The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-03-08
RESTING PLACE
OF AN 0L0 SOLDIER,
DAVID KENNIS0N

Near the Clark street entrance of Lin
coin park. Chicago. is the long-forgotten
grave of David kennison, who was tho
last survivor of the Boston tea party. 1t
is 4s years since the body of The old con-
tinentai soldier and revolutionary veter-
an was laid to rest In what was then the
city cemetery OF Chicago.
The grave long ago sank TO the level of
the green sward OF the park and small
bronze cross marks the spot beneath
which Is the dust Of the man who was
given a life span OF unusual length and
who played n part in many of the most
important events Of more than century.
The movements 10 replace the little
cross by a suitable monument TO an early
citizen OF whom Chicago is proud revives
interest in the career OF the old settler.
David Kennison was nearly 1l6 years
old when he died February "a. 1852. He
was born November IL. 1895. and was 81
years old when the historic Boston tea
party took place. He attended the pre-
liminary meeting in Faneuil hall, and
was one of tho most active OF the dis
guised Mohawks who marched forth on
their errand of defiance, which had so
much TO do with the launching OF the
republic.
lie was most active in the work OF
throwing the great chests OF tea from the
British ships anchored in the harbor. BY
way OF souvenir, he carried off a small
quantity OF the tea shaken loosely into
his boot. and vial OF IL is said 70 be
preserved I'm Chicago today az cherished
relic OF the event and of the man who
was destined TO live long after all his
comrades had passed away.
Kennisons appearance at the Boston
tea party was tho beginning OF a career
as a revolutionary soldier that proved
most honorable and most eventful, al
though IL never won him fame or honors.
Inspired by the patriotic enthusiasm
kindled at the Boston tea party. konni-
son enlisted in the Continental army. i'm
which ne served for eight years lilo was
I'm the battle Of Lexington and he was at
Concord.
He was ono OF the soldiers VINO had tho
good fortune 60 he present when the
hardships and dangers OF the long strug-
gle were rewarded by the surrender OF
the British St Yorktown.
SERVED AT FORT DEARBORN.
when his eight years OF service ended.
benulson was ~. and during the peace
ful years that followed his retirement
from military service he led the life OF a
humble and loyal citizen. Twenty-nne
wears went bv and then, after he had
lived more than three scorc years and
ten, he again went 10 tho defense OF his
country.
Ia was this second enlistment that took
him "a Chicago. Still straight and strong.
| notwithstanding his three-quarters Of a
century, the old soldier % the ragged
cont.uentals" put on the uniform OF the
new republic
During the summer Of 1872 kennison
was doing garrison duty at the frontier
| stockade OF Fort Dearborn. by tho
fnercst chance he escaped the mssescro
that took place i'm tho sand hills two
miles south Of the garrison.
4 or the day OF the terrible butcherv he
| was on the march 20 Fort Cratiot 20
| which he had been transferred just Ia
| time 20 put him out Of danger OF the hor-
rfble death that came n many ~ his
| comrades.
AT The close OF the war Of 1872 kcnnison
| drifted East where he took 10 the tran-
| auiI pursuits of hfc lie had reached the
| time when most mems activity ends. but
| he was iuIbued with the spirit or percn-
| rial youth: time slipped by him without
| touching him unkind:y
| lie had already outlived most OF his
| contemporaries. and yet another long pc
! rioa ~ lie stretched ogt bsfyrs llial.