Day 14 of 110: Reporting at the 8th State Conference

(Originally Published Monday, January 27, 2014 – Blogger: One Daughter’s Point of View)

In the early years of the North Carolina Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NCSDAR) there was a small number of chapters. Therefore, each chapter gave a report at the State Conference. Today there are over 100 chapters in North Carolina. So, obviously the practice of chapter reports is no longer observed at the State Conference. Now chapters are aligned within districts and a district report is provided at the State Conference to highlight the aggregate activities of the chapters within that district.

Our chapter had a habit of including the chapter report given at the State Conference during the early years of our history. Following is the report provided at the NCSDAR State Conference in 1908 – just four years after the chapter was formally organized.

Report of the General Joseph Winston Chapter DAR at the Eighth Annual State Conference held in Morganton, N.C.

Madam Regent and Daughters of the American Revolution,

Since the last State Congress, one year ago, the name of our Chapter has been changed from the “Salem Centennial” to the “General Joseph Winston Chapter,” which one deems more appropriate, as our City was named in honor of this gallant soldier and our great work will be the erection of a monument to his memory.

Although our membership is only the prescribed members twelve, besides five non-resident members, it would be difficult to find a more enthusiastic and harmonious body of women and all have regularly attended the monthly meetings of the Chapter, at which time business and pleasure have been admirably combined.

We have always had a definite program consisting of some historical subject, sketch or reading, but beginning with October we will have a printed outline for our work in the form of a Year Book, based on the history of North Carolina, which we are sure will add much to our interest and pleasure.

Our chapter has recently purchased a handsomely mounted United States flag, of regulation size, and will celebrate Flag Day in the spring with appropriate ceremonies. Mrs. Lindsay Patterson has presented the Chapter with a beautiful North Carolina flag of which we are justly proud.

We have succeeded in arousing a deeper interest in the study of North Carolina history in our City schools, and are also endeavoring to as many books as possible relating to the history of the Old North State for the Carnegie Library.

Some of the members of the Congress, may remember the suggestions made last year for the Daughters of the American Revolution throughout the State to erect a monument to the noble Indian Chief Junaluska, the friend of Andrew Jackson, whose life he once saved. The body of the old brave has lain for a century in an unmarked grave in Clay County among his beloved mountains, and our chapter has arranged to have the spot enclosed and marked by a huge boulder bearing a plate suitably inscribed.

Our work during the past year has been along broader lines than have ever before attempted and we have many plans for marking places of interest in our vicinity but the one which appeals most strongly to us, relates to the historic old Tavern in our Sister City, Salem, in which General Washington once spent the night. This old building is in a perfect state of preservation, and it is our purpose to place on the door of the room which sheltered the honored guest a brass tablet, bearing the date in memory of the occasion. This will be done on North Carolina Day in the near future and will be of interest to the entire community. The exercise will take place in Salem square, within sight of the old Tavern and the Wachovia Historical Society, and all the school children of the Twin City, several thousand strong, will have a part in the program. The record of Washington’s visit is kept in the archives of the Moravian Church and this occasion will conform as nearly as possible to the greater one of many years ago. The same instruments, trombones, etc. will be used, in playing the music from the original score written more than one hundred years ago in honor of the illustrious visitor.

At this time, also, the medal won by North Carolina at the Jamestown Exposition in 1907, will be turned over to the Wachovia Historical Society.

Another inspiring feature will be the grand chorus of school children, when thousands of voices will rise in unison in the beloved song –

“Carolina! Carolina! Heaven’s blessings attend her!

While one lives one will cherish, protect and defend her!”

Respectfully submitted,