Civil War veteran to get new grave in Lawrenceburg

Initiative byLawrenceburg Public Library District Genealogist

(LAWRENCEBURG, Ind.) — William James Early passed away in Lawrenceburg at the age of 90 in 1934. 

He was African American and born in Kentucky in 1843.  

When he enlisted to fight for the Union Army during the Civil War, Early had to enlist under the last name of his enslaver- Richard Gaines.

When Early died, his slave name, William Gaines, was placed on his grave marker in Greendale.

Lawrenceburg Public Library District Genealogist Rachael Scott found out his slave name was used instead of his birth name on his grave marker, and wanted to make it right.  

“The story of William Early is incredible. As part of a library program to honor military veterans, I wanted to learn more about him and visit his grave at Greendale Cemetery. I walked all over, but I was unable to find his grave marker.  I then discovered the horrifying fact. William was buried under his slave name,” said Scott.

Scott began a year-long research project to prove William’s true identity through a series of government documents and other testimonials.

As a young man, he ran away and joined the Union Army. William “Gaines” became a part of Company E, 117th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, on Aug. 22, 1864, said Scott.

“Early did not get to spend much time with his regiment. One of his responsibilities was to care for the ammunition,” said Scott.  

He was injured in 1865 and was discharged from a military hospital in 1866. 

Early returned to Kentucky where he met and married his wife, Alice Willis. Together they had a daughter named Mary. Between 1890 and 1900, William moved to Lawrenceburg where he lived and worked until he passed away. 

The military provided his grave marker, but they provided it for the name under which his military records appeared, she said.

“For 90 years, this man who fought for his very literal freedom, had been buried under an incorrect name, his slave name,” said Scott. 

She received word last month the VA would supply a brand-new marker.  

Greendale Cemetery Board Member E.G. McLaughlin has been helping Scott plan for the installation of the new grave marker, even pointing out the graves of Early’s other relatives buried at the cemetery. A dedication will be held sometime in the future.

But before that happens, Scott and McLaughlin wanted to find a way to let people know more about this veteran.

"This project has been so difficult, but so incredibly rewarding. E.G. McLaughlin with the Greendale Cemetery has been so wonderful to work with, and I cannot say enough positive things about Jonas Memorial!  I approached them about getting a plaque for William's grave marker - providing the historicity of his story is important - and they offered to engrave his marker for free. It is wonderful that so many people are coming together to right this wrong,” said Scott.

In the meantime, you can learn more about Early and his remarkable life during a program at the Lawrenceburg Main Library at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19.