Founded in 1913, Crossnore School is a private, non-profit children’s home and school in the mountains of western North Carolina. It is a DAR Approved School, and members contribute support.
Chapter History
The Colonel Thomas Robeson Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized in Lumberton, North Carolina, on February 26, 1936. State Regent Mrs. William Henry Belk installed the following officers:
One-room schoolhouse sponsored
by the Colonel Thomas Robeson
Chapter. It is located next to the
Robeson County Board of Education
on Hwy 72, in Lumberton, NC.
Photo from chapter archives.
- Regent — Mrs. R. L. Alexander
- Vice Regent — Mrs. Hugh M. McAllister
- Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. O.L. Henry
- Treasurer — Mrs. Joe P. Moore
- Historian — Mrs. L. R. Varser
- Librarian — Mrs. M. F. Cobb
Other charter members were:
- Mrs. J. D. Proctor
- Mrs. H. A. Collins
- Mrs. E. A. Allen
- Miss Janie Kay Wishart
- Miss Sue Blount Shaw
The chapter took its name from the man for whom Robeson County was named. Thomas Robeson received the rank of Colonel because of his outstanding service during the Revolutionary War.
In November of 1951, the chapter honored Colonel Thomas Robeson, as well as General John Willis, the founder of Lumberton, by placing and unveiling historical markers in their honor in Lumberton. Twenty years later, in October of 1971, dedication services were held, also in Lumberton, at an open-house reception for a one-room schoolhouse sponsored by the chapter and restored with authentic furnishings. Chapter members supported the North Carolina Cancer Institute in Lumberton.
One Colonel Thomas Robeson Chapter member, Frances Dietzel, served as state regent from 1988 to 1991. Mrs. Dietzel subsequently served as Vice President General. Several members have held state chairmanships and District VII offices.
Miss Ruth C. Saunders received the honor of North Carolina American History Teacher of the Year in 1987.
The Colonel Thomas Robeson Chapter proudly reached its 75th anniversary on February 26, 2011 — with sixty-seven members in good standing.
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