Women's History Month: Leonard’s Creek Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
{December 2021. L to R- Vickie Whitehead, Kathy Wall, Fred Learned (Bethabara SAR), Susan Weaver, Janice Younts and Prentice Weldon. Contributed Photo}
History of Leonard’s Creek Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on October 11, 1890, during a time that was marked by a revival in patriotism and intense interest in the beginnings of the United States of America. Women felt the desire to express their patriotic feelings and were frustrated by their exclusion from men's organizations formed to perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought to make this country free and independent. As a result, a group of pioneering women in the nation's capital formed their own organization and the Daughters of the American Revolution has carried the torch of patriotism ever since.
The objectives laid forth in the first meeting of the DAR have remained the same in 125 years of active service to the nation. Those objectives are: Historical - to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; Educational - to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion…"; and Patriotic - to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty.
Since its founding in 1890, DAR has admitted more than 950,000 members. Most of DAR's volunteer work is accomplished by the grassroots efforts of chapters on the local level which focus on the mission areas of DAR by encouraging members to become involved in these initiatives in their local communities.
Outstanding Junior DAR member, Kimberly Davis Wyatt, daughter of Vice-Regent Kathy Wall. Kimberly is the Secretary of the North Carolina State DAR Junior Club. {Contributed Photo}
DAR offers many educational scholarships, along with promoting Constitution week , essay contests, DAR Good Citizen Awards and support for Jr ROTC and ROTC groups in our local schools. We support veterans and active-duty military and their families and work to preserve and maintain historic sites that witnessed actions related to the founding of the United States.
We are a non-profit, non-political volunteer women's service organization. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. information courtesy of DAR.org
The origins of our local chapter stretch back to the beginning of the 20th century. Local women in Davidson County organized the General William Davidson Chapter in Lexington on December 17, 1912. This active group assisted with support for veterans and historic preservation in the local area before disbanding in 1937.
The Captain Benjamin Merrill Chapter was organized October 17, 1975 in Lexington,
Davidson County, North Carolina with Mrs. J. G. Williamson as organizing regent. The chapter honored Captain Benjamin Merrill, one of the first martyrs to freedom as a member of the Regulators who fought Governor Tryon's forces before the war began. After the battle of Alamance in North Carolina he was one of six Regulators hanged for treason with all being buried in a common grave with no marker.
On June 19, 1981, the 210th anniversary of his execution, the Chapter erected a bronze
marker on Court Square, Lexington, North Carolina. Many of his descendants were present for the ceremony which included many local dignitaries.
On October 11, 1995 the chapter sponsored the dedication of a grave marker for
Revolutionary War patriot George Murrell in a cemetery in northern Davidson County.
The chapter participated in many activities and disbanded in the early 2000’s.
Fast forward to 2017, when Toni London, a DAR member from the Old North State Chapter, was inspired to work on forming a new DAR chapter in Davidson County. After much hard work and recruiting on the part of Toni and Kim Cole, member of the Nathan Perry Chapter in Ohio, who assisted with the application process for prospective members, Leonard’s Creek Chapter, NSDAR was organized on June 9, 2018. The organizational meeting was held at the Dr. William Rainey Holt House on Main Street in Lexington. Coincidentally, this home is significant for DAR in Davison County, as the meetings of the General William Davidson Chapter were also held in this location.
Toni London was our first Regent, with Pam Zanni, Vice Regent; Susan Weaver , Chaplain; Kimberly Wyatt, Corresponding Secretary; Mallory Stonesifer , Registrar; Tracy Walser, Treasurer; Mary Crump, Librarian; and Edie Moore, Historian. Other charter members sworn in included Kathy Wall, Vickie Whitehead, Emilee Hicks, Paula Wagnon and two members from the Benjamin Merrill Chapter: Sarah Hedrick and Anne Mae Corn.
Our current officers are Susan Weaver, Regent; Kathy Wall, Vice- Regent, Janice Younts, Chaplain; Pam Zanni, Registrar; Vickie Whitehead, Treasurer; Mallory Stonesifer, Recording Secretary; Tracy Walser, Corresponding Secretary; Natalie Welker, Librarian; Kathy Wall, Historian. Our chapter continues to grow and prosper as we work to promote historic preservation, needs of local women and education of children, and the interests of Veterans and their families in the local area.
Leonard’s Creek Chapter, NSDAR, was named for two American Revolutionary War heroes who lived in the Leonard’s Creek and Abbott’s Creek area of what was then Rowan County, N.C.
