“The DNA of our first veterans is extremely important for several reasons. First, to reunite families whose loved ones were never accounted for after the battle. The sacrifice of these soldiers helped others escape the battle, and it was that sacrifice that allowed others to continue on the the mission of winning independence for America. The DNA may also help identify where units were on the field. By doing so, it will greatly enhance our understanding of the battle and interpretation of events.”
– Rick Wise, Executive Director/CEO, SC Battleground Preservation Trust
Camden Burials Identifications
Remembering Revolutionary War Heroes
What can be learned in the effort to identify men who died more than 240 years ago?
FHD Forensics is pleased to invite persons with 18th century ancestral ties to the State of Maryland, Delaware, or North Carolina to participate in a once in a lifetime genetic genealogy opportunity to help identify men who made the ultimate sacrifice during the dawn of our country.
In November of 2022, The South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust (SCBPT) announced a significant historic discovery at the Revolutionary War Camden Battlefield. Acting on behalf of Historic Camden Foundation, SCBPT contracted with the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) with valuable assistance from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources to respectfully excavate the remains of 14 Battle of Camden casualties whose shallow battlefield burials were being exposed to the elements. Biological anthropologists from the Richland County Coroner’s Office aided with the recovery of the soldiers’ remains, oversaw the final steps in removal from the ground, and coordinated the forensic testing.
FHD Forensics has joined the collaboration to identify these patriots in what are believed to be the oldest unknown subject (John Doe) identifications in the United States. Paleogenetics experts at Astrea Forensics have extracted the ancient DNA of the remains. Now the work begins to trace pre-Revolutionary era Maryland families in order to map their descendants and relatives to learn as much as we can about who these soldiers were.
We need your help to give these ultimate heroes back their names. There are many ways to help. We will be DNA testing certain families with Maryland ties. To contribute a DNA sample please join the project. If you’ve already taken a DNA test, please be sure to upload your raw data to GEDmatch.
Dr. Bill Stevens and Dr. Madeline Atwell of the Richland County Coroner’s Office perform the final archeological recovery of a Battle of Camden casualty whose battlefield grave was being exposed by the elements. Sarah Nell Blackwell photo, courtesy of SCBPT. Learn more…
About the Fourteen
Fourteen soldiers’ remains were recovered at the Camden Battlefield site in 2022. There were twelve patriots, one Loyalist, and one soldier with the British 71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser’s Highlanders.
Project leadership made a remarkable effort to ensure each soldier received the highest military honors and support. In addition to a strong U.S. military contingency, there was a British presence during the April 2023 funeral procession and burial ceremony for the Highlander.
Several details about the 14th recovery alerted anthropologists immediately upon discovery to the probability that he was of Native American ancestry. The Camden Burials team is working closely with native elders to ensure proper handling of those remains. That individual will be honored in a private ceremony and was not a part of the larger public ceremony or the DNA sampling process.
Learn More
Why was the Battle of Camden significant to the Revolutionary War?
Remains of Revolutionary War soldiers help USC anthropologists unravel the Battle of Camden
Meet the craftsmen behind the period coffins handcrafted for America’s first veterans
Weekend of honors commences with release of initial profiles