The Dorothy Q Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, recently placed 19 Christmas wreaths of remembrance on the graves of 17 Revolutionary War patriots and the two “Real Daughters” of the chapter who are buried in Montgomery County. Two more patriots graves were decorated this year than last.
All Daughters of the American Revolution are descended from Revolutionary War patriots and soldiers. Imagine, though, joining the DAR through the Revolutionary War service of your own father. This was the distinct privilege of a Real Daughter. Not to be confused with the “daughter of a Revolutionary war soldier or patriot,” a Real Daughter was distinguished because she was a DAR member as well as the actual daughter of a soldier or patriot. In the early years of the National Society, a DAR chapter who could name one or more of the 767 Real Daughters among its members was extremely proud of this living link to the American Revolution.
The new wreaths were for Gillis Hitch and John Stillwell. Hitch’s actual stone is lost, so the wreath was placed at the grave of his son, William.
The other patriots were: Frederick Armantrout, John Boyd, Christopher Brant, Alexander Foster, George Fruits, Samuel Gregory, John Hardee (father of Real Daughter Lucinda Hardee McMullen), Thomas Mason, James McArthur, Jacob Miller, Presley Simms, Sebastian Stonebraker, George Washburn, Jacob Westfall and Benjamin Willis.
The chapter dedicated official markers bearing the DAR Insignia and the term “Real Daughter” on the graves of Lucinda Hardee McMullen and Elvira Layton Mortimer Layne on June 14, 1924. Members believe Hardee McMullen received the first Real Daughter marker in the state.
The chapter has identified 25 patriots in the county, and research is underway on four to five more that may be added to the list. Some of the graves are too remote to be decorated, and for some there is no record of where they were buried.
NSDAR welcomes new members. If you have a patriot in your family tree, and are interested in becoming a member, visit https://www.dar.org/national-society/become-member/membership-interest-form.
