A visit to the Historic Crabtree House

Members of Rhea-Craig Chapter gathered at the Crabtree House in Sweetwater's Historic District.  This beautiful home was built in 1870 by Henry Mayes and served as a stagecoach stop in Sweetwater's early years.   It has been beautifully restored with antique chandeliers, gorgeous wood floors and period furnishings. 

Celebrating our Vietnam Veterans

 

 

Leaders of the long procession arrive at the Sweetwater Gold Star VFW Post 5156 in Sweetwater, TN
 

Members of Rhea-Craig Chapter were part of the crowd welcoming and honoring
Vietnam Veterans to the VFW Post 5156

 

New Members

Newest members Tammy Sarver, Susan Pluff and Dana Myers taking the Oath of Membership during the March 2014 meeting. 

 

 Tammy Sarver, Susan Pluff and Dana Myers are welcomed into the Rhea-Craig Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution by Chris Carpenter, Chaplain.

Recognition for 50 years of Membership

Kathy Tyler (right), Registrar of Rhea-Craig Chapter presents a certificate, for 50 years of membership in the Rhea-Craig DAR, to Chris Carpenter (left), Chaplain.

The Evolution of 18th Century Muzzle Loading Firearms in America

 

Will Dunn, husband of Rhea-Craig Chapter Corresponding Secretary, Sheila Dunn delivered the program for March 2014.   His presentation included origins and descriptions of early colonial long rifles and muskets.   He explained how many of these firearms evolved from European styles as the colonists moved further into unknown hostile territories and away from city life.  He also shared his collection of powder horns, primitive hunting knives and axes.

Carrie Bright presents Will Dunn with a Certificate of Appreciation for his presentation
 The Evolution of 18th Century Muzzle Loading Firearms in America

Votes for Women!

 

Members of the Rhea-Craig Chapter attended a presentation on Tennessee's Unique Role in the Women's Suffrage Movement on March 4, 2014, at Cleveland State College in Cleveland, Tennessee.  This program was presented by Judy Baker (shown above on the soap box and wearing a "Votes for Women" banner.  Roses were handed out to all attendees on arrival and represented support for the movement. 

 

 

 

Gift to the Sweetwater Piblic Library

On Feb. 15, 2014 Rhea-Craig Corresponding Secretary Marcia Long presented a concise reference book Historical Markers Placed by the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution to the acting director of the Sweetwater Public Library.  This resourceful volume contains numerous beautiful photographs of the graves of Revolutionary War Veterans buried in Tennessee who have been recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution with a special placard.


 

Gifts to the Sweetwater Public Library

On February 15, 2014 Rhea-Craig regent Jane Yates presented a two-volume history of the Johnston family to the acting director of the Sweetwater Public Library.  These books relate the histories and genealogy of seven brothers and sisters of Scottish descent, who lived in Ireland before they immigrated to America.  The family arrived in the American colonies before the Revolutionary War and settled in the Virginia Colony before they moved to East Tennessee.  The oldest brother, Joseph Johnston, fought in the Revolutionary War; the youngest brother was not old enough to serve.  One member of Rhea-Craig Chapter is a direct descendant of Joseph Johnston and another member is a descendant of the youngest brother.  

Regent Jane Yates receives the first set of digital copies of the minutes from the earliest Rhea-Craig Chapter meetings. Susan Pluff scanned and copied these records from the hand-written pages of several ledgers beginning with the inaugural meeting on Friday afternoon, October 16, 1931 with 19 members present.

 

Lap robes for Veterans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members of the Rhea-Craig Chapter of the DAR furnished lap robes for Military Veteran residents at the Ben Atchley Tennessee Veterans' State Home in Knoxville, TN.  Rhea-Craig Regent Jane Yates and Corresponding Secretary Marcia Long presented the lap robes to a representative of the Veterans' home in February, 2014.  This gift is one of many on-going programs to provide comfort items for individual residents at the home and to remind our Veterans that their heroic actions are never forgotten or taken for granted.  

 

Gifts of the Season

Members of the Rhea-Craig Chapter made decorations for the local nursing home in Sweetwater. Here are Dana Myers, Carrie Bright, Susan Pluff and Caren Lorelle putting together table center pieces.  Each had a hand-folded origami crane attached for good luck in the new year.

 

 

Rhea-Craig members at the home of Marcia Long for the December meeting and Christmas celebration, December 12, 2013. Seated: Carrie Bright, Nelle Ward, Jane Yates, Jo Watson. Standing: Dana Myers, Kathy Tyler, Susan Pluff, Caren Lorelle, Marilyn Ward, Faye Sliger, Sheila Dunn, Peg Michael.

Honoring our Veterans

Jane Yates and Bill Long

On December 12, 2013 Jane Yates, Regent for Rhea-Craig Chapter presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the Daughters of the American Revolution to William C. (Bill) Long for his service in the United States Army.  Bill is the husband of Marcia Long, Corresponding Secretary for Rhea-Craig Chapter. 



Jane Yates, Bill Long and Marcia Long

Veterans' Day Parade - November 9, 2013

The Rhea-Craig Chapter honors our veterans with a float in the Sweetwater Veterans' Day parade.  Shown in the photo below are Bill Long - U. S. Army and Gail Yates - National Guard.   In the other photo are Bill Long - U. S. Army; Gail Yates - National Guard; Ivan - Air Force and Richard - Air Force.  The crowds always greet our veterans with enthusiasm and appreciation.

Community Service - Beautification of Entry Monument at Engleman Park

October 2013 several members of the Rhea Craig Chapter DAR met at Engelman Park in Sweetwater to plant shrubs at the entry monument.  This is part of our commitment to contribute to the beautification of our local communities.   Shown in the photo below, with tools in hand are Caren Lorelle, Carrie Ann Bright, Marcia Long, Faye Sliger, Susan Pluff and Jane Yates.

Constitution Week Celebration

As part of our celebration of Constitution Week, Rhea-Craig members Carrie Ann Bright, Marcia Long and Jane Yates, regent rang the bells in the Methodist Episcopal Church in Sweetwater, TN at 4:00pm on September 17, 2013.

Rhea-Craig Chapter Iris Project

The DAR strongly believes in fostering a strong bond with the local the community.   Members or the Rhea-Craig Chapter spent an afternoon digging and packaging iris rhizomes to share with visitors at the Annual Muscadine Festival in Downtown Sweetwater, TN. 

In mid-October 2013 Carrie Ann Bright, Susan Pluff and Caren Lorelle dug, separated and bagged several hundred iris rhizomes to be handed out to fair-goers.  The iris  were very popular and soon the 100 bags of rhizomes were on their way to be re-planted in gardens throughout the area, enhancing the natural beauty around us.

 

 

 

Cleaning the grave of Revolutionary War Patriot, Francis Moser at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Monroe County Tennessee

The Daughters of the American Revolution are committed to recognize the service and perpetuate the memory of the men and women who fought and sacrificed for American Independence.  One way we honor these men and women is to help maintain their grave sites and clean their old tombstones.

On Sunday, October 13, 2013 four members of the Rhea-Craig Chapter of the DAR met at St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Monroe County, TN to respectfully clean the grave of Patriot Francis Moser.  Francis Moser fought in the Revolutionary War and is a direct ancestor of Carrie Ann Bright and her daughter Holly Bright.

Caren Lorelle, Carrie Ann Bright, her daughter Holly Bright and Susan Pluff are cleaning the headstone front and back (one photo shows the stone covered in soap to better define the lettering on the stone).   

Holly Bright and Carrie Ann Bright at the grave of their patriot ancestor.

 

 
 Caren, Susan, Holly and Carrie Ann




The cleaned footstone at the grave of Francis Moser

 

The badge on the back of the grave head stone was presented by the Sons of the American Revolution in recognition of Francis Moser's service. 

If you think you might have an ancestor who served in the American Revolution, consider joining us.  We will help you with the research to find and verify your patriot. We work together on activities that promote our American heritage, provide service for veterans, encourage preservation of genealogical records, commemorate events, promote conservation, provide scholarships for students and other activities sponsored by our chapter, the Tennessee Society and the National Society DAR.