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Mary Atkinson Cunningham, Historian |
Within the years of 1876 - 1892 the New World was marked by a revival
in patriotism and an intense interest in the beginnings of the United States
of America. Associations such as the Society of the Cincinnati which dates
from the close of the American Revolution, the Sons of Revolutionary Sires,
the Sons of the Revolution, and the Sons of the American Revolution offered
men opportunities to perpetuate the memory of ancestors who fought for
their country. A resolution at a meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, on April
30, 1890, excluded women from membership. but, women, too, felt the desire
to express their patriotic feelings in suitable ways, and many of those
who read of the Louisville meeting were indignant at being excluded.
That summer the Sons of the American Revolution met in Washington,
D.C. The newspaper account of this meeting provided the impetus to bring
together women of the North, South, East, and West in the common interest
of historic, educational and patriotic pursuits. A handful of women in
the capital put this matter as an earnest endeavor founded a society of
their own, the Daughters of the American Revolution. So reads an excerpt
from the DAR publication titled "In Washington.... the DAR Story."
Of the four founders, Miss Mary Desha, Miss Eugenia Washington,
Mrs. Mary Smith Lockwood, and Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, Miss Mary Desha
was a Kentuckian. She helped prepare the DAR Constitution, was the designer
of the Society's Seal, was first chairman of the Board of Managers and
became Vice President General. She was also the sponsor of the Lexington,
Kentucky Chapter.
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, wife of the President of the United States,
became the first President-General of the National Society, 1890-1893.
The three fold purpose of the NSDAR is exactly the same now as
it was when the Society was organized, October 11, 1890.
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Historical: - "to perpetuate the memory
and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence."
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Education: - "to carry out the injunction
of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, "to promote,
as an object of primary important, institutions for the general diffusion
of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion...:
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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.
The General Samuel Hopkins DAR chapter the third oldest in the state
of Kentucky has reached the milestone of its 100th birthday in 1996.
Revolutionary Ancestors of Past and Present
Membership of Gen. Samuel Hopkins Chapter, NSDAR
Historical Publication of General Samuel
Hopkins and the Beginning of Henderson County
General Samuel Hopkins Chapter Charter
Nancy Hart DAR Memorial Page
On the local level, the General Samuel Hopkins Chapter, named for
Henderson County's Revolutionary personality, erected a monument in 1916
in the northeast corner of the Court House yard, bearing the names of 12
men who served from this County. The burial place of General
Samuel Hopkins has been marked by a roadside plaque located on Highway
54. Lucy Audubon, daughter of John
James Audubon and for whom the Chapter of the Children of the American
Revolution was named is buried in the small cemetery. The grave of Thomas
Smith, Revolutionary soldier, has been marked and is located at
the entrance to Audubon State Park. Other Revolutionary graves are in the
process of being marked by the General Samuel Hopkins Chapter. The General
Samuel Hopkins Chapter sponsored the organization of the Lucy Audubon Chapter,
Children of the American Revolution, the Installation Ceremony having been
held on February 20, 1965, under the leadership of Mrs.
James C. Kirchgessner and Mrs. Robert C. Phillips.
The local chapter supports the public library, North Junior High's
ongoing oral history project and other community programs and agencies.
I
It also has annually sponsored an essay contest for fourth,
fifth and sixth graders; Good Citizenship awards for junior high youths,
and a Good Citizen contest for high school seniors.
A prospective DAR member must be at least 18 years of age
and able to trace her lineage to an ancestor who served the patriot cause
during the American Revolution.
The Kentucky state DAR has a genealogical workshop committee
that will help those interested in joining the organization complete DAR
papers for membership.
For Membership Information
NSDAR NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
Member Services
1776 D Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006-5305
(202)628-1776
National Daughters of the Revolution Home Page
http://www.dar.org/
The General Samuel Hopkins Chapter, National Society Daughters
of the American Revolution meets on the first Saturday of each month at
noon except for the summer months, July, August and September.
The Officers of the General Samuel Hopkins Chapter
May 1999 - May 2000
NOTICE
The DAR Insignia is the property
of and is copyrighted by the National Daughters of the American Revolution.
Web Hyperlinks to non-DAR sites
are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the State Organizations or individual
DAR chapters.
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