New-York tribune., 1901-04-29
ORIGIN OF THE D. A. r.
THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE FOUNDERS
OF THE SOCIETY

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The discussion at this time in the press as
to the origination founding of the National So
ciety Of the Daughters OF the American Revolu-
ton, due to the publication Of Mrs. Darling's book
has led 10 so many inquiries being TO me for
the true history" that have concluded to answer
them all in this public manner through the press.
I was one OF the earliest members TO join the
Society Of the Sons of the Revolution and led in
organizing societies of Sons of the Revolution IN
the different States and abroad and IN calling the
first convention for national organization for
April 30 1883
carefully that in every case Daughters were ad
mitted upon exactly the same terms as Sons. Some
OF my fellow members Of the New-York society
did not agree with IN this and the admission of
membership in the other societies was
made the occasion for friction by some OF the
members OF the New-York Society. It claimed
that the Sons OF Revolutionary Sires'' OF Cali
fornia had. prior my work, admitted
membership I had knowledge OF such a
ciety ever having existed until the work of
national organization had reached California. and
a representative OF that society had communicated
with me, and I had never been able command
any detailed knowledge TO their women members
previous the meeting for national organization
and the election OF first officers April 30 1889 The
first woman TO my knowledge who became promi-
nently active IN the work q member OF the
Washington family, Mrs Simon Bolivar Buckner
OF Kentucky Unless a superior claim be pre-
sented and proved out by female member OF the
Sons OF Revolutionary Sres OF California, I think
that she fairly be called the first Daughter o.
the American Revolution
At the end OF the first year after national or
ganization the Kentucky Society OF Sons OF the
American Revolution had majority OF women
members. The New-Hampshire Society. Sons Of
the American Revolution, owed It's early success
largely 10 a woman whom it elected Its first vice
president.
Every society OF the Sons OF the American Revo-
luton organized up to April so, 1890 the first ami
versary date of the organization. admitted women
TO membership upon exactly the same terms as
men, and they held their first annual convention
at Louisville, Ky, and were entertained by the
Kentucky society, composed OF Sons and Daughters
At that convention they amended their constitution
so as to exclude women from further membership
My judgment in accord with this action
and after Leading the minority In opposition I gave
notice from the floor of the convention that would
proceed at once to organize society OF Daughters
OF the American Revolution. and I prophesied that
first moved 10 organize the Daughters of the
fab fbsn Ffor tHFoHEq Of thN late Mrs Martha
lean History" She entered enthusiastically upon
for organization. and reported the result to me
Owing TO the facts that some OF The women at the
that one woman was opposed to the word "Daugh-
ters the meeting finally resolved itself into an
ganization which took the name of Colonial
We both agreed that the Organization. as made.
did not fill the requirements that had in mind
for such an organ!zation but that a great demo
cratic organization of women, with the traditions
Home and Country" and bearing upon its
banner the same words around which the ancestors
OF 16 had rallied. No taxation without representa-
ton" was necessity and had a most important
work for It.
My second call was a public one issued from
The Washington Post, in, l think. July. 1890. The
first five responses received TO this call were first.
Miss Mary Desha.. OF Kentucky; second. Miss
letters from Mrs Roger A. Pryor, OF New-York;
Mrs. General Browne and Mrs. Hannah McLaren
I appointed these women a committee on organi-
zation, and they started in upon their work Later
number Mrs. Ellen Hardin WaIworth and Mrs.
FIorence Adams Darling ing I c,a consented
possibly this approval was a mistake. With a de-
termination that the movement should not be again
York at Mrs. Lambs meeting. first copyrighted
the OF Daughters OF the American RevolU-
Congress Next presided at the organization meet
ing. which was held on October IL 1890. Strath-
Mary E Lockwood The motion to organize and
for the election OF the first board of officers was
now a school teacher at Weston. Mass
The Society OF the Daughters of the American
ton with their birth history to Miss Mary Desha.
Miss Eugenia Washington, Mrs. Roger 4. Pryor.
Pauline Mcdowell and Mrs. Mary e Lockwood.
For starting their magazine and for other good
should be Mrs. Florence Adams Darling. for any
good work that she may have accomplished.
upon the three medals presented TO Miss Desha
Miss Washington and Mrs Walworth Miss Desha
pany wearing her medal TO say 10 every one VINO
admired 1t, This medal does not belong TO me: but
| magazine that manipulated tSis mistake.
urge that the National Society of the Daughters
of the American Revolution shall call upon the the
copies of all original letters and documents that
yours 9ea 80 truly q0 with calling RM ShfE
! No. Il Broadway, New-York, April 20, 1901