June 30, 2023
Introduction: In this astonishing article, Melissa Davenport Berry continues writing about 22 women still alive in 1925 whose fathers fought in the American Revolutionary War! Melissa is a genealogist who has a blog, AnceStory Archives, and a Facebook group, New England Family Genealogy and History.
To celebrate the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, today I continue my story about the early members of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) – whose fathers served in the War of Independence.
What is now known as the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution grew into an organization which continues to focus on education, community service, historic preservation, and patriotism. These daughters all share a common bond of having an ancestor who contributed to securing the independence of the United States of America.
To recap: I found an article in the Kentucky Post covering 22 “Real Daughters.” I have included some additional genealogy and service records on some of the subjects.
This remarkable article reported that in 1925 there were still 22 women alive whose fathers fought in the Revolutionary War!
Daughter of Nicholas Starnes
Mrs. Sarah Starnes Ellis of Boliver, Tennessee, was the daughter of Revolutionary soldier Nicholas Starnes and his wife Barbara Winters.
Nicholas Starnes fought in the battle of King’s Mountain and was promoted to captain. He served under Captain William Crabtree and Captain Campbell in the Virginia Militia, and as a sergeant under Captain Pruitt. He also served in the War of 1812.
Daughter of Abraham Shattuck
Mrs. Sophronia Shattuck Flagg, born in Washington, New Hampshire, was the daughter of Revolutionary soldier Abraham Shattuck and his wife Eunice Jefts. She married Andrew Jackson Flagg.
Abraham Shattuck was born in Pepperell, Massachusetts, served three enlistments, and fought at Moses Kill, Monmouth, and Stoney Point. He died on Sophronia’s birthday on 27 June 1841.
The inscription reads:
NSDAR Real Daughter
Sophronia Ann Shattuck Flagg
National #89294
27 June 1839 – 22 December 1924
Daughter of Abraham Shattuck
Revolutionary War Private – MA
Member of Col. Samuel Ashley Chapter
Marker Placed By
New Hampshire State Organization NSDAR
July 2012
Daughter of Richard Knight
From Liverpool, Pennsylvania, Mrs. Annie Knight Gregory served as Regent of the Conrad Weiser Chapter, Selinsgrove.
Her patriot father was Revolutionary drummer boy Richard Knight, who served as a private in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment.
In 1899 Mrs. Gregory published her father’s story in Daughters of the American Revolution Magazine, Volume 15. Here is a snippet:
When the cry “To Arms!” was heard in the days of the American Revolution, Richard Knight, a lad of but eleven summers, bravely stepped into ranks, as drummer boy, in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Josiah Harmer.
He appears as drummer and fifer in Captain Thomas Bull’s company and as a private in the company of Captain Walter Finney of the above-named regiment; having been transferred to Captain Bull’s company in October 1778.
When Richard Knight entered the army, he enlisted for the entire period of conflict and was one of the youngest and bravest soldiers in the annals of the war.
Daughter of John Jacob Storts
Mrs. Mariah Storts Allen was the daughter of Revolutionary soldier John Jacob Storts and his wife Mary Ann “Polly” Burkhardt.
John Jacob Storts enlisted at Red Hill, Pennsylvania, and served at Valley Forge.
In 2003 a marker was placed in New Lexington, Ohio, to honor this “Real Daughter.”
The inscription reads:
Mariah Storts Allen was Ohio’s last surviving first generation daughter of a Revolutionary War soldier. She was born August 4, 1842, in Bearfield Township and died May 2, 1933, in New Lexington. Her father, John Jacob Storts, volunteered to fight for American independence at age 13 and camped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Allen was a descendant of Ohio’s First Families and an Honorary Member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR refers to first generation daughters as “Real Daughters.”
Daughter of Jonathan Squire Jr.
Mrs. Jane Dean was a member of the Tuscarora Chapter, D.A.R., organized in Binghamton, New York, on 12 October 1895. She was the daughter of patriot Jonathan Squire Jr., born in Northfield, Connecticut.
He served as a private under Colonel Goosen Van Schaick.
Daughter of William Morrison
Mrs. Samantha Morrison Flint was the daughter of Revolutionary soldier William Morrison.
He was a private in the New York Militia under Colonel Hathorne and Colonel Schuyler’s regiment.
Daughter of Jeremiah Purdy
Mrs. Lydia Melissa Purdy Henry, a member of the Mohawk Valley Chapter, New York, was the daughter of Revolutionary war patriot Jeremiah Purdy. Mrs. Henry’s sister Mrs. Esther A. Purdy Shepardson was also a member of the D.A.R.
Jeremiah Purdy served under Captain Young. Purdy was buried in the cemetery on the Volmer Farm at Sherburne Four Corners and was removed to the Poolville, Madison Co., New York, village cemetery.
Daughter of James Brown
Mrs. Frances Wentworth Holbrook, a member of the D.A.R. Oneonta Chapter of New York, was the daughter of fervent patriot James Brown.
He got his start as a water carrier at age 15. A year later he enlisted at Peekskill, New York, in the autumn of 1776, serving as a private at the battles of Bemis Heights, Monmouth and Rhode Island.
Daughter of Elijah Weeks
Mrs. Sarah C. Hurlbutt of New York was the daughter of revolutionary soldier Elijah Weeks and his wife Sarah Batchelder of Massachusetts.
Elijah Weeks fought for the infant republic in Captain Josiah Smith’s company, Colonel Thomas Marshall’s regiment of Massachusetts troops.
Daughter of Jedediah Day
Mrs. Sarah (Hephzibah) Day Judd, born at Holyoke, Massachusetts, was the daughter of patriot Jedediah Day.
He served under Colonel Shepherd, and was at Bemis Heights and the surrender at Saratoga.
Daughter of Stephen Hassam
Mrs. Caroline Phoebe Hassam Randall, born at Charlestown, New Hampshire, was the daughter of the “boy patriot of Bunker Hill” Stephen Hassam and his second wife, Lucy Miller. Mrs. Randall was a member of the D.A.R. Colonel Samuel Ashley Chapter in New Hampshire.
Stephen Hassam fought at Copp’s Hill.
Daughter of Isaac Rugg
Mrs. Abigail Rugg Strong was the daughter of patriot Isaac Rugg of Greenwich, Massachusetts, and Abigail Skinner.
Isaac Rugg served in the Massachusetts Militia and left many descendants.
Happy Fourth of July!
Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial
Note on the header image: Real Daughters Committee members (left and right) Helen Coe Hammond and Grace A. Coe, and (middle) Real Daughter Caroline Phoebe Hassam Randall, taken 19 June 1938. Courtesy of the D.A.R., Washington, D. C.
Related Article:
My mother passed away in 2020, but before she passed she told me she was a Daughter of the American Revolution. I’m trying to get information. Can you help me?
Hi Teresa,
I will send you an email soon. Thanks for writing!