Left to right: Teresa Rimer, Cherokee district director, TNDAR; and Pauline Moore, Nancy Ward Landscape Project chairman
Color guard, Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, TNSSAR
Left to right: Becky Hobbs (fifth generation great-granddaughter of Nancy Ward, Oklahoma); Pauline Moore; Peggie Hall; and Debra Yates (seventh generation great-granddaughter of Nancy Ward, St. Petersburg, Fl.)
Arrowhead marker honoring 'Nancy Ward and Her Contribution to Her Culture'; and recognizing the 14 DAR chapters in Cherokee District (from Chattanooga to Knoxville)
'Teardrop' Marker - placed by the great-grandchildren of Nancy Ward; recognizing Nancy Ward (Cherokee 'Beloved Woman'); brother, Longfellow; and son, Five Killer.
The Nancy Ward grave site in Polk County, near Benton, was in readiness for ‘Dedication Day’:
The hill with the huge umbrella shaped Cedar tree over Nancy Ward’s grave was colorful with an
array of colorful flags, wreaths, and men in Revolutionary uniforms standing beneath its’ boughs.
A large crowd was in attendance: Nancy Ward’s great grandchildren, fourth – seventh generations, were present, with two featured on the Program: Becky Hobbs, fifth generation singer\songwriter with electric keyboard, singing "Let There Be Peace” and “Tsa La Gi-We Are Many”, and Debra Yates, seventh generation career landscaper and floral designer from St Petersburg, Fl.
Also attending were members of The Association of the Descendants of Nancy Ward, who came by bus from Oklahoma; Dar (Daughters of the American Revolution) chapter representatives from the fourteen chapters in Cherokee District between Chattanooga and Knoxville; Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter members’ Honor Guard in Revolutionary uniforms; John Sevier Chapter SAR representatives; and the general public.
A ‘Teardrop’ marker in granite stands at the entrance to the walkway to Nancy Ward’s grave, and is inscribed with the Wolf Clan logo (of the Association of the Descendants of Nancy Ward), reading:
‘Nancy Ward ‘Nanyehi’, 1738-1822 – Five Killer, Son, 1755-About 1823; Longfellow, Brother.’
An ‘Arrowhead’ marker in stone stands at the top of the walkway to Nancy Ward’s grave, and is inscribed: ‘In Honor of Nancy Nanyehi Ward, 1738-1822 – In Appreciation for Her Contribution to Her Culture and Her People; followed by the inscription: Daughters of the American Revolution – Cherokee District Chapters (listing the 14 chapters).
A ‘Patriot’ marker with Insignia lies at the head of Nancy Ward’s grave, placed by the Col. Benjamin Cleveland Chapter, TNSSAR.
"Nancy Ward (known as ‘Prophetess’, ‘Beloved Woman’) is not only remembered as an important figure to the Cherokee people, but is also considered an early pioneer for women in American politics, as she advocated for a woman’s voice during a turbulent period in her tribe’s history. In her last years, she operated an inn at the Womankiller Ford of the Ocoee River in present-day Polk County near Benton," officials said.
Her grave was marked by the Nancy Ward Chapter in 1923; and is preserved today by the Whitewater Ocoee Division of the Tennessee Park Service.