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Fall-decorated Urbana street |
Welcome to
Alliance Chapter
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
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 Alliance Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was organized June 14, 1904, under Charter Number 642 with Mrs. George W. Busey as Organizing Regent. The name selected for the chapter was adopted from a popular novel of the day by Winston Churchill, entitled "Richard Carvell," which records Captain John Paul Jones' loss of his flagship Bonhomme Richard, and his transfer to the U.S.S. Alliance in 1799. The name became a symbol of an alliance of the two cities, Urbana and Champaign, and the University of Illinois.
Urbana was established on February 20, 1833, when the Illinois legislature approved it as the seat for the newly
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 American Revolutionary War heroines—history raves about the heroics of men in war, but few instances are mentioned of the females who participated, yet during every conflict, as well as the peaceful years in between, women were there too. Scattered on this and the following pages of this website, you will find snippets of stories about some of these heroic women. Look for the gray boxes. Information on heroines was abstracted from the following web sites: Women Soldiers in the American Revolution, Revolutionary War Women, Contributions of Women During the American Revolution, American Revolution, and Soldiers and Patriots of the American Revolutionary War—Women |
formed county of Champaign. Senator John W. Vance, for his efforts in getting the act passed, was given the honor of naming the new county. He named it "Champaign" after his former home county in Ohio, the county-seat of which is also Urbana. The location of 
Urbana-Champaign is home to the world-renowned |
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 State NSDAR Symbol: School Bell  |
National NSDAR Symbol: Pineapple  |
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| State NSDAR Theme: "Legacy of Liberty, Love of Learning" |
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American Revolutionary War heroines - Molly Pitcher. During the American  Revolution, Mary (possibly Ludwig) Hay's husband, who was a member of the First Pennsylvania artillery, fought at the Battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778. Mary (Molly), who had accompanied him onto the battlefield, carried water in a pitcher to her husband and others, earning her the nickname "Molly Pitcher." With the temerature close to 100 degrees, she brought water to her husband's battery. When her husband collapsed, wounded or overcome by the heat, she took his place in the gun crew, and continued firing his cannon. After her husband's death in 1789, she married George MacAuley. In 1822 the Pennsylvania legislature passed an act "for the relief of Molly McKolly, for her services during the revolutionary war." She was awarded $40 and the same amount was to be paid to her annually during her lifetime. She died in Carlisle on January 22, 1832, and is buried beside the Molly Pitcher monument in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. |
American Revolutionary War heroines - Nancy (Morgan) Hart was born circa 1744/47, possibly in Orange County, North Carolina. Thomas and Rebecca (Alexander) Morgan, for many years, were believed to be her parents, but recent research suggests Mark and Sarah Morgan. Nancy married Benjamin Hart and had at least eight children. They were residing in Wilkes County, Georgia, when the Revolutionary War broke out. In 1825, the Milledgeville Southern Recorder wrote: "One day six Tories paid Nancy a call and demanded a meal . She soon spread before them smoking venison, hoe-cakes, and fresh honeycomb. Having stacked their arms, they seated themselves, and started to eat, when Nancy quick as a flash siezed one of the guns, cocked it, and with a blazing oath declared she would blow out the brains of the first mortal that offered to rise or taste a mouthful! She sent one of her sons to inform the Whigs of her prisoners. The Whigs soon arrived and dealt with the Tories according to the rules of the times." Several years later, Godey's Lady's Book published another version. In this account five Tories arrived at the cabin and accused Nancy of helping a Whig escape. She admitted allowing the Whig to ride through the open doors of her cabin into the swamp beyond and laughed at how the King's men had been fooled. In revenge the Tories shot her turkey and demanded that she cook it for them. Nancy sent her daughter to get water and to blow the conch-shell to call her husband and neighbors. While waiting for their meal, the Tories consumed quite a bit of liquor and put aside their guns. While they were eating, Nancy put the guns through a hole in the wall and when they discovered what she was doing they jumped to their feet. Nancy turned with the gun on her shoulder and threatened to kill anyone who moved. One did and was immediately shot dead and when the men arrived, the other four were hanged. Nancy acted as a spy on several occasions. In one instance she dressed as a man and infiltrated the British camp, pretending to be insane, and returned with information on the British troop movements. Another time Nancy tied a few logs together and crossed the Savannah River to obtain information on the enemy. |
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Celia G. Snyder, Webmaster |
American Revolutionary War heroines - Deborah Samson, of Plympton, Massachusetts, disguised herself as a young  man and volunteered for the American army in October of 1778. She enlisted for the whole war as Robert Shirtliffe and served in Captain Nathan Thayer's company. For three years she served and was wounded twice - the first time by a sword cut on the side of the head and four months later she was shot through the shoulder. Her identity went undetected until she came down with brain fever which was prevalent among the soldiers. The attending physician discovered her charade, but said nothing. Instead he had her taken to his own home where she could receive better care. When her health was restored, the doctor met with her commanding officer and subsequently an order was issued for Robert Shirtliffe to carry a letter to General Washington. When she learned she was to messenger a letter to the Commander-in-Chief, she realized that the deception was over. She arrived at Washington's headquarters trembling with dread and uncertainty. General Washington, to spare her embarrassment, didn't say anything, but instead sent her to have refreshments and then had her brought back. Saying nothing, he handed her a discharge from the service with a note giving some advice and enough money to cover her expenses home. After the war she married Benjamin Gannett and had three children. While George Washington was president she received a letter inviting her to visit Washington. During her stay a bill was passed granting her a pension in addition to a land bounty which she was to receive as acknowledgment of her service to her country. Paul Revere played a role in getting the bill passed. |
