PEEKSKILL, N.Y. A Hudson Valley Revolutionary War hero received a long-overdue patriotic memorial Wednesday.
Members of the Continental Village Fire Department stopped Wednesdays Fourth of July parade so that two active-duty Marines home on leave, Cpl. Andrew Pepe and Pfc. Rob Pepe, could place a wreath at the grave of Capt. Isaac Conklin, a Revolutionary War hero who had been forgotten since his death in 1840.
Conklin, who was born in the former estate of Philipse Manor in 1753, rests in the graveyard of the Peekskill Presbyterian Church at South and Washington streets. A modest, barely readable tombstone is all that marks his presence.
Conklin served his country in 1776 when at age 18 he volunteered his sloop the Clinton to Washington's army and served with valor. He escaped British gunships and fought a gale to bring the gunpowder needed to fight British forces in the Battle of Saratoga, according to area historic cemetery preservationist Gene Baumwoll, who posted the video above.
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