The National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars (often abbreviated as NSDCW) is a

lineage society This is a list of notable hereditary and lineage organizations, and is informed by the database of the Hereditary Society Community of the United States of America. It includes societies that limit their membership to those who meet group inclu ...

for women who descend from American colonists that lived between 1607 and 1775 and descend from a patriot of the

American Revolution The American Revolution (1765–1783) was a colonial rebellion and war of independence in which the Thirteen Colonies broke from British America, British rule to form the United States of America. The revolution culminated in the American ...

. The society aims to preserve colonial American history and promote patriotism.

History

The National Society Daughters of Colonial Wars was organized by Mrs. Frank Dexter Ellison on May 14, 1917, at the Hotel Brunswick in

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

. It was officially incorporated on May 27, 1921 with Ellison serving as the first president. The national society was officially organized in

Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...

on April 18, 1932 and incorporated in New Jersey on November 22, 1935. The society promotes genealogical research, historic preservation, and patriotism. The official flower of the national society is the Tudor rose and the official colors are red, white, and blue. The Tudor rose was chosen in honor of

Elizabeth I Elizabeth I (7 September 153324 March 1603) was List of English monarchs, Queen of England and List of Irish monarchs, Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death in 1603. She was the last and longest reigning monarch of the House of Tudo ...

, the last Tudor monarch, who the first English colony in North America was claimed for in 1584. The official insignia of the Daughters of Colonial Wars consists of a round disk with a gold laurel wreath, the Tudor rose in gold with five petals upon five petals, and the combined

St. George's Cross In heraldry, Saint George's Cross (or the Cross of Saint George) is a red cross on a white background, which from the Late Middle Ages became associated with Saint George, the military saint, often depicted as a crusader. Associated with th ...

and St. Andrew's Cross. In 1940, the Daughters of Colonial Wars held its annual conference at The Claridge Hotel in

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, sometimes referred to by its initials A.C., is a Jersey Shore seaside resort city (New Jersey), city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Atlantic City comprises the second half of ...

, where fifteen of the twenty-one state societies compiled lineage books documenting 2,000 colonial ancestors. National officers and the presidents of thirteen state societies attended the conference. The national society created the American Heroes Award to recognize individuals who show duty, courage, patriotism, and sacrifice for their home, community, and country.

Notable members

* Karen Batchelor, lawyer and genealogist *

Ruth Coltrane Cannon Ruth Louise Coltrane Cannon (October 15, 1891 – December 22, 1965) was an American preservationist, historian, and philanthropist. Known for her influential contributions to historical preservation in North Carolina, she played a significant ro ...

, preservationist and historian *

Marion Moncure Duncan Marion Elizabeth Moncure Duncan (December 19, 1913 – April 15, 1978) was an American businesswoman and civic leader. She served as the 25th president general of the Daughters of the American Revolution from 1962 to 1965. As president general, sh ...

, lineage society leader * Sarah Corbin Robert, lineage society leader *

Kathryn Slaughter Wittichen Kathryn Elizabeth Slaughter Wittichen (January 8, 1896 – June 22, 1985) was an American socialite and clubwoman. She was a leader in various women's organizations, serving as president of the Miami Women's Club from 1938 to 1939 and as president ...

, lineage society leader

History

Notable members

References

See also