In July 2008, Eunice
Farnsworth Chapter, Skowhegan, Maine and Ruth
Heald Cragin Chapter, North Anson, Maine merged
together to become . .
"Eunice
Farnsworth - Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter"
These
two chapters with smaller membership chose to
unite as one, preserving the work and rich
heritage of both. We unite as one, strong and
vibrant, harmonizing wonderful traditions and
additions, serving the three main goals of our
organization: Historic Preservation, Promotion of
Education and Patriotic Endeavor.
The
Skowhegan Chapter received its name, Eunice
Farnsworth,
because
she, as the wife of Joseph Weston,
was the
first white woman to settle in Somerset County.
In 1772, Joseph Weston
and his family made a home on the west bank of
the Kennebec River about two and one-half miles
below what is now Skowhegan village.
Three years later, in
the fall of 1775, Joseph Weston's services were
enlisted in piloting Arnold's Quebec Expedition
up the Kennebec River. He went as far as the
Falls of Norridgewock, where he contracted a
severe cold, was compelled to return home, and
soon died.
His widow was left with
nine children to face the future. History tells
us she was "brave to bear the sorrows and
ills of life, and strong to meet its increased
responsibilities."
For four years she
struggled alone; then the gallant Colonel John
Moor came a-wooing, and the widow of Joseph
Weston became the wife of Col. John Moor and
moved with him to the town of Anson. Thirty years
later, again a widow, she came back to Skowhegan
and lived with her son until her death at the age
of eighty-seven years.
January 13, 1898,
thirteen ladies met to form a chapter of the
Daughters of the American Revolution in
Skowhegan. When the subject of a name came up for
discussion Eunice Farnsworth was unanimously
agreed upon, not only for the reason above
stated, but because she was the widow of two
Revolutionary soldiers and
great-great-grandmother of five of the thirteen
charter members.
from the History
of the Maine Daughters of the American Revolution,
1925
The charter members
were as follows:
| Miss Louise Helen Coburn |
Miss Eda Kezia Smith |
| Miss Mary Blanche Bixby |
Miss Josephine Withington
Smith |
| Mrs. Helen Sophia
(Miller) Coburn |
Miss Lillian Clayton
Smith |
| Mrs. Sarah Abby Hanson |
Mrs. Alma B. C. Walton |
| Mrs. Mary Steward Heath |
Miss Ethel Steward Walton |
| Mrs. Lois Weston Patten |
Miss Gertrude Sophia
Weston |
| Mrs. Grace Coburn Smith |
|
|
