Daughters of the American Revolution, John Rolfe Chapter, Records

The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in 1890 by Miss Eugenia Washington, Miss Mary Desha, Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth, and Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood, in Washington, D. C.. It is a non-profit, patriotic service organization, favoring conservative constitutional government. Objectives of the DAR, as set forth in its constitution, are (in part):

1. To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence.

2. To promote patriotic education.

3. To preserve American freedom, and foster love of country.

As their motto, the founders chose "Home and Country", because, in their view, "... so long as the women of a country safeguard their homes, the State is safe, and neither outside enemies nor the enemies within the gate can prevail."

Membership is confined to women eighteen years of age, or older, whose lineage can be traced to a man or woman who loyally and honorably served the cause of American independence during the Revolutionary period.

The DAR is arranged hierarchically, providing a vehicle to bring women from all sections of the country together in a common cause. Topping the hierarchy is the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), which consists of a slate of executive officers headed by the President General, and a number of standing committees. The first President General was Caroline Scott Harrison, wife of President Benjamin Harrison, who served from October 11, 1890 until her death on October 25, 1892. An annual convention, called a Continental Congress, is held each April in Washington, D. C.. At these gatherings, reports are given by the national officers, national committee chairmen, and State Regents. The climax is election and installation of officers

The NSDAR owns an entire city block in Washington, D. C., and has erected three buildings on the site: Memorial Continental Hall (completed 1910), which houses the DAR Museum and a 2000 seat auditorium; the Administration Building (completed 1923), which contains the business offices of the Society; and Constitution Hall (completed 1929), which has a 4000 seat auditorium, and also houses the DAR Library.

The Society owns and operates several schools, the most prominent of which are the Kate Duncan Smith School, a day school in Grant, Alabama, and Tamassee, a boarding school in Tamassee, South Carolina. The NSDAR has also published a monthly magazine since 1892. It was originally called The American Monthly, but in 1913, the name was changed to Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine.

In 1895, the Daughters of the American Revolution organized and adopted the Children of the American Revolution, but even though the two organizations have similar aims, they are separate entities, each having its own constitution and by-laws, and national and state officers.

The next level of the hierarchy consists of state Societies, which are directly accountable to the National Society. The Mississippi Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (MSDAR) was founded in 1893, when Mrs. Elizabeth Upton Sims, of Columbus, Mississippi, was admitted to the NSDAR and elected State Regent (highest-ranking state officer) by that body. The state is divided into six districts -- Delta, Northern, West Central, Southwestern, Southern, and East Central. District meetings are held annually to keep members informed of the duties of state and chapter officers, as well as, proposed programs of the National Society. A state conference is also held annually, usually in February, at which state officers are elected. These conclaves are frequently held in Jackson, but also rotate to other cities (Biloxi, Meridian, Natchez, Hattiesburg, Greenville, and Tupelo, for example).

The MSDAR owns and maintains an antebellum mansion "Rosalie" in Natchez, which serves as state headquarters and as the Society's historic shrine. Built in about 1820, on the site of Fort Rosalie, the MSDAR purchased it in 1938, and has completely refurbished it.

At the bottom of the hierarchy are the local chapters, and it is there that much of the grass roots work of promoting patriotism and constitutional government is done. The John Rolfe Chapter was organized in Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1936, with thirteen charter members. Organizing Regent was Mrs. D. P. (Mary Pierce Folkes) Cameron, who was a direct descendant of John Rolfe and his wife, Pocahontas. Chapter officers consist of Regent (highest-ranking officer), Vice Regent, Chaplain, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, and Historian, who are elected and installed at the annual business meeting each January. Meetings are held monthly between September and May -- no meetings are held during the summer months.

Among the regular functions of the John Rolfe Chapter are:

1. Honoring high school seniors during the month of February through the DAR Good Citizens Program. Students are selected from area schools on the bases of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism, and are eligible to compete at the state conference. State winners are eligible to compete in the national contest in which three overall winners are chosen. Formerly for girls only, the program is now open to all seniors.

2. Sponsoring an American History essay contest, also in February, for students in fifth through eighth grades.

3. Commemorating Constitution Week (September 17 - 23)

4. Promoting correct use of the American flag.

5. Compiling genealogical records.

During World War II, the John Rolfe Chapter worked in conjunction with the Hattiesburg Lions Club and the American Red Cross to raise money for blood plasma needed for American service men and women. In 1945, the chapter began a genealogical collection which is housed in the Hattiesburg Public Library. The chapter has also donated books to the William David McCain Library and Archives at the University of Southern Mississippi, and currently sponsors a subscription to the Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine in the library's name.