The public is invited to a Saturday, May 14, ceremony that will feature the placement of a footstone at the grave of American Revolutionary War soldier William Akins, Sr.

A program will be held in the fellowship hall at Goshen United Methodist Church (605 Alabama Highway 9, just a short distance north of the Piedmont town limits) beginning at 10am.

Following the presentation and refreshments, the attendees will caravan via their vehicles to Carmel Cemetery (1755 County Road 587, a short distance from Spring Garden School).

The ceremony and stone will honor the life of American patriot and Revolutionary  War soldier William Akins, Sr.

Lieutenant Akins was born in Cecil, Maryland, British Colonial America to parents James Akin (spelling different in various records) and  Rachel Lynda Patterson June 2, 1756.

William, Sr., registered in the American military in 1777.  He married Elizabeth MacCorkle on March 4, 1784, in Charlotte, Mecklenburg, North Carolina.

The couple had at least six sons and two daughters. According to available information,  the family moved to Spring Garden in what became Cherokee County,  in Alabama. Lieutenant Akins passed away in 1841 at age 84. Mrs. Akins lived until 1856.

The grave-marking ceremony is hosted by the Barry Springs chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Members welcome all interested person to attend the ceremony—there will be no charge for admission.