The Chapter was named for a heroine of the American Revolution, Mary Hooks Slocumb, who married Ezekiel Slocumb, when both were 18 in 1775.   Ezekiel left Mary to manage their farm and small child when he joined a light brigade to fight for freedom.  On the night of February 26, 1776 Mary dreamed that she saw a body wrapped in her husband’s guard cloak.  She immediately dressed, saddled her horse and rode in the direction she knew that the men had gone.  By daybreak she’d traveled 30 miles and as she joined the Wilmington Road she heard the cannons thundering and she hurried to the battle scene. She quickly found her husband’s cloak wrapped around a soldier who was a stranger lying wounded with other fallen men nearby.  She remained to nurse and care for them.  Not finding Ezekiel she asked where he was.  The reply was, “Where he ought to be, Madam, in pursuit of the enemy.”  Ezekiel returned that day, bloodied and muddy but not seriously injured, and was surprised and proud to find his wife nursing those who had fallen.  She left that evening, riding once again through the night back home to their farm. Mary and Ezekiel both survived the Revolution and lived to see the establishment of our new nation.

The Mary Slocumb Chapter members have been active in upholding the ideals and participating in the work of the NSDAR.  Through the years graves have been marked and historical markers for Torrence’s Tavern and Crowfield Academy have been placed.  A large plaque was placed in the vestibule of Centre Presbyterian Church in the Mount Mourne area of Mooresville, listing the names of the church members who were active participants in the Revolution.  The Chapter has been instrumental in the 2006 organization of the Torrence Tavern Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) Society, with many grandchildren of current members participating.