^ i° --* ^°^ ^^ .-^c^^A-^ \/ /^'V %,^^ " ^o •<^ .0' -^^0^ ^; .^^"- .^ ^^ ^^-;^ 4 o ■^_ 0> . , - <«> ^v -^^ . (^ ^ <#*, .0 o > o CJ V ^^-v-. '^^r^ o^'^^^^lW-- ^. <-^'' -^l^M^^:. ^JUrS o 1 ^ ,/ ::#& \ ^J- * ^ '3 A > Early History EARLY HISTORY Sauglit^rs of tl|^ Am^rtran S^uolutton BOARD OF MANAGEMENT, NOV., 1908. In view of the fact that the authorized history of the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, contained in the first Smithsonian Report 1890-1897. is un- available for general distribution, and therefore unknown to the great majority of chapters, and in view of the additional fact that letters have come to the Librarian General during the current year from chapters, asking for a condensed au- thoritative history of the first years of the organization, the following resolution is offered : "That the President General appoint a committee of three to prepare from the highest official sources, such a history, and that the National Board authorize its printing and dis- tribution to every National ofiicer, State regent, and chapter regent of the Society." This motion, presented at the November meeting of the National Board, D. A. R., contains the reason for a history that will be available for the entire Society. Its adoption by that body gives the authority for its pubhcation and distri- bution. The history of the founding of the Society, and of the first two years succeeding, is preserved in the Smithsonian Report 1890-1897, published by the United States Congress. Other accounts have been printed that differed from the official statements sufiiciently to cause uncertainty among the chapters. From different States at varying intervals come earnest requests for a condensed official history of those early months in such form that every chapter can have access to it. The committee appointed by the President General to prepare such a history is composed of the Registrar General, the Assistant Historian General, and the Librarian General. The first manuscript records, original letters, and the attested I statements of the three women who were officially recognized as Founders by the Continental Congress of 1898, which awarded medals to them as such, will be open to the inspec- tion of the committee. In addition to these sources of infor- mation the first Smithsonian Report will be consulted. This report contains the attested statement of members of the first National Board signed by two of the Founders, the President presiding, the Vice President in charge of organization, the' Treasurer, the Historian, the Registrars, the Recording Sec- retary, the Chaplain and four of the Vice Presidents. The committee submits that no higher or earlier authorities than these are possible. It will therefore offer the following account, realizing fully its responsibility in the matter, and prepared fully to vouch for its work, knowing that no his- tories can be written in the future which will disprove the facts here given, or impeach the testimony here presented. The Cincinnati was the first patriotic society in the country following the Revolution. Then came the Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution, organized in California, October 22, 1875, and composed of men and women, the latter called Daughters of the American Revolution. It was unknown at the east, when in the summer of 1881 Mr. John A. Stevens, of New York, in a conversation with Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth, ex- pressed his intention of organizing a society of Sons of the Revolution in that State. Mrs. Walworth exclaimed, "Not without the Daughters of the Revolution, surely?" He re- plied, "That is a good idea, and if you and a few other ladies will meet me at the Yorktown Centennial we will draw up a plan." But no opportunity presented itself at that time and the matter was held in abeyance. In 1883 Mr. Stevens organized the Sons of the Revolution in New York, and in 1890 Mrs. Walworth assisted in founding the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, the Sons of the American Revolution having been organized independently of Mr. Stevens in 1889. On April 30, 1890, at a general meeting of the Sons of the American Revolution, in Louisville, Ky., after discussion in the convention, a vote was cast excluding women. This was telegraphed to various papers through the country, and Amer- ican women were filled with indignation. Among these was Miss Eugenia Washington, a great-grandniece of George Washington who, on the evening of the next day, May ist, '^T called upon Mrs. Flora Adams Darling, and proposed that 4| they organize a society for women. Mrs. Darling heartily approved, but thought action should be deferred until Sep- tember, as many of those supposed to be eligible were out of town for the summer. On July 13th Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood, of Washington, D. C, a member of the Press Association, roused by the action of the Sons at Louisville, published in the Washington Post a reproduction of the history of Hannah Arnett, the Revolutionary heroine, and asked in conclusion, "Where will the Sons and Daughters of the Revolution place Hannah Arnett?" Mr. Wm. O. McDowell, a great-greatgrandson of Hannah Arnett, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolu- tion, saw the article of July 13th, and on the 21st published in the same newspaper, an article offering to assist in form- -ing a society, and concluding with a formal call for the or- ganization of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This was the first public proposal of the kind. Washington Post, July 21, 1890. Editor Post: I have just read with a great deal of interest ^ the article in your paper of recent date on Women Worthy ■'^ of Honor. * * * To me came the thought that it was the women of America that finished the Bunker Hill Monument; that it was the women of America that had formed the Mary Washington Association to finish the monument to Mary, the mother of Washington; that while patriotic undertakings sometimes have had to turn to Government for a finishing appropriation in the hands of men, in the hands of the women of America, patriotic undertakings have never failed. * * * I invite every woman in America who has the blood of the heroes of the Revolution in her veins to send me her name and address. * * * So soon as I can intelligently issue the invitation a national committee will be appointed to invite a meeting in Washington, D. C, for organization by the adoption of a national consti- tution and the election of a board of officers, when I will 3 pass the work entirely out of m}^ hands into those of the Daughters of the American Revolution. W11.UAM O. McDowell, 20 Spruce Street, Newark, N. J. Miss Eugenia Washington, Miss Mary Desha, Airs. Hannah McLaren Wolff, Mrs. Louise K. Brown, and Mrs. Mary Morris Hallowell, all of Washington, and Mrs. Roger A. Pryor, of New York, answered this call. Five of these letters are appended : Washington, D. C, Julv 21, 1890. 1206 S St., N. W. Wm. O. McDowell, 20 Spruce St., Newark, N. J. My dear Sir : I am delighted with your letter in to-day's Post. I have asked several Sons of the Revolution why they left us out and have been answered in a way that was intended to make me believe that women had no part in the Revolution. My grandmother was the granddaughter of Col. John Montgomery, a colonel in the Revolutionary Army, and my grandfather, Gen. Joseph Desha, of Kentucky, w^as the grandson of Joseph Wheeler, who served with Braddock as lieutenant, and was afterwards a soldier in the Revolution. My grandfather was with Mad Anthony Wayne in the North- western campaign and commanded the left wing of Gen. Harrison's army at the Battle of the Thames. So you see I come of good old fighting stock, and it has made my blood boil whenever I have seen the "buttin" worn by the "Sons," and felt I was left out because I happened to be a woman. I am very grateful for your letter, and will help you in any way you suggest. I am good for any amount of work. With many thanks. Your friend, Mary Desha. 103 F St. Washington, D. C., July 21, 1890. Wm. O. McDowell, Esq., 20 Spruce St., Newark, N. J. My dear Sir: I have just read in this morning's Post your letter concerning the Arnett family. You will doubtless see it yourself, and my letter which also appears. Henrietta 4 Holdich wrote the story of Hannah Arnett's faith, centennial year, for the New York Observer, and if you know her address, which I do not, you will doubtless be able to learn from her the data on which she grounded it. My brother, Malcolm Niel McLaren, Jr., of Milwaukee, had it printed in leaflet, and herein enclosed I send you a copy. I am the great-granddaughter of Sarah Howell Arnett and Dr. Ben- jamin Stockton, who was a surgeon in the R. War, and cousin of Richard the Signer. My mother, Susan Patty McLaren, is living at 83, in good health and full possession of her faculties. Another descendant of the Revolution and the Arnetts is also here — Mrs. Anna Patton, daughter of Rev. Robt. Chapman, of Goldsboro, N. C. Should you at any time visit Washington, I hope you will call and see your far-away cousin, Hannah McLaren Wolfi*. I called on Mrs. Brown last night and she has asked the women who are interested to meet at her house to-morrow evening. I will write you immediately after the meeting. Your friend, M. Desha. Mr. Wm. O. McDowele. Dear Sir : With great interest I have read your "Call to the Women of America." As a Daughter of the Revolution I respond. I am ready and willing to do anything in my power to help keep green the memory of our forebears. Related as I am to two Revolutionary families on my mother's side — Oliver Wolcott's and Charles Thomson's, and to Col. Knowlton (one of General Washington's trusted aides) on my father's side, it would be strange indeed if my heart failed to thrill to your patriotic appeal. The names of William Marcy and General Lyon evince that our family has not failed in later times. What can I do, and what shall I do? I am willing and ready. Thanking you for giving me the opportunity to show my patriotism, I am, Most sincerely, Louise Wolcott Knoweton Brown. 1645 K Street, N. W., Washington, D. C, July 22, 1890. Capron Springs, W. Va., July 27, 1890. My dear Mr. McDowell : I am much interested in the paper, for which I presume I am indebted to you, in which you propose to organize the Daughters of the Revolution. I have laid the paper aside for more careful reading when I shall have recovered from a slight illness from which I am now sufifering. I had relatives in the Revolutionary War — or rather an- cestors — but I am descended in regular line from the patriot of 1667 — Nathaniel Bacon. But I come mainly from clerg\- men who did not bear arms in the Revolution. I present, however, the names of my daughters, Mrs. Ar- thur Page Brown and Miss Fanny Theodora Bland Pryor. General Pryor is the great-great-grandson of Richard Bland, the patriot whose wisdom is acknowledged in all histories of the time — member of the first convention, etc., etc. — and all of my husband's Bland and Randolph ancestors were eminent in the struggle for independence. You may rely upon my cordial support. Sincerely, Sara A. Pryor. P. S. — I am the President for the State and City of New York of the Associ. for the Preservation of Va. Antiquities. 1409 Corcoran St., Washington, D. C, July 31, 1890. Mr. McDowell: Dear Sir : In answer to a published notice, I send my name to be enrolled among the Daughters of the American Revolution. I am a granddaughter of Christopher Marshall, chief of the "Committee of Defense," and whose manuscript diary is now in possession of the Historical Society of Phila- delphia. This was subsequently published, but in the event of this being inconvenient for you to refer to, if proof is desired of the important position held by Christopher Marshall during the Revolutionary War, I respectfully refer you to my cousin, T. Morris Perot, 1810 Pine St., Philadelphia, who can give all information you may require, as he has joined the Sons of the American Revolution on the same claim I now present for myself. Respectfully yours, Mary Morris Hallowell. 6 Mr. McDowell replied promptly to Miss Desha, enclosing the addresses of those whose letters had reached him, and suggesting that a meeting be called at once for organization, election of ofificers, etc., and arrrangements made for a mass meeting on October nth, the anniversary of the discovery of America. Miss Desha notified the others, and the first meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Louise K. Brown, in the last week of July, 1890. Five were present. Miss Wash- ington, Miss Desha, Mrs. Wolff, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth. After an informal conference, it was decided to defer action till autumn, and Mr. McDowell was so in- formed. But on July 30th he wrote again, insisting that they delay no longer. Enclosed in the letter were application blanks of the Sons of the American Revolution, a constitution largely a copy of theirs, a plan of organization and his own application for membership with a check for fees and dues. As it was to be a society of women, the application was not acted upon, or the money drawn. The check is preserved and will have a place in Continental Hall. Herewith are sub- mitted copies of letter and check : New York, July 30, 1890. Dear Miss Desha : Since writing you this morning I have been at work on the constitution, and I send it to you, and I also mail a constitution book * * * j enclose my appli- cation for membership, prepared somewhat hurriedly, with my check for initiation fees and dues. Sincerely yours, W. O. McDowell. v;^ New York, July 30th, 1890. No. 22796. ^ The American Exchange National Bank '^ Pay to the order of Treasurer Daughters of the 2 American Revolution — $5-00 00 ^ Five $ Dollars. W. O. McDowell. Upon receipt of this letter another meeting was called at the Langham in the apartments of Mrs. Walworth, August 9, 1890. A facsimile of the card sent out August 8, 1890 (addressed to Miss Washington), is here presented: 7 u '"yP'jr'V; \ Q ^ ' oC^ ^ ^ t r ■ X ^ -^^ ^ ^ ^'^ 1 ^ k V ^ ^ N^ v'^ ■i . 8 Here the actual organization took place. Invitations had been sent to all known to be interested, but only Miss Wash- ington, Miss Desha, and Mrs. Walworth were present. The first step taken was to declare the society a national one. The constitution sent by Mr. McDowell was thoroughly reconstructed and th.en adopted. A Board of Management was appointed as follows : Miss Eugenia Washington, Miss Mary Desha, Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth, Mrs. Mary Orr Earle, Mrs. Hannah McLaren Wolff, Mrs. Flora Adams Darling, Mrs. Louise K. Brown, Miss Sophonisba P. Breckinridge and Miss Virginia Grigsby. Miss Desha was chosen Chairman, Mrs. Walworth Secretary, and Miss Washington Registrar. It was decided to secure, if possible, Mrs. Benjamin Harrison for President. The next da}^ August loth, a letter was sent to her requesting that she accept that' office; also one to Mrs. Morton, wife of the Vice-President, requesting her to accept the place of Treasurer. Mrs. Harrison's reply was accident- ally destroyed, but Mrs. Morton's is here appended : Bar Harbor, Aug. 23, 1890. Mrs. Morton presents her compliments to Miss Desha and regrets that she cannot accept the position of Treasurer of the Society of Daughters of the Americctn Revolution, as her time is otherwise so much occupied, and besides she is not certain that she is eligible to membership. She begs that you will thank the ladies for the compliment paid her. The letter of Mr. McDowell is returned herewith. Mrs. Harrison replied early in September, accepting the office, but stating that her papers could not be made out until her father, Dr. John Scott, returned to the city, as all the family records were in his hands. These papers were sent to the Registrar November i, 1890. Miss Desha, Miss Washington, and Mrs. Walworth began active work immediately after the meeting of August 9th. Letters were written to representative women of different sections of the country, inviting them to become members. Notices of appointment were sent, and acceptances received. A notice was published in the Washington Post of August 18, 1890, stating the purposes of the society, and the eligi- bility clause, and requesting women of Revolutionary descent to send their names to the Registrar, Miss Washington, at her residence, 813 13th Street. During the months of August and September Professor Goode and Mr. A. Howard Clarke, of the Smithsonian Institution, aided the work, giving their time and suggestions whenever their advice was sought. On the 7th of September three hundred application blanks were ordered (Gedney and Roberts Files). The constitution as adopted Aug. gth was sent to Mrs. Darling and other members of the Board for any desired suggestion. In a letter dated September 12th Mrs. Darling wrote Miss Washington, "The constitution meets my approval in every particular." The same day she wrote Mr. McDowell as follows : "I have this moment finished revising the constitution of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and find it desirable in every particular." Preparations were being made for a mass meet- ing on October nth. and Mrs. Earle was appointed to engage rooms for that purpose at the Arlington Hotel, when a letter was received from Mrs. Darling, dated October 7th, Strath- more Arms, Washington, D. C. stating that Mr. McDowell would be with her at the above address on the nth of October to organize the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mr. McDowell had been informed by Miss Desha in a letter dated August 17th, of the organization of the society, and that as soon as people returned to the city, there would be a meeting of all the members. Her letter was as follows : 1206 F St., N. W., Washington, D. C, August 17, 1890. My dear Mr. McDowell •. * * * I have postponed writ- ing to you till I had something to tell. I took the constitution and papers you sent to Mrs. Walworth, and after reading them over we decided to call a meeting at the Langham, where Mrs. Walworth lives. Only a few ladies came, but we organized and elected officers * * * gy ^[-^^ j^j-st of September most people will be home and we will try to have a meeting of all the members * * * I have written to Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Levi P. Morton, and Miss Washing- ton is sending notices to a great many friends * * * Thanking you for all your interest and kindness and hoping to see you soon in Washington, I am your friend, Mary Desha. To this letter he replied, endorsing all that had been done, and on September 2nd wrote again : 10 New York, September 2, 1890. My dear Miss Desha ; * * * j ^^-^ ready to come to Washington and spend a day with you at any time that may be convenient, over the preliminary work, and to attend later, if you wish it, a fuller meeting * * * j ^jjj ^i-ji-ig with me the badge of the S. A. R. and will study over a badge for the D. A. R. Sincerely yours, W. O. McDowell. Mrs. Darling had approved the constitution, and in a letter dated August 30th, accepted a position on the Board of Man- agement. The letter is here given : Culpeper, Va., August 30, 1890. My dear Miss Washington ; * * * j thank you for sug- gesting my name as one of the Board of Managers, which I accept, but remember my personal affliction makes it impossi- ble for me to be an active vice-president, for the patriots in Heaven could hear any motion that I could hear. I really have no aspirations or qualifications for any office of re- sponbility. * * * In view of these facts this offer to organize a second time seemed somewhat strange, but feeling it important that there should be harmony of action, the officers who had been work- ing during August and September agreed that Mrs. Darling- should be informed that the society was already organized, although the details were not perfected, and that they had planned from the first to have a general meeting on October nth, but that the officers already appointed on the Board must be recognized. With this understanding which was ac- quiesced in by Mrs. Darling in a letter to Miss Desha, the meeting was held as proposed. Eighteen women signed the formal draft of organization in the following order : Miss Eugenia Washington Mrs. Flora Adams Darling Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth Mrs. Mary Morris Hallowell Miss Susan Riviere Hetzel Mrs. Margaret Hetzel II Mrs. Mary V. E. Cabell Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood Mrs. Alice Morrow Clark Miss Pauline McDowell Mrs. Ada P. Kimberley Mrs. Aurelia Hadley Mohl Miss Floride Cunningham Mrs. Caroline L. Ransom Mrs. Emily Lee Sherwood Mrs. Harriet Lincoln Coolidge Mrs. Jennie D. Garrison Miss Mary Desha, Secretary pro tern. Mr. McDowell presided and prepared motions which were presented by members and adopted. Thus far the facts are as follows : On July 13th Mrs. Lockwood's article appeared in the Post, condemning the action of the Sons at Louisville, and asking where they would place Hannah Arnett, but making no suggestion of a woman's society. On July 2ist Mr. McDowell published in the same paper a formal call to American women to organize. The proof of these two facts can be obtained from the old files of the Post, which have been carefully examined during this year (1908). The meeting of August 9th was held in response to Mr. McDowell's urgent call to organize and for that express pur- pose. The legal formalities for such action were complied with, and the action itself was regular from first to last. Had every one invited been present there would have been ten founders instead of three. Had Mr. McDowell followed up his call by attending this meeting with the three who did at- tend, there would have been four founders. While every one can recognize the fitness of having women founders and organizers for a woman's society, it is equally fitting to ac- knowledge here that Mr. McDowell gave valuable aid to the three women who founded and carried it on. For his services he deserves and will have grateful remembrance. During these months of August and September Mrs. Sara A. Pryor actively aided the work in New York City, and was in constant correspondence with the members of the Society at Washington and elsewhere. Her commission as Regent for that city bears date, October nth, 1890. 12 Facsimile of the Commission, Under Authority of the Constitution of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. Roger A. Pryor is appointed Regent for New York City, in the State of New York, To form a Chapter of which she shall be the presiding Officer until October eleventh, 1892. Her acceptance is respectfully requested. (Signed) Flora Adams Darling, Vice President General in CJiarge of Organisation. Washington City, October nth, 1890. At the meeting of October nth organization was carried on, not begun. A notice was sent to the Washington Post that night for the morning paper, of which the following is an extract : ''An organization, patriotic in purpose, was per- fected yesterday at the Strathmore Arms." At this meeting the three founders were present and what- ever was accomplished was supplementary, and not in any sense a process of annulment. Had that been permitted, or even possible when the wife of the President of the United States had already consented to take office, the eighteen women present, with their presiding officer, would all have been founders, for they all participated equally in whatever was done. October nth had been selected as the day on which to celebrate, not effect, organization of the society, because it was the date of Columbus' discovery of America, and be- cause that discovery was made possible by the generosity of Queen Isabella, but this celebration was never intended to obliterate, or alter the date of organization. It is not diffi- cult to understand that the larger meeting of October nth overshadowed that of August 9th, especially as it continued the work begun then, and the habit soon formed of referring to October nth as the date of organization has grown and 13 hardened into settled conviction with all but the first workers and those who were closely associated with them. On October i8th an adjourned meeting was held at the house of Mrs. Wm. D. Cabell. The Washington Post of the next morning had the following notice : "The parlors of Professor and Mrs. Cabell's residence at 1409 Massachusetts Avenue were comfortably filled last evening by a number of representative women of this city, including Mrs. Harrison, • and the organization of the Daughters of the American Revo- lution was completed * * *" As the meeting of October nth was subsidiary to that of August 9th, and adjourned to the i8th, it will be seen that three meetings were required to complete the organization of the society: August 9th, founded; October nth, organi- zation carried on ; October i8th, organization completed. At this meeting of the 18th the colors of Washington's staff (dark blue and white) were chosen for the rosette, and a seal and motto were decided upon. Two resolutions which were adopted October nth were discussed. The first was offered by Mrs. Harriet L. Coolidge — "That a monument be erected in Paris to the memory of George Washington" ; the second by Miss Desha, "That aid be given to the Mary Washington Association." A third was offered by Mrs. Mary S. Lock- wcod, "That the society should secure rooms and later a fire- proof building in which to deposit Revolutionary relics and historical papers" ; and a fourth by Mrs. Mary McDonald, "That life membership dues and charter fees be set aside for this purpose." From this time meetings were held each month over which Mrs. Cabell presided, as Mrs. Harrison accepted the presidency with the understanding that she should not be obliged to attend regularly, her time being fully occupied. It is not easy to estimate the debt the society owes to Mrs. Cabell. Her spacious residence was its meeting place for more than a year. Board meetings were held there constantly. On the 22nd of February, 1891, she gave a grand reception, the first of a series. No pains were spared in the preparations. Mrs. Harrison, with Mrs. Cabell, received the members. The rooms were lavishly decorated with the Flag, and as the guests entered the hall they passed between a double line of guards dressed in the continental buff and blue. There were 14 stirring- speeches interspersed with patriotic music. In the supper room the colors of the society were reproduced in flowers and decorations. Everything was done to stir pride in the heroic ancestry that gave the right of entrance into the new organization. After this its success was assured. On March 20, 1891, the first chapter in the country was formed, in Chicago, Mrs. Frank Osborn, Regent. This was followed on April 15th of the same year by the Atlanta chapter, and on x^pril igth by the New York City chapter. The last- named had held informal meetings for some months previous, but did not formally organize until April igth, which date was chosen for its historic interest. A Committee on Insignia had been appointed, but the chair- man, Miss Breckinridge, was preparing for a visit abroad, and left the country before she had opportunity to make a full report. Her correspondence with several firms, including the designs sent by them, was turned over to the new chair- man, Mrs. G. Brown Goode, but none of them were in the least satisfactory to the committee. Dr. Goode, learning that no agreement could be reached, suggested the spinning wheel. His official report, sent in response to a request from the National Board of i8g6, is here appended : Washington City, April i, 1896. Dear Mrs. Boynton : In response to your enquiry in regard to the history of the insignia of the Daughters of the American Revolution, I would say that I distinctly remember the circumstances con- nected with its origin. I was at that time chairman of the Advisory Committee, attended regularly the meetings of the National Board of Management, and was conversant with all its proceedings. The Committee on Insignia was appointed a month or two after the organization of the Society, and was composed of three of the Honorary Vice Presidents, Miss Breckinridge, Mrs. Goode, and Miss Mary Desha. Miss Breckinridge served as chairman for some months, but resigned on or about the twentieth of April, when Mrs. Boynton was appointed upon the committee and Mrs. Goode designated chairman. It was after the appointment of Mrs. Goode as chairman that I began to take especial interest in the insignia, and I recall the fact that there were in the possession of the com- 15 mittee at that time a number of elaborate designs, submitted by several firms of jewelers in New York and Philadelphia. They seemed to me trite and uncharacteristic, and I well remember that no one of them embodied the idea of a spin- ning wheel or any part thereof. *0n the twentieth of April, at a meeting of the Board, the committee made a report of progress, but asked for more time. They were unable to recommend any of the designs which had at that time been submitted. They then began work ill earnest, there being considerable anxiety in the Board that the badge should be decided upon. I remember having modestly suggested the idea of repeating in the in- signia the spinning-wheel emblem which had already been accepted for the seal of the Society. I was requested by the committee to draw a design. Aly first rough sketch which was submitted to the committee at a meeting which was held in my office at the Smithsonian late in April was not thor- oughly satisfactory to myself, since the stars which projected beyond the rim of the wheel looked too much like the handles on the steering wheel of a ship, while the distaff pointed to the right instead of to the left, as at present, and had its tip lower down, so as to suggest the idea of a cannon. The same evening, after a number of trials, the badge was developed in precisely its present form. My rough sketch was elaborated by my young friend Mr. Paul Brockett, was presented to the committee on the following day. and was approved. On May 26th all the designs were submitted to the Board of Management with a favorable recommendation for the wheel and distaff design, which was unanimously adopted. The sketch which was submitted to the Board is herewith enclosed (enclosure A). It was then sent to Messrs. J. E. Caldwell and Company, of Philadelphia, by whom the design was refined and con- structed in metal. The only modification suggested by them was that the fiax should be done in platinum rather than in silver, which was objected to on account of its liability to tarnish. Some months later, after the dies had been made and the badges were ready to be delivered, it was found necessary to patent the design, and I was requested, as the "inventor," to *Miss Breckinridge's last report. She resigned directly afterwards. — H. M. B. 16 make the necessary application. This was done August 3, 1891. The patent was issued September 22, 1891, and bears the serial number 401,584. Copies of the design and speci- fication are enclosed herewith (enclosure B). My claims in the patent were made over to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The fee of forty dollars was paid by Messrs. Caldwell and Company, and in consideration of this fact and of the considerable expense of making the dies they were granted the exclusive right to manufacture for a period of years. I am told that in a report read at the last Continental Congress it was stated that my design was an elaboration of one first drawn by Mr. Edward Roby. This is not true, for I never saw Mr. Roby's design or even heard of it until less than two weeks ago. No such design was ever in my posession or in that of the committee. It is, of course, quite possible that Mr. Roby may have drawn a wheel design before I did, and if he has a memorandum of the date he can readily establish this fact. I have no disposition to dispute his claim; indeed it would be very ungracious for me to do so, since Mrs. Roby has recently assured me that his design (which she described as a wheel without the distaff beneath it, was earlier than mine. All this, however, is quite immaterial, since I am positive of the fact that under my own pencil grew up the emblem in its present form ; — a wheel of gold over a distaff filled with silxer flax, the wheel with thirteen spokes, having op- posite the end of each a star intended for the reception of a jewel. The disposition of the legend was also mine, the rim being- divided into an upper and lower portion by golden stars on either side, having above the stars the words "Daughters of the" and below "American Revolution," in letters of gold upon a surface of blue enamel. A statement that the badge was designed by me was pub- lished in the official organ of the Society for December, 1892, and has never been contradicted. I have, I confess, taken much pleasure in m}' connection with the origin of the em- blem which is now worn by so many of America's most rep- resentative women. The spinning wheel from which the original sketch wa'^ 17 made was one which was used by my mother early in the century, and now stands in my dining room. When the Me- morial Hall, which it is proposed by the Daughters to erect, is completed I shall take great pleasure in presenting to the Society this wheel, should it be deemed of sufficient interest to deserve a place among their treasures. Yours faithfully, (Signed) G. Brown Goode. The above statement relates to only one of the insignia of the Society. The colors, blue and white, were adopted in Januar3^ 1891, and the rosette, precisely identical with that of the Sons of the American Revolution, but made in blue and white enamel and in the form of a pin, was at that time decided upon. The emblem of the wheel and distafif was, as I have said, adopted May 26th, 1891. The ribbon of blue and white was ordered by the committee to be woven in accord- ance with specification and sketch furnished by them, said sketch and specification are herewith enclosed (enclosure C). Another fact which may be of interest in connection with the history of the insignia is that the members of the Board of Management made themselves individually responsible for a certain number of the badges. To the best of my memory this number was twenty. Without this pledge the jewellers would not go to the expense of making the dies. The first badge to go to a member of the Society left Cald- well's establishment July i, 1891. In the drawing, A designates the representation of a spin- ning-wheel, and B designates the representation of a distaff across the same. C designates the representation of a number of stars ar- ranged at intervals on the rim of the wheel A. On the face of the wheel is the name of the Society, "Daughters of the American Revolution"; but this forms no patentable ele- ment of the design. I claim — The design for a badge, substantially as shown and de- scribed. George Brown Goode. Witnesses : ) Paul Brockett, J. Louis Willige. (Note. — Dr. Goode was a member of the Advisory Board 18 of the Society, and Mrs. Goode was on the Insignia Commit- tee. This design presented and assigned to the Daughters was suggested to Dr. Goode by an old spinning-wheel belong- ing to his grandmother, now deposited in the National Mu- seum.) Appendix B. Patent for the Insignia of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Design G. B. Goode Badge. No. 21053. Patented September 22, 1891. (For illustration of badge in colors see Plate 4.) Inventor, George Brown Goode, By John A. WiEdersheim, Witnesses: Attorney. P. F. Nagle. Wm. C. WiEDERSHElM. United States Patent Office. George Brown Goode, of Washington, District of Columbia, assignor to the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution. Design for a Badge. Specification forming part of Design No. 21053, dated Sep- tember 22, 1891. Application filed August 3, 1891. Serial No. 401,584. Term of patent, 14 years. 19 To all whom it may concern : Be it known that I, George Brown Goode, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented and produced a new and original design for a badge, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part thereof. The leading feature of my design for a badge is the rep- resentation of a spinning-wheel with a distaff thereon. Dr. Goode had served the society from August, 1890, with such ability and earnestness that every member was glad in having him so closely associated with this beautiful Insignia. On June 8, 1891, the society was incorporated under the laws of Congress for the District of Columbia as the "Na- tional Society, Daughters of the American Revolution," the signers of the act of incorporation being Mrs. Caroline Scott Harrison, Mrs. Henrietta Greely, Mrs. Sara E. Goode, Mrs. Mary E. McDonald, Mrs. Mary V. E. Cabell, Mrs. Helen M. Boynton, Miss Eugenia Washington, and Miss Mary Desha — Mrs. Ellen H. Walworth was not in the city and could not be reached. It has been publicly stated that the office of State Regent was not created until April, 1891 — but the books of the or- ganizing Vice President showed that letters had been written as early as November, 1890, asking prominent women in dif- ference States to serve in this capacity. The first five to be confirmed were Mrs. N. B. Hogg, of Pennsylvania; Mrs. Joshua Wilbur, of Rhode Island ; Miss Louise W. McAllister, of New York; Mrs. De B. R. Keim of Connecticut, and Mrs. Wm. Wirt Henry, of Virginia. The constitution adopted August 9th required amendment and some revision, and in May, 1891, Gen. Shields, who had been elected Legal Advisor, was requested, as chairman of a committee of three, to revise certain portions. This he gra- ciously did to the entire satisfaction of the society. During May and June of 1891, there was some friction between the Board and the organizing Vice President. The Board found that it was impossible to establish the society on any solid business foundations under methods so independent as hers. On the other hand, she appeared to doubt the good 20 faith of the Board and decHned to make any reports or sub- mit to any rules. The matter culminated in June, when on the i8th she wrote that she would not recognize the authority of the Board, at the same time forbidding the use of her name. Under these conditions the only possible course was to declare her office vacant, which was done July i, 1891. The department was then put in charge of a committee. On August 1 2th a letter was received from Mrs. Darling, dated August /th, resigning from the society. It has been stated that her action was due to the controversy over the eligibility clause, but the records show that this discussion did not occur until months afterward. About this time a chapter in New York, composed largely of Mrs. Darling's personal friends, separated from the National Society and organized under her direction the Daughters of the Revolution — with State societies. In October of this year national officers and State and chapter Regents were invited by the President General to a conference which was held at Mrs. Cabell's house. Mrs. Har- rison presided. Free discussion was invited and a full under- standing was reached between the State and chapter Regents, and the National Board. An eloquent appeal for Continental Hall was made by Mrs. Cabell. The next day officers and members were entertained at a reception given by Mrs. Har- rison, in the White House. On the 14th of December, 1891, at a meeting held at Mrs. Cabell's residence Airs. Ellen H. Walworth offered a resolu- tion that "a committee be appointed to consider ways and means of erecting a fire-proof building and founding a home for the society, which shall also be the Memorial Hall of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and that the said committee be instructed to bring an early report to the Board.'' It was carried unanimously. The first Congress was held in the Church of Our Father on February 22, 1892. Those who were privileged to attend will remember the patriotic fervor, the warm comradeship, and the dignity of the sessions — a dignity that was the more noticeable because, notwithstanding the lack of parliamentary methods, these being at that time almost unknown to the majority of members, it stamped itself indelibly upon those who looked on from the outer ranks. It was a dignity that is always present where noble aims and high purposes have 21 taken such possession of an audience that no room is left for small ambitions and selfish pursuits. The society felt the need of a magazine in which to record its history and work, and in May, 1892, Mrs. Shields offered a resolution, which was unanimously adopted, that such a pub- lication should at once be assumed, with Mrs. Walworth as editor. For two years it was carried on under her able man- agement. The illness of the President General threw a shadow over the last days of 1892. Her loyalty to the society endeared her to all, and her death in October was a personal sorrow to those who had been associated with her in the work. Her beautiful portrait, painted by Daniel Huntington, was un- veiled in the Congress of 1894 upon the platform where two years before she welcomed the regents and delegates. This portrait was a gift from members of the society to the Na- tion, and was placed in the White House. Mrs. EUen H. Walworth first suggested this graceful act which was accom- plished largely through her untiring interest. Much of this early history is taken from the Smithsonian Report 1890-1897, which was prepared from the first minutes of the National Board, letters in the possession of Miss Wash- ington, and the attested statements of Miss Washington and Miss Desha. It was then sent to every member of the first National Board who could be reached, not only in Washing- ton, but through the country, for her signature. These sig- natures were sworn to as genuine, before a notary, and the manuscript was given to the chairman of the Printing Com- mittee of the United States Congress for publication. Its con- cluding paragraphs are as follows : "As the meeting of August 9th was one of preliminary or- ganization where officers were appointed and a constitution adopted, it is a simple matter of law that the existence of the society began at that time. This was recognized by the Con- gress of 1898, which declared Miss Eugenia Washington, Miss Mary Desha, and Mrs. Ellen Hardin Walworth the founders of the organization, awarding them medals as such." "Realizing the fact that before many years the first workers in this great society will pass away, and with them all oppor- tunity for securing the true history of these early years, we, the officers of the first National Board desire to declare the truth 22 of the foregoing history and herewith sign our names." (Signed) Eugenia Washington, Mary Desha Mary V. E. Cabell Mary E. McDonald Mary S. Lockwood Helen M. Boynton Alice M. Clark Mary H. L. Shields Frances B. Hamlin Lelia Dent St. Clair Henrietta Nesmith Greely Sue Virginia Field Sally Kennedy Alexander. As there is still misconception regarding the four medals awarded in the Congress of 1898 to Miss Washington, Miss Desha, Mrs. Walworth, and Mrs. Lockwood, it is proper to state here that when in the Congress of 1897 a resolution was offered that medals be awarded the three Founders, an amend- ment was carried that Mrs. Lockwood be considered a Founder on account of her letter of July 13, 1890. A committee was then appointed to have the four medals prepared and report the following year. In the meantime the question arose as to the propriety of giving a Founder's medal to any but the three women who had founded the society. The discussion resulted in having the fourth medal changed to commemorate the service for which it could properly be presented, namely: Mrs. Lockwood's letter of July 13th. The Congess of 1898 approved this action, awarding her a medal for special service through the press, and Mrs. Lockwood endorsed the action of the Congress. The copies of attested statements given in this account are deemed necessary since the fragmentary nature of portions of the early records of the society, as preserved, render con- clusions doubtful in some cases. Under these circumstances, the officers signing the statements preferred to have them attested as they would thus carry an authority not attainable otherwise. As a committee we are satisfied that the above account is 23 not only correct, but secure from any doubtful interpre- tation. Helen M. Bqynton, Chainiian. (Signed) BKLL Merrii^Iv Drapkr, (Signed) Ei^izabeth M. Bowron. Signed by the two living Founders, Mary Desha. Ellen Hardin Walworth. Vy\'- ^- Si 24 ^^-v. '2 <* .•5 V. •* -^^ ^ ^