Jacob Beeler 1750-1843, V.A. Marker, Beeler Cemetery
All,
Many Beeler, Bealer researchers have seen the VA marker in Beeler Cemetery in Bristol, TN, for a Jacob Beeler 1750-1843. Those markers are often referred to as DAR markers but they are issued by the Veterans Administration.
It turns out that the Jacob Beeler 1750-1843 VA marker has issues as far as the government is concerned. It is often heard that VA tombstones are notoriously in error and this is one of them.
Much was made regarding one we placed in Washburn, Tennessee, in 2013, and we do understand.
Numerous claims are made on Ancestry.com and other sites about this Jacob Beeler 1750-1843 and his VA marker, “Shelby’s Volunteers”, “King’s Mountain”, “and Capt. John Pemberton” and on and on.
The “Continental Line” inscription seemed curiously out of place and the birth year was argued over 1750 vs.1751 at length. All for naught.
This forum is an appropriate place for the following which has already been posted on Beeler Family Forum, Tennessee Forum and Ancestry.com:
------------------------------------------------------
The Veterans Administration marker for Jacob Beeler 1750-1843 in Beeler Cemetery, Bristol, TN, is considered by the VA to be a mistake and should never have been furnished for placement.
Notwithstanding the incorrect military service which had been submitted with the application. The United States Pension S.5277 had been enclosed and was declined by the VA. There was a ten year age discrepancy and even thirty years ago that signaled something was very wrong with the documentation.
The "Continental Line" service has no supporting documentation in the file as well and never should have been inscribed on the marker that was placed. Whatever it was it doesn’t matter anymore because it has not been found in the file.
The VA will not correct the birth year from 1751 to 1750. The marker is the property of the United States and the VA knows exactly where it is and what it represents.
What it represents is an error made by the Veterans Administration and their files are so noted. It will not be corrected or replaced by the United States because it should not have been furnished or be where it is today in the first place.
Please note: Troops of the "Continental Line" service had nothing to do with the battle of King's Mountain 7 October 1780. Other than the decisive importance of the King’s Mountain battle, the force consisted only of militia and is the single most significant fact of the engagement. The entire force was militia units from the several states around King's Mountain, S. C.
The VA has no objection to the family having the marker removed and destroyed but it must be done so in conformance with VA regulations. It will not be replaced.
The marker is nothing but a mistake and any claim of service because of its presence in Beeler Cemetery is without any basis. As far as the United States government is concerned, it has none and should not have happened.
--------------------------------------
If your research involves this Jacob Beeler 1750-1843, you may wish to review your documentation or reference to the error. It was used to claim participation at King's Mountain 7 October 1780. It didn't happen.
The Beeler Family Bible had been claimed to have this man related to a Joseph Beeler 1744-1833. The documentation that had been claimed to be in that Bible does not exist. This Jacob Beeler 1750-1843 is not related to a Ulrich and Maria Buhler as had been claimed. Please review your records of this person.