American Spirit Magazine-Nov/Dec 2024 by DARDevelopment

The Beatles Rise From World War II Ruins

Martha Jeferson & Abigail Adams Newly Recognized DAR Patriots! South Carolina’s Cowpens Batlefeld, A Revolutionary Game Changer

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American Spirit Magazine (ISSN 1536–223X) is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September and November by National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, 1776 D Street NW, Washington, DC 20006–5303; Phone: (202) 628–1776. Issued by Hammock Inc., PO Box 331518, Nashville, TN 37203, Phone: (615) 690–3400.

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Al That Sparkles

With the President General

PAMELA WRIGHT

Iam pleased to announce that Martha Jeferson, wife of Tomas Jeferson, and Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, are now proven DAR Patriots! Te journey to ofcially recognize these women as Patriots was a complex one, as you will read in “Remember the Ladies,” starting on page 24.

As the article states, “Martha Jeferson’s resilience and Abigail Adams’ advocacy reveal women’s profound impact during the American Revolution. Recognizing them as Patriots is a giant step toward acknowledging women’s critical roles in America’s ﬁght for independence. Teir stories are not just part of their husbands’ histories but stand alone as testaments to their strength, intellect and patriotism.” I express my gratitude to the DAR members who applied via Supplemental applications with these women as their designated Patriots, and to the in-house professional genealogists who assisted in researching the applications, leading to this exciting end result.

Above, top: The Wright Administration Executive Committee attends the 2023 DAR Holiday Open House. Bottom: As I serve as President General, I am grateful for special family moments like this one from last year’s Holiday Open House.

Please join us for the DAR Holiday Open House on Wednesday, December 11, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tis is always such a festive gathering. Memorial Continental Hall and other areas of NSDAR headquarters glitter and sparkle with the season. Share it with your family, friends or fellow chapter members as this event is free and open to the public.

During this holiday season, as we reﬂect on our blessings, my heart is ﬁlled with gratitude for you, our cherished DAR members. May peace, joy and happiness be yours this Christmas and holiday season.

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Spending time with my beautiful grandchildren is my favorite way to spend the holidays.

More Tan Meets the Eye in South Dakota

South Dakota may be known for Mount Rushmore, but it ofers so much more to travelers, as our writer uncovered in this issue’s Travel Log. Discover the state’s rich history, spectacular scenery and hidden cultural gems. Page 36

Introducing Brave & Bold—a New Feature Spotlighting Remarkable American Women

After hearing valuable feedback in the most recent CMR, I am proud to unveil American Spirit’s newest section, Brave & Bold. Drawing inspiration from Wide Blue Sash, which shared the stories of some of DAR’s most storied leaders, Brave & Bold widens the lens to celebrate the legacy of all remarkable women, past and present. We kick things of with Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who in 2023 became the ﬁrst woman to command the U.S. Navy. Page 44

From Coast to Coast in 10 Days: Te Daring Feats of the Pony Express

Tank you to the Charlotte Parkhurst DAR Chapter, grand prize winner of the 2023 “Spread the American Spirit” subscription contest, for suggesting this article on the Pony Express. You’ll be on the edge of your seat reading about the challenges facing those fearless mail carriers. And you’ll be inspired by the modern-day ways this DAR chapter honors the legacy of America’s ﬁrst express mail service. Page 12

Rebuilding, Recovery and Rock ’n’ Roll

In Stars & Stripes we take a fun and entertaining look at the possible connection between America’s Marshall Plan and the rise of the legendary “Fab Four.” Tell me: How many Beatles’ lyrics can you spot in our article? Page 8

Fort Ticonderoga: North America’s ‘Gibraltar’

Known for its strategic location and sturdy fortiﬁcations, Fort Ticonderoga played a pivotal role in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution but was later abandoned. I was delighted to read about its rise, fall and recent revival in this issue’s decidedly diferent Historic Homes feature. Page 32

German’s Chocolate Cake

Tis recipe for German’s Chocolate Cake (no, that’s not a typo) was something my mother used countless times to make our family celebrations extra special. It’s a rich cake that brings back even richer memories of my childhood. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Page 46

On the cover:

‘Incendiary’

ADAMS

Samuel Adams lit the spark of revolution in his fellow Americans.

BY BILL HUDGINS

Although now overshadowed by other Founding Fathers, Boston’s Samuel Adams was regarded as one of the leading proponents of independence in the years before the Revolution. Tomas Jeferson called him “truly the man of the Revolution.” John Adams believed his second cousin was born to ignite the conﬂict between Great Britain and its Colonies.

Samuel Adams’ nemesis, Royal Governor Thomas Hutchinson, might have agreed, calling him “a Machiavelli of chaos” and declaring, “I doubt whether there is a greater incendiary in the King’s dominions.”

Samuel Adams is an enigma, writes biographer Stacy Schif in Te Revolutionary Samuel Adams (Little, Brown and Company, 2022). Historians are sure he was deeply involved in many of the riots and mob violence that rocked Boston in the 1760s and early 1770s.

However, he was careful to cover his tracks, so his precise role is difcult to trace. He destroyed most of his papers and used more than 30 pseudonyms to pen hundreds of articles and pamphlets championing liberty.

Until his early 40s, he failed at nearly every endeavor. Schif writes that Adams was plagued by debts and lawsuits but seemed indiferent to money and position. He showed few early signs of the political genius and master of shaping public opinion that seemed to emerge fully formed after the end of the French and Indian War.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Adams was born in Boston on September 16, 1722, to Samuel Adams Sr. and Mary (Fiﬁeld) Adams. According to the National Park Service’s online biography of the younger Adams, his parents came from successful seafaring families and provided a comfortable life for their children.

Te elder Adams was a prosperous maltster, devout, a justice of the peace and active in local politics. He sent son Samuel to the prestigious Boston Latin School in 1728, and then, at age 14, to Harvard in 1736, where he received his undergraduate degree in 1740 and a graduate degree in 1743. While Samuel Sr. educated his son and instilled in him a love of politics and civic service, he failed to impart his business acumen. Te younger Adams had no head for business. His ﬁrst employer, merchant Tomas Cushing, observed that politics absorbed his attention. Samuel Sr. lent him money to start a shop that soon failed. He then worked, with little enthusiasm, in his father’s malting business.

In 1747, he was elected a clerk of the Boston Market, his ﬁrst step up the political ladder. Te job involved inspecting city markets, which introduced him to farmers and working people and helped him understand their concerns, Schif writes.

He allied with the Popular Party, which defended Colonists’ rights against British encroachments. In 1748, he helped found the Independent Advertiser, a short-lived political newspaper. Its anonymous articles protested against the royal governor and British infringements on Colonists’ liberties.

After his father’s death in 1748, Samuel Jr. took over the malt business. He married Elizabeth Checkley on October 17, 1749. Tey had six children, but only two survived. She died in 1757 from complications of childbirth. Seven years later, he married Elizabeth Wells. Tough they had no children together, Elizabeth embraced her stepchildren as her own and supported her husband’s political career.

Te Path to Revolution

When the French and Indian War ended in 1763, Great Britain had doubled its national debt. Parliament enacted the ﬁrst direct tax on the Colonies to defray the cost of maintaining troops in North America. Te 1764 Sugar Act hit

New England hard because it applied to imported West Indies molasses, which the region’s distilleries used to make rum.

Adams and others railed against it, arguing that Parliament acted without the colony’s consent, violating their rights as English subjects. Intent on raising revenue, however, Parliament enacted an even more odious tax, the Stamp Act, in March 1765, which afected all the Colonies. It taxed all paper and printed goods and mandated that violators be tried in the Admiralty Court in England rather than local courts.

Outrage swept the Colonies, and riots erupted in Boston, encouraged by a secret group called the Loyal Nine. Adams was not a member, but he knew them well. Another secret society, the Sons of Liberty, coalesced around him and soon merged with the Loyal Nine.

In October, delegates from nine Colonies gathered in New York City to form the Stamp Act Congress, which issued a “Declaration of Rights of the Stamp Act Congress,” asking the British government to repeal the Stamp Act. Te Declaration asserted that Colonists enjoyed the same rights

as British-born subjects, including that no taxes should be imposed on them without their consent.

Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1766 but also passed the Declaratory Act, afrming its right to impose taxes and other laws. In 1767, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, which taxed many imported commodities. Riots and demonstrations erupted again. After the Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, Adams spearheaded public protests that led to the withdrawal of troops from Boston proper.

Word of the Coercive Acts spread quickly through the Colonies, prompting the First Continental Congress that met from September 5 to October 26, 1774, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All of the Colonies except Georgia sent delegates; Samuel Adams and John Adams represented Massachusetts. Te delegates sent a formal protest to King George III and vowed to boycott British goods if the Coercive Acts were not repealed.

Gage held of arresting the Patriot leaders for fear of arousing even more outbursts, Schif explains. But on April 14, 1775, he received new orders demanding he arrest them and seize suspected Patriot weapons caches.

Parliament repealed all the Townshend Acts in 1770 except for a tea tax. Many Colonists refused to buy the taxed tea, opting for smuggled tea. Hoping to reduce smuggling, Parliament passed a new tea tax in 1773 that gave the troubled East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in America and designated a select group of merchants to sell it.

Te Sons of Liberty led protests culminating in the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. Adams was at a large public meeting when disguised Patriots tossed 342 chests of tea into Boston Bay, but Schif explains that he may have given a prearranged signal to carry out the plan.

Word leaked out, and as he and his men prepared to depart, Paul Revere and William Dawes made their immortal rides to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock of the danger and alert the local militia.

King George III and Parliament retaliated with the punitive Coercive Acts, also known as the Intolerable Acts. In May 1774, General Tomas Gage arrived with four regiments of Redcoats to replace Governor Tomas Hutchinson, enforce the Coercive Acts and arrest the Patriot ringleaders. Adams moved his family out of Boston, and his colleagues also began leaving town.

Te Revolutionary War and Later Life

Samuel Adams served in the Second Continental Congress during much of the Revolutionary War. He drafted the Articles of Confederation and served on various committees overseeing the war. In 1781, he retired from Congress and returned to Boston.

He was elected a delegate to the commonwealth’s constitutional convention and served as president of the Massachusetts Senate. He was a delegate to the convention that ratiﬁed the new U.S. Constitution, where he called for adding a bill of rights.

Massachusetts elected him lieutenant governor under John Hancock in 1789 and governor for four consecutive yearlong terms. Due to declining health, he retired from politics in 1797. He died on October 2, 1803, at age 81 and is buried at the Old Granary Burying Ground.

For some time before his death, he had been sliding into obscurity, Schif writes. Unlike many of his revolutionary peers, Samuel Adams did not try to remain in the public mind. Without an imperial foe, he seemed somewhat lost and irrelevant. As Jeferson said, he was the man of the Revolution. He embodied its highest ideals, which were inseparable from his self. With independence won and the messy business of governing underway, there was no place left for the pure revolutionary.

Above: Proof sheet of one-penny stamps, Stamp Act of 1765. Right: Sons of Liberty protest the Stamp Act by attacking the house of Governor Thomas Hutchinson in Boston.

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REBUILDING, RECOVERY

America’s Marshall Plan, while helping heal Western Europe’s gaping wounds from World War II, just may have helped pave the way for the Beatles. BY

JEFF WALTER

In September 1940, one year into World War II, Germany’s Luftwa e launched its infamous eight-month aerial Blitz on the United Kingdom. London got the worst of it by far. Next came Liverpool, a vital northwestern port city of 800,000 people. By the end of the Blitz, Liverpool and the surrounding Merseyside County had su ered more than 4,000 deaths, 10,000 homes destroyed, and more than 70,000 people left homeless. Such tragedy and devastation can bring out the best or the worst in people. Liverpool native son Paul McCartney, who, along with three peers, later achieved musical

immortality with songs about peace and love, has recalled the post-World War II era as a time when people in his town sacriﬁced and pulled together to help one another. While McCartney and his mates were born too late to recall the air-raid sirens or falling bombs, they all lived through the resultant rationing and austerity measures—which continued into their adolescence—as well as the rubble, wreckage and other scars from the Nazi attacks. is tale is of British resilience, American inﬂuences and a cultural revolution fueled by imagination, talent and serendipity.

GIVING PEACE A CHANCE

After the war ended in September 1945, the United States quickly spent billions on grants and loans to European countries. But it saw a need for more assistance to restore the ravaged continent. “ e United States should do whatever it is able to do to assist in the return of normal economic health in the world, without which there can be no political stability and no assured peace,” Secretary of State George C. Marshall, a ﬁvestar general, said during a June 1947 speech at Harvard University.

On April 3, 1948, U.S. President Harry Truman signed into law the European Recovery Program, better known as the Marshall Plan. Over its four years of existence, this program provided more than $13 billion in grants to facilitate the rebuilding of 16 Western European nations on multiple fronts, including infrastructure, industry, jobs and the

President Truman signs the Marshall Plan into law. ALAMY; WIKIPEDIA

elimination of international trade barriers. In the interest of fostering long-term recovery and growth, recipients did not have to repay this money. Roughly a quarter of it went to the UK.

Other signiﬁcant beneﬁciaries included France, Italy and West Germany. Te ambitious program viewed rebuilding in Western Europe’s larger nations—even those that, like Italy and Germany, had fought for the Axis—as vital to the continent’s economic recovery. Te creation of a strong West Germany was particularly essential to the efort.

Lennon’s birth was a month away. Teir partners-to-be McCartney and George Harrison would come along in 1942 and 1943, respectively. Te war and its aftermath inﬂuenced their lives in various ways.

Back in the U.S.S.R., which had supported the Allied forces, the Kremlin said no thanks to Marshall Plan aid, fearing the efects of too much U.S. inﬂuence on its economy and national afairs and those of its Soviet satellite states.

One stated aim of the program was to foster the growth of democracy while thwarting the spread of communism. Signiﬁcantly, it would also open European markets to American goods and culture.

After that, who could predict what might happen?

RISING FROM THE RUINS

Liverpool, where the River Mersey meets the Irish Sea, had long been the United Kingdom’s primary connection to North America and a key entry point for food, fuel and other essential imports. Tat made it a strategic target for Adolf Hitler’s regime. Te port was vital to British participation in the Battle of the Atlantic, which ran from 1939 to 1945 and was the longest continuous war campaign.

As the Liverpool Blitz began, Richard Starkey (later Ringo Starr) was 2 months old, while future colleague John

Dingle, the poor Liverpool neighborhood where the future Starr grew up, was not far from the shipping docks and thus sustained heavy damage. Starr and Lennon later recalled playing in bomb craters and rubble as children.

McCartney’s parents had forged their relationship while taking shelter during an air raid. Lennon’s middle name, Winston, was a tribute to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, whose stirring speech to the House of Commons one day before Lennon’s birth had been broadcast on BBC radio. “London, Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham may have much more to sufer,” the prime minister vowed, “but they will rise from their ruins, more healthy and, I hope, more beautiful.”

Much of Western Europe was in ruins by the war’s end, with near-famine conditions reported in some areas. Te rationing that the British government had put in place during the war, allowing goods to be diverted toward the combat efort, continued as the nation struggled to recover with severe shortages of housing, food and materials, along with a massive war debt. Rebuilding would take lots of time, money and sacriﬁce by the government and the people. Ultimately, it would also require a little help from their friends in America.

A panoramic view of bomb damage in Liverpool

The Beatles backstage in 1962: Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and John Lennon

Rationing and austerity measures included limits on petrol, kerosene and coal; a wide range of food items, including bread, butter, eggs, milk, meat, potatoes, sugar and tea; clothing; soap; and paper. While the speciﬁc items being rationed at a given time varied, the austerity measures did not end until 1954.

Tis environment was a hotbed for young Brits, who were chaﬁng under the restrictions, structure and formality that older generations had imposed on them.

SOAKING UP INFLUENCES

Liverpool was, and is, a cosmopolitan city. Having once played a signiﬁcant role in the African slave trade, it is home not only to Britain’s oldest Black community but also to large populations of Chinese, Irish and Welsh people. Te brogue of Irish and Welsh immigrants is audible in the Liverpool accent, known as Scouse (which is also the name of a meat-and-vegetables stew that was a staple of the local cuisine). Residents, known as Liverpudlians or Scousers, tended to be hardy, hardworking and proud of their blue-collar origins.

In a 1970 interview, Rolling Stone magazine founder Jann Wenner asked John Lennon what his Liverpool origins had to do with his art. Lennon replied: “We were the ones who were looked down upon as animals by the southerners, the Londoners. … Liverpool is a very poor city, and tough. But people have a sense of humor because they are in so much pain. So they are always cracking jokes, and they are very witty.”

Rock ’n’ roll, invented in America, was the music of youthful rebellion—and England had long ago felt the sheer force of American rebellion. In the years after World War II, young British performers would defy the status quo with their music, comedy, fashion and other art forms. John Cleese of Monty Python fame, for example, told Vulture in 2018 that “anti-authoritarianism was deeply ingrained” in the irreverent comedy troupe’s TV show and movies.

A LONG AND WINDING ROA D

Before the members of the Beatles became pop idols—and before Ringo Starr joined the group as drummer—Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, along with Stuart Sutclife and Pete Best, honed their live performance skills in the early 1960s at various clubs in Hamburg, West Germany. Hamburg, which Marshall Plan money had helped rebuild, is also where they made their ﬁrst recording, backing Tony Sheridan on his single “My Bonnie,” and where they captured the attention of future manager Brian Epstein, who landed them a record deal with EMI.

In addition, Lennon said, Liverpool was a great place to discover American music—particularly blues records, as well as country and western—that U.S. and British servicemen brought into port. Tese cultural inﬂuences would prove a huge inspiration for four young Scousers in particular.

Te Beatles individually and collectively ate up music from “across the pond.” In the band’s early days, their repertoire was loaded with their interpretations of songs by American artists. Tey covered songs by Black performers such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Arthur Alexander, the Shirelles and the Isley Brothers, as well as songs by white artists like Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins and Buck Owens.

On February 9, 1964, the Beatles performed live on “Te Ed Sullivan Show” before 73 million people, then the largest television audience in history. Beatlemania was in full swing in America! Other “Merseybeat” bands such as Gerry & the Pacemakers and the Searchers would follow in their wake.

What does this all have to do with the Marshall Plan? Well, no one can quantify exactly how large a role the Marshall Plan might have played in the development of the Beatles and all that followed. One thing is for sure, however: Without the inﬂuence of American music and culture (and, most likely, money), the Fab Four as we know them could not have existed.

As for the Marshall Plan, despite its humanitarian nature and the fact that it earned George Marshall the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953, pure altruism was never its design.

“Te pioneering plan became a model for how development can help advance foreign policy goals and U.S. interests,” says an article on the National Museum of American Diplomacy website.

And if, in the process, it helped launch a little rock ’n’ roll music across the universe, what’s wrong with that?

The Beatles with Ed Sullivan, New York (February 8, 1964)

COAST TO COAST IN 10 DAYS

THE DARING FEATS OF THE FROM

ramento, CA

How a bold experiment in speed reshaped America’s communication and captured the SPIRIT OF THE OLD WEST

BY EMILY MCMACKIN DYE

he image of fearless Pony Express riders barreling through desolate stretches of countryside in a fast and furious race to deliver the mail has long been part of the lore and mystique of the Old West. Although short-lived, the daring mail service revolutionized the spread of news and information across the rapidly expanding nation. It bolstered communication between its East and West coasts as America hurtled toward the Civil War.

Operating between April 1860 and October 1861, the Pony Express was the ﬁrst express mail service of its day. Its continuous horse-and-rider relays spanning 1,966 miles from Missouri to California enabled Americans to send letters and urgent news across the country in just 10 days—a feat unprecedented at the time. While the completion of the transcontinental telegraph rendered the service obsolete just 18 months after its start, the romanticism of the Pony Express and its riders has lived on through portrayals in Wild West movies, novels and shows.

Founding and Launch of the Pony Express

As the landscape of the United States began changing with the westward migration of settlers on the Oregon and California Trails in the 1840s, the 1847 Mormon exodus to Utah, and the 1849 Gold Rush, the need for a faster, more reliable means of mail delivery past the Rocky Mountains emerged. California-bound mail was

Tis article topic was chosen by Charlotte Parkhurst DAR Chapter, Folsom, California, grand prize winner of the 2023 “Spread the American Spirit” subscription contest. Information on the new 2024 “Share the Spirit” subscription contest can be found on the DAR Magazine Committee webpage under the “Contest” tab.

initially carried by steamship routes around South America or included an overland transfer across the Isthmus of Panama or Mexico’s Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Te journey by sea took nearly a month under the best conditions. In 1857, stagecoach companies, such as Overland Mail Company and other private carriers, began hauling mail from Missouri to California, but delivery still took 24 days— or longer due to delays.

Congratulations to the 2023 “SPREAD THE AMERICAN SPIRIT” CONTEST WINNERS!

With tensions between the North and South causing disruptions along stagecoach routes and the growing demand for rapid transmission of news as the Civil War loomed, Westerners began discussing ideas for a faster central mail route through the frontier. California Senator William M. Gwin is often credited with spearheading the initiative, but William Russell, who co-owned a freight and stage company with William Waddell and Alexander Majors, set it into motion.

In January 1860, Russell and his partners launched the Pony Express under the name of the Central Overland California & Pike’s Peak Express Company. Its route stretched from St. Joseph, Missouri, following the Oregon Trail before diverting south through Nevada to Sacramento, California, where mail was transported to San Francisco via steamboat.

ﬁt snugly over the saddles and held up to 20 pounds of cargo.

Riders rode at breakneck speed, stopping to change horses every 10 to 15 miles. At each relay station, they would grab the mochila of one mount and throw it over the next, allowing them to switch horses in just two minutes. After riding 75 to 100 miles, they would stop at a home station with food and sleeping quarters, where they would hand the mail of to a new courier and rest up for their next shift.

Each division had about 70 to 80 riders, many of whom were 20 years old or younger, experienced with horses and familiar with the local terrain. Majors presented each rider with a Bible and required them to take a loyalty oath promising not to swear, get drunk or ﬁght with other employees. In exchange, riders received monthly salaries of $100 to $150—a substantial sum for the time.

To achieve their ambitious goal of delivering mail in 10 days, the men set up a network of more than 190 relief stations across Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and California. Tey recruited male riders who were small and wiry to minimize strain on the horses and outﬁtted them with mochilas—leather saddlebags with pouches that

Triumphant Beginnings, Unforeseen Challenges

On April 3, 1860, residents of St. Joseph, Missouri, gathered to witness the first ride of the Pony Express. Te train carrying mail from the East Coast was delayed, but the crowd waited until dark for its arrival. Mail was rushed to Pikes Peak Stable, and the first rider took of just after 7 p.m. to a cannon salute and cheering spectators. Te mochila arrived in Sacramento on April 13 at 5:45 p.m. to a festive atmosphere of bands playing, bells ringing and flags waving. Te celebration continued a few hours later when the mail reached its final destination in San Francisco just after midnight.

With its historic ﬁrst ride, the Pony Express proved it could deliver mail faster than ever, but service along the route soon halted with the eruption of the Pyramid Lake War in May 1860.

St. Joseph,MO

Pony Express riders

Te conﬂict, which pitted Paiute Indians in Nevada against white settlers, led to attacks on remote Pony Express stations. Horses were stolen, stations burned, and station keepers and stockhands killed, culminating in a temporary suspension of operations between Salt Lake City and Carson City.

Riders braved their share of perils, from harsh weather and treacherous terrain to the constant threat of attacks by bandits and some hostile regional tribes. Teir horses—mostly half-breed California mustangs—were usually fast enough to outrun attackers, but some riders crossing the Utah and Nevada deserts were assigned military escorts.

One of the most famous Pony Express riders, Robert “Pony Bob” Haslam, completed a 380-mile run in less than two days after arriving at Nevada’s Buckland Station after a 75-mile run to discover that his relief rider was too scared of the Paiutes to continue the route. Haslam delivered the mail to the

Smith’s Creek Station, 190 miles away, then retraced his ride back to his home outpost. Haslam’s bravery and stamina earned him the privilege of carrying top dispatches, including Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address in March 1861, which he delivered in record time despite being wounded in an Indian attack en route.

Even as the Pony Express was making history, technology was catching up. By June 1860, Congress authorized a bill subsidizing a transcontinental telegraph line connecting the Missouri River to the Paciﬁc Coast. Pony Express riders often passed workers constructing the line as they raced along their routes.

Ultimately, a lack of proﬁtability caused the Pony Express to falter. Many Americans could not aford the service, which started at $5 per half-ounce and was later reduced to $1 per

DAR Honors THE PONY EXPRESS Through

Commemoration and Education

Te DAR has a long history of commemorating the Pony Express and the endeavors of its brave riders. In 1912, the DAR and the city of St. Joseph, Missouri, erected a monument marking the location where the ﬁrst Pony Express ride took place on April 3, 1860. Elizabeth Gundrum, Regent of Sacramento DAR Chapter, Sacramento, California, placed a marker at the Western Terminus of the Pony Express in 1923, along with 11 Bay Area chapters.

More recently, in 2020, Pony Express DAR Chapter, Lehi, Utah, formed,

proudly taking its name from the historic mail delivery service. Meanwhile, in New York, Robin Laney Ettinger, a member of the Anna Ingalsbe Lovell DAR Chapter, Genesee County, New York, received ﬁrst place in the crochet category of the New York State Fiber Arts division of the National DAR Heritage Contest for her creation of a crocheted pony named Delivery that teaches preschool-aged children about the Pony Express. In keeping with the 2023 theme, “Educating Our Next Generation on Our Historic American Trails,” Delivery sports a cowboy tie and satchel with a map of the Pony Express route, a copy of the rider’s oath and laminated letters with a Pony Express-era stamp.

Express Re-Ride, with a booth directly in front of the Folsom History Museum and the historic facade of the Wells Fargo Assay Ofce, steps from the site of a former Pony Express terminal.

“We gave out miniature stagecoaches donated by Wells Fargo to the kids and water bottles to the adults and answered their questions about the Pony Express and the DAR,” said Charlotte Parkhurst

In June 2024, Charlotte Parkhurst DAR Chapter, Folsom, California, had a big presence at the National Pony Express Association’s annual Pony

DAR Chapter Regent Kimm Richwine (pictured above, left). “The city of Folsom is growing rapidly, but it’s very intentional about preserving all the living history surrounding us. We want to help promote that.”

Robert "Pony Bob" Haslam, circa 1908

half-ounce. It was used mainly by newspapers, businesses and the government, which printed documents on tissue-thin paper to keep costs low. Te expense of starting and operating the Pony Express and losses from the Pyramid Lake War kept Russell and his partners perpetually in debt—and they never secured the lucrative government contract they hoped to win. Within a year, the company went bankrupt and was forced to relinquish its western route to Overland Mail Company. Two days after the transcontinental telegraph line was completed on October 24, 1861, the Pony Express ceased operations, after having successfully delivered around 35,000 pieces of mail, with only one mochila lost.

preserve and mark the original route, which was designated as a National Historic Trail in 1992. Every June, NPEA hosts a commemorative Pony Express Re-Ride, recreating the 10-day journey with more than 750 volunteer riders who stop at places along the trail like Folsom, California, a railroad and Gold Rush town that served as a western terminus for the Pony Express from July 1860 through 1861.

“Tey reenact it all, down to exchanging the mochila and taking the rider’s oath,” said Kimm Richwine, Regent of Charlotte Parkhurst DAR Chapter, Folsom, California. “Te riders have GPS trackers in their pouches, so you know their exact location and when they will reach you.”

Visiting the Trail Today

Much of the original Pony Express Trail has been obliterated by time and development, but traces of it can still be glimpsed, especially in Utah and California. Since 1978, the National Pony Express Association (NPEA) has worked to identify,

Best of all, Ms. Richwine added, the event allows people to send their own letters for Pony Express riders to carry on the historic route. She sent letters to each of her 10 grandchildren.

“My 15-year-old granddaughter is a 4-H member and very into horses, so she thought it was so cool to get a letter that traveled by horseback,” Ms. Richwine said.

A FRAGILE FUTURE

Saving the Planet’s Endangered Species

Near-Extinct Species in America

Due to habitat loss, pollution, climate change and human activity, thousands of animal species are endangered or on the verge of extinction. As their numbers dwindle, the balance of nature is disrupted, leading to ripple efects with far-reaching consequences. Saving them is crucial—for their well-being and ours.

Endangered Species Around the World

Sumatran Orangutan

North Atlantic Right Whale

With fewer than 350 left, this whale is threatened by ship strikes and entanglement in ﬁshing gear.

California Condor

Conservation eforts have helped bring the population to over 500, but lead

Red Wolf

Fewer than 20 remain in the wild, primarily due to habitat loss and human conﬂict.

poisoning remains a signiﬁcant threat to their survival.

Deforestation and illegal wildlife trade have left fewer than 14,000 of these endangered apes in the wild.

Florida Panther

With only 120–230 individuals remaining, habitat fragmentation and vehicle collisions are the primary threats to the Florida panther.

Amur Leopard

African Penguin

Fewer than 100 remain in the wild, making it one of the rarest big cats. Habitat loss and poaching are the main threats to its survival in the Russian Far East.

Overﬁshing, oil spills and habitat destruction have caused the population of African penguins to plummet, with only about 13,000 breeding pairs left.

How You Can Help

You can support endangered species by reducing your carbon footprint and choosing eco-friendly products. Every small action helps protect vulnerable wildlife.

Don’t wait to open the door to ﬁnancial and estate planning. Tis year, two economic factors have combined to create tax-wise opportunities to help you meet your ﬁnancial and philanthropic goals.

Factor 1: During 2024, the stock market reached an all-time high. Although this was followed by a market correction, if you are a long-term investor, it is likely that you have assets in your portfolio that hold a signiﬁcant amount of capital gain. By donating some of these securities to DAR, you can make a signiﬁcant impact on our work while avoiding a capital-gain tax for which you would have been liable had you sold the securities.

Factor 2:

Te Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) made signiﬁcant changes to the tax code. Among the most impactful changes are the increased exemption levels for federal estate and gift taxation. As a result, only 0.1% of all estates have paid estate taxes since TCJA was enacted. Te TCJA also raised the amount of the deduction allowed for gifts of cash to 60% of the donor’s adjusted gross income. TCJA provisions are scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2025. You can still take advantage of TCJA provisions until the end of 2025.

Please complete and return the enclosed reply card or visit us online today at dar.giftplans.org.

Gladys Tab e ’s Enduring Voice of Calm Domesticity

BY ELIZABETH MARIANO MUBAREK

Gladys Bagg Taber is best known for her work as an author and columnist in the mid-20th century. Seen by some as a precursor to personalities such as Martha Stewart, she brought American home and domesticity to the forefront of an orderly, joy-ﬁlled life. With her writing, Taber captured the essence of everyday life, sharing insights on family, domestic pursuits and the tranquility of rural living.

Stilmeadow A LITERARY HAVEN

In 1931, the Tabers, along with close friend Eleanor Mayer (affectionately referred to as “Jill”) and Jill’s husband, jointly purchased “Stillmeadow” in Southbury, Connecticut. At the time, the two families lived in New York City and wanted a countryside retreat where their children could play freely on weekends and holidays.

In time, Frank, a music professor, developed hearing loss, and the strain led to their divorce. Following this, Taber moved with Jill, who had recently lost her husband, to Stillmeadow full time. Tis 17th-century farmhouse, on 40 acres of land surrounded by idyllic countryside,

Gladys Bagg was born on April 12, 1899, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Her father, Rufus, was a geologist, and her mother, Grace, was a homemaker. Taber graduated from Wellesley College in Massachusetts in 1920. Soon after, she received a master’s degree from Lawrence College in Wisconsin, making her an exceptionally well-educated woman for the time. She married Frank A. Taber Jr. in 1922, and taught English composition at Randolph-Macon College in Virginia from 1921 to 1926, until the birth of their daughter, Constance.

became the inspiration and the setting for most of Taber’s work.

Harvest at Stillmeadow, the ﬁrst of the Stillmeadow books, was published in 1940, beginning what would become a beloved collection of semiautobiographical novels depicting serene and comforting aspects of country living.

In addition to caring for her homestead, Taber commuted to New York City to teach short-story writing at Columbia University, as well as to attend to her position as a staf editor at Te Ladies’ Home Journal, where she had a regularly running column titled “Diary of Domesticity.” Taber’s voice

as a single mother, navigating life on the farm and supporting herself through her writing, resonated with many readers.

Tough she is well known for her works serialized in The Ladies’ Home Journal and other columns, Taber also authored nearly 60 books throughout her lifetime. Te genres she penned ranged from fiction and nonfiction to cookbooks, children’s books and works of poetry. She also published stories and essays in wellknown magazines and newspapers, including Te Saturday Evening Post, Good Housekeeping and Country Home. Taber’s uplifting writing championed the simple life. Te repetitive themes of nature, gardening, friendship and domesticity are often filtered through the lens of her own experiences. Her stories evolved as she aged and her perspective changed. She was uniquely able to capture and express the essence of her outlook, in which the home served as a sanctuary and a source of personal satisfaction.

Most of Taber’s works were written and published during particularly

With winte outide, IT’S TIME TO KEEP SOUP SIMMERING OVER AN APPLEWOOD FIRE PLENTY TO DISH UP FOR THE CHILDREN AND FRIENDS WHEN THEY COME IN FROM SKATING.

GLADYS TABER

tumultuous times in American history. She lived—and wrote—through two world wars, the Great Depression, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

A LEGACY OF Inpiation and Comfot

Taber’s works continue to resonate with and inspire women today. Even long after her passing in 1980, groups of women have found solace and support in connecting with others afected by Taber’s impactful work.

“Tese writings not only established her as America’s arbiter of all things authentically country, but her gentle musings on the simple life and her wholly ungentriﬁed approaches to the seasons, gardening, cooking, raising livestock and breeding cocker spaniels helped the country get through the Great Depression,” Alan Bisbort wrote in a 2001 article in Te New York Times. The sensibly calm attitudes of the characters Taber introduced to her readers eased some of the difculties in those inherently difcult years. Because of this, Taber often found herself answering nearly 8,000 letters per year from her fans.

One fan page, named “Butternut Wisdom” after the title of Taber’s column in Everywoman’s Family Circle, notes that her work is still appealing to modern-day readers who might be “seeking escape from the schedules, the trafc, and the internet,” ﬁ nding that “her warm memoirs are balm to souls frazzled by modern life, perfect for rainy- or snowy-day reading, with or without a cup of tea or a cat or dog.” In today’s ever-busy and complex world, the simplicity of the settings and themes found in Taber’s books may be a salve to many.

Te determination and positivity that Taber championed were prominently displayed within her female characters and featured in her stories of loyalty and love. Tese authentic and relatable stories will continue to resonate with generations of women and manifest strength and fortitude to their readers.

As stated on the website of T e Friends of Gladys Taber, a group that formed shortly after the death of the author to carry on and enhance her memory, “She left us a wonderful legacy which should not be lost. Her wisdom, calmness and positive attitude are exactly what we need in this troubled world. No wonder so many people want to read and re-read her wonderful books!”

On the R OAD to 250!

Te Stars & Stripes Celebration Grants have played a crucial role in empowering DAR chapters and State Societies to honor American heritage and promote patriotism in their communities. Tese projects, made possible through the funding provided by these grants, showcase the DAR’s commitment to celebrating the birth of the nation and honoring those who fought for American independence.

Celebrating Independence

Members of the Brunswick Town DAR Chapter, Southport, North Carolina, led by Chapter Regent Mary Sands, made a signiﬁcant impact at the annual North Carolina Fourth of July Festival in Southport. On July 3, the chapter members hosted a luncheon for 111 new citizens and their families, featuring displays of Patriot cutouts, the Declaration of Independence, America 250! ﬂags and a special birthday cake commemorating the America 250! Celebration. Children were given pages from the DAR Our Patriots coloring book and crayons.

The following day, some chapter members donned Colonial attire and participated in the parade, with their ﬂoat featuring the Patriot cutouts, which captivated the

attention of the 40,000 spectators. Other members proudly walked alongside, carrying their chapter banner. Later, a local television station featured the ﬂoat and Patriot cutouts on its Facebook page.

OTe chapter maximized its Stars & Stripes Forever Celebration Grant funds to honor the Patriots who secured American independence and celebrate the nation’s birth.

n Saturday, August 17, 28 chapters of the Alabama Society Daughters of the American Revolution (ASDAR) came together to dedicate six teak wood benches at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. Te dedication ceremony was attended by several notable ﬁgures, including President General Pamela Edwards Rouse Wright and Colonel Alan Miller, president and CEO of the American Village Citizenship Trust. ASDAR State Regent Malinda Williams led the ceremony, with Kathryn Walker West, National Chair of the America 250! Committee, NSDAR, delivering the keynote address. Val Crofts, commissioner of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission and American Village chief education and programs ofcer, also attended the event. Te Alabama Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard ★

Alabama DAR Chapters Dedicate Benches at American Village

KATHRYN WALKER WEST, America 250! Committee National Chair

Brunswick Town DAR Chapter, Southport, North Carolina, celebrates Independence Day

presented the American Flag, the Alabama state ﬂag and DAR banners during the patriotic exercises.

“ Te Alabama Society is proud of the 28 DAR chapters across Alabama who came together to purchase and dedicate these benches through the Stars & Stripes Forever Celebration Grants Program,” Mrs. Williams said. “It is an honor to commemorate the men and women who helped found this nation. With American Village Citizenship Trust’s

mission to share with young people America’s journey to independence through experience-based American history, civics and government academic programs, it is ﬁtting that the six benches reside here. It is the hope of the ASDAR that future generations visiting American Village will continue to be reminded of those who sacriﬁced for us all.”

Te benches were dedicated at the ﬁrst event of the new ASDAR Administration. Chapter Regents from previous and current Administrations also participated by announcing their chapter name and location and placing a red rose on the bench.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

DAR Unveils Exclusive Membership Certifcate for America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration

BY MEGAN HAMBY

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is going all out to honor America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary. As part of a decade-long celebration that kicked of on December 16, 2023—the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party—DAR is ofering new members a unique opportunity to be part of history.

Every woman who joins DAR between December 16, 2023, and the end of 2033 (the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris) will receive an exclusive, gold-embossed membership certiﬁcate. Tis is not just any certiﬁcate. It features the America 250! emblem, symbolizing the organization’s deeprooted commitment to commemorating the nation’s journey

Te text on the top bench rail reads: DAR honors the men and women who achieved American independence.

Te text on the bottom bench rail reads: In celebration of America’s 250th birthday

to independence. A personalized number printed on each certiﬁcate indicates the exact order in which the member joined during this celebratory period.

Tis initiative is not just about adding a name to the roster— it is about creating a tangible connection to the nation’s past and the legacy of those who fought for freedom. Te certiﬁcate symbolizes the member’s place in DAR’s ongoing mission to honor and preserve American history, said Cynthia Moody Parnell, Registrar General, NSDAR.

Te excitement began in January 2024, when these special certificates were first distributed to women who had joined the prior December. Each month, new members are verified and receive their own numbered certificate, making every woman who joins DAR during this time a part of this extraordinary historical celebration.

DAR anticipates issuing around 12,000 certificates in the first year alone, potentially welcoming up to 100,000 new members by the time the celebration concludes in 2033, Mrs. Parnell said. Te certificate is more than just a piece of paper for these new members—it is a badge of honor.

ASDAR pictured at American Village in Montevallo, Alabama

and

F RIENDS FAMILY

Georgia Daughter uses DNA to discover the truth behind a family photo.

BY LENA ANTHONY

Visiting her great-grandmother’s house remains one of Cheryl Odell’s fondest childhood memories. She vividly recalls the family photos on the wall, especially those of her mother, Ann, her uncle Bill, and Pam, whom she always had assumed was a cousin, given how frequently she appeared in family photos and showed up at family events with her mother, Jane.

raised others and reunited a long-lost friend with the family she didn’t know was hers. An autosomal DNA (atDNA) test conﬁrmed that Ann and Pam were half-sisters. And suddenly, Pam’s family grew exponentially, adding siblings, nieces and nephews, and even great-great-nieces and nephews.

“We always treated Pam like family,” Mrs. Odell said. “Now we had proof that she was.”

While Pam and Ann were making up for lost family time, Mrs. Odell was on a parallel family journey of her own. Her daughter, Bryanna, was a fan of the show “Gilmore Girls,” which sometimes featured DAR-themed characters and plotlines.

“I knew they were family, but I just didn’t know where they ﬁt in,” said Mrs. Odell, who is Chapter Regent for Lachlan McIntosh DAR Chapter, Savannah, Georgia, and also serves as Georgia State Chair for the DAR DNA Network. “When I ﬁnally asked my great-grandmother, she said, ‘Oh, Pam is Jane’s daughter, and Jane is a very dear friend.’ I thought that was sweet, so I just let it go.”

A few decades later, Mrs. Odell heard a diferent version of the story—that her grandfather and Jane were romantically involved, making Pam her mother’s half-sister.

“My mom found out in high school, but she never spoke of it again because that’s how family secrets were dealt with back then,” she said. “She also wondered whether Pam knew the truth.”

In 2012, when Mrs. Odell’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, her thoughts kept returning to her halfsister and whether Pam knew that she was family.

“Pam was an only child, and I grew up with dozens of cousins,” Mrs. Odell said. “I think it bothered my mom that Pam missed out on being a part of a big family.”

With her mother’s blessing, Mrs. Odell called Pam, which began a process of discovery that answered some questions,

“She always wanted to join the DAR because of the show, and I admit I had no idea what it was,” Mrs. Odell said.

Once a month, in Huntington Beach, California, the group of soon-to-be DAR members—Mrs. Odell, her mother-inlaw, two sisters-in-law, two nieces and her two daughters, Brooke and Bryanna—convened to compare notes on their genealogical discoveries.

“We decided those get-togethers would be our family time,” she said. “It was an amazing time.”

She had assumed her Patriot would be on her father’s side—he was one of 16 children—but it turned out to be her mother’s side of the family that had Revolutionary War roots. Tis opened a door for Pam to join the DAR too.

Mrs. Odell joined the DAR, along with her daughters, on the same day in 2012. Her mother, Ann, joined in 2015. Since 2015, another of Mrs. Odell’s sisters-in-law and three more nieces have joined DAR. For Pam, it would take Mrs. Odell three additional years, relying on the atDNA test results proving the relation to her mother, plus multiple road trips from her previous home in California to an Arkansas cemetery. She also credits Mark Voltaire, one of the DAR’s full-time “genies,” for walking her through the documents she needed to get the application approved.

“In just 30 minutes, I walked out of Headquarters knowing exactly what I needed to get Pam’s application approved,”

CHERYL ODELL

Cheryl Odell

Cheryl Odell was a ﬂower girl in her aunt Pam’s wedding.

she said. “And yes, that is a plug for DAR—from chapter registrars to volunteer genies to DAR staf, they want to help you with your applications!”

It also helped that Mrs. Odell’s Chapter Registrar, Suzanne Sanborn, was the ﬁrst in the nation to submit Y-DNA evidence supporting a new member Application. Te DAR began accepting Y-DNA evidence in 2014 and atDNA in 2020 for proof of lineage.

“Even though it’s been several years now that DNA tests are accepted, I’ve heard from so many people that they’re still intimidated about using it because it seems so new and novel,” Mrs. Odell said. “ Tere are so many knowledgeable people, both inside and outside of DAR, who can help you navigate it.”

From DNA to DAR

Since 2014, DAR has accepted Y-DNA test results to support New Member and Supplemental applications. Autosomal DNA (atDNA) evidence has been accepted since 2020.

Y-DNA is passed from father to son. Although it cannot prove lineage, it can point to potential family members. As a result, DAR requires this evidence to be submitted alongside other traditional lineage documents.

atDNA is inherited from both parents. An atDNA test can identify genetic matches with relatives. Tis type of evidence can be used when traditional documents are nonexistent or unavailable in the applicant’s ﬁrst three generations.

Learn more at dar.org/nationalsociety/genealogy/dna

Although Mrs. Odell’s mother and mother-in-law have passed away, their family legacy enabled 20 family members to join DAR or the Children of the American Revolution.

“Maybe a DNA test result will show you there was a surprise somewhere in your family history, but somebody was born out of that and created a legacy of their own,” Mrs. Odell said.

Begin Your DNA Journey

Discover more about your ancestry with our autosomal DNA, Y-DNA, and mtDNA testing services and databases!

SCAN HERE to get started at FamilyTreeDNA today.

PATRIOT My

‘ R EMEMBER THE L ADIES’

Martha Jeferson and Abigail Adams Finally Receive Ofcial Recognition for Teir Patriotic Service

BY MEGAN HAMBY

While history often reserves its spotlight for the men who shaped the American Revolution, it is essential also to remember the women whose lives were intertwined with these ﬁgures. Among them, Martha Je ferson and Abigail Adams stand out. Recent eforts by genealogists and DAR members have shed light on the signiﬁcant roles they played.

M

A RTHA JEFFERSON A Pillar of Strength

Martha Wayles Skelton Jeferson, born on October 30, 1748, faced immense personal tragedy throughout her life. After losing her ﬁrst husband and young son, she married Tomas Jeferson in 1772.

But the journey to ofcially recognize Martha Jeferson and Abigail Adams as Patriots was complex. Coverture laws have often obscured the true extent of women’s contributions to the American Revolution, making it challenging for descendants to prove their ancestors’ patriotism. (Read more about coverture in the November/December 2021 issue of American Spirit.)

“It can be harder to prove female Patriots,” said Cynthia Moody Parnell, Registrar General, NSDAR. “Te laws of coverture limited the legal rights of married women. If they did certain things or gave away clothes or uniforms their husbands owned, they may or may not get credit since it was their husband’s property.”

Tankfully, descendants of both Martha and Abigail were able to make the case for their female ancestors, proving that they were instrumental in shaping the fabric of early American society.

Jeferson later described their 10-year marriage as a decade of “unchequered happiness,” though their life was anything but easy. Martha managed the family’s plantations during the Revolutionary War while bearing six children, only two of whom—Martha (called Patsy) and Mary (called Maria or Polly)—survived to adulthood. Trough various hardships, including a raid on Monticello, Martha remained steadfast, embodying quiet strength.

Recognizing Martha Jeferson as a DAR Patriot was not a straightforward task. It was only through the diligent eforts of Brittney Kean, Regent of the Heirome Gaines DAR Chapter,

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that Martha’s service was ﬁnally documented. Ms. Kean, who is eight generations removed from the Jefersons, joined DAR 20 years ago under Tomas Jeferson. In 2018 she started the research to establish Martha.

“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014,” Ms. Kean said. “I am a member of more than 70 lineage societies, and one of my passion projects since being diagnosed has been to prove as many ancestors as possible, particularly the women who are so often underrepresented in history. Martha is the ﬁrst female Patriot I’ve successfully proven for DAR.”

Ms. Kean’s Jeferson lineage comes from her father’s side, but her mother nurtured her love of history. “My mother loves history, and when my parents married, she was inspired to learn everything she could about the Jefersons,” Ms. Kean said.

After reading Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts, Ms. Kean’s mother encouraged her to pursue proving Martha’s service to the American Revolution.

Despite encountering numerous roadblocks, Ms. Kean pressed on, encouraged by her mother’s support. In 2023,

Ms. Kean proved Martha’s service as a member of Virginia’s ladies association, with which she raised money for Continental soldiers in 1780. Additionally, DAR genealogists uncovered documentation of Martha’s hardship in 1781, known as “depredation,” which refers to the loss of property or livelihood due to British actions, Mrs. Parnell said.

ABIGAIL A DAMS

Te Voice of Advocacy

AHONORING THEIR LEGACY

Martha Jeferson’s resilience and Abigail Adams’ advocacy reveal women’s profound impact during the American Revolution. Recognizing them as Patriots is a giant step toward acknowledging women’s critical roles in America’s fght for independence. Teir stories are not just part of their husbands’ histories but stand alone as testaments to their strength, intellect and patriotism.

bigail Adams was a vocal advocate for women’s rights and an inﬂuential ﬁgure in her own right. Abigail’s correspondence with her husband is well documented, with her letters revealing her sharp intellect and deep concern for the moral direction of the new nation. She famously urged her husband to “remember the ladies” when drafting new laws, advocating for greater rights and protections for women in a society that largely excluded them from public life. It was her letters that ultimately proved her service to the American cause, as well.

“Abigail was a proliﬁc writer, and she wrote to her husband and friends often—her letters were a mix of optimism and complaints,” Mrs. Parnell said. “In a letter from May 24, 1775, Abigail wrote to John about how she opened their home while he was away to help lodge soldiers of the Continental Army, and she was housing, clothing and feeding them. If he had been home, her service might not have counted.”

friends congratulated her for having spoken to some of these women,” Mrs. Parnell said.

Unlike Martha Jeferson, Abigail Adams lived to see the fruits of the Revolution, though her dream of equal rights for women would take much longer to materialize. Abigail’s role as the wife of the second president and the mother of the sixth, John Quincy Adams, placed her in a unique position to inﬂuence the nation’s direction. However, her legacy, like Martha’s, is often viewed through the lens of her relationship with the men in her life rather than as a stand-alone testament to her intellect and advocacy.

Priscilla Browne has always known about her lineage to Abigail Adams. Still, the signiﬁcance of being connected to such a towering ﬁgure has been a mixed experience for her.

“It did inspire me to love history,” said Ms. Browne, a new member of Cameron Parish DAR Chapter, Reston, Virginia. “But by the same token, it also made me hesitant. When you are related to a very historical family, you feel the added pressure of maybe having to know all the details. I am not a history professor, so I have always been somewhat private about it because I did not want to make a mistake.”

Her writing was instrumental in proving another act of documented service. In a letter dated May 12, 1776, John Adams and other Founding Fathers asked Abigail to get to know the wives of Tory leaders and glean information from them. “In other letters, it appears she followed through because

Ms. Browne’s great-grandmother Abigail Adams Homans also left a signiﬁcant mark on the family’s history by writing a book titled Education by Uncles about her uncles, John Quincy Adams’ grandchildren. Tis legacy of public service and dedication to historic preservation inﬂuenced Ms. Browne’s path, she said, leading her to become a preschool teacher and now, a soon-to-be ofcial DAR member.

DAR gives special recognition to staf genealogists Bevin Creel and Janelle Vickers for their work in proving Abigail Adams as a Patriot.

PATRIOT My

Honoring the Legacy of J OHN D ITT Y

How a California Daughter Brought Her Patriot’s Revolutionary War Contributions to Life

BY ANNE ELY WAIN

Victoria Fisher is a master of genealogical research, having proved 10 DAR Patriots so far. She thrives on the challenge of piecing together historical puzzles by delving into records from historical societies, churches and archives. Her journey to prove her seventh Patriot propelled Ms. Fisher on two remarkable journeys—one that took her deep into digital research and another that brought history to life.

From her home in Lancaster, California, Ms. Fisher tracked down Pennsylvania and Ohio records to trace seven generations of lineage to Patriot ancestor John Ditty (1746–1826). Proving Ditty’s service as a private in the Lancaster County militia of Pennsylvania was straightforward. An 1868 will helped identify which of his granddaughters was Ms. Fisher’s ancestor, as two of Ditty’s sons had named their daughters Elizabeth.

Tracing Ditty’s Legacy:

From Revolutionary Patriot to Modern Recognition

After establishing Ditty as a Patriot, Ms. Fisher wanted to go a step further to honor him. Indexed records found on Ancestry.com led her to David’s Community Bible Church in Killinger,

Ship

manifest for Myrtilla

Pennsylvania, which celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2020 and where Ditty’s descendants still worship today.

After a phone call with Brian Snyder, the church’s historian, Ms. Fisher applied for a Revolutionary War grave marker, which the Office of the Historian General approved within two months. However, when the time came to conﬁrm the exact wording, the DAR requested additional information about Ditty’s role in founding the church.

Snyder provided scans of the original founding documents, and Ms. Fisher located experts to afrm the historical and factual veracity of Ditty’s signatures on the Patent Deed Receipt and Articles of Association for Te German Reformed David’s Church of Upper Paxton

Township, Dauphin County. Previous research for a Moravian Patriot ancestor connected Ms. Fisher to a scholar of the social history of 18th-century Christianity in the Colonies and Europe. Ditty’s fascinating heritage inspired Ms. Fisher to include his migration narrative in the marker dedication ceremony.

A Journey Across Continents

Ditty’s birth name was Jean Dedie. His family fled in the Huguenot diaspora to the Swiss canton of Berne, then to London, and finally to America. He arrived in Philadelphia on September 21, 1765, aboard the Myrtilla. Ditty and his son were singled out on the manifest as three of five French-Swiss Protestants, while the other passengers were Palatine Germans. Tey were among the 100,000 people who, between 1683 and 1783, responded to William Penn’s open invitation to “the persecuted of every creed and religious opinion.”

Many Swiss and German farmers, artisans, craftspeople and religious pilgrims settled in the Susquehanna and Schuylkill River valleys. Ditty’s new home in the Wiconisco Valley of Upper Dauphin County likely resembled his homeland.

“When I think of his hardships and long journey to America, his service in the Revolution, and his role in funding and founding the church in Killinger, I am overwhelmed with deep gratitude and respect,” said Ms. Fisher, who admits that she teared up a lot during the 15-month planning process.

A Nationwide Efort to Honor and Remember John Ditty

Ms. Fisher, then Regent of Antelope Valley DAR Chapter, Lancaster,

California, had steadfast support from her fellow chapter members, who funded the bronze marker. Ms. Fisher also reached out through Facebook to members of Harrisburg DAR Chapter, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hoping a few local Daughters might attend the marker dedication. Tis is how I came to know Ms. Fisher.

We discussed the logistics for the ceremony, nailing down every detail, including tissues, refreshments, podiums, canopies, speeches and swag bags. We also forged a lasting friendship that only DAR sisters can appreciate.

On June 24, 2023, nearly 258 years after Ditty arrived in America, the bronze marker was unveiled and dedicated at his gravesite at David’s Community Bible Church. Te new marker replaced Ditty’s missing 197-year-old tombstone. Despite a ground-penetrating radar survey by Dickinson University in March 2023, the fate of the original tombstone remains unknown.

Teri Fegley, Regent of the Harrisburg DAR Chapter, and the chapter’s Executive Board and members of its Historic Preservation Committee were thrilled to visit the church cemetery. In 1936, our chapter placed a marker on the tombstone of Martin Shofner, a soldier from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Warmly

ON JUNE 24, 2023, nearly 258 years after Ditty arrived in America, the bronze marker was unveiled and dedicated at his gravesite during a ceremony at David’s Community Bible Church. From left: Brian Snyder, church historian, Victoria Fisher and Jefrey Ditty, John Ditty’s next of kin.

welcoming the out-of-state Daughters on the “Ditty Detour” en route to the 132nd Continental Congress, we arranged a lunch and guided tour of the Pennsylvania State Capitol the day before the dedication.

Several members of Ms. Fisher’s family traveled to Pennsylvania for the occasion. Additionally, the event saw

representation from 18 DAR chapters across eight states, including the State Regents of Pennsylvania and California, Marguerite Hogan Fritsch and Sharon Maas. Also in attendance were Vice Presidents General Adele Lancaster and Beth Watkins, National Chair Women’s Issues and Pennsylvania State America250! Chair Cynthia Pritchard, and California State Organizing and Corresponding Secretaries Emily Boling and Kristen Blackburn-Kaufman. Te Executive Director of America250! Pennsylvania, Cassandra Coleman, and 12 Ditty descendants, ranging in age from 5 to 80, also were present.

Te women and men who gathered for the marker dedication were moved by the camaraderie and collaborative goodwill of the event, as well as the adherence to military and DAR protocol. Members of VFW Post 2385 and Fort Halifax Sons of the American Revolution paid tribute to the Patriot with a color guard, a three-volley salute and the playing of taps. A Pennsylvania National Guard military honor guard from nearby Fort Indiantown Gap presented a folded ﬂag to Jefrey Ditty—John’s ﬁfth greatgrandson—as next of kin.

With that solemn and sacred gesture, both Ditty’s and Ms. Fisher’s journeys came to a meaningful conclusion. Te event bridged the 18th and 21st centuries, uniting people from the East and West coasts, the young and the old, to remember and honor one of many Patriots who, “believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to found a new nation.”

Anne Ely Wain is Second Vice Regent of Harrisburg DAR Chapter, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

DAR members came from across the country for the dedication.

IGenealogy Tidbits

French Canadian Patriots Represent an Often Overlooked Door to DAR Membership

BY JEFF WALTER

predominantly Catholic population religious and other freedoms in exchange. Others chose neutrality. Still others, resentful of British rule, assisted the revolutionaries in ways that ranged from providing food, ﬁrewood and other supplies to enlisting in the Continental Army.

n the early days of the American Revolution, as the 13 Colonies courted potential allies, the Continental Congress looked north to Canada, invading the province of Quebec in the summer of 1775. But hopes of inciting widespread rebellion among that predominantly French-Canadian sector of the British Empire sufered a crushing blow on December 31, 1775, at the Battle of Quebec, the Americans’ ﬁrst signiﬁcant loss of the war.

Continental General Richard Montgomery captured Montreal on November 13, 1775. However, factors including insufcient troops and supplies, illness, disorganization, and a blizzard doomed the Quebec raid the next month. Te New Year’s Eve attack on a heavily fortiﬁed Quebec City was a disaster. General Montgomery lost his life, Colonel Benedict Arnold was wounded, and 400 Continental troops were captured. (Tis was before Arnold betrayed his country.)

Dr. Debbie Duay

Despite that humiliating defeat, the campaign warned the British that the insurgency was a threat to take seriously. Further, it continues to have repercussions for DAR via the legacies of the French Canadians who did side with the Americans.

Few people know how many French Canadians assisted the revolutionary efort, said Debbie Duay, Ph.D., a Vice President General and leader of the Specialty Research Committee’s French Canadian platform.

“If you add in the people who have French Canadian lineage, a large percentage of people in this country could join DAR,” said Dr. Duay, a member of Major William Lauderdale DAR Chapter, Plantation, Florida.

Te Battle of Quebec and Its Aftermath

Te French Canadians held varying views on the unfolding revolution. Many had sworn allegiance to the British Crown under the Quebec Act of 1774, which granted the

After the failed invasion, Sir Guy Carleton, Quebec’s provincial governor and commander of the British troops protecting the city, dispatched three loyalists to document the afair. Francois Baby, Gabriel Taschereau and Jenkin Williams canvassed Quebec parish by parish to chronicle those who had been faithful and those who abetted the rebels from fall 1775 through summer 1776. Te trio replaced disloyal militia ofcers with loyalists.

Teir research, published in French in 1927 and 1929, remained largely unknown to American historians until the 2005 publication of an English translation, Quebec During the American Invasion: Te Journal of Baby, Taschereau, and Williams (Michigan State University Press).

“Tis journal is a wonderful source for getting these Quebec Patriots recognized,” Dr. Duay said.

Help With Your Search

Dr. Duay’s 500-name “Index to French Canadian Revolutionary War Patriots” includes approximately 160 French Canadian Revolutionary War Patriots whom DAR has approved. Tanks to the list, DAR is gaining “a lot” of new

Editor’s Note: In the Travel Log article from the January/February 2023 issue, we incorrectly stated that the South Carolina State Society and Rebecca Motte DAR Chapter managed the Old Exchange Building's renovation for the U.S. Bicentennial. The renovation was actually overseen by the Old Exchange Commission, which continues to manage the building's daily operations today.

Additionally, in Ideas, Ideas, Ideas in the January/February 2024 issue, we mistakenly stated that there was no mention of DAR at the Old Exchange Building until 2023. However, markers mentioning DAR were placed by the South Carolina State Society in 1924 and 1990.

We apologize for any confusion these errors may have caused.

members, she said. “Many of these ladies would have no other opportunity to join if not for their French Canadian Patriot.”

Tese Patriots include:

• Individuals whom the journal documented as assisting the Americans.

• Men from Quebec who enlisted in the Continental Army, many from the regiments of Colonel James Livingston and Colonel Moses Hazen.

• Men who signed an oath of allegiance to the American cause in July 1778 at Vincennes, Illinois County, Virginia (now Knox County, Indiana).

Baptismal, marriage and burial records, available online through Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org, are a rich trove of information. Census and notarial records are important sources for tracking French Canadian Patriot lineage.

“Once you identify a French Canadian Patriot in your lineage, it’s pretty easy to document,” said Dr. Duay, whose team is available to help anyone, from women who have not yet joined DAR to members who want to submit Supplemental applications, and even those who are not sure whether they have a Patriot.

DAR staf genealogists who read French are available to help with translations.

TO LEARN MORE

Find the "Index to French Canadian Revolutionary War Patriots" at www.learnwebskills.com/patriot/frenchcanadianpatriots.htm.

Visit “Tips on Documenting Lineages to Quebec Patriots” at www.learnwebskills.com/lineage/news.htm#quebec

Contact Debbie Duay at debduay@yahoo.com

DAR Holiday Open House

Experience the elegance and holiday splendor of Memorial Continental Hall, a Registered Historic Landmark.

Bring your family and friends to view the Christmas and holiday decorations at DAR Headquarters!

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

5:30–8:00 p.m.

DAR Memorial Continental Hall 17th and D Streets NW, Washington, DC

Free to the public.

Ideas, Ideas, Ideas!

REMEMBER,

CELEBRATE, HONOR:

Understandin g America’ s Patrioti c Holiday s

Memorial Day

Purpose: A day of remembrance for those who have died in military service to the United States.

Tone: It is not appropriate to say, “Happy Memorial Day.” Te day should be honored with reﬂective and respectful language, acknowledging the loss and expressing gratitude for the service of those who have died.

Traditions: Visiting cemeteries and memorials, laying wreaths, and participating in moments of silence.

National Observance: Observed on the last Monday of May each year.

Fourth of July

Purpose: A day to celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the birth of the United States as an independent nation.

Tone: Te Fourth of July is a festive and patriotic holiday. It is common and appropriate to say “Happy Fourth of July” or “Happy Independence Day,” as the day is a celebration of freedom.

Traditions: Parades, ﬁreworks, barbecues, concerts and patriotic displays.

National Observance: Always observed on

JUL 4

Veterans Day

Purpose: A day to honor all those who have served honorably in the military—in wartime and peacetime—and recognize their sacriﬁce and duty to country.

Tone: Rather than saying a general “Happy Veterans Day,” it is more appropriate to express appreciation directly to Veterans by saying, “Tank you for your service.”

Traditions: Parades, ceremonies and events that honor living Veterans, often including speeches, tributes and moments of recognition.

National Observance: Observed on

NOV

Preserving History: Headstone Restoration Workshop

Abigail Wolcott Ellsworth DAR Chapter, Windsor, Connecticut, hosted a successful workshop at Palisado Cemetery in Windsor, drawing attendees from various CTDAR chapters and states, including Massachusetts, Vermont, Virginia, New York and Rhode Island. Participants spent the morning learning about gravestone history and cleaning techniques, followed by an afternoon restoring sunken and tipped stones.

Log the number of headstones and hours in the Service to America online tally at www.dar.org/onlinetally. Tis is the 2024 annual STA project; a new project will be announced in 2025.

Books on the House

Last spring, Alexandriana DAR Chapter, Huntersville, North Carolina, donated books to the mobile book truck “Books on the House,” which distributed them to children and adults in underserved areas around Charlotte, North Carolina.

Baby Shower for Female Veterans

Richard Dobbs Spaight DAR Chapter, New Bern, North Carolina, recently supported female Veterans by donating baby shower items and gift cards to the Women’s VA Clinic in Morehead City. Tis gesture beneﬁted 23 new or expecting mothers, showcasing the chapter’s commitment to serving those who have served.

Care Packages for Honor Guards

Before the 133rd Continental Congress, the DAR Service to America Committee launched a special project inviting all Daughters to participate, whether at Congress or from home. During Sparkle in Service Night, participants wrote cards and assembled care packages for the Honor Guard of each military branch supporting funeral services through the Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. Daughters could contribute by selecting items from the online “Care Package Wish List.”

Local chapters can also support similar volunteer Honor Guards associated with Veterans’ cemeteries in their communities.

★

HISTORIC HOMES

Fort Ticonderoga played a key role in the Revolutionary War

BY BILL HUDGINS

ort Ticonderoga, New York, has been called the “Gibraltar of North America” because its strategic location at the portage site between Lake Champlain and Lake George enabled its occupiers to control the main water route between the Colonies and Canada. As such, it fgured prominently in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War.

Te fort’s importance dwindled after the Revolutionary War ended in 1783. It was abandoned until the 1820s when merchant William Ferris Pell (1779–1840) purchased the site and began a multi-generational process of preserving and restoring it.

Today, Fort Ticonderoga is owned and operated by Te Fort Ticonderoga Association, a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1931. Magniﬁcently located overlooking Lake Champlain, it is a major tourist attraction that spans 2,000 acres and three high points—Mounts Deﬁance, Hope and Independence—which played crucial roles in its history.

Te fort’s museum and research center contain “one of the most signiﬁcant 18th-century military history collections in North America,” according to www.fort ticonderoga.org. Te fort ofers a robust schedule of events, tours, exhibitions, historical reenactments, cannon and musket demonstrations, and narrated boat cruises on Lake Champlain. Some 75,000 people visit the fort annually, bolstering the local economy by an estimated $16 million.

The fort is in the middle of an ambitious, multiyear 250th anniversary observance, called REAL TIME REVOLUTION, that mirrors what was happening there 250 years ago “to the month, the week and the day,” said curator Matthew Keagle. For instance, programming in January, February and March will focus on how the British soldiers survived in this climate and with the locals.

In May 2025, the staf reenactors will portray the fort’s 1775 capture by the Green Mountain Boys, recognized as

Aerial View of Fort Ticonderoga

America’s first offensive victory in the Revolution. Reenactments also will recognize the crucial role Native Americans played in the fort’s life and what their participation meant for their cultures and peoples.

Strategic Stronghold

The name “Ticonderoga” is derived from an Iroquoian word that means a place where two bodies of water meet.

Te French built the original stone stronghold in 1755 during the French and Indian War. Named Fort Carillon, it was a “star fort”—a rectangle with diamond-shaped projections called bastions at each corner. Two outerworks, called demi-lunes, provided extra protection. Defenders could set up a crossﬁre to cover nearly all sides while thick walls helped protect against artillery ﬁre.

Ticonderoga ﬁgured in three French and Indian War battles. In July 1757, an 8,000-man French army that included nearly 2,000 Native American allies attacked British Fort William Henry at the southern end of Lake George. Te British surrendered after a brief siege and were ofered generous surrender terms.

Sarah and Stephen Pell and children at Fort Ticonderoga 1910–1917

Tis angered the Native American warriors, who were not consulted during surrender negotiations. Tey sacked the British camp and took what they felt entitled to during the campaign, an event that has been referred to as the “massacre” at Fort William Henry and was dramatized in “Te Last of the Mohicans.”

On July 8, 1758, the British attacked an entrenched French force outside Fort Carillon. Without artillery support, the British sufered more than 2,000 casualties to 400 for the French. It was deemed “the bloodiest battle fought in North America until the Mexican-American War.”

Te British attacked Fort Carillon again on July 26–27, 1759. General Jefery Amherst led an 11,000-man British army against the 400-man garrison. Amherst prepared to mount artillery on the heights above the fort. Te French withdrew, detonating the powder magazine and

damaging the southeast part of the fort, which was never repaired. Renamed Fort Ticonderoga, it remained in British hands until May 10, 1775, when Ethan Allen, his Green Mountain Boys, Benedict Arnold and Massachusetts men seized it in a nearly bloodless surprise attack. Later that year, a force led by Henry Knox hauled the fort’s trove of cannons along with heavy guns from other captured forts to Boston. General George Washington’s men placed the guns on Dorchester Heights pointed at the British-held town. Te British realized their hopeless position and evacuated the town on March 17, 1776.

Te Patriots held Fort Ticonderoga until British General John Burgoyne captured it during the 1777 Saratoga campaign. Patriot General Arthur St. Clair decided to save his army by retreating. He slipped away on the night of July 5 and barely stayed ahead of the British pursuit. Burgoyne eventually marched to Saratoga, where a Patriot army defeated him in October 1777. Te victory helped secure America’s crucial alliance with France.

Scenic Overlook

Fort Ticonderoga became a tourist attraction after the war. George Washington visited in 1783 to understand better what had happened there. Te United States owned the site until it transferred the grounds

View from Mt. Deﬁance

to New York in 1785. In 1803, the state donated it to Columbia College (now University) and Union College in Schenectady.

Te ruins were deteriorating by then. William Ferris Pell bought the property from the colleges in 1820 and built a summer home called Te Pavilion. Pell recognized the fort’s historic value and fenced in some of it, which was one of the earliest attempts at historic preservation in America, Keagle said.

Pell died in 1840 before making a will, and his papers are lost, so historians don’t know what he planned for the spot. His 10 children divided the estate equally, and various family members oversaw the property until the early 20th century. As the ﬂow of tourists grew, the descendants turned Te Pavilion into a hotel operated by a series of managers.

Toward the end of the 19th century, the Pell family began exploring what to do with the property. Noted English architect Alfred Bossom proposed restoring it, but the family could not aford it.

However, that all changed in July 1908, when Bossom met William Ferris Pell’s great-grandson Stephen H.P. Pell and his wife, Sarah Gibbs Tompson Pell. Tey decided to restore the fort and open it to the public. Sarah’s family

DAR and Fort Ticonderoga

On August 24, 2021, the New York State Organization DAR placed an America 250! Patriots Marker at Fort Ticonderoga to commemorate the men who fought there to achieve American independence.

was wealthy, and their fortune underwrote much of the early work.

Te couple bought out the other descendants, except for a cousin who lived on site. With Bossom in charge, work started on the West Barracks, which were about 60 percent intact, Keagle said. Excavations uncovered hundreds of artifacts that formed the nucleus of the museum’s collection.

Te fort opened to the public in 1909, coinciding with the 300th anniversary of Europeans discovering the lake. President William Howard Taft attended the event, along with the ambassadors of France and England and the governors of New York and Vermont.

Sarah became the driving force behind the restoration. She later connected her work at Ticonderoga to her eforts with women’s rights, understanding that a path forward required knowing and understanding the past. In 1921, she hired noted American landscape architect Marian Cruger Cofn to reconstruct the gardens, now called the King’s Garden.

Te South (Ofcers’) Barracks were completed in 1931, the walls were ﬁnished by 1942, and the King’s Storehouse was rebuilt as the Mars Education Center in 2008. Te Pavilion has also been recently restored, and work is underway on restored casemates, allowing more of the fort to be explored.

FORT TICONDEROGA is open daily from early May through October, with special programs during Winter Quarters, November to April. For more information and to schedule a trip, visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call (518) 585-2821.

Garden

Restored Pavilion

HIDDEN GEMS UNCOVERING South Dakota’s more than

BY NANCY MANN JACKSON

in

South Dakota, rolling prairies give way to the dramatic Black Hills National Forest.

Travelers often visit the Black Hills to see Mount Rushmore, the iconic depiction of four revered U.S. presidents carved directly into the towering granite peaks.

“When most people think of South Dakota, the ﬁrst place that comes to mind is the awe-inspiring Mount Rushmore,” said Kathy Tarrell, State Regent, South Dakota Society of the DAR. “If I tell someone I’m from South Dakota, I often receive a blank stare, but if I add that it is the home of Mount Rushmore, people across America and abroad smile with recognition.”

While Mount Rushmore may be the face (or faces) of the state, there is much more to South Dakota. From a rich, uniquely American history to almost 1 million proud residents today, South Dakota ofers more than travelers might expect.

EXPERIENCE SOUTH DAKOTA history

Native peoples have lived in present-day South Dakota for thousands of years. Early residents hunted bison and other large animals, eventually building a brisk fur trade. “Two hundred years before Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s arrival in the Dakota Territory, French and Spanish fur trappers were here trading with the local Indians,” Ms. Tarrell said.

Te ﬁrst Europeans, the Verendrye brothers, arrived in South Dakota in 1743. Tey claimed the land near present-day Fort Pierre for France. Eventually, the land that is now South Dakota, North Dakota, and much of Montana and Wyoming became known as the Dakota Territory. Te United States acquired the territory in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803.

Te following year, Lewis and Clark explored South Dakota’s stretch of the Missouri River as part of their discovery

Black Hills National Forest

expedition commissioned by President Tomas Jeferson to learn more about the nation’s recently acquired western lands. Te explorers had their ﬁrst historic meetings with the Yankton and Teton Sioux tribal leaders in present-day South Dakota. Today’s state highways 1804 and 1806 commemorate the expedition’s trip up the Missouri River in 1804 to the Paciﬁc Ocean and its return trip in 1806.

During the Civil War, Union soldiers brought Confederate prisoners to the Dakota Territory to help handle the conﬂicts with the Native population. When the war ended, the Confederate prisoners were released, and both they and the Union soldiers were ofered an opportunity to establish a 160-acre homestead in the Dakota Territory. More than half of the soldiers sent for their families and stayed.

turned lawman was playing poker and held a hand of cards: two pairs of aces and eights, which has become known as a Deadman’s Hand. Today, the entire town of Deadwood is a National Historic Landmark.

Late in the 1870s, pioneering farmers began the rush for land known as the “Great Dakota Boom.” In 1879, the family of Charles Ingalls settled in De Smet, known as the “Little Town on the Prairie” through the books of his daughter Laura Ingalls Wilder. De Smet was the setting for ﬁve of Wilder’s books, and today’s visitors can walk in her footsteps by touring the family homestead, the schoolhouse, and the still-standing general store.

After South Dakota became a state in 1889, its people continued to make history, both positive and negative. Sadly, in 1890, the U.S. 7th Cavalry killed more than 250 Lakota men, women and children in what became known as the Wounded Knee Massacre. A stone monument near the town of Wounded Knee marks the site of the tragedy today.

In 1874, gold was discovered in the Black Hills, leading to a gold rush throughout the area. Deadwood, one of the most famous mining camps in the West, became home to characters like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane. When Wild Bill Hickok was gunned down in a saloon in 1876, the famous gunslinger

Ingalls Homestead in De Smet invites visitors to walk in the footsteps of Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Left: Main Street in Deadwood, circa 1875 Below: Main Street in Deadwood today

EXPERIENCE MODERN

South Dakota

When visiting South Dakota, there are plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the state’s rich history and explore its role in the nation’s history. Consider visiting these iconic sites.

› Mount Rushmore National Memorial

As the most recognized memorial in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore draws more than 2 million visitors each year. In the early 1900s, South Dakota State Historian Jonah LeRoy “Doane” Robinson read about Georgia’s Stone Mountain and had the idea to bring a similar concept to South Dakota, sculpting some of the West’s most signiﬁcant Native American and pioneer heroes. In 1923, he proposed the idea to sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who suggested making the project a national monument with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jeferson and Teodore Roosevelt as the subjects. Carving the memorial took 14 years and nearly 400 workers—both men and women— to complete.

› Badlands National Park

Te rugged beauty of the Badlands attracts about 1 million visitors each year. Te area, known for its striking geologic deposits, holds one of the world’s richest fossil beds, revealing the history of ancient horses and rhinos that

once roamed the region. Spanning 244,000 acres, the park preserves a vast mixed-grass prairie where bison, bighorn sheep, prairie dogs and black-footed ferrets live today.

› Archaeological Dig Sites

South Dakota’s rich history and varied terrain make it an area of interest for archaeologists. You can visit active dig sites, such as Mammoth Dig, a paleontological excavation site in Hot Springs, or the Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village, an active dig site designated as a National Historic Landmark.

› Historic 1880 Train

Ride through history on the Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train. Te train departs from Hill City or Keystone in the heart of the Black Hills. During November and December, ride the Holiday Express to experience the joy of the holiday season on the railroad.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Black Hills Central Railroad 1880 Train

Badlands National Park

› Corn Palace

Constructed in 1892 to showcase South Dakota’s rich agricultural climate, the Corn Palace displays an array of murals on its exterior walls, all made entirely from ears of corn. Recognized globally as a folk-art wonder, the Corn Palace in downtown Mitchell draws numerous visitors each year. It is redecorated annually with naturally colored corn and other grains, each year featuring a new theme.

› Storybook Land

If you are traveling with children, stop in Aberdeen to experience this nursery rhyme-themed park inside Wylie Park. Young and old alike enjoy the castles, train, and life-size characters such as Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill, as well as rides and attractions featuring characters from beloved tales.

› Heritage Festivals

Although South Dakota’s agricultural heritage has changed over time, its people continue to honor that heritage with various festivals throughout the year.

“Our small towns are agricultural communities, and as farms modernize, there are fewer jobs available and the small-town populations are dwindling,” Ms. Tarrell said. “To remind people of our heritage, many towns, tribes and churches hold festivals to bring people together and share their local heritage.”

For example, Native tribes hold powwows to involve their children and the public with native traditions, and small towns hold Czech Days, German Fests, Kuchen Festivals, Irish Games, Greek Festivals and Deadwood Days to share the Wild West. Te state’s large Scandinavian population often holds luteﬁsk and lefse dinners at small country churches.

While the state is home to numerous attractions and natural beauty, Ms. Tarrell loves the people most of all. “Te people of South Dakota are congenial, willing to help others, humble, appreciate our freedoms, honor our veterans, and we love our country!” she said.

Guardians of South Dakota’s Heritage

The Sioux Nation, an indigenous group comprising three major divisions—the Dakota, Nakota and Lakota—has long been a cornerstone of South Dakota’s cultural and historical landscape. Tese tribes have shaped the region’s identity through their enduring traditions and connection to the land.

Te Dakota people, primarily the Eastern Dakota, were among the ﬁrst Sioux groups to encounter European explorers and settlers.

Teir interactions with fur traders in the 17th and 18th centuries established early trade networks that signiﬁcantly inﬂuenced their economic and social structures.

Te Nakota, sometimes called the Yankton or Yanktonai, reside in the eastern part of South Dakota. Tey were key participants in the early trade networks and later played crucial roles in the complex dynamics of intertribal and settler relations.

Among the Sioux divisions, the Lakota are perhaps the most widely recognized, particularly for their resistance to federal encroachment and their role in the American West’s dramatic history. Te Lakota people, known for their nomadic bison hunting culture, revered the Black Hills as sacred. Te rugged terrain was central to their way of life and traditions.

Te Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1851 aimed to establish peace and deﬁne territorial boundaries, but it was later broken by the U.S. government, leading to conﬂicts and loss of land. Despite this, the Sioux tribes have continued to preserve their cultural identity and advocate for their rights.

Visitors to South Dakota can learn about the Sioux Nation’s history through various cultural centers and museums, such as the Crazy Horse Memorial, the Akta Lakota Museum & Cultural Center and the Indian Museum of North America.

Czech Days festival

Powwow demonstration

Corn Palace

COWPENS t GAME CHANGER Sou

A critical PATRIOT VICTORY in the Southern Campaign is interpreted at COWPENS NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD in South Carolina.

A Daring Strategy

INBY KIM HILL

the late 1770s, the Revolutionary War had reached an impasse in the North.

Te British defeat at Saratoga and failure to crush the Patriot rebellion led Britain to focus on the Southern colonies, which the British perceived as loyalists. In addition, the French and Spanish decision to side with the Americans led the British to double down on protecting their assets in the American South, where rice, indigo, tobacco and other crops could be resold at high proﬁts.

With the capture of Savannah, Georgia, in 1778, and the defeat and capture of American forces at Charleston, South Carolina, in 1780, the Patriot cause seemed bleak. But the tide soon turned, culminating in the Battle of Cowpens, where the Patriot victory became a turning point in the war in the South. Te Battle of Cowpens also contained what the National Park Service (NPS) calls “the tactical masterpiece of the entire war—(Brigadier General) Daniel Morgan’s deployment of troops, including efective use of the militia and maximization of their strengths.” Visitors can learn about Morgan’s strategy, walk over the battleﬁeld and follow the course of the Southern Campaign on a visit to Cowpens National Battleﬁeld outside Gafney, South Carolina. WIKIPEDIA; NPS/WITHROW

Brigadier

In late 1780, General George Washington put General Nathanael Greene in charge of the Southern Campaign. Greene made the unusual move of splitting his forces in two to allow them to move nimbly and widely throughout the Carolinas. Daniel Morgan led one force southwest of the Catawba River to cut British supply lines.

General Cornwallis sent Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton to counter Morgan. Boosted by recent British victories, Tarleton hotly pursued Morgan and his troops. Tarleton was young—just 26 at the Battle of Cowpens—but already experienced. He was also known to be impulsive and aggressive. Commanding over 1,000 men, Tarleton forced Morgan to fall back near a local landmark in January 1781. Located in an open, rolling woodland area, the “Cow Pens” was well known for pasturing, where cattle foraged on native cane and pea vine.

In the early morning of January 17, 1781, the two sides met on the open fields. Betting Tarleton would attack per typical British fashion, Morgan employed a daring military strategy called a “double envelopment.” He organized his troops into three progressively stronger lines: skirmishers in the front, militia in the second line and the better-trained Continental regulars in the third line. He ordered some in the first two lines to shoot British ofcers first, leaving the Redcoats disorganized if they broke through. Morgan ordered each line to fire two volleys and immediately fall back to the rear of the line, tricking the British into thinking the Patriots were in retreat. Te strategy worked: In disarray, the British sufered heavy losses. By 8 a.m., the battle was over—and it was a complete victory for the Patriots.

Te Cowpens victory was one of several in 1781 that initiated a chain of events leading to the Patriot victory at Yorktown. Cornwallis retreated into Virginia, where his blunders and lack of naval support during the Siege of Yorktown

“The Battle of Cowpens,” painted by William Ranney in 1845

led to his surrender in the last major land battle of the American Revolution.

“In truth, the Revolution was won in the South, and Cowpens played a major role in the victory,” according to NPS.

Commemorating History

After the battle, the Cowpens reverted to pastureland owned by local farmers.

Battle of Cowpens Monument, erected 1932

Te ﬁrst monument to the Battle of Cowpens was erected in 1856. Still, it was not until 1929 that Cowpens was designated as a national battleﬁeld site, thanks to the eforts of the South Carolina congressional delegation and local DAR chapters. In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon signed legislation authorizing funds to purchase additional

BATTLEFIELD BONES

About 100 miles southeast of Cowpens, Camden, South Carolina, was the site of another Revolutionary War battle—one that was far bloodier for the Patriots. In fact, the Battle of Camden on August 16, 1780, remains one of the worst defeats in American military history.

In 2022, archaeologists from the University of South Carolina excavated the site, after decades of artifact discoveries that pointed to the possibility that bodies would be found there.

Sure enough, the remains of 14 soldiers—13 Americans and one British—were recovered from shallow, makeshift graves. Coat buttons found with each set of remains were emblazoned with either “USA” or “71st” for the 71st Regiment Afoot.

Vice President General Bonnibel Mofat, who was South Carolina State Regent at the time of the discovery, witnessed some of the excavation.

“It was one of the most profound and unbelievable experiences I have ever had,” Mrs. Mofat said. “To think that these soldiers died in this very place I was standing after giving the ultimate sacriﬁce for independence left me speechless and amazed.”

A stirring reinterment ceremony for all 14 soldiers was held in March 2023. Tat same month, the South Carolina Society dedicated an America 250! Patriots Marker at the Camden Battleﬁeld.

land and develop the park, and Cowpens was redesignated as a National Battleﬁeld. Part of the development led to redirecting local highways, removing buildings and restoring the land to its appearance on that bitterly cold January morning in 1781.

Today, anniversary commemorations of the Battle of Cowpens are held on the weekend closest to January 17. Reenactors present demonstrations on camp cooking, cavalry movements and historical weapons, among other topics of interest.

A living historian presents musket demonstrations each month. Te Cowpens National Battlefield visitor center includes a museum with Revolutionary War artifacts, a replica cannon and exhibits. Visitors can drive the 3.8-mile perimeter loop around the battlefield guided by a recorded audio tour. Parking areas along the Auto Loop Road allow access to the short walks to Green River Road, the center line of the battle, and the Robert Scruggs Log House (circa 1828), which the NPS purchased in the mid-1970s to preserve the home of a typical 1830s backcountry homesteader. Te Battlefield Trail is partially paved and includes a walk-along wayside exhibit and the 1856 Washington Light Infantry Monument, one of the few such examples of that time period that memorializes a Revolutionary War battle in the South.

Lives Forever Changed

During the Revolutionary War, more battles were fought in South Carolina than in any other state. Early in the conﬂict, the British believed that most Southerners supported Toryism, but the British made several errors. First, British soldiers freed enslaved peoples in the Low Country, while in the backcountry, the population was threatened and intimidated by British ofcers. Tese actions alienated locals. In the South Carolina backcountry, the area was essentially engaged in a civil war, roughly evenly split between loyalists and Patriots. Neighbor fought against neighbor, brother in opposition to brother, father against son, wife against husband, with both sides organizing militias and engaging in armed raids and reprisals. NPS documents several instances where fractured families reunited at some point, but others never reconciled. Te larger social drama was “just as much a part of the Revolution as battles and heroes,” according to NPS. “Lives were changed forever by the American Revolution.”

BRAVE BOLD

A LEGACY of REMARKABLE WOMEN

Breaking New Ground

ADMIRAL LISA FRANCHETTI BECOMES FIRST WOMAN TO COMMAND THE U.S. NAVY

BY MEGAN HAMBY

On November 2, 2023, Admiral Lisa Franchetti was sworn in as the chief of naval operations (CNO), making history as the ﬁrst woman to command the United States Navy. Her appointment also makes her the ﬁrst woman to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staf, placing her among the nation’s highest-ranking military leaders. In this role, she advises the president and secretary of defense on critical military matters.

Franchetti’s appointment to this role underscores the progress toward gender equality within the military. When Franchetti was commissioned in 1985, women were barred from serving in combat roles—a restriction not lifted until 1993. In fact, only 17 women a year could serve on ships as ofcers at the time, Franchetti explained in an April 2024 interview with the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS). “I wasn’t one of them that got chosen initially,” Franchetti said with a slight smile.

An Unconventional Path

Lisa Marie Franchetti’s early aspirations lay far from the sea. She was born April 25, 1964, in Rochester, New York, and in 1981, she enrolled at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where she envisioned a future reporting on Middle Eastern afairs—not commanding naval vessels. However, as a new freshman exploring the campus, she attended a cookout hosted by students from the Northwestern Naval Reserve Ofcer Training Corps (NROTC) program. Over hot dogs and conversations with NROTC members, Franchetti was introduced to the Navy’s possibilities. Te promise of tuition and money for books appealed to the 17-year-old college student, but what sealed the deal was the allure of adventure and the opportunity

to make a tangible impact on the world, Franchetti told All Hands, the magazine of the U.S. Navy, in March 2016.

“I signed up as a college program student and picked up a scholarship the following year,” Franchetti told All Hands. “Over my four years in the unit and on my summer cruises, I came to love the Navy/Marine Corps team, the people, the challenges it provided, the opportunities to travel, and the chance to make the world a better place.”

In 1985, Franchetti graduated with a Bachelor of Science in journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School and was commissioned as an ofcer in the U.S. Navy. At her first duty station at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, a mentor told her she had what it took to be a surface warfare ofcer—specializing in the operation of surface ships, including destroyers, cruisers, aircraft carriers and amphibious ships. Franchetti sought qualification as an engineering ofcer and headed for her first tour at sea on the Shenandoah, a destroyer tender.

Tere, she qualiﬁed as a surface warfare ofcer. “I then went to an oiler because of another policy change that let women go to logistics ships at sea,” Franchetti told Navy Times in December 2023. “And so you could start to see these doors opening up a little bit. And that inspired me to keep going and see what would happen next.”

Becoming a surface warfare ofcer spurred a desire to command a warship—but that would not be possible until Congress took action in 1993. “I knew that when this law was repealed, it would open up all the doors for everyone to serve on any kind of ship at sea,” Franchetti told Navy Times.

Leadership at Sea and Ashore

Now, almost four decades since she was ﬁrst commissioned as an ofcer, Franchetti is not just a part of the Navy—she is its leader, guiding the ﬂeet with the same passion and resolve that drew her to the service.

Franchetti has served in various key roles, including leadership positions on multiple ships and commands. She has commanded a destroyer and a destroyer squadron, served as a combat systems ofcer, and been involved in humanitarian missions like Paciﬁc Partnership 2010. Her assignments ashore have included roles at the U.S. Naval Academy, working with top Navy leadership and serving as a military assistant to the secretary of the Navy.

Bringing Up the Next Generation of Sailors

Franchetti is deeply committed to mentoring and developing the next generation of Navy leaders. Troughout her career, she has advocated for diversity and inclusion,

recognizing that a wide range of perspectives strengthens the Navy’s ability to face future challenges.

“Our force is a reﬂection of America and the rich fabric our nation ofers, the talent we need to deliver warﬁghting advantage,” Franchetti said in November 2022, when she was vice chief of naval operations.

As CNO, she focuses on recruitment and retention. “If you don’t live near a coast or you don’t live near a base, you may not really know what your Navy does every day,” Franchetti told the CSIS in April 2024. “So talking a little bit about … operations in the Red Sea, keeping commerce ﬂowing and having your Amazon box get to your doorstep, there’s a lot of stuf that people don’t even recognize every day that your Navy is out there doing.”

As the mother of a young adult, Franchetti says she understands what young people value when considering enlisting. “I think we have a really good story to tell, because we’re all about honor, courage, commitment, democracy … and the pursuit of all who threaten it,” she told the CSIS. “But also, it’s about helping them become the best version of themselves.”

Franchetti’s appointment as CNO is more than a personal milestone—it is a turning point for the U.S. Navy. Her journey from a journalism student to the highest ranks of military leadership inspires not only women in the armed forces but anyone who dares to pursue an unconventional path. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that with determination, resilience and a commitment to excellence, even the highest echelons of leadership are within reach.

U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti is welcomed aboard Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force tank landing ship, JS Kunisaki (LST-4003), during Exercise Rim of the Paciﬁc 2024 on July 11.

Recip

Geman’s Chocolate Cake

Chocolate

Tis is the cake recipe I grew up with—one that my mother baked countless times for special occasions, especially birthdays. Te title is exactly as it appears on the recipe card I found in her handwriting, though it difers from what we usually call a German Chocolate Cake. It might have something to do with the “German’s Sweet Chocolate” from Baker’s Chocolate, a staple for home and professional bakers since 1853. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

something bakers

– Pamela Wright, President General

G ERMAN ' S C HO C OLATE C AKE

package German’s Sweet Chocolate from Baker’s Chocolate

cup boiling water

cups sugar

cup butter

teaspoon salt

teaspoon vanilla

Directions

teaspoon baking soda

cups Swans Down

Cake Flour

cup buttermilk

egg yolks

egg whites, swiftly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray three 8-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Melt chocolate in boiling water, then cool.

3. Cream butter and sugar together in a bowl until ﬂuf y.

4. Add egg yolks, one at a time, and beat well after each.

5. Add melted chocolate and vanilla and mix well.

6. In a separate bowl, stir together salt, baking soda and ﬂour.

7. Add alternately with buttermilk to the chocolate and butter mixture, beating well until smooth.

8. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form and fold into batter.

9. Divide the mixture between cake pans and bake each at 350 degrees for 30–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

C O C ONUT P E C AN F ROSTIN G

cup evaporated milk

cup sugar

egg yolks

pound oleo (margarine)

Directions

teaspoon vanilla

cups coconut

cup pecans

1. Combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, oleo and vanilla in a saucepan and cook over medium heat until thickened. Stir frequently.

2. Remove from heat, add coconut and pecans and beat until thick enough to spread. Te frosting should make approximately 2 2 3 cups.

3. Spread between cooled cake layers and on top of the assembled cake.

Merry Christmas HappyHolidays!

DO YOU HAVE A REVOLUTIONARY

IN YOUR FAMILY TREE?

Who is eligible for membership?

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a Patriot of the American Revolution is eligible for membership. DAR volunteers are willing to provide guidance and assistance with your first step into the world of genealogy.

How is ‘Patriot’ defined?

DAR recognizes Patriots not only as soldiers, but also anyone who contributed to the cause of American freedom. To find out if your ancestor is recognized by the DAR as a Revolutionary Patriot, use the request form available online.

Visit www.dar.org and click on “Membership.”

How many members does the National Society have?

DAR has nearly 190,000 members in nearly 3,000 chapters worldwide, including chapters in 14 foreign countries and one territory. Since its founding in 1890, DAR has admitted more than 1 million members.

Consider membership in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), a volunteer women’s service organization that honors and preserves the legacy of our Patriot ancestors. Nearly 250 years ago, American Patriots fought and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today.

As a member of the DAR, you can continue this legacy by actively promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education for children.

879–3224

How can I find out more?

Go to www.dar.org and click on “Membership.” There you will find helpful instructions, advice on finding your lineage and a Prospective Member Information Request Form. Or call (202) 879–3224 for more information on joining this vital, service-minded organization.