The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-09-08
PATRIOTIC WOMEN.
The Daughters of the American Rev
OlutiOn

Form Chapter for PortIand-It Is Named
Elizabeth Wadsworth-The Objects and
Aims of the Society.
The Daughters of the American Revou-
ton organized a society under that title
at Washington October 18th 1890. 1t
was incorporated under the laws of Con-
gress June Sth, 1891 and the charter
membership closed Oct. 18th, 1891.
The Society of the Daughters of the
Revolution is one outgrowth of the
Sons of the Revolution, whose exclusion
OF women from their organization
aroused the patriotic ardor of Mrs. Mary
S. Lockwood, who, in the Washington
Post OF July 18th, 1880, wrote IA letter
giving an account of Hannah Arnett
and her patriotic acts during the darkest
days of the Revolution. In reply to this
letter as published a week later from
William o. Mcdowell of New Jersey,
the great grandson of Hannah Arnett,
calling on the women to form a society
of their own.
Four Washington women answered the
call and a meeting was held at the
house of Mrs. Louise Walcott Knowlton
Brown, to which descendants of noted
patriots were invited, among whom were
Miss Meikleham, a great granddaughter
of Thomas Jefferson; and Miss Wash
ington, a great granddaughter of Col.
Samuel Washington, the brother of Gen.
Washington. Al the meeting October
18th, Mis-. Harrison, wife Of President
Harrison, was elected President General,
and Miss Desha suggested the design for
the society's seal.
The objects Of the society are to per-
men and women who achieved American
independence, by the acquisition and
protection of historical spots, and the
erection of monuments; the encourage
ment of Revolutionary historical re-
search; the preservation of documents
and relics, and the records of officers and
soldiers who did battle in the country's
cause; and the promotion of the celebra-
tion of patriotic anniversaries; to carry
out Washington's injunction to the
American people in his farewell address
to promote institutions fer the diffusion
of knowledge and develop an enlight-
ened public opinion that shall afford old
and young the largest capacity for per-
forming the duties of American citizens;
to cherish, maintain and extend the in
situations Of American freedom, foster
true patriotism and love of country, and
aid in securing all the blessings of liber-
ty Tor mankind. Any woman, eighteen
years of age or over, may be eligible for
mem bership il she is descended from a
man or woman,< who with unfailing
loyalty rendered aid to the cause Of in
dependencies; recognized patriot, soldier
or sailor OF civil officer. Every appli-
can't for admission to the National So
ciety must be endorsed by member of
the National Society. The officers of
the National Society are President Gen
eral. Vice President General in charge of
organization of Chapters, eight Vice
Presidents General. One Recording
and one Corresponding Secretary Gen
eral, a Treasurer General, Historian
General, Surgeon General and Chaplain
General, who hold Office one year. The
Vice Presidents General may be in
creased to twenty in all. The CONT
mental Congress of the Society is
composed of the active officers of the
National Society, one State Regent from
each State, and the Regents and dele
gates of each organized Chapter in the
United States. Each chapter is entitled
to delegate of the Congress for every
first fifty mem bers, and another for every
additional fraction Of twenty-five The
annual meeting of the Congress is held
in Washington February ed. Then there
is a national board of management COM
posed of the active officers of the Nation
al Society and State Regent from each
State or Territory to be chosen by the
delegates from each State and Territory
to the Continental Congress.
Where twelve members of the Society
live in any one locality they may after
formal authorization of the National
Board of Management, organize chap
ter with presiding officer to be called
Regent or Secretary, Register, Treasurer
and other officers required. The pay
ment of $25 at one time shall constitute a
life mem bership, and exempt the mem
Der from further payment of dues. The
initiation fee to the National Society
shall be one dollar, and the annual dues
two dollars, payable in advance before
February 22d in each year. The local
chapters may retain one half the fees
of life mem bership and local dues to
their own use. Amy member shall be
dropped who shall remain in arrears for
dues for three months after the nature OF
her indebtedess is sent to her.
The insignia OF the Society consists of
a badge in the form of spinning wheel
ard distaff, to be worn on ceremonial
occasions upon bow of ribbon. The
wheel is seven-eighths of an inch in
diameter and of gold, with thirteen
spokes, and a field OF light blue enamel
upon it's tire bearing the name OF the
Society in letters of gold. Upon it's out
er rim, opposite the ends of the spokes,
are thirteen small stars, which may be