NSDAR Susannah Smith Elliott Chapter

01/18/2026

We were very fortunate to have "Susannah Smith Elliott" visit us today and talk about her life in South Carolina during the colonial period. If you were not able to make the meeting, please enjoy these two videos. Susannah had A LOT to say about her time during the American Revolution.

01/18/2026

Congratulations to our six new members sworn in today. 🥳 We're happy to have you in the SSE chapter. 🫶

We currently have about 30 prospective members. We hope to see our chapter grow even more! 🌱

01/18/2026

Wow! What a way for our SSE chapter to kick off 2026.🥳🙌

We were thrilled to start our first meeting of the year with more than 50 guests, members and prospective members in attendance.

Peggy Pickett, a well known SC author who has written books on Eliza Lucas Pinckney and Rebecca Motte, and who is presently writing one on SSE, served as our special guest speaker. She has re-enacted ELP and Rebecca Motte in previous presentations to groups, but today was the very FIRST TIME she re-enacted Susannah Smith Elliott to a group!

At our meeting, we also welcomed 6 new members to our chapter.

Thanks to all those who attended today. If you missed this meeting, join us Saturday, Feb. 21 for our next chapter gathering in Summerville.

10/06/2025

Thank you Charleston Daily for your recent news coverage of Francis Marion Day!

10/05/2025

Thank you so much to Holy City Sinner for your recent coverage of our big event, Francis Marion Day, at the Dorchester County Library in Summerville. We appreciate you.

On Friday, Oct. 3, the Susannah Smith Elliott Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted an America 250! celebration at the Ashley River branch of the Dorchester County Library on Bacon’s Bridge Road.

10/05/2025

📣A huge THANK YOU to Live 5 News for your coverage of South Carolina's most famous war hero, Gen. Francis Marion. We are grateful for your efforts covering community news - especially when it involves the Lowcountry's rich Revolutionary War history. You guys rock, and we appreciate you. 🫶🙌

10/03/2025

SSE recently donated over 40 Revolutionary War books to the children's section of the Dorchester County Library (Bacons Bridge Road location). The books are located near the back of the library on the right-hand side. Go check 'em out! 📚📖📕

10/03/2025

Children who attended Francis Marion Day on Oct. 3, 2025 at the Dorchester County Library on Bacons Bridge Road honored the Swamp Fox by placing a spoonful of soil from Marion’s home and burial site around the young Oak tree planted in his honor.

10/03/2025

L to R: Beth Pantone (SSE Regent), Alice Caskey (SCDAR State Regent), Judy Burn (SSE) and Robert Antill (Dorchester County Library Executive Director) stand in front of the young Oak tree recently planted in honor of Gen. Francis Marion.

10/03/2025

Not only did we have a lot of fun outside for Francis Marion Day, but inside the Dorchester County Library, kids enjoyed learning about the history of South Carolina's Liberty Tree as well Gen. Francis Marion. They also enjoyed such activities as quill writing, coloring patriotic images and making tricorn hats. Thank you to all of our young participants! We hope you had fun!

10/03/2025

On Friday, October 3, the Susannah Smith Elliott (SSE) Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) hosted a vibrant America 250! celebration at the Ashley River branch of the Dorchester County Library, located on Bacon’s Bridge Road in Summerville. Sixty local children attended the event, which highlighted the Revolutionary War history of the Bacon’s Bridge area and honored the legacy of General Francis Marion.

The event centered around the dedication of a new Liberty Tree—a young Oak planted in tribute to the legendary “Marion’s Oak,” where Marion and his troops once camped while guarding the bridge. Children in attendance honored the Swamp Fox by placing a spoonful of soil from Marion’s home and burial site around the tree. The Fort Dorchester Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) served as Color Guard, and the ceremony concluded with three musket shots fired by SAR member Ted Walker.

“This event is about helping children connect with the land and the legacy of those who fought for our freedom,” said Beth Pantone, Regent of the SSE Chapter. “We want them to understand that history isn’t just in textbooks—it’s right here under their feet.”

Inside the library, children enjoyed presentations by Carolyn Nations, SCDAR America 250! State Chair, who spoke on the legacy of Liberty Trees, and Michael Glazier, a Francis Marion portrayer from Georgetown, SC, who brought the Swamp Fox’s story to life. Participants signed an oath of allegiance with quills, donned tricorn hats, and viewed Revolutionary War artifacts.

“Liberty Trees were powerful symbols of resistance and unity during the Revolution,” said Nations. “By planting one today, we’re passing that spirit on to a new generation.”

Outside, the adjacent field transformed into a hands-on history hub. Children rotated through interactive stations including colonial games, SAR and CAR (Children of the American Revolution) displays, and a storytelling table hosted by Cynthia Putman, portraying Susannah Smith Elliott. Cathy Akers introduced the Oakbrook America 250! Trail brochure, highlighting eight local Revolutionary War sites for families to explore.

The SSE Chapter also launched two new projects at the event: a donation of over 40 Revolutionary War books to the library’s children’s section, and the unveiling of the Oakbrook America 250! Trail brochure. The event concluded with a cannon blast at 2:20 p.m., marking a memorable end to a day steeped in patriotism, education, and community spirit.

10/03/2025

We just want to give a HUGE thank you to the many volunteers who helped make Francis Marion Day possible at the Dorchester County Library on Bacons Bridge today. The event was a huge success - and it's all because of YOU. ❤️