Welcome to the 
Lakeland Chapter  

Lakeland, Florida  

National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Chapter History   The Lakeland Chapter, NSDAR, was chartered in December 1925.  Our organizing regent was Mrs. Annie Hanna Darracott.  Her colonial ancestor was Captain Andrew Barry, her great-great-grandfather.   The ladies of the Lakeland Chapter take the Society's goals very seriously.  Each year they distribute a small flag and pamphlet describing "Care of the Flag." In the past they went to all city fifth grade students, now they are given to groups such as Girls, Inc., Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops.  Medals are presented to Lakeland area school's outstanding Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets.  An essay contest is held for students in grades five through eight.  The subject for the essay is different each year.  2007-2008 Topic: "I Spy—Espionage During the American Revolution." Imagine what it might have been like to be a spy during the American Revolution. Pretend that you are either a loyalist or patriot, and discuss your life as a spy. Relate why you chose to become a spy, some of your experiences during the war, and what consequences were brought about as results of your actions, both to yourself personally and to the war in general. The winners in each grade receive a medal; all students get a certificate for participating. Additionally, an Outstanding Student Award is given to an eleventh grade student who is recognized for personal and academic excellence in American history.  A medal and certificate are presented to a student in each participating high school.  Additionally, the chapter awards $100 to a high school senior selected for the Good Citizens Award; the runner-up receives $50. Our late chapter member, Gladys Hanby Patton, left our chapter $3,000 when she passed away. Gladys taught school for 27 years and was an active and devoted DAR member. The Lakeland Chapter used her generous gift to establish a scholarship in her honor. The first $500 scholarship was awarded in May 2002. Thanks to a successful fundraiser at Carrabba's Italian Grill, two scholarships were awarded in May 2003.  The chapter also awarded a Jeannine Riley Minisci Scholarship with memorial funds donated to the chapter scholarship fund following the death of this dedicated Daughter who served two-terms as chapter regent and also served as state committee chairman. In 2006, the Lakeland Chapter will award three scholarships:  one to a graduating high school senior and two to students at Polk Community College. Chapter members collect Campbell's soup labels and General Mills Labels for Education which help buy clothing and supplies for DAR-sponsored schools. Additionally, the chapter contributes money to assist in educating students at an American Indian school.   Hospitalized and other veterans enjoy the visits and small gifts from chapter members. A chapter-sponsored ceremony launches Constitution Week activities, including a proclamation by the city's mayor. On Arbor Day, members plant a new tree to beautify a Lakeland park. There are more than 120 members of the Lakeland Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. We believe in: -honoring the United States flag; -education; -perpetuating the memory of those ancestors who achieved American independence; -and preserving history for future generations. The Lakeland, Florida area is a great place to live.  Located about 30 minutes from Tampa and less than an hour from Orlando, just off Interstate 4, residents and visitors enjoy the diverse recreational activities the city offers. There are 13 lakes, many with picnic and boat launching areas. Some lakes are surrounded by walkways to encourage leisurely walks or jogs around the lake. Some folks prefer to relax on a bench and watch the swans as they glide gracefully across the water. Various festivals and cultural programs held around the lakes attract people of all ages. The city's Lakeland Center brings many types of big name and local talent to patrons. Lakeland can also boast of its talented Symphony Orchestra and stimulating Museum of Art. Sports fans can watch the Detroit Tigers play their spring season games at the city's Marchant Stadium, or enjoy the area's many fishing, boating, golfing, parks and other facilities. Back     Meetings Date Program September 5, 2007 Wednesday Speaker:  Joe Spann, Manager, Polk County Historical & Genealogical Library October 3, 2007 Wednesday Speaker:  Hazel Haley, retired public school teacher November 3, 2007 Saturday "Angels Around Us/The Spirit of Love" presented by Adele Durrance December 4, 2008 Tuesday 82nd Birthday Luncheon.  "An Interlude with the MacDonalds" presented by Robert & Ingrid MacDonald, Internationally acclaimed pianist & artist in residence, Florida Southern College (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED) January 2, 2008 Wednesday "Florida Constitutional Amendment/The Two Proposals" presented by Hobson Strain, former Polk County Tax Assessor February 6, 2008 Wednesday "American History Essay Winners and Good Citizens Award Winners" March 1, 2008 Saturday "Scams/Crimes Against Seniors" presented by Dick Fearnow, Director of Senior Sleuths, Polk County Sheriff's Department April 2, 2008 Wednesday "Field Trip" Reservations requested. May 7, 2008 Wednesday "Memorial Service for Deceased Members," presented by Chapter Chaplain, Gay Harlowe June 7, 2008 Saturday   Flag Day Luncheon.  Program by Harrison Arts Ensemble Back   Officers Regent Pauline Brennan 1st Vice Regent Suzanne Ellsworth 2nd Vice Regent Betsy Kay Finch Chaplain Gay Harlowe Recording Secretary Edith Anderson Corresponding Secretary Jean Bartlo (appointed) Treasurer Marilynn Jackson Historian Joyce Bode Registrar Jean Maris Librarian Judy Hopkins Parliamentarian Jean Harden Back   Membership  Membership in DAR is very rewarding.  To become a member, a woman must be at least 18 years old and be able to prove blood descent from a person who rendered patriotic service during the American Revolution. If you think you are eligible, come to one of our meetings or send an e-mail to our registrar,  Jean Maris. Many of our members are willing to help you find ways to document your lineage. We're anxious to meet you and have you be a part of our chapter. These are the patriots associated with our members.   CONNECTICUT John Dewey Daniel Doolittle Nathan Hatch Joseph Johnson Ephraim Loomis Timothy Munson Robert Potter Samuel Spencer Private Uriel Strong John Whiting GEORGIA Pvt William Hicklin Drury Mims Thomas Moffett Matthew Nail Sampson Wilder MAINE Isaac Freese Lewis Simpson MARYLAND Robert Fenwick LT John Hyland Price Capt. Peter Rich Henry Spalding MASSACHUSETTS Thomas Akeley James Bates William Beatman Capt. Timothy Burr Capt. Joseph Clapp Phineas Clark Pvt. Benjamin Coomer Moses Crafts Oliver Drake Jabez Eaton John Farrar John Griswold Daniel Hooker George Kimball John Merrifield Willoughby Nason Lewis Simpson Joseph Tolman NEW HAMPSHIRE John Brooks Moses Hunt John McLaughlin Sgt. William Sibley NEW JERSEY Sgt. Joseph Feurt Capt. Nathaniel Leonard John Phillips Lt. Col. Mattias Shipman John Tschudi Daniel Van Reypen NEW YORK Henry Cargill Henry Ellsworth John Henry Hayes Asa Haynes Pvt Simeon Krom William Purdy Johannes Rynex Eli Seeley Nicholas Stickle Johannes Van Deusen Cornelius Westervelt Icabod Williams NORTH CAROLINA David Alderman Gov. Samuel Ashe, Sr. Robert C. Brashear Col. John Bryan Nathan Bryan William Grady Henry Haggard William Hicks, Jr. George Ingle LT John Murphy Matthew Nail James Outlaw John Pearce Joshua Taylor John Weaver Joseph Whiteley William Whitfield PENNSYLVANIA Leonard Bayer Henry Black Lawrence Brindle James Buchanon Jonathan Buck, Sr. Henry Bush, Sr. Barnabus Doyle Conrad Foltz Abraham Hathaway Daniel Hillman Peter Hufnagel Frederick Lieser William McClure John R. Mahaffey Ensign Dewalt Mechlin Obediah Mellott Frederic Nagle Michael Ohl, Sr. Daniel Purcell Captain Daniel Womelsdorf RHODE ISLAND Pvt. Sweet Briggs William Capwell Christopher Ellery SOUTH CAROLINA Jonathan Adams John Bethea Benjamin Chew John Craig Henry Dyess John Harden Charles Frederick Lesesne George Martin Matthew Nail Mrs. Sarah Southwell TENNESSEE Arthur Sheffield VIRGINIA Sgt. William Andrews Aaron Ball Pierce Bayly Isham Blake John Bonner Richard Bouldin Reese Bowen Joseph Brand Henry Browne Lt. Hugh Caperton Howard Cash Capt. Adam Clement Private Peter Coffee Joseph Cole John Conway, Sr. Robert Cooke Rev. Arthur Emmerson, Jr. Adj. Chandler Fowke John Gritton Benjamin Harris Pvt Thomas Harvey Captain Edward Herndon Pvt William Horrall Peter Thomas Hull, Sr. Samuel Humphries John Jackson Jesse Johns James Johnston William Robert Leslie John McMullen Sherwood Maddox Daniel Maupin Francis Meadows, Jr. Col. Samuel Meredith Col. Isaac Reade Benjamin Robinson Colesby Smith Meriwether Smith Benjamin Swinney Francis Thorton Col. Nathaniel Venable John Winfree   Back   Please direct any comments about this web page to:         Webmistress, Lakeland Chapter.  This page last updated February 18, 2008 Special thanks to Polk Net for hosting this site.   Best viewed 1024 x 768. The DAR Insignia is the property of, and is copyrighted by, the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.