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DNA Identifies Revolutionary War Soldier John Pumphrey at Battle of Camden
DNA and genealogy identified the long-anonymous Revolutionary War soldier after 14 sets of remains were recovered and reburied with military honors.
- Researchers have identified Revolutionary War soldier John Pumphrey, who died at the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780, through DNA testing and genealogical research conducted over 246 years after his death.
- Archaeologists surveying the South Carolina battlefield in 2020 discovered human bones protruding from the ground. Eventually, 14 sets of remains were identified, including 12 Continental soldiers who were later reinterred with full military honors.
- Allison Peacock of FHD Forensics and Kelly Harkins Kincaid of Astrea extracted DNA from the petrous portion of the temporal bone, overcoming challenges from environmental microbial colonization that typically degrades ancient samples.
- Russ Hudson, a retired federal agent and Pumphrey's descendant, conducted archival research revealing the orphan likely enlisted in the militia at age 13 and marched 1,000 miles before his death.
- For Hudson, the story remains incomplete until the U.S. government confirms the research and replaces his ancestor's "UNKNOWN" headstone. "He sacrificed himself, along with some others," Hudson said, "for the sake of this new nation.
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DNA from the skull of unknown Revolutionary War soldier reveals more than just his name
Through DNA testing and old-fashioned sleuthing, the Maryland teenager who died in one of the last big battles of the American Revolution can now take his place in history, just in time for the 250th birthday of the nation he fought to create.
·New York, United States
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The Toronto Star+13 Reposted by 13 other sources
DNA from the skull of an unknown Revolutionary War soldier reveals more than his name
After 246 years, Pvt. John Pumphrey is unknown no more.
·Toronto, Canada
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Total News Sources34
Leaning Left12Leaning Right2Center18Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 38%
C 56%
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