By Cathy Miller

Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women’s service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America’s future through better education for children.

Port Murray resident Ruth Huntington, originally from Morris County, has lived in Warren County since 2016. In May, 2022, she became Regent for the General William Maxwell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A Regent’s duties are comparable to that of an organization’s chairperson/president. She’s been a DAR member since 1978, and is an avid genealogist.

The chapter’s namesake, William Maxwell, was appointed a Brigadier General on October 23, 1776. He resigned his commission on June 25, 1780. After the war, he was elected to the NJ Legislature. General George Maxwell died on November 12, 1798. He is buried, along with 19 other patriots, in Old Greenwich Cemetery in Stewartsville.

The DAR was founded on October 11, 1890. In a period of patriotic revival, women wanted to express their patriotiism. but were frustrated by their exclusion from men’s organizations. A group of pioneering women in Washington, D.C. formed their own organization, the Daughters of the American Revolution. DAR was incorporated in 1896 by an Act of Congress, and remains active to this day.

Since its inception, more than 1,000,000 women have joined DAR. With current membership at 190,000 members, there are 3,000 chapters in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and internationally, with 45 chapters in New Jersey. Based in Belvidere, the General William Maxwell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution chapter was founded in 1931, with 12 original members. Membership is currently at 91.

Membership in DAR is limited to any woman, age 18 and over, who can prove direct lineal descent from soldiers, patriots, or others of the Revolutionary period who aided the cause of independence. DAR defines a “patriot” as one who provided service or direct assistance in achieving America’s independence.

“In addition to serving, they could have pledged an Oath of Allegiance, supplied things to the troops, or paid a supply tax,” Huntington stressed, noting “You do NOT need to have an ancestor who specifically served in the Army.”

Not all men and women who served in or for the American Revolutionary War have been proved, or verified. The DAR has made it easier to determine if you have direct lineal descent from someone who served. Their website offers a Genealogical Research Service to look up somebody either as an ancestor or descendent. It is also possible to contact a Chapter and work with the registrar at the local level. “Our registrar works very hard to help people prove their lineage,” Ms. Huntington added.

Members and friends of the General William Maxwell Chapter participate in an array of projects to help preserve history, encourage literacy, and support veterans.

According to Huntington, the Chapter helps Veterans Haven North in Glen Gardner, Lyons Medical Center, and Menlo Park Veterans Facility, from fulfilling wish lists to helping veterans work in the community.

A small, but very meaningful, gesture was instituted as one of Ms. Huntington’s earliest initiatives in honoring veterans. Members were supplied with “Thank you” cards bearing little metal pins styled after the curved multi-hued cloth ribbon, designed to invoke the American flag with a little gold star in the center. The members simply offer them to veterans they meet, with a sincere thank you for their service.

They also offer support to the Belvidere Food Pantry, fulfilling their wish lists three times a year and doing some cleaning.

Literacy in schools is very important to the DAR. The Chapter does Constitution Week for the schools and provides programs on American history. They sponsor an American History Essay contest for 5th grade and older and offer Good Citizen awards for high schoolers. The DAR website has seven pages of lesson plans for teachers – different levels on different topics.

To preserve history, share history, and honor history, the Chapter does historic preservation in terms of facilities, cemeteries and records. They also mark graves. The placement of markers is a tangible way for DAR members to honor and connect with Revolutionary War ancestors as well as raise public awareness of the Patriot’s grave and legacy.

The organization also plans to hold lineage workshops with a registrar.

The General William Maxwell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is seeking new members. Huntington added, “If you’re interested in DAR’s community service, come and help out. You don’t have to be a member to work on our projects!” History and genealogy buffs are welcome, too.

Huntington said, “We encourage people to attend our meetings at the United Presbyterian Church in Belvidere. Learn about DAR and enjoy the guest speakers.” Held on the first Saturday of October November, December, March, April and May, the meetings also feature a beautiful luncheon prepared by the ladies of the Church.

Those wishing to join or simply be involved may contact Ruth Huntington at generalwmmaxwell@gmail.com.

Mark your calendars for this special event: On Saturday, October 16 at 11 a.m., the General William Maxwell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will have a patriot grave marking ceremony for James Hyndshaw, Jr. (1753-1816), at the request of his family. Private Hyndshaw served with Northampton County Militia, Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution. All are welcome. Old Greenwich Cemetery of the Old Greenwich Presbyterian Church, Greenwich Church Road, Stewartsville.

For more information about Daughters of the American Revolution, visit www.dar.org.