virginia nearly 300 years ago, of course, none of us would be here today. We are certainly happy for his choice of travel destinations. Speaking of Virginia. . .one thing we have in common, as well as being LeSeuer descendants, is that we have Virginia as our main root. It’s important to keep in mind that just as Martel and his siblings were Virginians, technically speaking, before they were Americans, we here today, by extension, can say the same. One can say that there would have been no United States as we know it, without Virginia. It’s good to always keep this in mind, for I am sure that most, if not all of us, have many more ancestors with Virginia roots. It’s good to be back on home soil. I say that as one who is tarheel born and tarheel bred, and as proud of that as my Virginia roots! But we are here today because of our genealogy and family history study and, in doing that, we soon learn of the tremendous settlement of this country to its farthest shores by former Virginians. Another person with Virginia roots is Martel's wife Elizabeth Bacon LeSeuer. She is buried on these grounds too. Elizabeth claimed lineage back to Nathaniel Bacon, the Rebel. That's the man whom Thomas Jefferson called our first Revolutionary. I would like to tell a little story regarding Elizabeth that the ladies in the audience should appreciate. It seems she had money of her own and had loaned an amount to her son John L. LeSeuer. This is 200 years ago. At some point she decided that she wanted Martel to be responsible for paying it back and had the bond she had on John L. transferred over to Martel. I’m sure Martel had no problem in agreeing to this in principle, but Elizabeth went to the trouble of having it documented in the court records. "Trust, but verify." I might add that most of the children show by their name, Elizabeth's maiden name and family influence. Martel ran the fields, Elizabeth ran the house and the accounts. I would like to thank Walter LeSeuer Turner. He's the man who started all this headstone business, way back in 1928. Little did he know how it would turn out. This “Application for a Headstone” I am holding has had two lives. The Application he filled out in order to have a headstone made and delivered and placed on Martel's grave not only was necessary for him to do so to bring that about the first time, but the Application has proved absolutely vital, in my opinion, to have the headstone recovered and replaced back in the cemetery this second time, i.e., no application – no recovery, no recovery – no replacement. Walter was a great great grandson of Martel, and family and history oriented in his interests. A member of the Huguenot Society and the Sons of the American Revolution, he was a railway agent living in Roanoke, Virginia. Not only did he have the interest in honoring his ancestor by ordering the headstone, but was in a position due to his job to follow its delivery by rail. He had a designated person, Thomas R. Prillaman, a kinsman of Tracy Stone and several other Prillamans here, who agreed , by his signature, to pick up and place the stone in this cemetery. Knowing the effort Walter LeSeuer Turner went to, I am certain that he would have ensured the stone was placed here. And considering the relative short distance he lived from the cemetery, he would have visited here to see it and the grave of the man he was honoring. We thank them for sure. I would like to thank what I will refer to as the LeSeuer Family Corresponding Group. This group, (usually smaller in numbers) has had correspondence off and on among themselves for years. That was about family history questions, sharing research and such. This latest endeavor regarding the discovery and recovery of the tombstone from its sabbatical started last November and went cold for a while until this summer when it gained new life. The group gained in number and became a pretty formidable and determined force. Determined to get Martel's marker of honor recovered and restored. We did it. And mainly, I believe, because we believed in it and, very importantly, we stuck with it. I could site names of some in the group who did this or did that, due to being in a certain position and who had the desire and willingness to do it, (they know who they are). But the deal is that in the end it took all of us. It was a Team effort. Believe me, just a personal note of query! , showing continued interest and support keeps the thing moving. That was the role of some. It helped. Circumstances and happen stances occurred; the group contributed bits of information, wrote letters, shared information that all became part of the puzzle which came together – And finally brought about the very smoking gun document that proved and won our case. Won it against what we felt were, in many instances, nonsense objections and deliberate hindrances. It was frustrating at times, but with all working together, we prevailed and the frustrations are in the past. All is well. The detailed history of this particular adventure can be written and told in another forum. Today we celebrate. I would like to say one more thing about the Application form for ordering the headstone that Walter LeSeuer Turner filled out in 1928 and which we finally came across in the National Archives a few months ago. For one thing it told us that Walter had ordered the headstone. And, importantly, it told us for certain the name and location of the cemetery. This whole journey, from the time of the happenstance sighting of the tombstone in the Roanoke antiques shop last November, until now, actually worked for the best as far as timing goes. Had we received the stone back prior to discovering the existence of an Application form, we would have either had no where to place the stone, or we would have followed our best educated guess (which was this cemetery), but we would have always had some doubt or wonderings. Not getting the tombstone until we had the form put all in order and proper placement. Finding the name and location of the cemetery, Martel and Elizabeth's burial site, if you will, was what we had sought for years. We only recently knew there was a headstone. Of course, it would have been nice if some so called unknown person or persons had not removed the marker in the first place, but then, while we would have known the burial site and perhaps individually visited , we would be missing this wonderful ceremony and family gathering. I would like to thank the Franklin County Historical Society and Museum; Doris [Eames]; and especially Linda Stanley, in charge of Special Projects. And have they carried out a special project for this event or what!! Linda was instrumental in a variety of ways in helping us recover the headstone, becoming hands-on at the time of the turnover. And has been the primary force in the care, maintenance and placement of the headstone. We are appreciative of Linda's and the Society's interest and hard work in organizing and putting on this ceremony. Linda has believed in the rightful restoration of the marker and has done her work with that in mind and an eye towards the family's concerns and interests. Linda has been tireless and most thorough. Thank you Linda. Thank you Doris. Thank you Society. We thank the DAR chapters and members involved; the Cadet Color Guard; the members of the Fincastle Resolutions Sons of the American Revolution Chapter; the musical presentations. I am also happy to see those boys dressed in butternut and gray (with the cannon), along with the Flag with the Saint Andrews Cross. That's real Virginia. We would also like to thank Lynch Funeral Service for their help in securing and placing the stone. We also thank Tracy Stone for his help. He takes great care of this cemetery. His family has owned this land since 1769. Tracy has been helpful and accommodating to the family and has worked with Linda getting ready for this event. Again, on behalf of the LeSeuer Family group, I thank all concerned. NOTE added by Rebecca: I am not descended from Martel LeSeuer but my Prillaman line has been aligned with the LeSeuer’s since they came across each other in what was then Pittsylvania County, Virginia (now Franklin County, Virginia). My ancestor Dennis O’Briant received a land grant for 286 acres of land in Pittsylvania County 14 Jul 1769 “on both sides of Nicholas's Creek, crossing & up a bold branch, on Morgan Briant's road.” Dennis, in 1792, left the land to his “son Daniel Prillaman.” Daniel Prillaman was married to Anne O’Briant, daughter of Dennis. The cemetery where Martel and Elizabeth are buried is on that land. The story of Dennis is somewhat different than that of Martel. I love Dennis as much as I love Martel. Dennis was a member of Captain Alexander Sayers' Troop of Horse in Colonial times. At the time of the Revolution, he “refuseth” to take the Oath of Affirmation of Allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and was, as a result, levied a double tax. The next tax record reverts to the single tax, so the assumption is that Dennis saw the light thru the lining of his pocket! And, at the Henry County, Virginia, courthouse (Franklin and Henry Counties come together very near the tract of land that Dennis owned) on Wednesday 27 Feb 1782, Dennis O’Briant presented his claim for 300 pounds of beef that went to support the troops of the Revolutionary War. So, whether voluntarily given or involuntarily “impressed,” Dennis O’Briant provided a means for his descendants to qualify for membership in the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution.