Founded October 16, 1971
 

Mary Rolph Marsh Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution

A preliminary meeting for the purpose of organizing a local chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) was held August 9, 1971, at the Matagorda County Museum with 22 interested women present. Martha Moore was organizing regent for the proposed local chapter. The purpose of the National Society DAR and a brief history of the organization, which began in 1890, were explained.

On Saturday, October 16, 1971, members met at the home of Martha Moore for the organizing ceremonies. Thus the Mary Rolph Marsh Chapter DAR in Bay City had its beginning on this historic occasion.

The new chapter was named for a wife and mother of the Revolutionary War period. Mary Rolph Marsh was the daughter of Judge Henry Rolph and wife, Mary Connally, of Woodbridge , New Jersey. The wife of Daniel March and mother of eleven children was widowed by 1756, with four sons under 15 years of age. Three sons, all officers, assisted in the establishment of American independence. One of these sons, Captain Christopher Marsh, was the ancestor of the organizing regent.

The 36 charter members of Mary Rolph Marsh chapter were:

Mesdames C. L. Arnold (Sallie), R. E. Bellanfant, C. G. Bess (Lois), E. L. Castleton (Louise), B. R. Cole (Maurine), H. W. Estill (Madge), G. D. Everett (Elizabeth), Eaton Grisham, H. C. Ham (Thelma), M. T. Huebner (Jean), J. W. Ingram (Keye), W. B. Jeter (Lorainne), C. E. Lee (Nantie), W. C. Lloyd (Alberta), H. J. McAllister (Mary Belle), Elizabeth McMahan, Harris Milner (Verda), Paul Norwood, A. H. Pontiff (Myrna), Gordon Richardson (Jean), F. E. Ryman (Blanche), J. M. Ryman (Irma), Carl Salas (Sallie), Cary Smith, Jr. (Esther), Daryl Thompson (Julianne), J. G. Voss, A. H. Wadsworth (Lurline), J. F. Woolsey (Sallie), J. A. Wyse (Verne), Albert Younts (Mary), and Arthur Younts (Joyce), and Misses Sharon Grisham, Ethel Gusman, Martha Moore, Betty Jane Scott and Grace Selkirk.

Benjamin Wightman is the only Revolutionary soldier buried in Matagorda County, and the chapter marked his grave in Matagorda Cemetery with a bronze marker and held appropriate ceremonies on June 14, 1972 .

Regents of the chapter have been: Martha Moore (1971-73), Mary Belle Ingram (1973-75), Esther Smith (1975-76), Sallie Salas (1976-78), Marcella Odom (1978-80), Jessica Jecmenek (1980-1982), Donna Johnson (1982-85), Margaret G. Seerden (1985-88), Zula W. Atwood (1988-91), Faye Vos (1991-93), Janet W. Hickl (1993-95), Jim B. Howze (1995-97), Muriel T. Lawhon (1997-99), Rosanne R. Burgess (1999), Sally V. Woolsey (1999-01), Janet W. Hickl (2001-03), Donna M. Johnson (2003-2005), Freda K. Daniel (2005-2007), Sallie M. Salas (2007-2009), Bobbie P. Gaspard (2009-2011), Sandra Steves (2011-1013) and Marjorie Griffith (present).

The Mary Rolph Marsh Chapter strives to foster true patriotism and love of
"God, Home and Country."
 

OBJECTIVES & MEMBERSHIP

The objectives of this society are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence. Any woman is eligible for membership in the local and national society of DAR who is at least 18 years of age, and who is descended from a man or woman who, with unfailing loyalty to the cause of American Independence, served as a sailor, soldier, or civil officer in one of the several colonies or states, or in the United Colonies or states, or as a recognized patriot, or rendered material aid thereto; provided the applicant is personally acceptable to the society.

MEETINGS

Bay House - Legacy Campus

700 12th Street, Bay City - 4:00 p. m.

First Thursdays in Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Mar, Apr & May

First Sunday in Feb

Interested in Becoming a Member of our organization?

Email: Freda Daniel

Aaron Adams, VT

Joseph Anderson, NJ

William Booker, VA

William Bowen, VA

Enos Byrd, NC

John Caldwell, VA

Paul Chapin, MA

Silas Cook, Jr., NC

John Coult, CT

John Cowden, NC

Stephen Cromwell, MD

John Daniel, VA

James Denby, NC

Shadrach Gibbs, SC

Daniel Gooch, NC

Joseph Gooch, NC

Thomas Green, VA

William Griggs, VA

Joseph Hardin, NC

Justus Hinckel, Sr., VA

Samuel Hovey, CT

Jacob Jones, NC
 

Adam Kuykendall, NC

John Lewis LeMay, VA

William McClanahan, VA

James McCrosky, VA

David McKnight, NC

John Morgan, VA

Reuben Morgan, VA

Joseph Morton, VA

Henry Moseley, NC

Lewis Peebles, SC

Samuel Pickerell, Jr. VA

John Robbins, CT

John Robuck, Sr., SC

Shadrack Rowe , NC

William Russell, VA

Matthew Tanner, Sr., VA

John Tindal, MD

John Torrey, NC

Evetts Townley , NJ

Benjamin Wightman, NY

Daniel Yeamans, CT