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History
of the Holland Patent DAR
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The National
Society, Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in
Washington, D.C. on October 11, 1890. Today, the non-profit, non-political
Society has more than 165,000 members and some 3,000 chapters across the
United States and around the world, dedicated to pursuing our three
objectives of Historic Preservation, Promotion of Education, and Patriotic
Endeavor.
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Inspired with the desire to perpetuate the memory of
their Revolutionary War ancestors, and by the example of relatives and
friends who belonged to Oriskany Chapter DAR, a group of ladies met at the
home of Miss Sara Thomson on March 5, 1913, to discuss the possibility of
forming a chapter. Oriskany Chapter agreed to sponsor the new
chapter, and five of their members transferred to make the required number
for official organization. Since the majority of the Charter Members
were residents of the village of Holland Patent, the village name was
chosen for the newly formed chapter.
One of the first projects of the newly formed
chapter was locating and marking the graves of Revolutionary War Soldiers
in the local area. By 1978, forty-one graves had been located and
marked. The graves of deceased members were also marked, beginning
after World War I, until all were marked, and now in lieu of flowers at
the time of death. By the year 2002, forty-seven graves have been marked.
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In the interest of
education, the Holland Patent Chapter assumed the task of establishing a
library in 1915. The village provided space for the project and
books donated by members and friends were carried in bushel baskets to the
village hall for circulation. The chapter slogan became
"Library in 1925." However, the intensive efforts of the
Daughters and the whole community caused the Holland Patent Library
Association to be formed in 1916, and a charter was received from the State
of New York the same year. The current building was dedicated in
1968. The Chapter continues to support the library in various
ways. The Chapter Regent's Project during 1995-1998 was "Books
for the Library", which raised a total of $475 for the purchase of
American History, general reference and government/civics books for the
library. This administration continues with the "Books for the
Library" project.
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Patriotism was much in evidence during World War
I. War Bonds were purchased by the chapter and members
over-subscribed their quota for a total of over $13,000. Volunteer
work consisted of 598 hours in Civil Defense, and 663 hours work of the Red
Cross by knitting socks, sweaters, caps, scarves, and wristlets. A
French orphan was adopted for two years.
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Over the years, the chapter has provided assistance
to the Veterans Mountain Camp at Tupper Lake, helped with work at Ellis
Island for the comfort and education of immigrants while they were
detained there, provided aid for Belgian relief, supported the restoration
of various historical landmarks, donated goods to the DAR schools, and
provided various support to the Veterans Home in Oxford, New York, and the
Syracuse Veterans Administration, including Christmas favors and cookies, and a subscription to the large
print Reader's Digest. |
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The DAR Good Citizen
program has been promoted by the Chapter since that committee was established
in 1934. Two of the first girls selected were daughters of chapter
members and are now themselves members. When the rules for
eligibility changed, the first boy selected caused the chapter to receive
national recognition. Soon after he graduated from high
school, he asked the chapter if a wallet card was available for the DAR
Good Citizen, as proof of good character. This suggestion was
forwarded to the state and national committee chairmen. As a result,
the DAR Good Citizen Wallet Card, designed by a Holland Patent Daughter
and is now presented to all candidates for this recognition.
Several Holland Patent Good Citizens have gone on to place first in
District V, New York State, and in the National Northeastern Division. |
Another
outstanding and noteworthy chapter activity occurred in 1984, when the
National Americanism Medal of Honor and Certificate were presented by the Regent
to a Rome, New York native Marine Lance Corporal, the
"Semper Fi" survivor of the Beirut, Lebanon bombing.
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During
the Kemper Administration 1995-1998, a Holland Patent Daughter, was honored
to receive the prestigious Gold Key Award from President General Kemper
for her work in getting the DAR web page up and running. She was the
only New York daughter to receive this distinction that year. During
the Kemper Administration 1995-1998, a Holland Patent Daughter, also served on the NYS Board as State Organizing
Secretary during this time. |
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Holland
Patent Chapter was honored during the Love Administration (1998-2001) to
have a Daughter member serve as National Chairman of the Flag of the
United States of American Committee. In this capacity, she encouraged chapters across the nation to raise funds for the Star Spangled
banner Project. A total of $40,000 was raised by this committee thanks to our
Daughter. We are the lucky ones for having her in our midst.
She also serves on the Watkins Administration as the National Vice Chairman
Northeast Division Constitution Week and Commemorative Events
Committee. We are fortunate that a NYS Regent, has
asked four Holland Patent Daughters to serve during her administration.
One Daughter is the State Chairman of the DAR Correspondent Docents and
remains on the Speakers staff and a Correspondent Docent for District V.
Another Daughter is honored to be a Personal Page to the State Regent as well
as Vice Chairman for District V Genealogical Records Committee. A Daughter
is the NYS Vice Chairman for Junior Membership and another Daughter is the
State Chairman of Conservation. |
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Holland
Patent Chapter is aggressive and enthusiastic about promoting the ideals
and objectives of the National Society Daughters of the American
Revolution. This is most evident in recent years in the numerous
awards at the state and national levels, particularly for Public Relations,
and Constitution Week. |
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