Quietly resting in Lakeville Cemetery is one America’s original Patriots and a local veteran wants to make sure his story is not forgotten.
The life of Private Derrick Hulick, a New Jersey militiaman who fought in American Revolution (1775-1783) and died in Addison in 1843, has been chronicled by Bill Devine, of Addison.
Standing over Hulick’s grave about two years ago, Devine said he was struck by the ‘overwhelming feeling that I’ve got to learn about him.?
‘There was a desire in me to want to know about his life,? said the 30-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and Naval Reserve, and member of American Legion Post 108.
By asking around, Devine was able to locate a sixth generation descendant of Hulick’s ? lifelong Addison resident Helen (Baza) Binger. Using historical records compiled by Binger and her genealogy-loving granddaughters, Julie and Jamie Rhew, of Indiana, along with his own research on the internet, Devine was able to put Hulick’s life story on paper.
Derrick Hulick was born ‘Derrick Gulick? on May 5, 1759 in Montgomery Township, Somerset County, New Jersey. For some unknown reason, he changed the first letter of his last name just prior to enlisting as a private in the New Jersey militia on June 1, 1776 at the age of 17.
Historians say the militia activity in New Jersey was a vital part of the war effort. With the British controlling nearby Staten, Manhattan and Long islands, New Jersey became the target of foraging expeditions, raids and invasions, all of which had to be repelled by the colony’s militia.
The militia was also given the duties of stopping the ‘London trade? (Americans selling supplies to the British), keeping the roads passable, guarding prisoners, aiding the county sheriff in tracking criminals, and controlling the large Tory population still loyal to the Crown.
Records indicate Hulick served 24 months in the New Jersey militia between the years 1776 and 1780.
Devine said he found ‘definite evidence? that Hulick fought in the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Judging by the years he served in the New Jersey Militia, Devine said it’s ‘reasonable to assume? Hulick also fought in the battles of Trenton (Dec. 26, 1776), Princeton (Jan. 3, 1777) and Millstone (Jan. 20, 1777).
Following the war, Hullick settled in Oxford Township, Warren County, New Jersey and raised a family.
In1832, at age 73, Hulick applied for and was granted a pension by the U.S. government for his service in the war. A notation made in the family Bible that same year, stated ‘He was once well off but now poor.?
In 1839, Hulick, now 80, moved to Addison Township to live with his daughter Mary and her husband Dennis Snyder, who settled here in 1833 and were among the community’s founding families.
Hulick lived the last four years of life in Addison and passed away on April 21, 1843. He has the distinction of being the first person buried in Lakeville Cemetery.
Devine said Oakland County contains the graves of 33 Revolutionary War veterans, but Hulick is the only one buried in the tri-township area of Oxford, Addison and Orion.
‘We’re pretty lucky here in Addison,? he said.
Devine has been researching and writing about the lives of deceased local veterans for the last few years. His interest in the subject was spawned by his personal efforts to help establish the Orion War Memorial.
Working on the memorial project made Devine wonder about the 39 Orion residents who died serving their country in conflicts ranging from the Civil War through Vietnam.
‘Who are these people?? he thought to himself.
With that simple question, he began researching the deceased veterans? lives, interviewing relatives and writing their stories for publication in The Lake Orion Review. ‘When I do one of these stories, for about a day or two, I feel like I’m him, like I’m living his life,? Devine said. ‘It’s the strangest thing. I can’t get it out of my mind.?
‘I don’t know what’s driving me, but I feel it’s important to do this.?