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

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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

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                   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.