CAMDEN, S.C. — Archaeologists from the University of South Carolina uncovered the skeletal remains of Revolutionary War soldier John Pumphrey in 2022. James Legg, a public archaeologist at the university, led the excavation. Steve Smith worked with Legg on the project. The remains were submitted to FHD Forensics for DNA analysis. Analysts used three different types of DNA testing to cross-check results and matched them to historical genealogy records.

Pumphrey enlisted in the 7th Maryland regiment of the Continental Army in January 1777. He participated in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown in Pennsylvania, as well as the Battle of Monmouth in New Jersey. Records indicate he was encamped at Valley Forge and Morristown and re-enlisted in the Continental Army. Pumphrey died in action during the Battle of Camden in August 1780, killed by a British musket ball. A news conference announcing the identification was held in Maryland.

Allison Peacock, president of FHD Forensics, stated that Pumphrey is the oldest "John Doe" ever identified with genetic genealogy. Peacock said, "We even had family members that went to the archives and pulled records or pulled tax records for us." An employee of FHD Forensics is related to both soldiers associated with the identified remains. Peacock is working to track down relatives for a second set of remains from the Battle of Camden site.

Nancy White, 71, a living relative of Pumphrey who resides on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, was identified through the DNA analysis. White and her sisters had investigated their family genealogy for years and opted into a DNA database. White sent emails asking people to share family trees to help confirm the DNA results, and hundreds of people responded. White said, "This is absolutely a miraculous discovery for us." She added, "We were told that the soldier would be our fourth great uncle." Regarding the family history, White said, "We … knew they were predominantly Quakers, and Quakers didn't fight."

A total of 14 sets of remains were uncovered at the Battle of Camden site. The graves were about 14 inches deep. They were likely dug by Continental soldiers who were taken as prisoners of war by the British. At the time of the battle, the Continental Army held a two-to-one advantage in numbers.