~Our History ~

Our chapter was named for Captain William Bethell, Sr., (1744-1804), who served as Captain of the North Carolina militia and fought in the battle of Guilford Court House.  After the Revolutionary War, Captain Bethell represented Rockingham County in the North Carolina House and Senate for a number of years.  Upon his return to Rockingham County in 1792 Bethell served as Clerk of Court until his death.  He was married to Nancy Stewart Stubblefield with whom he had eight children.

Our organizing regent was Mrs. Morrison Bethea, wife of the Rev. Morrison Bethea, rector of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Reidsville.  Prior to moving to our area, Mrs. Bethea had been very involved in the DAR. Both the rector and Mrs. Bethea were active in researching genealogical lines of charter members and helping to establish the Reidsville Chapter.  At the organizational meeting in January 28, 1931, there were fourteen charter members, three of which were descendants of William Bethell, Sr., for whom the chapter’s name was chosen. Four later members were also descendants of Captain Bethell.  Currently there is one member who is a descendant of Captain Bethell.  

            Mrs. Bethea continued as regent until her death November 28, 1942, when Mrs. C. A. Penn was elected to the regency.  She remained regent until the chapter became inactive during the stresses of the war years.   The members voted to hold only enough meetings in the Red Cross workrooms to keep the organization functioning but soon the chapter became inactive.  

   In June of 1947,  State Regent Miss Gertrude Carraway came to Reidsville. Miss Carraway had taught in Reidsville earlier and came with the expressed purpose of reorganizing the chapter.  She contacted former members and interviewed new prospects.  Only three names remained on the chapter roll in Washington.

             In September 1947 a re-organizational meeting was held with the State Regent presiding.  The women present were made to feel that it was of vital interest to Miss Carraway that the chapter began functioning again.  The reinstated chapter began again with eleven members.