Clubs-Henderson County Now

Rootseekers Hold ‘Bragging Rights’ Meeting

Press release

Rootseekers Genealogical Society members met at the Tri-County Library in Mabank recently for their yearly “Bragging Rights.” Bragging Rights is when some member has an ancestor they would like to brag about. A dollar will gain you two minutes to brag. Many members go over and have to pay more. Money goes to buy books for the genealogy room.

Carol Dwinnell led off with her husband’s family who joined the ” First Families of Oklahoma.” His ancestor was Martin Luther Gorman. She had two certificates that they accepted her information as proof that the Gormans were one of the first families in Oklahoma.

Grace Donovan came next with a photo album of tintypes. She had to repair some of the pages when she first received it because it was in such bad shape. Most she does not know who they are, just that they are family. Some are of the Ponder family. Continue reading “Rootseekers Hold ‘Bragging Rights’ Meeting”

Rainbow Girls Travel to Greenville

Pictured, from left, Tessa Farley (Grand Recorder), Kayla Rife, McKenna Sanders (Grand Rep. to Arkansas), Mrs. Donna Dean (Grand Deputy), Jessie Spradling (Worthy Advisor), Katie Schaefer, and Gabriela Geer.

Press release

The Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth Rainbow Girls traveled to Greenville to participate in a joint meeting with the Sunshine Rainbow Girls Assembly on Saturday, Oct. 25. The girls were excited that McKenna Sanders, Grand Representative to Arkansas and a member of the Elmwood Assembly in Dallas, was able to join them for this meeting. Mrs. Donna Dean, Grand Deputy, was also in attendance and brought greetings to the girls. At lunch, the Banquet Hall was decorated in fall colors and motifs. Continue reading “Rainbow Girls Travel to Greenville”

DAR Greets New Member

The Sarah Maples Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution are pleased to welcome new member Celia Smith into the fold. Celia is a 4th generation Texan. She and her husband James have a son and two grandchildren. They raised their family in Waco and remained there for 13 years. They then moved to her husband’s boyhood hometown where they restored a 100 year old house. In 1999 they decided to move to the Cedar Creek area. James sold his construction company in 2012 and they retired. Celia loves to cook and fish. Welcome Celia we hope you enjoy your membership in Sarah Maples.

Sarah Maples Chapter DAR Anniversary

Members of the Sarah Maples Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated the chapter’s 30th anniversary recently. Thirty years ago in October, a few ladies in the Mabank area decided it was time that we had a local chapter of the DAR. They choose the name Sarah Maples because she was a patriot by rendering aid to the Army of the American Revolution in North Carolina, by feeding the troops. Sarah Maples was born in Richmond County, Virginia in 1746, the daughter of Avery Dye, Jr. Sarah married Thomas Maples. She reared four children and has many descendants from coast to coast. She died in 1790. On October 9, 1984 the first officers of Sarah Maples were installed. Our 30th birthday cake is to honor Sarah Maples and all the 25 charter members who worked so hard to make Sarah Maples become a chapter. The membership has more than tripled since the beginning.

Carol Dwinnell and Suzanne Fife (pictured) received certificates for their 20 years of service to Sarah Maples. Regent Helen Preston received hers for 10 years of service. Susan Cothran received her certificate for 30 years of service, many others also received certificates but were not present.

DAR Members Hear About Group’s Beginnings

DAR press release

The Sarah Maples Chapter welcomed Jane Doclar as our speaker on Oct. 15, 2014. Jane spoke of the foundling members of DAR. In the 1790’s there existed a group that called themselves Sons of the Revolution. They allowed women to attend their meetings until they decide to go national then they excluded women (big mistake). Mary Smith Lockwood fired off an editorial in the local papers deploring what the Sons had done. She wrote, “Were there not mothers of the Revolution? Were there not wives of the Revolution?” From then on she was known as the Pen Mother and her National # 27 will never be given out to anyone else. Whenever a member is given a number it will always be their number. She created the guidelines for membership that we go by today.

William O. McDowell urged the women to organize their own organization. Their first meeting consisted of 18 women, including the original four who are known as our foundling mothers and they chose as their first leader Caroline Scott Harrison, who was the wife of President Benjamin Harrison. Her National # is 7. She was not able to attend a lot of the meetings because of her duties as First Lady of the United States. She was a gifted artist who painted on china. She painted a lot of orchids. Continue reading “DAR Members Hear About Group’s Beginnings”