Chapter Clips - 120th Anniversary Celebration of the Kings Mountain Chapter

I had the privilege of attending the 120th anniversary celebration of the Kings Mountain Chapter on October 14, 2018.  It was a beautiful autumn afternoon with a slight cool breeze blowing.  The leaves had not yet begun to turn to their autumn splendor, but if the temperatures are any indication, then the colors will be presenting themselves soon in a beautiful array.

The celebration began with the rededication of the graves of Lesslie Donom Witherspoon, Organizing Chapter Regent followed by Virginia Mason Bratton, 4th State Regent of the SCDAR at Rose Hill Cemetery.  Ironically, these graves were just feet apart from each other making the transition between the two seamless.  Afterwards, we traveled 3 blocks to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd assembly room for a thoughtfully prepared program and delicious refreshments.

 In typical paging fashion, I saw that our State Chaplain had no where to place her purse during the ceremony and naturally held it for her during the ceremony and then carried it for her back to her car while keeping an eye that she didn't stumble or fall as we made our way over the uneven terrain.  For those of you who have worn white in DAR and served our society in that fashion, I imagine you are nodding your heads reminiscing of how many times you have done that exact same thing while not wearing white.  The servant's heart doesn't go away does it?

I hope you enjoy these highlights from the day.  Congratulations goes out to Chapter Regent Anne Allen, 120th Committee Chair Lisa Cook, and the members of the Kings Mountain Chapter for a lovely afternoon.  I hope you enjoy the highlights of the event.

Attendees gathered at the grave of Organizing Chapter Regent Lesslie Witherspoon.

Miss Witherspoon joined DAR on April 2, 1896 citing the service of Captain James Witherspoon.  She was the daughter of Margaret Elizabeth Wright and Isaac Donom Witherspoon.  She served as chapter regent from 1898-1902.                                                                                                                                                             

We then moved over to the grave of Virginia Mason Bratton.

Virginia Mason Bratton joined DAR on October 1, 1896 citing the services of George Mason and William Bratton.  Virginia was the daughter of Minnie Mason and Napoleon Bonaparte Bratton.  She served as our 4th State Regent.

Chapter Regent Anne Allen shared this with us.

Death Takes Member of Pioneer York Family

“Mrs. Virginia Mason Bratton, 92, a leader in the DAR and UDC, a friend of governors and legislators and a prominent member of a pioneer York County family, died last night after a long period of declining health.

She was the widow of Robert Moultrie Bratton of York. “Miss Virginia” as she was known, was born on September 9, 1867, at the Brattonsville Plantation near York, the ancestral home of the Bratton family, in the historic revolutionary house where her great-grandfather and great-grandmother Col. William and Martha Bratton, lived at the time of the Revolutionary War.

It was with pride that “Miss Virginia” recalled she had lived in all three of the historic homes in Brattonsville. Her parents the late N. B. and Minne Mason Bratton moved to the Brickhouse nine days after she was born. Miss Virginia married her cousin, Moultrie Bratton of York. The couple then resided in the Homestead, next door. Mr. Bratton was engaged in planting.

“Miss Virginia’s” mother was a member of the distinguished Mason family of Virginia. She was a direct descendant Of George Mason of Gunston Hall, near Mount Vernon, who wrote the Virginia Bill of Rights, and who was a delegate to the early conventions that founded the United States government.

In 1914, the Brattons moved to York, where other members of the family had lived for many years. She was a charter member of the Kings Mountain Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution of which she served as Chapter Regent and as State Regent. In addition, she was the National Vice President General in Washington, D. C.

She was active in the centennial celebration of the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1880 and took an active part when Kings Mountain was designated as a national military park, largely through the work of the York DAR. At the dedication ceremony in 1880, Miss Virginia introduced S. C. Governor John Richards, who in turn introduced President Hebert Hoover.

She was a founding spirit for Tamassee, national DAR school at Tamassee, S. C. She served as Chairman of the board of directors of the school for a number of years and was a director of the Confederate Home in Columbia, S.C.

While in her 80’s, and suffering from poor eyesight, she would take a bus alone to attend meetings in Columbia and in other cities. Miss Virginia contacted governors and legislators to enlist their support of Tamassee, the Confederate Home and the University. She was active in the Red Cross, serving as chairman of the York chapter during WWI and on the executive board during WWII.

Miss Virginia collected material on York County and South Carolina for many years. She was a charter member of the Old York Historical Society. She often said if she had chose a profession she would have chosen journalism. While a young woman, she once locked herself in the revolutionary house at Brattonsville, closed the solid wood door, shutters and remained there for several days, to get the proper feeling for a story she was writing for a national contest. She won the contest.

As long as she was able, she visited Brattonsville and took an active interest in its maintenance. A young friend drove her to the plantation once a week for a number of years.”

She was survived by three nieces, Mrs. Margaret Moore of York; Mrs. Ernest Carroll of Rock Hill, and Mrs. B. D. Staton of Spartanburg, and a number of other relatives around York.

Following the rededications, the attendees drove to the church where we had the opportunity  to see some of the wonderful history that the chapter has as part of their collection.  The original chapter charter was on display along with a book of the original minutes, programs, and other interesting pieces of the chapter's treasured history.  Of course, this display caught my eye right away! If only I had had the time to read everything that they had to share.

The highlight of the day was the keynote speaker  Robert Inman. When he was introduced, I knew that I recognized the name but couldn't figure out why.  After the ceremony, I learned that he was a news anchor for Channel 3 out of Charlotte.  That was it!  I grew up watching him during the days of the large tv antenna attached to the chimney.  For some reason, we could get the Charlotte stations much better than the Columbia ones; therefore, I spent much of my time watching channel 3 and 9 from Charlotte including the ACC basketball games which Columbia did not carry.  He was the news anchor for WBTV Channel 3.  After we got cable, we would often unhook it and turn the antenna in the direction of Charlotte just to watch these stations and features which the Columbia stations did not carry.  You may know Bob's work from the Hallmark Hall of Fame.  Two of his six screenplays turned into a Hallmark movie were The Summer of Ben Tyler which earned him Best Screenplay of 1997 by the Writer's Guild of America and Home Fires Burning.

Bob's address was one not to be missed.  Enjoy the video featuring the chapter regent giving some highlights of the chapter's history followed by Bob's address.  I am so glad you get to hear it for yourself via video!

I had the pleasure of speaking with him following the festivities.  Due to his ancestor's role in the Battle of Kings Mountain, Bob feels a special kinship to the area.  He wrote a play titled "Liberty Mountain" which is going into its 6th season of production.  He is going to work with me on doing a series of blogs that will focus on that drama and telling the story of the Battle of Kings Mountain which was the turning point of the American Revolution. I encourage you to go to his website http://www.libertymountaindrama.com to begin learning about his work and passion to ensure that we never forget the sacrifices of our ancestors who efforts brought about the freedoms that we continue to take for granted.  I hope you will make plans to attend a performance.  I understand that the dates for 2019 have been selected and will be posted soon on the website.

If you read my blog post titled 125th Anniversary Celebration: Rededications at the State House - the Bancroft Tablet, then you remember me writing about South Carolina's contribution to the American Revolution.  I have reposted a portion of what I wrote below in light of today's events and what is to come with future blog posts.

Charleston June 1776, Kings Mountain October 1780, and Cowpens January 1781 are considered  three of the top ten battles to take place during the American Revolution.

Kings Mountain was a complete annihilation of loyalist militia which forced the British to revise their southern strategy because it demonstrated that their overextended forces could be defeated.  In The Winning of the West, Theodore Roosevelt wrote of Kings Mountain, "This brilliant victory marked the turning point of the Revolution."  Thomas Jefferson called it, "The turn of the tide of success."  President Herbert Hoover while at Kings Mountain said, " This is a place of inspiring memories.  Here less than a thousand men, inspired by the urge of freedom, defeated a superior force entrenched in this strategic position.  This small band of Patriots turned back a dangerous invasion well designed to separate and dismember the united Colonies.  It was a little army and a little battle, but is was a mighty portent.  History has done scant justice to its significance, which rightly should place it beside Lexington, Bunker Hill, Trenton, and Yorktown."

Battle of Kings Mountain

Special Annoucement

What a pleasure it was to travel to Charleston, South Carolina to attend the President General's official visit to the SCDAR.  We were treated to some history about the silk trade of the time followed by a special viewing of the newly conserved Eliza Lucas Pinckney dress as part of her visit.  Did you know that an NSDAR Special Projects Grant aided in the cost of the preservation of this magnificent dress?

After this weekend and seeing the dress in person as well as spending time in the Old Exchange Building, I just couldn't wait to share what I have planned for upcoming blogs.  As many of you know, I already have several programs featuring Women and the American Revolution.  I love traveling to the chapters in both South Carolina as well as North Carolina to share their fascinating stories and their contributions during the American Revolution!  After hearing these programs, there is a new appreciation and realization that without these women and what they did, the war would have never been won.  It took more than battles and bullets for our nation to be born.  I feel that I am the voice of these women, and I want what they have to say to be shared with as many people as will allow me to share their work and their stories!  However, what I share in my programs is just the tip of the iceberg of these amazing women; therefore, I want to learn more and share that information with you through my blog.

Penelope Padgett Barker

First, I will be traveling to Edenton, North Carolina to do a feature on Penelope Padgett Barker and the Edenton Tea Party.  Most do not know that there were other tea parties around the colonies besides the Boston Tea Party.  What made this event so significant was that even though political resistance was common throughout the colonies in response to the different Acts being passed by British Parliament, an organized women's movement was not.  This movement sent shock waves through the Western world. 

home of Penelope Padgett Barker

I am looking forward to traveling to Edenton and being hosted by the North Carolina Daughters of Edenton as I learn in more depth of these women's efforts.  A special thank you goes out to Suzanne Bartels for her assistance in making this possible.  I can't wait to learn more and share this with you.

Edenton Tea Party tea pot

I am also looking forward to learning more about Rebecca Motte and traveling to different sites connected with her.  Rebecca Motte's sacrifice during the American Revolution was even featured on a piece of the battleship silver of the USS South Carolina which is now housed at the Governor's Mansion under the custodianship of the SCDAR.

standing in front of Rebecca Motte's portrait in the Rebecca Motte Room of the Old Exchange

 Those who attended the tea I arranged at the Governor's Mansion as part of the SCDAR's 125th anniversary celebration had the privilege of seeing that piece and the other pieces in person.

Most people think of Eliza Lucas Pinckney only in terms of her work with indigo and just assume that she was a Patriot with Patriot status in the DAR.  They would be wrong in that assumption.  It took until 2012, but SCDAR's own Katie Hyman was finally able to prove that Eliza Lucas Pinckney did indeed give service during the American Revolution and established her as a patriot in the DAR! 

Seeing the actual dress of Eliza Lucas Pinckney this past weekend was absolutely special!  I can't wait to share her story as well as information on the artifacts of hers in the Charleston Museum. 

shoe belonging to Eliza Lucas Pinckney

Another female whose patriot status was just recently proven in the DAR is Eliza Wilkinson.  Once again, SCDAR's own Katie Hyman was able to prove her service during the American Revolution.  This Eliza represents the many women who gave service whose story is either not well known or not known at all.  I look forward to bringing her story to light and only wish that I could bring the story of every woman who gave service during the American Revolution to light.  As I point out in my programs, we will never know how many women aided in the victory against Britain and the establishment of our nation.

an actual letter in Eliza Wilkinson's handwriting

Finally, I look forward to sharing the history of the Old Exchange with you as well.  This building has so much historical significance.  As Constitution Week approaches, it is interesting to note that the Old Exchange is one of just a few buildings in the original 13 colonies that remains standing where the Constitution was ratified.

a scene during the tour of the dungeon of the Old Exchange

Look forward to these features as well as others as I continue to share our treasured past with you!

125th Anniversary Celebration - Sara Aldrich Richardson

This past weekend the SCDAR held its Fall Forum.  I had a new display on hand featuring the story of the Osage Orange Tree and the DAR.  In all of the research I have conducted, this is my absolute favorite story thus far.   If you were at the 2018 SCDAR State Conference Banquet celebrating the SCDAR’s 125^th anniversary, then you heard the story for yourself and received an osage orange tree seed.  For those of you who didn’t, here is a brief recap.  

watercolor of MCH proposed by architect Edward Pearce Casey

On the 12^th anniversary of the NSDAR at the exact time the 18 women and others gathered to officially form the Daughters of the American Revolution, President General Cornelia Fairbanks and Founder Mary Lockwood stepped out from under the tent in a blinding rainstorm to break the ground where our beautiful Memorial Continental Hall would stand.  Using what is now called the Montana Spade, the dirt was placed in a vase where 13 osage orange tree seeds were placed.  After the ceremony, the pot containing the 13 seeds was taken to the United States Propagating Gardens where the seeds (as well as additional seeds for all of the 45 states of the Union) were nurtured into well developed plants.  

Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for MCH on April 19, 1904

Two years later, the cornerstone for Memorial Continental Hall was placed in a special ceremony.  Later that evening, the seedlings were given to the State Regents of the 13 original colonies.  Lockwood presented the trees explaining their  purpose.  Symbolically, the seeds from these trees once planted in the states were to be distributed among the chapters to typify the expansion of the principles of the struggle for American Independence, the growth of the society, and the perpetuation of the spirit of ’76.  

Article from The Washington Star 1904 Apr 22 which discusses the planing of the osage orange tree seeds

As part of the program that night at our celebration of the 125^th anniversary of the SCDAR, all who were in attendance received an osage orange tree seed with a brief explanation of its story.  It still makes me emotional thinking about SCDAR’s past State Outstanding Juniors handing out the seeds to those in attendance including family members of our deceased state regents!

Sara viewing her grandmother's shadow box for the first time in the 125th Museum

I still feel that there is much more to this story and hope to keep discovering more and more about it which I will share with you.

I thought it most appropriate that the Ceremony of Remembrance for Sara Aldrich Richardson be shared today since it was during her regency that this event took place.

Sara Aldrich Richardson

Mrs. Henry Warren

State Regent 1900-1906

#4853

The Longest Serving State Regent

                   19 April 1846 – Barnwell, SC

                   11 Oct 1928 – Columbia, SC

aged 82

                             Black Swamp Methodist Church Cemetery

                             Garnett, Hampton County, SC

Sara Aldrich Richardson was elected State Regent in 1900 and continued in office until 1906.Many important changes took place in the state organization during her regime. Rotation of Conference was determined, and the first Conference outside of Columbia was held in Spartanburg in 1904.At the last meeting in Columbia, 1903, a constitution and by-laws for the State Society was thoughtfully discussed and adopted. It was here, also, that The State offered a page in its Sunday issue for advancement and publicity of D AR work. This page in The State became the medium of communication between the state officers and the chapters until the administration of Grace Marshall 1936-39.

During the Charleston Exposition,she organized and held DAR Day, successfully giving desired publicity to the organization and arousing interest in its work. 

invitation issued for DAR Day at the Charleston Exposition

She planted the DAR tree (the osage orange tree) on the State House grounds bringing together the soil of the National Society and the soil of the state of South Carolina, and established a DAR relic room on the third floor of the State House.  She organized ten chapters.  She was intensely interested in the erection of the Partisan Monument. As chairman, ex officio, of the Central Committee, she worked indefatigably for the project and passed on to her successor well laid plans and a sum in the bank.

Partisan Monument

Many honors came to her in the National Society. She was a member of the committee to select the site for Continental Hall and was one of the speakers at the elaborate ceremonies when the first spade of dirt was turned. She was present at the laying of the corner stone of our beautiful marble building. Her intellectual training and ability made her a forceful speaker, which offered her numerous invitations to speak, and her advice was often sought in public debate on important subjects before Continental Congress.

I asked Sara Stork, Sara Richardson’s granddaughter to conduct this Ceremony of Remembrance.  I can only imagine how special that was for her to be the one to honor her loved one!  Not only did our State Regent at the time conduct a ceremony, family of one of our deceased State Regents led one while at others family members attended.  Members were still talking about how special that day was this weekend.  I am extremely blessed to have been in charge of the 125^th celebrations for the SCDAR’s anniversary!

125th Anniversary Celebration - Annie Munnerlyn

I want to thank the members of the Pee Dee Chapter for making this Ceremony of Remembrance a reality.  They were responsible for remembering Annie Munnerlyn.  Annie Munnerlyn was the State Regent responsible for work that became a part of our 125^th Anniversary Celebrations.  The first was the rededication of the SCDAR Tribute Grove.  That day was such a beautiful day and wonderful tribute to the work of our former daughters.  If you have not read about that re-dedication ceremony, please check out the blog archives.  It was published in October of 2017.  She was also responsible for moving the battleship silver from the Old Exchange in Charleston to the Governor’s Mansion in Columbia.  Many were able to see the battleship silver first hand when they attended the 125^th Anniversary Tea at the Governor’s Mansion that I organized as part of our celebration during our 2018 state conference.

Annie Marie Cantelou Munnerlyn

Mrs. Henry Jackson Munnerlyn

State Regent 1946-1949

#246667

                   31 May 1892 – Edgefield County, SC

                   21 Mar 1979

                             Sunset Memorial Park

                             Bennettsville, Marlboro County, SC

Chapters over-subscribed its quota to the stained-glass window in Memorial Bell Tower at Valley Forge.  As a result, the State Regent’s name was inscribed on the plaque.

She presented Pickens and Moultrie awards to Clemson and Citadel cadets.

She promoted development of Cowpens battleground into a military park.

She was presented national award for sponsoring and marking the only DAR Tribute Grove in the U.S.A.  A resolution was passed by House, concurrent in Senate congratulating the State Regent for establishing the only tribute grove in the U.S.A.

She was awarded a descendant of the elm tree under which General George Washington assumed command of Continental Army.  This elm was planted on State House grounds with a plaque. 

She was appointed by President of the United States and President General Talmadge, to serve as member of Advisory Council Womens’ Interest Unit War Department Public Relations Division, and she attended many meetings at forts.

She was appointed by S. C. Governor to serve on the committee to study disposition of Fort Moultrie and attended the many meetings.

SCDAR honored her by establishing a room in Administration Building of NSDAR.  Her name was inscribed on a plaque on the door.

She edited and published a monthly bulletin featuring Tamassee on the cover and mailed one to each member S. C. DAR.  She promoted all projects for Tamassee and saw the greatest total of funds given to Tamassee in six years. The scholarships increased 100% allowing for the purchase of a stoker, refrigerator, and farm equipment. Over 1000 Christmas stockings were filled and sent to Tamassee by truck.  She accompanied a reporter of The State newspaper and covered Christmas at Tamassee.  

The Grace C. Marshall scholarship was established, and the ground was broken and the foundation was laid for May Talmadge auditorium and Edna Gibson Chapel at Tamassee.  She sponsored Memorial Acres and the star-shaped lights along Memorial Drive at Tamassee honoring State Regents.  She served as the hostess for to first bus trip by NSDAR members to Tamassee Founders’ Day.

By a resolution passed by SCDAR State Conference, she, with her attorney, removed from the vault in the dungeon of Old Exchange, the battleship silver. It was carried to Columbia under supervision of the Governor’s deputies September 10, 1947 and was placed Governor’s mansion.  She made a scrapbook featuring S. C. battleship which was presented to SCDAR Library.  She, with services of her attorney and accountant, closed out the Old Exchange matter on September 11, 1947 by authority of SCDAR.  The accountant’s report made and a copy was sent to The Rebecca Motte Chapter.

She presided at following dedications: Grace C. Marshall gates, Mrs. Hayne Jones marker, cornerstone Edla Gibson Chapel, Memorial Acres at Tamassee, the only Tribute Grove in the United States, the Washington Elm in Columbia, the Poinsett Bridge in Greenville, the Lt. Reuben Long marker in Sumter, and the marker on the Pee Dee River to first Welsh settlers 1735.

Many hours spent, many miles traveled, phone calls made, telegrams sent, and letters written during her tenure; however, the accomplishments were only made possible by cooperation of state officers, chairman, regents, and members.

125th Anniversary Celebration - Frances Louise Hudson Mayes

I want to thank Honorary State Regent Dianne Culbertson for mentioning my project “Reflections of Our Treasured Past,” my blog, the 125th celebrations I organized, and the Ceremonies of Remembrance in her State Regent’s report from this past Continental Congress.  As a result, we have many new followers.  To “catch everyone up” as the saying goes, let me begin by letting you know where we are.

The SCDAR celebrated its 125^th anniversary on May 10, 2018.  I wanted to do something special on that day and came up with the idea of placing a white carnation tied with a blue ribbon on the grave of every deceased state regent that had served the SCDAR at a set time that day.  In addition, I wanted as many SCDAR members to participate in this as possible.

Having received permission from Dianne to proceed, I wrote the script that everyone would begin reading at 3:00.  I researched each state regent’s accomplishments during their tenure and wrote summaries that were all about the same length in order for the carnations to be placed on the respective graves at the same minute of the day.  I began locating the graves of the deceased state regents and contacting the chapters.   For some chapters, multiple members were state regents; therefore, I contacted other chapters in the area to increase the participation.  For some regents, their respective chapter was too far away to conduct the ceremony; therefore, I contacted the chapter nearest to the grave.  Today’s blog post is one of those.  I also encourage you to read the post about Doris Dunn, located in the archives, which shows God’s hand in this process.  It was extraordinary and a cherished story for me.

This was quite the undertaking to make happen, and for awhile, I wasn’t sure it was going to become a reality for every deceased state regent.  You see, I had written all of the summaries for the 31 regents only to have them disappear from my computer.  I had to rewrite all of them while working to contact the chapters and answering questions.  It became very hectic and very stressful while working full time.   I still don’t know what happened to those summaries.  In addition, I had regents that I could not find a chapter willing to participate.  Whew!  In the end, God provided.

Having interrupted the Ceremonies of Remembrance with the wonderful rededications at the SC State House, it is time to continue with these beautiful tributes to the remarkable women who led the SCDAR throughout its 125 years.  Frances Louise Hudson Mayes is one of those remarkable women.  In speaking with one of her great-granddaughters, I learned just what a remarkable woman she was.  She did so much for so many.  She definitely had a servant’s heart and worked tirelessly through the church and church missions to bring a better life to and for others.  Is there any doubt that she would have been touched by the situation of the children of the mountains and want to start a school for them to make a difference in their lives?  It is unfortunate that this blog will not be able to truly convey her essence, her heart, her love for others.  I hope that you will, however, get a sense of it.

Frances Louise Hudson Mayes

Mrs. Francis James

State Regent 1910-1914

#42688

Shared her vision for Tamassee at her first state conference and started fund to build the school during her final state conference

                   30 Nov 1859

                   16 Mar 1923

                   Aged 63

                             Mayesville Black River Cemetery

                             Mayesville, Sumter County, SC

Frances Louise Hudson Mayes was elected State Regent at Greenwood, November 1909, serving from 1910-1914. The outstanding feature of her regency was the completion of the monument to the Partisan Generals, known as the Partisan Monument, which stands on the State House grounds.  Anxious to complete the project during her term of office, and fearing that the Daughters could not raise the required sum and also carry on their state and national work, she personally appeared before the Legislature and made a plea for $2,000.  So entirely did she captivate the lawmakers that thirty minutes after her entry into the hall she had been voted the amount asked. She presided over the dedicatory ceremonies in November 1913.

Senate Chamber, SC State House

Mrs. Mayes organized eight chapters and reported in one year a gain of 123 in state membership. 

While interested in all phases of patriotic work, her heart yearned toward the problem of education for the mountain children, particularly those of South Carolina.  It was from her that the SCDAR not only caught the first vision of what has developed into our splendid Tamassee DAR School, but at her final state conference, a committee to select a site was appointed and funds for the school had been placed in the bank.   Strong hands and willing hearts caught the torch she had thrown, a site was chosen, and the work to begin Tamassee was begun.  Even though she was not in office when Tamassee opened its doors, she did live to see Tamassee established. A portrait of her was hung on the auditorium wall, presented with touching ceremonies by her beloved chapter, Nathanael Greene.  

Sumter's Home Chapter Regent Kathy Barrett

Thank you to the Sumter's Home Chapter for Regent Kathy Barrett and Linda Hawkins for conducting the Ceremony of Remembrance for Mayes.  Even though she was a member of the Nathanael Greene Chapter, she was buried in Mayesville located in Sumter County.  

Sumter's Home Chapter member Linda Hawkins

Thank you, Louise Mayes, for your vision for Tamassee and your efforts that allowed for Tamassee to be able open its doors to so many children.  Even though Tamassee no longer serves “mountain” children, the services the school provides are just as important today, if not more so, than it was when it first started.