Over two hundred years ago, American colonists, sacrificed their lives and fortunes to "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common Defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty" and in doing so, left a legacy to the American people. Membership in the DAR will allow you to perpetuate their legacies through supporting the efforts of the National Society by promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children.
Any woman 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence is eligible to join the DAR. This means that your ancestor could have provided food for soldiers, served in the military, served their town as sheriff, or provided medical aid to the wounded.
Joining the DAR does not require an interest in genealogy, but it helps to have knowledge of your ancestry. To determine your eligibility, you will need to gather documents for yourself, your parents, grandparents, and possibly great-grandparents. With 94 chapters in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (PSSDAR) has volunteers who can assist you if you need help with your research.
Please visit the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution "How to Join" page.
The chapter is named for the wife of American Revolutionary war General Arthur St. Clair. Phoebe Bayard was born into wealth and after marriage the couple moved from Boston to a 660 acre estate north of Ligonier, Pennsylvania. After General St. Clair's war service, the couple lost their home, mill, and land, and later lived in a small cabin on Chestnut Ridge. Arthur St. Clair died August 31, 1818, followed by Phoebe just 18 days later. Both are buried in St. Clair Park in Greensburg where a monument erected by the Greensburg Masonic Fund marks their graves.
During the formation of the chapter a name was debated. When it was suggested that since the DAR is a woman's organization it would be fitting to use the name of a woman who was undoubtedly as much a patriot as her husband, Phoebe Bayard's name was chosen.
The term "Real Daughter" is given to a daughter of an American Revolutionary war soldier or patriot who joined the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR). These 767 ladies, provided a living link to cause for which the National Society is named. The NSDAR has compiled an online exhibition to celebrate their lives and accomplishments. The Phoebe Bayard Chapter, NSDAR, welcomed three of those women into membership. The chapter marked their graves to signify their status.
The chapter holds meetings each month, September-December and March-June. Meetings are held afternoons, on the second Saturday of the month.
Programs promote the topics of historic preservation, patriotism, and education. The chapter participates each year in the DAR American History and Christopher Columbus essay contests as well as the DAR Good Citizens program sponsored by the NSDAR.
