Organized January 18, 1908 ~ Chartered March 14, 1908
Pictured above is the newly restored historical marker of our chapter namesake, Samuel Bacot.
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), founded in 1890 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history, and securing America's future through better education for children. Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence.
On January 18, 1908, a meeting was held at the Gregg residence on South Coit Street, Florence, South Carolina, and the Samuel Bacot Chapter NSDAR was organized with the following as charter members: Eliza Helen Bacot, Mary Hart Bacot, Elizabeth Ashby Brunson, Maria Bacot Brunson, Martha McBee Brunson, Susannah Woods Brunson, Catherine Smith Gregg, Annie Brunson Hepburn, Lalla Hepburn, Hannah Waring Malloy, Alma Chase McNeill, and Marie Bacot Brunson Willcox. Martha Brunson was elected regent. Most of these twelve members were direct lineal descendants of Samuel Bacot.
The chapter was named in honor and memory of Samuel Bacot, who served as Lieutenant under General Francis Marion in 1782. He was a native of Christ Church Parish, South Carolina, born near Goose Creek, in 1745. After his marriage to Sarah Margaret Allston he lived in the Darlington area and was a farmer and plantation owner.
On May 9, 1973 the Samuel Bacot Chapter NSDAR and the Darlington Historical Society erected a Revolutionary War marker in memory of Samuel Bacot (1745-1795). It is located on McIver Road in Darlington County, South Carolina, adjacent to the Bacot graves.
Throughout the decades of its existence, the Samuel Bacot Chapter NSDAR has participated in many phases of DAR work. It has always tried to respond to appeals from national and state leaders. The chapter has given many flags to schools, nursing homes, and individuals. It has honored veterans in numerous ways and participated in "Hats for Heroes" for many years. Samuel Bacot Chapter NSDAR members engage in service to the community and focus our goals around historical preservation, education and patriotism. The chapter participated in recognizing the Merchant Marines with an anchor which our chapter refurbished and placed at the Veterans Park in Florence, South Carolina. We also donated funds for the Korean War Monument placed at the Veterans Park. We have purchased wreathes from our chapter for Wreaths across America and participate every year by placing our wreaths at the National Cemetery.
While the chapter has responded to all patriotic appeals there is one very close to its heart, the Tamassee DAR School in Walhalla, South Carolina. It has been an ongoing project with contributions of money, clothing and soup labels. The DAR Good Citizen essay contest each year has resulted in some remarkable entries, and the winners have presented their papers at chapter meetings.
The chapter strives to live up to the objectives of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and to honor those men and women who by their loyalty and sacrifice gave the priceless heritage of liberty.
We are located in Florence, South Carolina, and would love to talk to you about becoming a member of the Society. If you would like more information about the DAR, including membership requirements or if you would like to attend one of our monthly meetings, please contact our chapter regent or chapter registrar. Most of our meetings are lunch meetings.
Please also visit our State and National Society web sites below.
South Carolina State Daughters of the American Revolution
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
