“He’s our Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett
and George Armstrong Custer all in one. He
didn’t know what the outcome would be, but
he fought for the birth of our country.”
local soldiers as they gather together for
a meeting. The monument costs about
$50,000 and is being paid for with donations
and grants. Monuments to veterans from
early conflicts in American history are rare,
and Martelli hopes the historical society’s
efforts will inspire other communities to
erect similar memorials.
“This is something new, and we hope it
will spin off to other communities,” he says.
Robert Vance will be one of the veterans
prominently featured on the Revolutionary
War monument. Born in Virginia around
1747, Vance was an early pioneer who
settled in western Pennsylvania in the 1760s
or early 1770s and later served as an infantry
officer during the Revolutionary War. He
also served as a sergeant in the militia and
fought against Native Americans during
Lord Dunmore’s War shortly before the
Revolutionary War began.
“He’s our Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett
and George Armstrong Custer all in one,”
Martelli says. “He didn’t know what the
outcome would be, but he fought for the
birth of our country.”
Vance eventually married and had
10 children. He is also thought to have
built an outpost near Coraopolis that was
later known as Fort Vance. He joined the
Continental Army and served for at least
five years. Vance was eventually promoted
to the rank of captain and received almost
4,700 acres of land for his service during the
Revolutionary War. After the war, he helped
build Montour Presbyterian Church.
Robert Vance died in 1814 and was buried
near the church he helped to construct.
His grave was temporarily lost but then
rediscovered in the early 20th century.
Martelli also hopes to secure an award
honoring Vance’s service and will submit a
petition to the federal government. Vance
was tasked with protecting the settlers on
the frontier and was often separated from
his family for long periods of time. Martelli
is in the process of collecting evidence
that documents Vance’s military service
and hopes to receive approval for the
award before the monument’s dedication
ceremony. He believes there’s an 80 percent
chance of success if all the necessary
documentation can be located.
“We will jump hurdles and go through
walls,” Martelli says. “We will do whatever it
takes.” n
Carlynton-Montour | Fall 2017 | icmags.com 15