Celebrate the holidays at the Old State House Museum during the Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 4, 2022, 1:00-5:00 p.m. A record number of visitors are expected as this is the first unrestricted open house since 2019. ASDAR is happy to once again be asked to assist with the refreshments and extend hospitality at the open house.
Chapter Gilbert Marshall’s American History Committee donated books to Pine Forest Elementary in Maumelle on September 16, 2021.
The committee purchased 24 new hard and paperback books which were presented to Yolanda Thomas, Principal, and Diane Wagner, Librarian. The books were about historical American Women such as Sybil Ludington, Betsy Ross and Abigail Adams, as well as the Constitution, and were chosen for all grade levels K-5. At least 2 copies of each book were presented. One coloring book of “Famous American Women” was provided for teachers to make classroom copies. Books were ordered from the DAR Store and Amazon. The staff was thrilled with the donation and welcomed our chapter members for a presentation in the school library!
Recently members of the Akansa Chapter met with local WWII Veterans to show appreciation for their service. Spending time with these Veterans was a wonderful experience as they told their stories. Each one was presented with a special certificate and pin.
Members of Chapter Gilbert Marshall gathered to honor the Revolutionary War soldier, Benjamin Bryant. Bryant received military pension for his serving as a Private in the New Jersey Regiment.
During the American Revolution, at the age of 23, Benjamin Bryant served as a Private in the New Jersey Regiment. Serving alongside him was Pvt. Asher Bagley. Bryant and Bagley were on the muster roll of Captain Aaron Ogden in the spring of 1783. At the end of the war both men received 100 acres of bounty land for their service. All records indicate that the two men migrated to the Arkansas Territory by the late 1820’s and were lifelong friends. Bryant and Bagley received military pensions for their Revolutionary War service while living in Pulaski, Arkansas Territory. After the formation of the State of Arkansas in 1836,
Bryant and Bagley both lived in what became Saline County. Asher Bagley died on Nov. 11, 1840 and is buried a few miles up the road at Union Cemetery. Bryant’s pension record indicates he died on May 2, 1842. Little is known of Bryant’s family. A marriage record dated March of 1834 for Benjamin Bryant and Elizabeth Cochran has been located in Saline County. Information also indicates Benjamin had a son, Samuel, born in 1835. No other information has been found on Benjamin’s family and no descendants have claimed Benjamin Bryant as a Revolutionary War Patriot.
Texarkana Chapter members cleaned and placed a wreath at the grave of their founding regent as part of the 2020 National DAR Day of Service.
Osage District Director, Frances Rankin, and chapter members from various participating chapters in Northwest Arkansas had 75 Veteran Shoebox donations at the American Legion in Rogers this morning.
One of the James K. Polk Chapter projects for the National Day of Service was the gathering and packing of Baby Shower gifts to be given to women veterans.
Left to right: Cortez Copher, Shelly Collins, Ruby Hartsfield, Deonna Williams, Ann Garrett, Brenda Cunningham, Era Looney, Cheryl Anglin, and Linda Evans
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Tate’s Bluff DAR Chapter members and friends gathered Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Tate Cemetery near Tate’s Bluff on the Ouachita River to honor the grave sites of Anderson and George Tate, Revolutionary War soldiers. A short service was held at the cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the river home of Jean Smith, one of the Chapter organizing members and former Chapter Regent. Alfred Smith also served as host. State DAR Regent, Mary Lee Schultz of Cabot, joined the group for the event and presented a program on the early history of DAR. Emma Jean Wood, Jean Smith, and Barbara Morton gave highlights of the organizing of the Chapter and the Tate’s Bluff Chapter first year. The Chapter currently has sixty six active members. The Chapter encourages Patriotism, Education, Historical Preservation, and Genealogy through local projects and yearly events.
We are so honored to be part of DAR. It’s our history and heritage, and we have to keep it intact for future generations.
The Arkansas Society DAR, organized in 1893 by Mrs. C. R. Breckenridge, has over 2,300 members in 41 chapters located throughout the state.
