A Revolutionary soldier gets a new resting place
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DUNNSTOWN -- Robert Ritchie, fourth generation great-grandfather of Roy W. Richey, was baptized in Tarves, Aerdeenshire, Scotland in 1752. He immigrated to Philadelphia and made his way to Lock Haven.
Robert enlisted in Captain John Lowdon's Company of rifleman of Col. Thompson First Regiment of the Continental Line at Derr's Mill in Northumberland, Pa. He served in 1775 when George Washington was appointed the Commander in Chief of what is recognized as the first US Army.
Upon passing in 1828, he was buried in the Great Island Presbyterian Cemetery, just outside Lock Haven. His grave site was destroyed during construction at some time and his remains were never recovered.
Roy Richey contacted Veteran Affairs and they supplied a new grave marker and sent it to the Dunnstown Cemetery where his great-great-great-grandfather's family members are also buried.
This week Roy Richey traveled from his home in Lake Ridge, Va., to see the new grave marker installed among the grave stones of of Ritchie's son, Edward; grandson, Andrew Steward, and great-grandson, John Riley Richey.
Roy's cousin, Marilyn Richey Miller, joined Roy at the cemetery for a photograph at their great-great-great-grandfather's new resting place.
While at the cemetery, Roy also visited the grave of his wife, Janet Welch Richey, who is also resting nearby in the Dunnstown Cemetery. The visit came on their 58th wedding anniversary on Aug. 2.