Fernando de Leyba Chapter
What is Sons of the American Revolution?
The SAR is a historical, educational, and patriotic non-profit, United States 501(c)3, corporation that seeks to maintain and extend- the institutions of American freedom
- an appreciation for true patriotism
- a respect for our national symbols
- the value of American citizenship
- the unifying force of e pluribus unum that has created, from the people of many nations, one nation and one people.
Who Can Join
The SAR is a "lineage" society. This means that each member has traced their family tree back to a point of having an ancestor who supported the cause of American Independence during the years 1774-1783. Support can include military service, government service, providing supplies to the military, taking an oath of allegience to the cause, and many other possibilities. Basically anything that helped further the cause of freedom from the Crown. If you have relatives that have been in the DAR or SAR, then you are probably eligble to join. If you think you have a patriot ancestor or if you are not sure, you are more than welcome to visit. We can help you with your research.
How to Join
Using the nav bar at the top of the page, download a blank application. Provide as much information on your lineage going back to your patriot as possible. It's not a big deal if you don't know all of the dates and places. Assemble all of your documentation. You will need copies of birth, death, and marriage records for the first couple of generations. Bring what you have to one of our meetings, and the chapter genealogist will look it over and help you complete the application. Once the application is complete, it will be submitted for approval. Final approval can take anywhere from 2-6 months. I think recently it is taking about 3 months. If you have any questions, contact the chapter genealogist via e-mail. E-mail addresses for all of our officers can be found by clicking on "Get to Know Us" on the nav bar then clicking on "Our Officers."
Our chapter genealogist has just prepared a guide highlighting some genealogy resources that you may not have known about.
About Our Chapter
The Fernando de Leyba Chapter is comprised of Compatriots in the East Central MO area, meeting at 7:00 PM the 2nd Monday of every month (except during the months of July and August) at Culpeppers Restaurant located on 3010 W. Clay St. Charles, MO. Although our Chapter used to be small, it has been growing(44 Compatriots so far). Join us and see what you have been missing. We meet in the banquet room at Culpeppers. Compatriots usually start arriving between 6:00 and 6:30 and we have an informal dinner and socialize. Our meeting starts at 7:00 and usually lasts no longer than one hour. Next comes our speaker for the night which can be on any topic. Recent topics have included George Rogers Clark, astronomy, Iraq, genealogical research, and the U.S.S. Missouri, a newly built and about to be commissioned nuclear attack submarine.
Spouses are always welcome as are prospective members. If you need help with your application, don't worry. Our chapter genealogist is quite talented and willing to work with you.
About Our Namesake
Don Fernando de Leyba was appointed governor of Upper Louisiana in June 1778. Though Spain was neutral until 1779, de Leyba contacted George Rogers Clark prior to this and provided support to the Americans.
Fernando de Leyba was responsible for the construction of Fort San Carlos to defend St. Louis. The British, along with Native American allies attacked on May 26, 1780 but were forced to retreat.
We remember the crucial and not widely known support our ancestors received from Spain and honor it by naming our chapter after Fernando de Leyba.
2013 Chapter Meetings
- June 10
- September 9
- October 14
- November 11
- December 9
Chapter Events
| Day & Date | Place & Time | Event |
| Monday, 18 Feb 2013 | Lafayette Park, St. Louis, 10:30 a.m. | DAR Presidents Day Wreath Laying at the George Washington Hodon Statue |
| Friday & Saturday, 26 & 27 April 2013 | Jefferson City, MO - Truman Hotel | Annual MOSSAR Convention |
| Thursday, 2 May, 2013 | St. Louis City, St. Louis County, & St. Charles, Various locations at 12:00 Noon | National Day of Prayer |
| Sunday, 26 May 2013 | Missouri History Museum, Forest Park, St. Louis, 3:00 p.m. | Battle of Fort San Carlos Commemoration |
| Monday, 27 May 2013 | Coldwater Cemetery or Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis County, 10:00 Noon | Memorial Day |
| Thursday, 4 July 2013 | St. Louis City, St. Louis County, & St. Charles, Various location and times | Independence Day |
| Thursday, 4 July 2013 | Mount Vernon, VA, 9:30 a.m. Home of George Washington | SAR Wreath-Laying at Washington's Tomb |
| Friday - Wednesday, 5 - 10 July 2013 | Kansas City, MO - Marriott - Kansas City Downtown | NSSAR 123rd Congress hosted by MOSSAR |
| Saturday, 14 Dec 2013 | Jefferson Barracks Cemetery, St. Louis County, 11:00 a.m. | Wreaths Across America |