Shore organizations and collaborators received a copy of the Patriot Book. Pictured left to right are Sharon Silvey, Manager of the Cape Charles Memorial Library; Genealogist M.K. Miles; Northampton County Deputy Clerk of the Court Morgan Doughty; Chapter Regent Katharine Bradford Lehman; Past Historian General Margaret MacKenzie, board member of ShoreHistory; ESPL Heritage Center Archivist Luke Kelley; DAR District 1 Director Jane Amelon, and Cathy Potts, board member of the Northampton Historic Preservation Society.
(EASTVILLE, VIRGINIA) January 28, 2025 – The newly published “Patriot Stories, Northampton County, Virginia” was gifted to local historians, libraries, and historical societies at the January meeting of the Northampton County Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Edited by Chapter Regent Katharine Bradford Lehman, the bound book lists details of documented soldiers, sailors, and patriots who serviced in Northampton County, Virginia during the American Revolution.
The Chapter applied for a DAR America 250! Grant from the national organization and was awarded funds for the printing of the book. Copies are available for sale by the Chapter or are available to the public to view at the Northampton Free Library, Cape Charles Memorial Library, and the Heritage Center at the Eastern Shore Public Library. Northampton County Schools and the County Administration office also received copies. The national DAR Library in Washington, D.C. will be gifted a copy as well.
In addition to the printed version, Moody “M.K.” Miles notated the patriots’ designation in the MilesFiles database of Eastern Shore genealogy. Researchers can now clearly recognize the individuals “proven” by DAR has having contributed to the American Revolution. The MilesFiles can be found on the Heritage Center’s website, esplheritage.org.
DAR membership requires that a female descendant can directly trace their ancestral line back to a proven DAR patriot. This project will help women complete their application to DAR in addition to raising awareness of the multitude of Eastern Shore patriot men and women ancestors. The next phase of the Chapter project will be to “prove” Northampton patriots not in the DAR database. This will further expand the recognition of our revolutionary ancestors that fought for our country’s independence. A DAR patriot is a man or woman who aided in achieving American independence, such as fighting as a soldier or militia member, serving on a Committee of Safety, providing financial or supply support to the cause. This book helps Eastern Shore of Virginia descendants easily identify who in their bloodline served.
The America 250!, the Semiquincentennial anniversary of America’s independence, is now being celebrated across the nation. Northampton County formed a Virginia250 Local Commission to plan county commemoration activities. This grant helps DAR chapters work to leave a lasting impact on their communities through meaningful local projects and events during this ten-year commemoration. To learn more about DAR, visit dar.org.