Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter DAR met on November 30 at the home of Chapter Past Regent Kathy Johnson. Guest speaker was Sue Lee who portrayed Deborah Sampson, a Revolutionary War patriot. Deborah disguised herself as a man and joined the Patriot forces. Before joining, she frequently wore her disguise to a local pub to learn her voice, mannerisms, and walk. During her service, she was teased by the other soldiers because she looked like a boy who was too young to shave. She was the only woman to earn a full military pension for participation in the Revolutionary army.
We are excited to welcome 4 new members to our chapter! Maggie Salter is a descendant of Revolutionary War patriot Robert Corey who was born in 1752 in Belfast, Ireland. Robert moved to Ninety-Six District in SC, where he served as a Private in Col. Thomas Sumpter’s Brigade. Thomas Sumpter was living a life of retirement until the British burned down his home. He immediately organized the local militiamen into an army. In the summer of 1780, Sumter’s Brigade was the only organized opposition to the British in South Carolina.
Lydia Pruitt, daughter of our member Kay Pruitt, is a descendant of John Chambliss who was born before 1730 in Virginia. In 1773, he received a land grant of 250 acres in Craven County, South Carolina. Because he was too old to serve in the military, John provided beef and ammunition to the local troops.
Cindy Walker and her daughter Cara Buie are descendants of John Richardson, born 1753 in SC. He served as an Ensign in Gregory’s Company, 10th Regiment. The 10th Regiment became part of the Continental Army in 1777, and after participating in several battles the remaining members disbanded at Valley Forge.
Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter has enjoyed an eventful year. We began the year with 30 members. Since then we have gained 9 new members, 2 more member applications are being processed at National, and 4 prospective members are completing their applications. Our chapter members have donated to Minden St. Jude, placed flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, sent birthday and holiday cards each month to residents of three VA homes, and assembled Literacy Bags filled with children’s books, workbooks, and small toys. Chapter Regent Cindy Madden and her husband Jerry Madden (President of Galvez Chapter SAR) have donated Bibles to veterans in nursing homes and donated a new flag to the Webster Parish Library. Cindy also created a monthly magazine for our chapter, which won a DAR State Award for Outstanding Publication. Our chapter Registar, Donna Sutton, received a DAR South Central Regional Award for Outstanding Lineage Research. Our chapter enjoyed an educational trip hosted by our member Mary Claire Kettler, who is also a Mt. Lebanon Historical Society board member. She treated our chapter to lunch at Gibsland Grill, then invited members to join her at the Mt. Lebanon Museum for a PowerPoint presentation about the history of Mt. Lebanon.
Our future meetings will include a presentation of awards to our local American History Essay Contest winners (grades 5-8), an educational trip to the restored Moreland House in Homer with guest speaker Sara McDaniel, and our annual Spring Luncheon with guest speaker Chreyl Gott, who is our State Regent.