Chapter History and William Whitley History

The William Whitley Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized at a luncheon meeting at the Richardson House, Williamsburg, Kentucky, on January 30, 1965.

Mrs. Homer B. (Nell E.) Davis, who previously had been appointed Organizing Regent by the National Society DAR in Washington, presided. Mrs. Davis had been asked to organize the chapter by Mrs. Robert C. Hume, the Kentucky State Regent.

The organizing members of the chapter who previously had qualified by becoming members-at-large of the Kentucky Society were Mrs. H. B. Davis; Mrs. Harold A. Browning; Mrs. C. Davidson of Pleasant View; Mrs. C. B. Greene; Mrs. J. W. Wood; Mrs. J. M. Boswell; Mrs. Thomas Cole Phelps of  Birmingham, Alabama; the former Miss Bernice Bird Browning of Williamsburg; Mrs. Delvord M. Eddy, Jr. of Lexington; the former Miss Sue Davis of Williamsburg and Miss Gertrude Lester, a DAR member for more than 50 years in Havana, Cuba. Mrs. Marshall Hershman, Washington, D.C., represented the National Society DAR.

Our chapter, along with the Captain Charles Gatliff Chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, also located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, conceived, and was instrumental in, erecting and dedicating two memorials to veterans in Williamsburg: a plaque for Soldiers of the American Revolution, who were residents of Whitley County, and the Veterans Memorial, a monument on the Whitley County Court House Square, honoring veterans of all wars who were residents of Whitley County.

The chapter supports various DAR scholarships, military veterans, and actively participates in the DAR Good Citizens Program by presenting annually an award to two local high school seniors. The DAR Good Citizens Program is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship: dependability, leadership, service, and patriotism. The chapter annually presents junior ROTC medals to outstanding high school seniors in each of three local high schools, and a senior ROTC Medal to an outstanding senior at Cumberland College. Excellence in American History medals are presented each year to a graduating senior in each of two local high schools, and an American History Essay contest is sponsored for fifth grade students in Williamsburg City School, with a medal presented to the winner.

The chapter actively supports DAR Schools, especially the Hindman (Kentucky) Settlement School and participates in the Kentucky Cameo Society, KSDAR, which is for mother and daughter DAR members. The chapter also often has joint meetings with the Captain Charles Gatliff Chapter of the NSSAR. (back to the top)

William Whitley History

William Whitley, for whom the William Whitley DAR Chapter was named and from whom Williamsburg, Kentucky, and its county, Whitley County, Kentucky, received their names, was one of the most distinguished of the early pioneers. His adventurous exploits have shed a coloring of romance over the early history of Kentucky. He was born August 4, 1749, in what was then Augusta County, Virginia, where he grew to manhood tilling the soil. In 1775, he married Esther Fullen.

Hearing a fine report of Kentucky, he made his way to Kentucky and settled in Lincoln County, where he later built the first brick house in the state. It is located between Stanford and Crab Orchard and is now a State Historic Site open to the public.

For approximately twenty years after he came to Kentucky, he was engaged in warfare with the Indians. In 1813, in his 65th year, he volunteered with the Kentucky Militia under Governor Shelby and fell in the decisive and victorious Battle of the Thames.

The William Whitley House State Historic Site is located about 10 miles south of Stanford, off US 150. Exit I-75 at US 150 or take US 27 south from Lexington to US 150 east. For more information, please call (606) 355-2881 or visit the William Whitley House State Historic Site. (back to the top)