Smyrna times., 1908-06-17
STATE D,A, R. GUESTS AT
HISTORIC BELMONT HALL
MRS. c. PETERSON SPEAKMAN
GIVES DELIGHTFUL LUNCHEON
Interesting Meeting Held of The Ameri-
can Daughters at Which Some Inter-
esting Historical Papers Were Read

can Daughters at Which Some Inter-
esting Historical Papers Were Read
Belmont Hall, the charming
colonial home of Mrs. Caroline
Peterson-Speakman near Smyrna was
the scene of a notable gathering on
Saturday, it being the first state
meeting of the Daughters of the
American Revolution of which Mrs.
Speakman is state regent. No more
hitting place in Delaware could have
been selected than historic Belmont
Hall. The weather was ideal and
the early morning trains brought
happy delegation to Smyrna who
were cordially welcomed by Mrs.
Speakman and given that warm and
charming hospitality for which
Belmont Hall is famous. The Hall
had been tastily decorated with
American flags, lilies, field dasies
and asparagus branches and to further
add to the cheer of the visitors,
Norris Orchestra of three pieces
dis coursed some bright and catchy
music. Immediately preceding the
meeting, which was held in the
library, an elaborate luncheon was
given.
Interesting Historical Papers Read
Mrs. Taylor of Wilmington, the
State vice regent, at the request of
Mrs. Speakman, State Regent,
called the meeting to order. The
officers nominated in January were
ratified, with the exception of the
office of secretary, from which Miss
Eba Cloak Wilds resigned, the
officers being: State regent, Mrs.
Speakman; vice-regent, Mrs. C. w.
Taylor; secretary, Mrs. Harvey;
treasurer, Mrs. Eugene dupont. Mrs.
George c. Hall, regent of Caesar
Rodney Chapter, read an interesting
paper on the objects of the organiza-
tion and what has been done and is to
be accomplished. Mrs. Massey,
regent of Colonel .Haslet Chapter, of
Dover, read an original poem on
"Our Delaware - Miss Sophie
NAPLES gave an account of the
unwilling of the Dagworthy monument
at Dagsboro, and Miss Eba C. Wilds
read a history of the great seal of
Delaware and its symbolism.
Greetings were read from Mrs. E.
Clarke Churchman. Mrs. Rissell
read an account of some Indian
relics and the pipe of peace
presented to Continental Hall, and
reports were received from the
different chapters.
Tablet to Be Placed at Belmont
On motion it was ordered that a
tablet be erected in the room at
Belmont Hall were the seminal died
after being shot during the Revolu-
tion. The sentinal was shot by a
British spy while guarding Belmont
Hall and the blood stains are still
visible on the stairs and in the room
where he died. One of the objects
of considerable admiration was a
beautiful painting of the coat of
Arms of the State of Delaware
presented to Mrs. Caroline Peterson
Speakman by Mrs. r. J. Robinson,
of Columbia, South Carolina. Mrs.
Speakman's great grandfather, John
Cook, in 1777, was appointed mem
Der of the Legislative Committee
which designed the great seal of the
State, and it was out of compliment
that the beautiful painting was
presented.
Chapters Represented Guests Present
Following were the members OF
the different chapters and other
guests present:
Ceasar Rodney Chapter, Wilmington-Mrs
Hall Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Harvey, Mrs. Wilson. Mrs
Ross, Mrs Gilpin, Mrs Rissell, Mrs. Middleton
Mrs. Wainwright Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs
Moody, Mrs. Bross, Mrs. Benediee Mrs. Haneker
Mrs. COrbit Mrs. Humphrey, Mrs Smith, Mrs
Poole. Miss Waples Miss James Miss Gilpin, Mis-
Wilson and Miss DOughten.
John Petigrew ChaPter Milford-Nrs Ander
Cooch's Bridge Chapter. Cooch's Bridge-Mrs
Colonel Haslet Chapter, DOver-Mrs Massey
Mrs. Fluke of Viola; Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Beers
Mrs Sypherd Mrs McIlvaine, of Dover.
Elizabeth Cook Chapter, Smyrna-Mrs. Smyth
Chestertown. Nd. Mrs Mitchell. Centrevllle. Nc
Mrs. Wharton, Philadelphia, Pa; Mrs, J d. Wilds
NJ rs J. H. Speskman. Mrs. Z. Speakman, Mrs
Eugene Davis, of Smyrna Miss Alice Dill Of AT
lantic City; Mrs. Alexander Cooper, of Philadel
phia; Mrs. j. W. Clifton, Mrs. Charles Howell LIE
Fevre. Mrs. Howard JOsephs, Miss Marlofi
Josephs. Mrs. Anna P. Collins Mitchell. Mrs, Johl
9. Stockly. Miss Agnes Cummins Miss Anni
Cunningham, Miss Eba Cloak Wilds and Mrs
Julia Collins, of Smyrna.
BeImonts interesting History Told.
Mrs. Eugene Davis read a pape
concerning Belmont Hall, 'in whicl
she said: Belmont Hall, " a ia
nous colonial homestead in Ken
County, dates from about 1884, whel
the wings of thu present building
were erected. The tract of lane
comprising the original land gran