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 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. These 767 ladies, provided a living link to cause for which the National Society is named.
Huldah Chamberlain Brown was accepted into membership by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Board of Management on June 6, 1900. Huldah Amanda Chamberlain, the daughter of Wright Chamberlain and his third wife, Mary Billings, was born on November 15, 1830. She was the twenty-third of Wright Chamberlain's twenty-six children. Hildah Chamberlain married Augustus P. Brown, born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on July 8, 1810. Augustus P. Brown was a schoolteacher in Pittston and later in Archbald, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. After Augustus retired from teaching school, he was elected Tax Collector. He served in that capacity until just a few years before his death. Augustus and Huldah had two children who survived to adulthood: Mary (born November 26, 1852), who married Stanley S. Hards; and Wright A. (born November 26, 1859), who married Anna Posey. Augustus P. Brown died at Olyphant, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, on August 19, 1882, of pulmonary disease. He is buried next to his wife in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Peckville.
Additional information on the life and the Revolutionary War service of Wright Chamberlain can be found in the biography of his sister, Harriett Chamberlain Avery, also a member of the NSDAR. Her biography is entitled The Wright-Chamberlain Genealogy: From Immigrant Ancestors to Present Generations by Eunice Miena Barber.
Huldah Chamberlain Brown died on Monday, December 31, 1917. Her obituary in the Scranton Times read as follows:
"Death yesterday claimed Mrs. Huldah A. Brown aged 87, the only real daughter of the American Revolution in the Scranton City Chapter of the DAR and said to be one of the only three living daughters in Pennsylvania. The end came at her home at 702 Main Street.
Mrs. Brown had been in excellent health up to last June, when she received injuries in a fall. She had been confined to her home more or less since that time and although the end was not entirely unexpected, her death caused keen regret throughout the community.
Mrs. Brown was born in Gibson, Susquehanna County, November 15, 1830, the daughter of Wright and Mary Chamberlain. Her father served through the entire Revolutionary War and Mrs. Brown frequently related the engagement in which he had participated. Mrs. Brown took an active part in the DAR circles frequently appearing in pageants, etc.
Surviving her is one son. W. A. Brown, one daughter Mrs. Stanley S. Hards of Dalton, one sister Mrs. Mary Clarke, aged 96 of Agenville, Virginia; also five grandchildren Mary, Irene, and Gud Brown of Peckville, Clara Brown and Mrs. A.D. Preston of Scranton.
The funeral will be held on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with services at the residence. Interment will be made in the Prospect Cemetery, Peckville."
The chapter dedicated a bronze 'Real Daughter' marker at Huldah Chamberlain Brown's gravesite on May 22, 1918. Opening remarks were made by Scranton City Chapter, NSDAR Regent, Mrs. F. H. Doane. The marker was unveiled by a grandson of Mrs. Brown. Remarks were presented by Miss Pickering, an early member of the chapter, and Mrs. A. D. Preston, a granddaughter of Mrs. Brown. The service concluded with a prayer by Chapter Chaplain, Mrs. E. P. Smith.
SOURCE: "Pennsylvania Real Daughter, Whose Revolutionary Fathers Heard the Patriotic Call" by Roberta Patton McMullen.
