The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

On October 11, 1890, eighteen women met to officially organize the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. They established the Society on the basis of historic, educational and patriotic purposes. It is now in its second century of service to the nation. More than 760,000 members have been admitted to membership since 1890.

The first objective of this Society was, and still is, to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved our American independence. Other patriotic, historical and educational objectives closely follow, such as the tenets laid forth in the farewell address of George Washington to the American people.

There are approximately 200,000 members and more than 3,000 chapters. These chapters are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and units overseas in about 12 countries around the world.  

The Jean Ribault Chapter

The Jean Ribault Chapter was organized January 9, 1953, at Neptune Beach, Florida. Mrs. Wallace A. Brown was the Organizing Regent. The chapter name was chosen in honor of Jean Ribault, the French Huguenot, who came to the shores of the St. Johns River in 1562 seeking religious freedom for himself and for the brave people who accompanied him. The chapter meets from October through May on the second Thursday of each month.

(Photo by Ann Lynch Boyer)

Jean Ribault Monument,
Donated by the Florida State DAR Chapters in 1924

In 1924, during the 300th anniversary of the beginning of the immigration of the Huguenots to the Americas, the Florida Chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution unveiled a granite monument at Mayport, Florida, just a few miles from the monument's present location close to the Fort Caroline National Memorial. On a high bluff, overlooking the St. Johns River, it now stands on land set aside and designated as its permanent home.

The unveiling of the Ribault Monument at Mayport was the genesis of the eventual creation of a national memorial for the Florida Huguenots. The original site at Mayport was popular, quickly becoming a gathering place for family picnics and Easter Sunrise Services. However, the monument was not destined to remain in this location.

During World War II, the U.S. Navy took over the land where the monument was located, eventually moving the monument twice. In July, 1958, the monument was moved a third time to its present location, with a rededication performed in October of that year.

This gray granite monument, memorializing Captain Jean Ribault's feat and the establishment of the brave little colony of French Huguenots, was sculpted by the renowned Floridian, Charles Adrian Pillars. It is a replica of the stone column placed by Jean Ribault at the mouth of the River of May (renamed the St. Johns River), on May 2, 1562.

 

 
Graphics courtesy of Angels Graphics.
Midi courtesy Lauras Midi Heaven.
Website created and maintained by Lola DeGroff, August 2000; last update July 16, 2009.