Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-15
IL REAL DAUGHTERS
ABSENT At MEETING
Dozen, Whose Fathers Fought
in Revolutionary War, I'm
able to Attend Congress.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

BY GRETCHEN SMITH.
Twelve women, the only remaining
real daughters" of the N. S. D. A. r.,
whose fathers fought in the American
Army during the War of the Revolu-
ton. will be unable to attend the con-
vention this year, although keen inter-
est has been demonstrated by them In
the proceedings of the society.
A recent survey of the national So
ciety relative to recollections Of these
women regarding their fathers, and
statements made by them regarding
the days Of l776, have brought forth
interesting stories.
Most of the fathers of these women
were elderly men when their daughters
were born. The average was 10 years
old. Six were over 80 years old and one
was just under 80 when the girls were
born.
In most cases the daughters were
very young when the fathers died. OF
the few who had recollection of their
fathers giving reason for going to
war, only one gave unjust taxation. -
One went when he was IS because he
could take his fathers place, and he be-
lieved his father could take better care
Of the large family. One went because
his father and brothers did and one
believed 1t his duty to 60 through re-
ligous convictions.
The real daughters" who remain as
living links to the heroes of '76 are
Mrs. Marian Storts Allen OF Elizabeth
Sherman Reese Chapter Of Lancaster,
Ohio; Mrs. Angelina LOring Avery Of
fV1 1F
Conn: Mrs. Helen M. Barrett Of Hannal
Mcintosh Cady Chapter Of Allegan,
Mich; Mrs. Catherine Dart Of Pierre
Menard Chapter, Illinois; Mrs. Jane
Squire Dean of Tuscarora Chapter,
Binghamton. N Y: Mrs. Sarah E.
Ellis of Sachem Sequoah Chapter, North
McAlester, Okla; Mrs. Anne knight
Gregory of Conrad Weiser Chapter,
SelinsgroVe. Pa; Mrs. Adelia c. Hatch
and Mrs. Mary Ann Scott, two sisters
Of Deborah Sampson Chapter Brockton,
Mass; Mrs. w. B. Holbrook of Oneonta
Chapter, Oneonta, N. Y. Mrs. Caroline
p. Randall OF Samuel Ashley Chapter,
Clermont, N. H., and Mrs. Abigail
Strong. who belongs to Benjamin Pres
colt Chapter in Brockton. N. Y. but
who lives in Morris. I'll.
Mrs. Randall represents Stephen Has
sam. who was at Bunker Hill watching
the battle and after 1t was over carried
water to the wounded soldiers lying on
the field.
In 1777. after Washington's reverses
when Philadelphia was taken and the
patriots were at Valley Forge waiting
for the turning point which would mean
success or failure for the American
Army, Mrs. Aliens father, John Storts
stood guard. At the same time James
Brown, father of Mrs Holbrook, was
lighting with the victorious Army at
Saratoga. The next year, though only
IL years old, James Brown took part In
the battle of Monmouth, when Wash
ington successfully attacked the Eng
iish upon their evacuation of Philadel-
phia, bound for New York.
The father of Mrs. Anna Knight
Gregory. Richard Knight, was only 8
when the war began. His first service
was as drummer boy. Though but Is
when the Revolution ended. he had
been a private In Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Sarah Ellis father, Sergt. Mich
olaS Starnes. saw action against the
Cherokee Indians and at Kings Noun
tain. the most decisive small engage
ment, that finally delivered Georgia
from the hands of the British.
Though only 10 years old at the bat
tie OF Bunker Hill, Mrs. Strong's father.
Isaac Rugg. served Is months In the
Massachusetts Militia. Mrs. Deans
father, Jonathan Squire, drove q team
on a provision wagon while he was
| waiting to grow big enough to handle
muSket.
One Served as Col0nePs Aide.
When but IA years old, Solomon Lor-
ing, father of Mrs. Avery, began sery-
ing as colonel's aide.
This group of ladies represents q true
section of American society. One spoke
in public at the age of IS. and one en-
tertained her own card club on her S7th
birthday.
Some have lived sheltered lives. while
others have been pioneers and have en-
dured hardships. Mrs. Sarah Ellis went
to Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. In
1869 and settled in the Choctaw Ma
| ton.
A number Of questions were asked the
! ladies at the time the survey was made
| to determine the secret Of their LONG
lives. One of the 108-year declared
that her good health came from eating
everything she pleased. especially pies
| and cakes. She laid particular stress
upon the necessity of stunning fresh
air.
One said she owed her long life tc
careful rearing, policy of early to bee
and early to rise" and to Christian
habits which. she said, made q path
for the Lord to lead her the rest oil
the way"
CheerfuIneSs Is Trait.
All Of them have very hearty appe.
titles. Nearly all are unusually fond
Of motoring. The radio, however, Ii
their source Of enjoyment. Several
whose eyesight has failed are dependent
on the radio.
Nearly all of them keep abreast 'oi
| the times, read or have read to them
the news of the day. Practically none
of them care for the movies. All are
fond of visitors. Cheerfulness is theiI
predominating trait.
Last year the Real Daughters lost
one of their members, Mrs. Louise Kir-
win Capron Theirs, who died at the
age of Ill years. She was active ur
to the last and attended conventions
Her last picture, taken at 109, showed
| that she was beautiful.
The care Of the Real Daughters Is In
! the hands of national committee
Besides looking after the living real
| daughters, this committee locates the
graves of real daughters and places the
| - fhnvVN