St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-03-19
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.

delayed letter.


Some OF its Officers.
delayed letter.
The sixth Continental Congress Of THE
Daughters of the American Revolution"
was the largest ever convened, continued
the longest in session, one week, and
was the most important one held during
its history. Columbia theater, with
seating capacity Of fourteen hundred,
was none too large for the meetings.
The members OF the congress occupied
the main auditorium and four rows of
seats in the first balcony were required
for the alternates of the delegates from
each chapter.
This society has had a phenomenal
growth. From the small beginning of
eleven members organized in 1890, it has
increased in membership until in Febru
ary 1897, it numbered 1929 on its
rollcall. 1t was incorporated June 8,
1891 closing its charter membership one
wear after its organization. The national
charter was granted to them by the
United States congress February 20,
1896, and it is said to be the only one of
its kind given to women OF such an or
ganization. Twelve ladies OF lneal de-
scent from soldiers of the American Revo-
luton who can prove all of their links,
can form chapter, although it is GUS
tomary to have a much larger number.
The dues Of the first year are three dol
lars and after that time, two dollars per
year one dollar going to the national
society and the other is paid into the
chapter of which sheis member. Every
member is entitled to a handsome certi6-
cate of membership. Any lady can be-
come a life member by the payment OF
twenty-five dollars, Each chapter has a
regent, also each state, and it is the
highest ambition OF the state regents to
multiply the chapters in her state, so she
will have the largest delegation to the
Continental Congress which ASSEMBLIES
every year in Washington upon Wash
ington's birthday Every chapter is
allowed one delegate for fifty persons
besides the regent and an alternate is
appointed to take the place OF the dele
gate in case of failure or to relieve heI
during long sessions. Connecticut was
the banner state this year, although
Massachusetts had the largest delega
ton of ladies under their enthusiastic anC
distinguished leader, Nine A. Won Ryd
engsvard, who is an American lady, borl
in Boston, but married to a Swedish
nobleman. She filed papers for II Inca
Revolutionary ancestors when she joineC
the d. A. r., among them Putnam
Howard, Reed, Scdgwick, Leverett, vii
lard, etc, are familiar names. She ta
organized % chapters in Massachusetts
since the last congress and she wa
elected to be one OF the vice president
general for next year Mrs. +, l.. Water
man, registrar of the Bunker Hill chaper
Boston, has been elected president of tn
department OF Massachusetts Woman
Relief Corps, so they are expected t.
have double portion OF patriotism
NJ Il 40. 81
recording secretary general, is the sister
in-law OF Mrs. Bradbury, the regent {
the Hannah Winthrop chapter of Can
bridge, Mass, and a very efficier
worker Mrs. Bradbury is the vile
the noted educator OF the Cambridg
Latin school.
New England was well and ably repr
sented from all of the states. Many hay
a distinguished ancestry. At some
the receptions we noticed some of IL
, gold bars, arranged like a ladder, wor
by some of the ladies'. One had % bar
and we were told that another lad
boosted of 80. AS each bar represent
! some ancestor who fought for America
? independence, we think she must ha,
e belonged to race of regular fighter
She ought to be charged with mou
tain wave of patriotism.
Mrs. Laura Wentworth Fowler, reeei
of the Old South chapter, Bosto
belongs to the famous New Hamushi
family of Wentworths, who furnisht
: three governors for that state and i
/. charter has greater number of membe
engraved upon it than any other of Il
d. A. X. chapters
The numerous social gatherings al
/. receptions bring out many thrilling ane
dotes and much entertaining private hi
p tory of the early pioneers of our countr
which serves to deepen our interes
stimulate our patriotism and make us
realize more iorcibly the trials endur,
: and self sacrifices made by our for
fathers and "foremothers. The soci
relations outside of congress are aIwa,
= pleasant and delightful, but the session
y in congress are not always of so ha
T. monious and peaceful character, SON
times stormy. When the delegates fro