In February 1898, Mrs. Hattie Nisbet Latta of Charlotte was appointed third State Regent for North Carolina. Under her inspirational guidance, the first five chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) in North Carolina were organized.
It was fitting that the first North Carolina Society, Daughters of the American Revolution (NCSDAR) chapter was formed in the grand old County of Mecklenburg — with its important historical record — and that it was named Mecklenburg. This chapter is now known as The Mother Chapter in North Carolina. Their organization date was September 27, 1898.
Rowan County, famed for its own Rowan Resolves of May 1775, was quick to emulate Mecklenburg’s example. The second chapter, Elizabeth Maxwell Steel Chapter was organized on August 28, 1898 (officially on November 22, 1898), by State Regent Mrs. Hattie Latta. The chapter was named for Elizabeth Steele who presented General Greene with two bags of gold in 1781 as he passed through Salisbury. This boosted the morale of his discouraged and almost famished troops prior to the Battle of Guilford Court House.
Waynesville was the home of the third chapter to catch the inspiration of Mrs. Latta. The Dorcas Bell Love Chapter was organized on January 25, 1899.
Arden County Chapter was the fourth chapter organized in North Carolina. Named for the city of Arden where it was founded, a garden spot in the Land of the Sky. This chapter later merged into the Edward Buncombe Chapter.
The fifth chapter was the Whitmel Blount Chapter in Henderson County. It was chartered on February 8, 1900. The chapter was named in honor of Lieutenant Whitmel Blount, a young officer of the Revolutionary War whose life was offered for American independence.
North Carolina currently has 106 chapters and the NCSDAR is continuing to grow! If you wish to join a chapter, let us know. If there are no chapters near you and you are interested in starting a chapter, we would love to hear from you. DAR is a vibrant, thriving organization and we welcome your participation!
Past National Officers from North Carolina
The President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is the highest and most honored office in the DAR. North Carolina is proud to have had a Daughter hold this office.
Miss Gertrude Sprague Carraway, a native of New Bern, was the North Carolina State Regent from 1946 to 1949, and then held the office of President General from 1953 to 1956. As DAR President General, Miss Carraway lived in Washington, DC, where she became friends with Mamie Eisenhower. During her term, she convinced President Dwight D. Eisenhower that the U.S. should observe one week a year as National Constitution Week. The DAR petitioned Congress to set aside September 17-23 annually to be dedicated for the observance of Constitution Week. The resolution was later adopted by the U.S. Congress and signed into Public Law #915 on August 2, 1956, by President Eisenhower.
Gertrude Sprague Carraway
DAR President General
1953-1956
Mary Irwin Belk
DAR Chaplain General
1941-1944
Hiawatha Fenton Neal Cagle
DAR Librarian General
1962-1965
S. Rolfe Towle Teague
DAR Curator General
2001-2004
