DAR Celebrating Phebe Ashley Weed Today-- Part 2

The Battle of Hubbardton, led by Lt. General John Burgoyne, promised to destroy the village of Poultney.  While the men were busy defending the village, Beulah Wheeler Howe, Phebe's grandmother, and 12 other women, led all that could not fight to Fort Bennington -- over 50 miles away through wilderness to safety.

This extrordinary bravery of the of these thirteen women is still celebrated today woth a parade and festival in their honor called East Poultney Days.

Phebe's family relocated to New York where she married Amasa Mead, who had fought in the War of 1812, and had her first family.  A Kishwaukee Trail member is descended from her fifth child, Catherine Phebe Mead, born December 20, 1821.

Phebe's husband  died and she married John Weed.  They had three more children and she ran a very busy and happy household.

Phebe moved to be near her daughter, Catherine Phoebe Mead, sho married Frederick Morgan Webb.  They were residents of Marengo, Illinois, in the early 1850s.

--Cooter

DAR Celebrating the Life of Real Daughter Phebe Weed Today in Marengo, Illinois

On Sunday, August 14 at 1:30 PM, the Kishwaukee Trail Chapter NSDAR (Illinois) will have a ceremony at Old Marengo Cemetery in Marengo, Illinois.  They will mark the grave of Phebe Ashley Mead Weed, daughter of an American Revolutionary Patriot.

Phebe Ashley was born on Poultney, Vermont, the sixth child of 13 children.  Her uncle Thomas Ashley, Ethan Allen and Nehemiah Howe helped settle the small farming community where she grew up.

Phebe's father, William Ashley, served in the American Revolution and fought for our country's freedom in the Vermont militia.

Young Phebe grew up knowing that her grandmother, Beulah Wheeler Howe, was also a freedom fighter known for being among thirteen women who saved the children and citizens of Poultney from a British invasion.

--Brock-Perry

DAR Going Strong on North Shore-- Part 2: Visiting Injured Spanish-American War Soldiers

The North Shore Daughters of the American revolution (DAR) chapter has 122 members.  It is a lineage society.  To become a member, women must trace their ancestry to those whose participated in or supported the cause of the American Revolution.  Proof has to be in the form of documents.

Specific activities are chosen by each chapter.  For example, the North Shore chapter began visiting injured troops at Fort Sheridan in 1898 during the Spanish-American War.  More recently, it has delivered supplies to the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.

The national organization's peak membership was during the 1976 American Bicentennial.  There are currently 183,000 members nationally, its highest number in two decades.

--DaCoot

Daughters (DAR) Going Strong on North Shore-- Part 1: A Whole Lot of History

From the June 30, 2016, Chicago Tribune by Mark Lawton.

When the North Shore (of Chicago) chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was incorporated in 1893, Grover Cleveland was about to be inaugurated as president for his second term, the kingdom of Hawaii was overthrown in a coup d'etat and the first Ferris wheel was built for the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

On April 20, 1893, a dozen women organized the North Shore chapter of the DAR in Highland Park, the second chapter in the state (after one was established in Chicago) and the 130th in the nation.  The national organization had started only a few years earlier on October 11, 1890.

The DAR has a three part mission.  First, it is active and preserving historic homes and marking graves of American revolution veterans.  It also undertakes patriotic activities like supporting U.S. military and veterans.  They also provide educational outreach opportunities.

My mother was a very active member in her Goldsboro, N.C., DAR chapter.

--CootDAR

History Back in History

From the August 23, 2017, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1917, 100 Years Ago.

"Today in Sycamore, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution of which several DeKalb people are members are making final plans for the placing of two markers on historic spots in DeKalb County.  In the spring time, the board of supervisors will willingly make an appropriation of $200 for the placing of the markers and the fund has been greatly increased by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

"The markers will be placed near Hinckley the location of the first permanent settlement in the county and at Coltonville the site of the first session of DeKalb County court."

Even History Back Then.  --Cooter

Looking Back to 1916: War Clouds and Kicked By the "Steel Mule"

From the April 6, 2016, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois) "Looking Back."

1916, 100 Years Ago.

**  "The National Board of the Daughters of the American revolution has decided to assist the Commission for Relief in Belgium, in organizing a 'Flag (Tag) Day' for the relief of war sufferers in occupied Belgium and northern Europe."

As the United States draws nearer to entering World War I.

**  "Wilbur Marshall was kicked by a 'steel mule,' in other words,, he was cranking a traction engine when it kicked back and he received a blow which dislocated his jaw and caused very painful bruises on Wednesday."

The Perils of Machinery.  --Cooter

Revolutionary War Veteran Honored in McHenry County-- Part 3

The plaque dedication was organized by the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) and was also attended by the Daughters of the American Revolution and Major Watson Society of the Children of the American Revolution. //// The SAR estimates that in Illinois there are about 100 cemeteries with the remains of American Revolution veterans. Most individual graves have been marked, but the SAR wants to put these plaques at cemetery entrances to alert visitiors of the fact. //// The SAR is an international organization of men who are descendants of those who fought in the American Revolution. ////

What's in a DAR?

From the January-February American Spirit Magazine of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Since I've been writing about chapter names, what about the organization.

"Do You Have a Revolutionary Patriot in Your Family Tree?"

Full Name of the organization: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. I just thought it was DAR.

MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY:

Any Woman over 18 years of age, regardless of race, religion ethnic background. Have to prove lineal descent from a Patriot the American Revolution. DAR members will provide assistance in the genealogy research.

HOW IS A PATRIOT DEFINED:

Not only soldiers, but anyone who contributed to the cause of American freedom.

THE DAR:

Has 160,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters worldwide, including 12 foreign countries. Founded 1890 and since then has had more than 875,000 members.

DAR, Anyone? --Cooter

What's in a Name: DAR Chapter Names-- Part 3

FORT PICKENS CHAPTER, GULF BREEZE, FLORIDA.

OK, Fort Pickens is more connected with the Civil War, but it was named after a Revolutionary War hero.

After the US got Florida from Spain in 1819, Pensacola was chosen as the site for a US Navy Yard and four forts were built to protect the bay and area. The largest, Fort Pickens was completed in 1839 and in use until 1947. I was able to visit Fort Pickens at the end of last month.

The fort's namesake, Andrew Pickens, led the Continental Army to victory at Kettle Creek in northern Georgia and also participated in action at Charleston and Cowpens.
For his service, the Continental Congress presented him with a ceremonial sword and South Carolina made him brigadier general of state militia.

I Knew the Fort, But Not the Man. --DaCoot

What's in a Name? DAR Chapters-- Part 1

My mother belongs to The Daughters of the American Revolution and as such gets the American Spirit Magazine. In the Jan.-Feb. issue, there was a segment called "What's in a Name" with some interesting stuff I felt obliged to include in this blog.

LIEUTENANT GEORGE FARRAGUT CHAPTER, DAR, COEUR D'ALENE, IDAHO

I have heard of Admiral David G. Glasgow Farragut through Civil War connections, but not George and definitely would wonder why a DAR chapter in Idaho would be named after a naval hero.

George Farragut was born in Spain and came to America as a merchant seaman. At the outbreak of the Revolution, he joined the South Carolina Navy and was captured during the siege of Charleston. After his release, he took part in the battles of Cowpens and Wilmington.

His son was David Farragut of Civil War fame.

During World War II, there was the Farragut Naval Training Station which was one of the largest in the US during the war and located on Lake Pend Orielle in the Idaho panhandle. Between 1942 and 1945, nearly 300,000 sailors trained here. A submarine acoustic testing center continues at the site.

Never Heard of It. --DaCoot