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About the Daniel Chapman Chapter

In August of 1909, five ladies met at the home of Mrs. P. T. Chapman in Vienna, Johnson County, Illinois, to form a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The chapter was organized on November 3, 1909 with twelve charter members.   Mrs. P. T. Chapman served as regent of the chapter from 1909 to 1948.

Daniel Chapman, for whom the chapter was named, was an ancestor of Mrs. Chapman's husband, and believed (in 1909) to be the only Revolutionary veteran buried in Johnson County, Illinois. Mr. Chapman had volunteered for service from his home in Westchester County, New York. Mr. Chapman, with his family including at least eleven children, arrived in Southern Illinois around 1817 and remained until his death on February 8, 1841.  

From the beginning, our chapter advocated patriotism, sponsored local essay contests on patriotic topics, and distributed flags and flag leaflets to schools and other public places.

Below are a few of the Daniel Chapman Chapter's activities and accomplishments:

DOCUMENTS AND ARTIFACTS PRESERVATION:  
    These may be viewed at Carnegie Public Library in Vienna, Illinois:
  • a cane once belonging to Revolutionary War soldier Hezekiah West
  • a brick from Belvoir Manor erected in 1741 on the Potomac River next to Mount Vernon
  • a cannonball from "surrender field" near Yorktown
  • a brick from the Abingdon Mansion of Eleanor "Nelly" Parke Custis
  • a mallet made from a tree that once stood near the church at Jamestown
  • a larger mallet from a tree that stood on "Wakefield," the birthplace of George Washington
    These may be viewed at Morris Library, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois:
  • words of a sermon preached on the eve of the Battle of Brandywine by Rev. Joab Trout (1777)
  • an original copy of the American's Creed on sheepskin, signed by the author, William Tyler Page
  • a letter written by Francis Scott Key
HISTORICAL MARKERS

    Our chapter marked these historical sites:
  • the George Rogers Clark Trail through Johnson County (1913)
  • a courthouse lawn marker, bearing the names of five Revolutionary War soldiers who were buried in 1919 at Elvira, Johnson County, IL  (1925)
  • placed marker at the site of the original Johnson County seat (1931)
  • placed two millstones, marked "1774" in the county courtyard (1933)
  • placed markers at the graves of two Revolutionary War soldiers buried in nearby Pope County (1977-78).
COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT        
  • donated funds to improve roads in Southern Illinois (1913)
  • donated time, items, and monies to improve the Johnson County Courthouse grounds
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS:
  • sent clothing and other items to hospitals, schools, and the Red Cross
  • purchased war bonds during World War II
  • made donations to the new DAR Continental Hall
CONSERVATION
  • planted trees and other plants
  • received the State Conservation Award two consecutive years (early 1990's)
SERVICE TO VETERANS
  • received various commendations for work with veterans
  • an eighty-five year old chapter member won an award as "Outstanding Veterans Volunteer in Extended Areas" and received a DAR Service to Veterans medal
EDUCATION
  • made loans to students and presented scholarships to students
  • present ROTC award at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (since 1981)
AMERICAN HERITAGE
  • published a booklet, Days Long to Remember, in conjunction with the nation's Bicentennial (1976)
  • currently compiling a book, Celebrating a Century of Service - Daniel Chapman Chapter; NSDAR 1909-2009, commemorating our chapter's first 100 years 
  • Chapter member Marie Samuel earned second place in American Heritage competition at National (2006)
  • won several awards in The American Heritage Contest, sponsored by DAR each year
LEADERSHIP
  • several of our members have held leadership roles at the state level 
  • we are honored to have Rose Mary Orr, Honorary State Regent, as a chapter member

Daniel Chapman House

(Daniel Chapman home at left)