“It was the ultimate group effort to make the dream we were chasing a reality. It took the combined vision and talents of several dedicated organizations to make a 246 year ancient DNA identification happen.”
Allison Peacock, FHD Forensics
“It is a great honor to have played a small role in recovering and identifying an unknown soldier of the American Revolution. It is actually beyond my comprehension that such a thing could be done. I think back to the many hours Jim Legg and I spent on the battlefield, knowing it was sacred ground with many unknowns, but never imagining this day. To the relatives, here is your cousin and uncle, after 246 years, home from the war.”
– Steven D. Smith, Camden Archaeology Project Principal Investigator, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
“The identification of Burial 9B as John Pumphrey is extremely gratifying for those of us who have been involved with the preservation and interpretation of the Camden Battlefield for three decades. When we began the archaeology, we were aware that unmarked graves were present on the site, but we had no notion that there was any prospect of identifying anyone. By the time we conducted grave excavations many years later, in 2022, identifications loomed as a possibility. The DNA results combined with a remarkably sophisticated genealogical process have now given us Private John Pumphrey. It now seems likely that more of those lost men will eventually be identified.”
– James B. Legg, Project Archaeologist, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
“By being able to identify this soldier, a teenager far from home, brings forth a name, a unit, and the revelation of the supreme effort made by our first veterans. This project humanizes these men who often become invisible on the casualty lists of the dusty pages of history. We are proud that identifying this soldier allows his family to know the fate of their ancestor and that his sacrifice is being honored by a grateful nation. But we also point out that he represents about 400 who fell on the Camden Battlefield that day that day making it hallowed grounds, all in shallow, unmarked graves. Over 330 of them are American patriot soldiers who gave their all to help create our nation.”
– Rick Wise, Executive Director/CEO, SC Battleground Preservation Trust
“This 246 year old identification is incredible. It’s so cool that our ancient DNA technology can be deployed in this way. There are so many interesting chapters of history that can now be known more fully. Especially in the fog of war, the sacrifices that are made can’t always be documented. It’s an exciting time to be working on this.”
– Richard E. “Ed” Green, PhD, Co-Founder and Scientific Advisor, Astrea Forensics
“This discovery represents the very best of what the Historic Camden Foundation seeks to accomplish — preserving the past, honoring those who came before us, and sharing their stories with future generations. To help return a name to a soldier who gave his life at the Battle of Camden nearly 250 years ago is both humbling and inspiring. We are proud to have supported this research and honored that he is now laid to rest in Camden where his story can continue to educate and inspire future generations.”
– Austin Sheheen, Chairman, Historic Camden Foundation Board of Trustees