03/10/2021
The Daughters of the American Revolution
(DAR)
The late 19th century in America saw a great public interest in Colonial times. (The Colonial Revival) The Civil War was over, and the country was trying to rebuild and strengthen its bonds again. The renewed interest in our fight for independence, and for preserving the founding fathers’ and mothers’ treasures led to the founding of many organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution. At first, women hoped to join in with another organization, the Sons of the American Revolution, but they quickly realized that they needed to form their own group in order to do the patriotic work they had in mind. They needed to work with other like-minded WOMEN to achieve their goals.
On October 11, 1890, Mary Smith Lockwood hosted the first meeting of the DAR. Eighteen women attended this first meeting. Founder Ellen Hardin Walworth would write in the February 1893 American Monthly Magazine, “it is not a social organization…, it is an order patriotic, historical, genealogical, and holds itself closely to these objects.”
Sourse: dar.org
The Nihanawate Chapter, DAR was founded in Potsdam on January 8, 1924, when Mrs. Rufus Sisson, Sr. (Mary Coffin Sisson) invited interested women to her home to discuss organizing a group. At least twenty-five ladies attended that first meeting and all became charter members of the new chapter of the DAR. They decided on the Native American name of “Nihanawate,” which means “noisy river.” Nihanawate was the 153rd active chapter of the DAR. The chapter charter was granted on February 5, 1924. According to a history of the Nihanawate Chapter, DAR, written in 1968 by Marguerite Gurley Chapman, the highlight of the DAR calendar was the annual social meeting. Members and their guests dressed in formal attire and met at he home of Mrs. Rufus Sisson on Elm Street or the home of Mrs. George Sisson at Hillview Farm on the Sissonville Road.
The DAR is a service organization, and the Nihanawate chapter continues to serve the local community. It provides an annual scholarship to a local graduating high school student, and places markers on Revolutionary War patriots’ graves. Members also reach out to the community during Constitution Week, providing information to schools.
In order to be eligible to join the DAR, women must be descended from a Revolutionary War patriot, and must have the documentation to prove it. Each chapter has a Registrar, who can help prospective members find the documentation they need.
This image shows the Rufus Sisson, Sr. (Mrs. Mary Coffin Sisson) house on Elm Street. This was the site of many formal DAR social gatherings in the early years of the organization.
