The Grave of Revolutionary War Patriot William Lucas Sr.

Beneath the shade of aging trees in Lucasville Cemetery, a uniquely preserved monument quietly honors a man who stood at the birth of a nation. Captain William Lucas Sr., born in 1742 in Frederick County, Virginia, answered the call for liberty during the American Revolution — and in death, he remains a sentinel of that founding spirit here in Scioto County, Ohio.

Lucas served as a Private in the 2nd Virginia Regiment, and after the war, joined the waves of pioneers pushing into the Ohio Country. He settled in what would become Rush Township, raised a family, and lived to see the earliest years of the republic he helped secure. He died on July 2, 1814, at the age of 72.

His grave marker tells more than just dates. It tells a story — one of character, sacrifice, and patriotism — carved into limestone more than two centuries ago:

He was a man of fair character and disinterested benevolence.
The Nation’s friend.

🕯️ A Monument in Stone — and in 3D

Thanks to a recent 3D scan of the monument, visitors can now explore every angle of Lucas’s headstone without leaving home. The limestone marker is encased in a pulpit-shaped concrete base — a preservation measure likely taken in the early 20th century. A bronze government-issued marker was later added to the reverse, officially recognizing his military service.

This scan preserves more than just shape and texture. It captures fading text, subtle craftsmanship, and a sense of physical presence often lost in time. You can rotate the model to view the original inscription on the front, the veteran marker on the back, and the weathered base where this early Ohio settler was laid to rest.

The model reveals not only the original epitaph, but also the later bronze government-issued marker affixed to the rear of the monument—recognizing Lucas formally for his Revolutionary War service. The preservation method, encasing the original limestone in concrete, is itself part of the story. It speaks to the community’s efforts to protect the memory of its earliest residents.

Full Epitaph (Transcription)

For reference, here is the full text inscribed on the original headstone

He was a man of fair character and disinterested benevolence.
The Nation’s friend.

When Britian proud oppress’d our land,
He forward step’d with sword in hand,
To cheer the face of woe:
From lawless insult to defended,
For liberty he did content,
Nor would he answer’d no.
The enemy retreat’d with shame,
He’s bury’d here with warlike fame.

This verse, while rustic in rhythm, echoes the themes of Revolutionary-era commemoration: valor, sacrifice, and moral clarity. Words like “disinterested benevolence” reflect Enlightenment ideals of civic virtue—where honor came not from status, but from selfless service to country and community.

A Legacy Preserved

Today, William Lucas’s grave remains one of the most historically significant in Scioto County. Through digital scanning, we can now view and share the monument in ways unimaginable just a generation ago. While weather and time continue their work, the story—and the stone—remain preserved in both place and pixel.

We invite you to explore the scan, reflect on the words, and remember a man who “step’d with sword in hand” when liberty called.