We the People: One of the oldest Revolutionary War soldiers who lived in Missouri honored

WILLARD, Mo. (KY3) - A Revolutionary War soldier who later called Missouri home has been honored with an official marker.

On Sunday, a large crowd gathered with their lawn chairs near Willard, Missouri, at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery along N. Farm Road 75.

They showed up to honor a man they never met. The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Rachel Donelson chapter, honored Private James Barham with an official bronze patriot grave marker.

“I’m overwhelmed,” shared Jean Ann Blackwell, one of Barham’s descendants. “I’ve met so many cousins that I didn’t know existed. I’m an only child so it means a lot to me to meet all of these relatives,” added Blackwell. Blackwell traveled from Tucson, Arizona, for the ceremony.

Other relatives traveled from Oregon, and a handful of other states across the country to be there in person.

“I took two planes to get here and drove quite some ways,” said Caroline Blackwell, a Barham descendant.

“James Barham was one of the oldest living Revolutionary soldiers. He lived to be a hundred years old,” shared Jean Ann Blackwell.

Barham was born in Virginia in 1764. He enlisted in the Revolutionary War where Pvt. Barham was at the Battle of Petersburg and at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, according to research done by the DAR and family.

Decades later Barham moved to Missouri to be near his children. The DAR shared in 1855, when Barham was 90 years-old he applied for a bounty land warrant in Greene County, Missouri.

Members of the local DAR shared moving west was not rare at this time.

“The history of how many Revolutionary War soldiers ended up going west is amazing, considering the times and the modes of transportation,” said Jill Creson, Regent of the Rachel Donelson chapter of the DAR. “I feel like it was the adventuresome spirit of someone who had already dedicated themselves was willing to die for freedom,” she added.

Barham died in 1865 at the age of 100.

“Today I really we feel like we have turned back time without touching a clock,” said Creson.

The weekend ceremony was filled with music from the Ash Grove School Choir and Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard. The sounds and readings even mirrored a similar ceremony which was held in 1911. Nearly 115 years ago, Private Barham was the first Revolutionary War solider to be honored in the Springfield-area with a military headstone. During the ceremony in 1911 and in 2025 “The American Flag” was read aloud by local children.

“For the young people I think it’s important we have awareness for this kind of history and that we don’t lose touch with the roots of our country,” shared Missouri State Senator (R) Curtis Trent.

Family members of Pvt. Barham laid flowers at his grave. Together, they are keeping history alive for their family and others.

“If we don’t document our history then we are not doing a favor to our future,” said Creson.

Members of the local DAR said they are planning many celebrations leading up to America’s 250th birthday next year.

One of those will be an interactive display this spring in the Greene County Courthouse rotunda where families can learn about our history.

Don’t forget you can stream KY3’S We the People show every week.

During the week of October 13, 2025, you’ll hear the history of aviation legend Amelia Earhart’s Midwest roots. KY3 will share an extended interview about The Moxie Cinema celebrating 20 years in Springfield, and a preview of some free events at The Moxie for kids and adults leading into the holiday season.

You can stream We the People Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. on KY3’s website. We the People also streams on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.

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