YARMOUTH, Maine (AP) — The gravesite of a Civil War veteran from Maine has been properly marked with a headstone after lying unmarked.
The headstone marking the grave of Pvt. William Johnson of Saco, who served in the 1st Regiment Maine Cavalry, was formally dedicated Saturday in Yarmouth with the sound of Taps.
The Maine Sunday Telegram says Johnson’s gravesite at the Old Baptist Cemetery was a mystery until his descendant, 91-year-old Dick Johnson of McMinnville, Ore., discovered through genealogical research he was the great-grandson of the Civil War veteran. That brought him into contact with the Yarmouth Historical Society, which had records of the veteran’s burial, and finally to the cemetery. William Johnson was buried at town expense in 1870 after drowning in Casco Bay.
His great-grandson attended Saturday’s ceremony.
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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com
