Representative women of New England/Daughters of the Revolution, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION, COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.—This patriotic society was organized in Boston on February 26, 1894, its certificate of operation being granted February 28, 1894.
Its objects are to keep alive among its members and their descendants, and throughout the community, the patriotic spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence; to collect and secure for preservation the manuscript rolls, records, and other documents relating to the war of the American Revolution, and provide a place for their preservation and a fund for their purchase; to en- courage historical research in relation to such Revolution and to publish its results; to promote and assist in the proper celebration of prominent events relating to or connected with the war of the Revolution; to promote social intercourse and the feeling of fellowship among its members, and "to provide a home for and furnish assistance to such as may be impoverished, when it is in its power to do so."
Any woman shall be eligible to membership in the Daughters of the Revolution who is above the age of eighteen years, of good character, and a lineal descendant of an ancestor who (1) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, a member of the Continental Congress, or a member of the Congress, Legislature, or General Court of any of the colonies or Scates; or (2) rendered civil, military, or naval service under the authority of any of the thirteen colonies or of the Continental Congress; or (3) by service rendered during the war of the Revolution became liable to the penalty of treason against the government of Great Britain; provided that such ancestor always remained loyal to American independence.
The initiation fee is two dollars, yearly dues three dollars. Fifty dollars paid at one time constitutes life membership.
March 17 is the day appointed for the annual election of officers. The first State regent was Mrs. Sara White Lee; treasurer, Mrs. Kate H. W. Wead; secretary, Mrs. Susan L. Stedman. The present board, elected March 17, 1904, is: State regent, Mrs. Adeline F. Fitz; vice-regent, Mrs. Maria W. Daniels; recording secretary, Mrs. W. Anna Heckman; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Mary E. Nichols; treasurer, Mrs. Eleanor B. Wheeler; registrar, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Holbrook; librarian, Mrs. Mabel E. Priest; historian, Mrs. Alice M. Granger. During each year regular and special meetings of the society are held and pilgrimages are made to historic places. Thirty-one branches, known as chapters in Massachusetts, join in the work of the State Society and also carry on special work in their several localities, marking graves of Revolutionary soldiers, and giving to schools the best books on the" Revolutionary period and pictures of important events and persons connected with the early history of the republic.
Eight students have been assisted by payment of admission fees to Hampton University, four scholarships have been given to Berea College, and two Boston boys have been supported at the George Junior Republic. Pictures and busts have been given to Paul Revere School. The work for the Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association and Cuban educational fund is particularly worthy of mention. Through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Alexander M. Ferris, of Newton, with the assistance of the State regent and chapters, Massachusetts sent a large contribution for the monument at Valley Forge, which was dedicated in October, 1901, by the General Society, Daughters of the Revolution. The General Society has its headquarters at 156 Fifth Avenue, New York City; the State Society, at the Colonial Building, Boylston Street, Boston.
The special work of the society during the past year, undertaken at the suggestion of Mrs. Adeline F. Fitz, then vice-regent, was the raising of funds for a memorial tablet to be placed in the Boston Public Library. The plan was successfully carried out, and on May 3, 1904, while the General Society, by invitation of the State Society, was holding its annual meeting in Boston, a bronze tablet, the work of the artist, C. W. Harley, placed in the music room of the library, was unveiled in the presence of an appreciative audience. The tablet bears this inscription:—
The Daughters of the Revolution, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in grateful recognition of patriotic verse and song, commemorate these names: —
William Billings, father of American psalmody.
Oliver Holden, author of "Coronation."
John Howard Payne, who wrote "Home, Sweet Home."
Samuel F. Smith, who wrote "America."
Francis S. Key, author of "The Star-spangled Banner."
George F. Root, who wrote "The Battle Cry of Freedom."
Julia Ward Howe, author of the "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Mrs. Howe is the only living member of the group. There is a rule forbidding the use of the name of a living person on any memorial erected in the library. But the circumstances were deemed such as to warrant the breaking of the rule once.
The presentation speech was a neat address delivered by Mrs. Adeline F. Fitz, and the gift was accepted by the Rev. Dr. James De Normandie on behalf of the library trustees. The veil was removed by Miss Minnie Scott, great-grand-daughter of William Billings, author of the "Colonists' Rallying Song."
The audience arose en masse and applauded when Mrs. Howe was presented and recited her "Battle Hymn of the Republic."