04/02/2025
Members Learn about Founding Members
Peter Early Chapter, NSDAR met on Thursday, March 13 at the Houston Pond House. Members learned about the creation of their local organization thanks to extensive research done by Regent Kim Houston Orrick.
On April 8, 1912, fifteen women met at the home of Emma Screws Thomas (Mrs. Walter Thomas). Mrs. Thomas had been appointed Organizing Regent on 3 Jan 1912 by Mrs. John M Graham, Georgia State Regent. The chapter was accepted by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC on 15 Jun 1912. The following members constituted the first chapter officers and charter members: Emma Screws Thomas (Mrs. Walter), Organizing Regent; Caroline Blackshear Grist Shaw (Mrs. Emmett Roswell), Vice Regent; Frances Calhoun Standifer Jones (Mrs. Thomas Franklin), Registrar; Ethel Jones, Treasurer; Eleanor Spier Kelly (Mrs. Samuel Edgar), Recording Secretary; Dorothea “Dolly” Orr Nixon Bostwick (Mrs. William Elijah), Corresponding Secretary; Lillian Orr Nixon Rambo (Mrs. Drury DeGraffenried); Regina Rambo Murph (Mrs. Burke Baldwin); Olivia Orr Rambo; Florence Rambo Hathaway (Mrs. William Berrien, Jr); Lucile Orr Harrison Beggs (Mrs. Elmore Dixie); Regina E. Rambo Benson (Mrs. Warren Edgar); Emma Elizabeth Jones Beard (Mrs. Wade Willis); Josephine Jones; and Eva Morton Martin (Mrs. Joseph Elwood, Jr.).
These women proved their lineage to American Revolutionary patriots William Scott (GA), John Bryan (NC), Matthew Drake (NC), James Orr (NC), Allen Jeffery (SC), John Nixon (SC), Moses Parker (SC), William Wilkins (SC), John Arrington (VA), William A Halbart (VA), John Julian (VA) and Captain John Morton (VA).
Mrs. Thomas was born in Wetumpka, Alabama, on 12 Aug 1868. Emma Thomas was quite an educated and active young woman for her time. She was a chorus girl in Atlanta during the summer of 1894 and a journalist for her father’s newspaper in Montgomery. She wrote under the name of Frances Dore. She died 9 Dec 1929 and is buried in Saint Margaret Cemetery in Montgomery, Alabama.
Some of the founding members have names that resonate in our community today. Vice Regent, Caroline Blackshear Grist Shaw is the great aunt of current Chaplain Charlotte Moore.
There were several mother/daughter, sister, and cousin members that joined together. Frances Calhoun Standifer Jones was the mother of Ethel Jones. Sisters, Dolly Bostick and Lillian Rambo were the daughters of Calvin Wynn and Mary Elizabeth Orr Nixon. Lillian’s three daughters were charter members also (Regina Murph, Olivia Rambo, and Florence Hathaway) as well as her niece, Lucile Beggs. Regina Benson, Emma Beard and Josephine Jones were first cousins.
This informative program was preceded by the welcome by Regent Orrick; pledge to the American flag lead by Vice Regent Diana Collins; America’s Creed lead by India Thompson; pledge to the Georgia flag lead by Guyla White, and the ritual completed by Chaplain Charlotte Moore, Regent Orrick and members. Chaplain Moore delivered the devotional by reading from a book entitled “If Jesus Came to My House” 🏡
Lynn Gibson gave the National Defense Report about Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the only woman to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor, the highest military award 🎖️presented for bravery in combat. Dr. Walker was the first female surgeon employee by the US Army and was captured by Confederates during the Civil War when she crossed the lines to attend wounded soldiers. For several months, she was held as a prisoner until she was exchanged for a Confederate surgeon prisoner.
Secretary Charlotte Atkins read our minutes. Regent Orrick reported that she would be attending the Georgia State Conference in Augusta from March 20-23. Our local essay winner from Early County Elementary School, fifth grader Amelia Atteberry, will be receiving her state award at this conference. 🥇
This March meeting was hosted by CJ Wells and Diana Collins with a St. Patrick’s Day theme. 🍀 🌈 🍀
The next meeting for the Peter Early Chapter will be April 10 at the home of Guyla White with Bill Cleveland giving a program on his honeybees. 🐝
