Maker's Mark honors American Revolutionary War hero buried on distillery grounds

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — An iconic name in Kentucky bourbon paid tribute to an American Revolutionary War hero laid to rest in the heart of bourbon country.

Maker’s Mark hosted a special ceremony Saturday to honor Nicholas Ray, Sr., a previously unrecognized American Revolutionary War veteran buried on the distillery's grounds. Ray served as a captain in Maryland during the war for independence. After the war he, his two brothers and sister journeyed west, eventually settling in what is now Marion County, Kentucky.

Ray died in 1819 and was buried near Raywick, where many of his descendants are also buried.

More than 100 people came to pay tribute to him at the Ray Family Cemetery on Saturday, which was only rediscovered in 2015. Marker's Mark, working in conjunction with the Ray Family and members of Marion County High School's History Club, helped restore the cemetery and the wall surrounding the 12 markers.

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