Revolutionary War Veteran. Samuel C. Ward, who was in his 87th year at the time of his death, had enlisted in the Bloomfield, Essex County, NJ Militia during the Revolutionary War, serving the American cause as a man in his late 20's and early 30's. A widower at the time of his death, he had been married to the former Hannah Crane, who, though 20 years his junior, had predeceased him a decade earlier. The couple were the parents of sons Josiah (b. 1811, d.o.d. unknown) and George S. Ward (1821-1899).
The Biblical epitaph inscribed on his brown sandstone stele was apparently inspired by his advanced age:
"The days of our years are three
score years and ten; and if by
reason of strength they be four
score years, yet is their strength
labour and sorrow; for it is soon
cut off, and we fly away. PS XC 10"
PHOTO: Nikita Barlow

Military service; names & lifespans of spouse and sons: Findagrave contributor Contributor: CC (48986187), who cites reference https://www.oocities.org/~rewoodham/wardrvw3.html
Ward Soldiers of the Revolution∼Military information provided by Jan Gorman (# 47670721) on 10/1/2022.

s/o Lawrence Ward & Eleanor (Baldwin) Ward according to various genealogies.

During the American Revolutionary War, Samuel Lawrence Ward enlisted in Captain Pierson's company, under the command of Colonel Van Cortlandt of the Essex County Militia. He was honored for his military service by the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution as DAR Ancestor #A120673. DAR records indicate that Samuel died July 9, 1814 [not correct], in Bloomfield, Essex County, NJ and that his wife's name was Margaret Farrand. Applications for membership in the Society of the DAR have been made by the descendants of their son, Josiah L. Ward, who married Phoebe Davis and their daughter, Lydia Ward, who married David Dodd.