Henry Vandelsem
Grave of a Soldier
of the Revolutionary War
The grave of a soldier of the Revolutionary War, Henry Vandelsem, will be spotlighted at the ceremonies at the Oak Grove Cemetery, located in Wills Township on County Road 600 East.
Daughters of the American Revolution will take part as well as a legion unit.
At Oak Grove there are graves of veterans of all the American Wars.
According to information reported by Gene McDonald, LaPorten Henry Vandelsem enlisted in the fall or winter of 1775 and served until June 1776, as a private under Captain William W. Gilbert, New York troops.
He reenlisted in June 1776 for five months a private under Captain Hogencamp, New York troops and then served another year as orderly sergeant under Captain Abraham Haring, Major Goetschinsm, New Jersey troops.
He was taken prisoner, December 5, 1777, but escaped June 19, 1778 and reenlisted for six months in 1778 and 1779 as a private under Captain Thomas Blanch and Captain Haring of Col. Dey’s regiment, New Jersey troops.
Vandelsem was born in New York City August 12, 1757 and died March 10, 1835 in LaPorte County. He married May 10, 1787 to Eunice Zabriske, daughter of Hendrick O. Zabriskie. A son, William H. VanDelsem was living in New York in 1844 and another son, Samuel, was living in LaPorte in 1850 according to county census.
This grave is in the southwest corner of the cemetery and is marked with a marble slab that has been broken from its base but firmly reset.
Oak Grove Cemetery each year is the scene of daylong activities. Descendants of many of the families buried there return to decorate the graves and remain for a pleasant reunion with old neighbors and friends.