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New DAR chapter formed

By RENA POWERS, Staff Writer September 01, 2004
CLINTWOOD - A new chapter of a volunteer women's organization aimed at patriotism and preservation of American history is being formed in the county and organizers are looking for members. The Sandy Basin Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will hold its organizational meeting Sept. 25 in the Dickenson County Circuit Courtroom. The national organization is open to any woman 18 or older who can prove lineal descent from an American Revolution patriot. Sandra Salyer, of Clintwood, and long-time DAR member and regent Peggy Keen, of Grundy, are forming the chapter. They say the organization will focus on history, patriotism, education, community service and citizenship. "The DAR gives a sense of community and makes us better people. It promotes our sense of patriotism as well," noted Salyer, a secretary in the circuit court judge's office.

DAR, headquartered in Washington, D.C., was founded Oct. 11, 1890 by a group of women who wanted to educate others about sacrifices for freedom made by patriots of the Revolutiony War.

Keen noted that the organization was formed after the Civil War, in part, to aid healing and bring people back together.

Keen first joined the Levisa River chapter of DAR in Grundy. More than a year ago, however, she decided to try forming a new chapter in Dickenson County.

Keen, who has kin from Dickenson County, knew that many other women in the area are also descendants of Revolutionary War patriots. Wishing to help those ladies become DAR members, she began looking for members in Dickenson County.

Salyer was among women who contacted Keen with an interest in joining the chapter.

It was her interest in genealogy that first sparked Salyer's interest in DAR, however.

She became enthused about genealogy because of her father, Sam Shipley. After retiring from St. Mary's Hospital in Norton in 1988, Shipley used his spare time to find out more about his grandparents. He soon became an avid geneaology buff.

He shared his findings with his daughter and Salyer, too, soon became a genealogy buff.

As she began to learn about her ancestors, she found many of them had fought to keep our country free, as far back as the Revolutionary War.

In her research about those ancestors, she ran across information about DAR and decided to learn more about the organization. She liked what she found.

Salyer learned that DAR is a multi-faceted organization.

The group's national headquarters houses one of the nation's largest genealogical libraries. Since its beginning in 1949, it has grown and today boasts a collection of manuscripts, Bible records, military records, biographies, genealogies, cemetery transcriptions, family histories and other information.

The headquarters also boasts a collection of pre-industrial American decorative art, Washington D.C.'s largest concert hall and a large collection of early American manuscripts.

Besides preservation of history and records, the organization is also geared toward education. DAR awards about $150,000 in scholarships and financial aid to high school seniors, undergraduates and graduate students each year.

DAR also supports schools for underprivileged children and members participate in tutoring programs for adults preparing for the General Equivalency Diploma program.

Salyer also liked the community service aspect of the organization. DAR volunteers annually donate more than 55,000 hours to veterans in hospitals.

They also work to preserve landmarks and historic structures in communities around the country. DAR has contributed money to restore Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pa., helped restore the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, N.Y.

Citizenship is another important component, said Salyer.

DAR annually presents two citizen awards for outstanding contributions to the nation. The DAR Medal of Honor is awarded to native-born citizens and the Americanism Medal is award to naturalized citizens.

DAR has also distributed more than 10 million citizenship guides to immigrants since 1921. It also participates in naturalization ceremonies, providing flags, leaflets and moral support for new citizens.

Noted DAR members include First Lady Laura Bush, and former presidents' wives Barbara Bush, Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan and Mamie Eisenhower. Astronaut Rhea Seddon is also a member. Other noted members include Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, Susan B. Anthony and Grandma Moses.

The more information Salyer gathered on the organization, the more she realized she wanted to become a part of it.

So she contacted Keen to find out how.

The membership process involves four steps.

First, an applicant must establish her lineage to a Revolutionary War veteran. DAR offers tips and resources to help in the application process.

Next, an applicant must identify her patriot ancestor. The ancestor did not have to fight in the war. He or she may have provided civil or patriotic support to the effort.

However, the applicant must be able to document the support. Applicants must provide proof for each date and place, for each generation, all the way back to the patriot.

Keen, who has six documented ancestors, noted that birth, death and marriage records are helpful during the documentation process.

Other proofs might include cemetery records, tombstone inscriptions, wills, census records, Bible records and genealogies.

Keen said the work of local historian Hetty Sutherland, who died in June at age 102, has helped many people prove lineal descent.

Once the ancestor is identified with documented proof, an applicant should contact a chapter in her area. Once a chapter is found, the application process begins.

Keen explained that the new chapter's name was chosen because of its historical aspect. "The DAR prefers that the name of the chapter relate to the area. The Sandy Basin takes its name from the fact it is a plateau walled in by high mountains, forming a bowl or basin," she noted.

After learning of Keen's efforts to start a new local chapter, Salyer was more eager than ever to join. With one documented ancestor, John Stopler Olinger, Salyer was eligible to be a member.

Salyer and Keen noted that you don't have to be a member to attend DAR meetings. Those who want to know more about the organization or who need help documenting an ancestor are urged to attend.

The Sept. 25 organizational meeting is also open to the public. The meeting will begin at 2 p.m. with the installation of officers. Judge Henry Vanover will be guest speaker at the event.

For more information about the Sandy Basin chapter, e-mail Salyer at fsalyer@adelphia.net or attend the organizational meeting.

More information about DAR can be found at: http://www.dar.org.

 

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