SALISBURY — On April 19, 1775, British soldiers marched into the Massachusetts townships of Lexington and Concord, planning to disarm colonial farmers and tradespeople.

Instead, the “shot heard round the world was fired,” with scores dead on both sides before the smoke cleared.

Now, 10 months and 11 days before the 250^th anniversary of the start of the War of Independence, descendants of American revolutionaries will honor a Salisbury family and patriot, Henry Handy (1747-1787) for service to his country, with the placing of a historic marker by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and a grave — marking service by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR).

Ceremonies begin at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at Parsons Cemetery (912 N. Division St.) with a color guard, speeches, unveiling of a new kiosk with more Handy/Parsons families’ information, culminating in the dedication of the new grave marker.

A descendant of the Handy’s, Andrea Stine will come from Florida for the event.

During the Revolutionary War, Henry served in the Somerset Militia and had to contend with many Loyalists sympathizers. His grandfather Samuel initially came to the Eastern Shore as an indentured servant, and prospered. Henry’s father, Isaac, was a successful planter and ship’s captain and he played an important role in the founding of Salisbury in 1732.  (An earlier name for the community had been Handy’s Landing.)

Henry’s older brother George built on their father’s success and during the Revolutionary War was wealthy enough to loan money to the Continental Congress.

The remains of Handy family members, including Henry, are believed by some to have been “taken up” from a “family burying ground” at Pemberton Hall, where they had lived, and reinterred in Parsons Cemetery, based on a Parsons family letter and recent Salisbury University Ground Penetrating Radar exploration. (The Parsons family purchased Pemberton from the Handys in 1835. Another branch of the family donated land for the Salisbury cemetery to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. The Handys were Episcopalians.)

After the brief Parsons Cemetery ceremony, the celebration continues at 1 p.m. at Pemberton Hall (5561 Plantation Lane, located off Pemberton Drive), which the Handy family built. Again, a color guard, remarks, and dedication of a marker where Henry grew up are part of the commemoration.

On hand will be a special treat: a historic musket and a reminder of April 19, 1775, when the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. “As we near the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War, we honor Henry Handy, a grandson of an indentured servant, and a patriot. His grave, like his life, is now honored.”

Admission is free and the public is invited. For more information contact Judy Halter at SamuelChase@mddar.org.