RE-DEDICATION OF GRAVESITE FOR EARLY CLARKSVILLE SETTLER

CLARKSVILLE, TN.- On Friday afternoon, November 14, 2025, the City of Clarksville and historical preservationists paid tribute to Valentine Sevier, a pioneer settler and Revolutionary War veteran who lived from 1747-1800.

With direct descendants of Valentine Sevier in attendance for the ceremony, his gravesite was re-dedicated in the City's historic Riverview Cemetery overlooking the Cumberland River near downtown.

Valentine Sevier was a pioneer who experienced Clarksville before it was actually established.

Valentine's brother, John Sevier, would eventually become the first Governor of Tennessee, in 1796.

Eventually, Valentine purchased 640 acres near the Cumberland River, and settled with his family.

In 1794, Valentine and his family suffered a devastating attack from a band of Cherokee Indians, which resulted in the death of some of Valentine's family, and a neighbor. This area is now called Sevier Station, and is Clarksville's oldest-standing structure, built in 1792.

Valentine Sevier died February 23, 1800. He was buried on his property across the Red River, which later became the Riverview Cemetery.

Honored participants and guests Friday included, in addition to direct descendants of Valentine Sevier, members of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

SAR and DAR are lineage societies whose members are proven descendants of individuals who either served in the American Revolutionary War, or otherwise helped establish American independence.

Both organizations are committed to historic preservation, education, and patriotism, while serving communities, and educating and inspiring future generations about the founding principles of the United States of America.

The ceremony included:

- Welcome and greetings from Ward 1 Clarksville City Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem Brian Zacharias

- Opening remarks from Carolyn Stier Ferrell, Montgomery County Historian; Angie Sykes, Riverview Cemetery Manager; and Gail Longton, DAR.

- Presentation of Colors: Valentine Sevier Chapter SAR Color Guard

- Invocation: Johnny Head, SAR Chaplain

- Pledge of Allegiance: Johnny Head, SAR

- Posting of the Colors: Valentine Sevier Chapter SAR Color Guard

- A reading of the biography of Valentine Sevier: Jim Thweatt, SAR

- Unveiling of the Marker: Valentine Sevier descendants

- Presentation of the Wreaths: Gail Longton, DAR

- Taps/Firing of the Muskets: Valentine Sevier Chapter SAR

- Benediction: Johnny Head, SAR

- Retiring of the Colors: Valentine Sevier Chapter SAR Color Guard

The Valentine Sevier Chapter SAR Color Guard includes:

• Robert G. Nichols, Color Guard Commander
• Rick Longton
• Johnny Head
• Wes Wood
• Elyon Davis
• Mike Ash
• Dan Botkin
• Jeff Taylor
• Randy Underhill
• Dave Von Kannon

Additionally in attendance Friday, were students from Clarksville Academy.

Friday's re-dedication event at Riverview Cemetery also appropriately served as a local prelude to the next historical documentary mini-series by the award-winning Ken Burns, entitled, "The American Revolution" -- a television event set to air beginning Sunday evening on the PBS network.