Adam Sobuck joined the 1^st Connecticut regiment on January 1, 1777, and unfortunately, he died on January 15, 1777, at the age of 19. Adam’s relative, Private William Sobuck also enlisted in the same regiment on January 14, 1777 and went on to camp at Valley Forge with General George Washington. Service runs in the family as William’s father, William Sobuck, died in the French Indian War in 1759. It is estimated that at least seven of the Nehantic tribe members died in the French Indian War, and six Nehantics gave their lives in the Revolutionary War.

Adam’s grave wasn’t found until the new property owner, Beth Avery, noticed a gravestone almost flat to the ground in 2015. She worked with the Lyme cemetery committee to right the stone and began researching who may have been buried there. The town records simply stated, “Indian Grave”, mistakenly saying it contained a child who died at age nine. Once the gravestone was righted and the name could be read, Beth began researching but could initially find nothing on this “Adam Sobock”. She realized that there were various spellings of his surname, Sobuck being the most common. This led to her amazing discovery of Adam Sobuck’s war record through the National Archives, and that he was a member of the Nehantic tribe. With this information, Beth did more research and realized Adam had a relative, William, who also fought in the Revolutionary War. Further digging led her to the Valley Forge Muster Roll where she was thrilled to discover that William Sobuck encamped at Valley Forge. Had Adam Sobuck survived, he too would have gone on to encamp at Valley Forge. Eventually, Beth was put in touch with a local archaeologist who happened to serve as an advisor to the Nehantic Native Nation. He came out to the grave and was able to confirm that the burial site belonged to Adam.

Susan, from the Valley Forge Muster Roll, was honored to attend this ceremony for Adam which included group prayer, native American music that featured a piece from 1777, a rifle salute, and a smudging. Susan also proudly presented a Muster Roll Certificate for William Sobuck to the Nehantic Tribal Chief Ray Tatten. Members of the DAR and SAR made presentations, as well. Also included were Nansemond Indian Patriots, the only Native American chapter of SAR.

Keeping history alive is so important. The Nehantic tribe of Lyme, CT was declared extinct in 1870, however, there are still a small number of members. One important descendant of the Sobucks was Mercy Anne Nonesuch (1822-1915), whose mother was a Sobuck. She served as a cultural mentor, was known for her skillful beadwork and doll making, and her photographic portrait resides at the Smithsonian. We are honored to have been a part of this ceremony to mark Adam’s grave and to recognize William’s service at Valley Forge.

Valley Forge Muster Roll Volunteer Attends Native American Grave Marking and Remembrance Ceremony

Valley Forge Muster Roll Volunteer Attends Native American Grave Marking and Remembrance Ceremony