Jean Nicolet Chapter, NSDAR

10/19/2026

Today, we recognize the 1833 birth of Annie Jordan Smith, the founding Vice Regent of our Jean Nicolet Chapter. At the chapter’s founding, Annie was the oldest charter member at age 73. Annie was the great granddaughter of three patriots of the American Revolution and their legacy of service to America continued with Annie’s daughters also joining DAR. Annie and her husband Benjamin Smith are buried in the De Pere-Greenwood Cemetery. America’s 250th birthday year is a great time to consider DAR membership. Learn more about membership at: https://www.dar.org/discover/become-member
Photo credit: Find a Grave Memorial # 84576556

10/14/2026

Moses Kilgore was among the earliest permanent settlers of Baileys Harbor. A prominent businessman, he was also a government official serving as U.S. postmaster, member and chairman of the county board, member of the Wisconsin Assembly and the State Legislature.
Among his many ventures was building the first permanent pier in Baileys Harbor as well as planning and securing state funding for Route 57 and County Road E in Door County.
Moses Kilgore is one of many descendants of American Revolutionary War patriots we are honoring during America 250 and who continued the legacy of service of their patriot ancestor. His grandfather, Private James Kilgore, served the cause from the colony of Massachusetts.
Moses Kilgore passed away in October 1890 and is buried in Saint Mary’s of the Lake Cemetery in Baileys Harbor.
Historic preservation is a core mission of DAR, and our members support this mission in myriad ways, including photographing and cleaning grave markers.
Learn more about the DAR missions at https://www.dar.org/

10/09/2026

Fifty years after the American Revolutionary War ended, Hoel Wright settled in the area that later bore his name. An 1833 settler, Hoel Wright was the grandson of Private Tracy Cleveland, a patriot who served from Connecticut.
One of many American Revolutionary War descendants who impacted the settlement and growth of Northeast Wisconsin he was a trader and government surveyor, and also started a ferry service across the Fox River. In 1843 he and his wife Orilla built a home that is now a museum and tour site, operated by the Wrightstown Historical Society.
Buried in Riverside Cemetery along with his parents, Mr. Wright died in October 1875.
During America 250, we remember descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. Might you be one? You can search for your patriot ancestor here: https://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search/?Tab_ID=1

09/30/2026

Check out this great article about our Women in the Arts awardee, Sandy Melroy:

The Jean Nicolet Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has announced that Sandy Melroy, a fabric artist of De Pere, Wisconsin, has been selected to receive the …

09/29/2026

In America’s 250th birthday year we remember the legacy of service descendants of patriots of the American Revolution like Increase Claflin Jr. Increase was the son of Sergeant Increase Claflin Sr. who was among the Minutemen responding to the Lexington alarm that started it all, and grandson of patriot Lieutenant Cornelius Claflin.
Increase Claflin, Jr. followed in his ancestors’ footsteps by enlisting to serve in the War of 1812 at the young age of 16.
In 1835 he built a home for his wife and six children in Little Sturgeon Bay.
Increase was born 231 years ago in September 1795. His final years were spent in Fish Creek, Wisconsin and it is there that he was buried in 1868.
Want to look for your patriot ancestors in our records? Check them out at https://www.dar.org/research/genealogy-resources
Photo credit: Jeff Boice, distant cousin of Increase Claflin, Jr

09/23/2026

Described as a woman of “sterling qualities of mind and heart”, Amanda Taylor Buckman was born 225 years ago this month. Mrs. Buckman was the daughter of American Revolutionary War patriot James Taylor who became a member of the Continental Army at age 15 and served four years.
In her obituary Mrs. Buckman was described as having “clearly defined convictions” and “a motherly concern for the well-being of all.” A faithful church goer, Mrs. Buckman bore six children, including two sets of twins, and after her husband’s passing managed the family farm and cleared it of all debt.
She is buried in North Pittsfield Cemetery.
Can you find your patriot of the American Revolution in our records? Try clicking on the Ancestor Search or Descendant Database at:
https://www.dar.org/research/genealogy-resources
Obituary quotes are from the “Green Bay Press-Gazette”, 25 Nov 1884. photo taken by chapter member.

07/29/2026

Honoring Revolutionary Patriot Samuel Rudder. He is the Patriot Ancestor of one of our newest chapter members. Do you have lineage to a Revolutionary Patriot? Search for your Patriot Ancestor in the DAR Genealogical Research System at https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/. Free access, no membership needed!

07/24/2026

Born July 24, 1881 in De Pere, Eliza Cary Gowey Soule was one of three family members who were charter members of the Jean Nicolet Chapter when it was founded in 1906. Eliza, her sister Ellen Gowey Beyer and her aunt Frances Lawton Dunham were all descendants of patriot William Lawton, a surgeon’s mate from Massachusetts.
17 descendants of Dr. Lawton have joined DAR over the years. This year, as we celebrate the 250th birthday of America, is a great year to consider membership. Learn more at https://www.dar.org/discover/become-member

07/16/2026

Huzzah! Three of our chapter members are mother, daughter and grandmother. They share lineage to Patriot John Hawley, who took the oath of Allegiance in 1778, in Maryland during the American Revolution. Do you have lineage to a Revolutionary War Patriot? Search for your Patriot Ancestor in the DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS) at: https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search/?Tab_ID=1

07/09/2026

In July 1837 Elizabeth Smith wed Morgan Lewis Martin in Green Bay. There they raised a family committed to serving their community. Daughter Sarah and granddaughter Helen joined Daughters of the American Revolution and daughter Deborah was a founding member of the Neville Museum in Green Bay.
Elizabeth and Morgan were both grandchildren of Captains who served in the American Revolution, Melancton Smith and Adam Martin respectively - among many patriots whose Northeast Wisconsin pioneer descendants we are honoring during America’s 250th birthday.
Can we help you find your patriot of the American Revolution? Drop us a line at [email protected]