Washington Old Hall Chapter, NSDAR

Chapter History

For years, The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recognized the need to create a third chapter in England, one which would accommodate members in Northern England and Scotland.  The feasibility began to take shape during the autumn of 2002 when NSDAR President General Mrs. Linda Tinker Watkins and her entourage visited Scotland.  Prospective Northern England members Patricia Everts, Marie Fletcher, and Martha Bodner attended a planning meeting with advisors from national and a plan was devised to organize a new chapter.  The challenge was to locate and recruit DAR members in the region, process applications, finalize organization paperwork, and choose a name for the new chapter.

 

Through energetic and enthusiastic planning by these three ladies and guidance and assistance from the two existing English chapters, St. James Chapter and Walter Hines Page Chapter, as well as NSDAR, the Units Overseas Committee, and DAR sisters worldwide, success was within our grasp.

 

To a flurry of excitement, Washington Old Hall Chapter, NSDAR, United Kingdom, was organized on October 3, 2003 with nine members coming together to share patriotic interests and to promote DAR within England. The nine organizing members, and the jewels of the chapter were Mrs. Penny Dover, Ms. Patricia Everts, Mrs. Marie Fletcher, Mrs. Jeanie Gonering, *Mrs. LaDonna Mayville, *Miss Mary Owens, *Miss Rachael Robinson, *Miss Sarah Robinson and Mrs. Martha Bodner.  The chapter became the third United Kingdom Chapter, and the twentieth Units Overseas chapter.    *Organizing Junior Members.

 

Original Chapter Officers:

Regent - Ms. Patricia O'Brien Everts                                                             

Vice Regent -Mrs. Penelope Woodings Dover

Chaplain/ Historian - Mrs. LaDonna Nelson Mayville                                                             

Secretary - Mrs. Marie NeSmith Fletcher                                                             

Treasurer - Mrs. Martha Vick Bodner                                                              

                                                            

 

Chapter Charter Members:

Before the chapter's first anniversary, four more ladies and further jewels of our chapter were welcomed to chapter membership. 

Mrs. Genevieve Chenette of Manassas, Virginia, a new applicant member and mother of Chapter Registrar Jeanie Gonering. 

Miss Peggy DuCharme of Glasgow, Scotland, a transfer member from Alafia Chapter, Florida.

Miss Elizabeth Vary of Harrogate, England, a new applicant Junior Member and military active duty United States Naval officer. 

Mrs. Kelly Whittaker of County Durham, England, a transfer member from Smoky Hill Chapter, Kansas.