Nathanael Greene Chapter, NSDAR
GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
OUR HISTORY
Four women had the inspiration to form the Nathanael Greene Chapter, NSDAR. They met on November 12, 1896, at the home of Emma Westfield Mayberry on South Main Street near the Reedy River Bridge in Greenville, South Carolina. Emma Westfield Mayberry became the first chapter regent. The chapter’s charter was granted on May 22, 1897.
When organizing a chapter, a name must be chosen. Emma Westfield Mayberry's application for membership in the DAR was an ancestor of her paternal line, James Gillespie. James Gillespie was born in Cheraw, South Carolina, in 1754; and he was a sergeant in Martin's Troops, Sumter's Brigade. He resided near General Greene's camp and acted as a guide to General Greene on his march from the Pee Dee. So Emma Westfield Mayberry knew of General Greene's greatness, thus the chapter was named for him.
Nathanael Greene was born July 27, 1742, near East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Even with his Quaker belief, Nathanael still became a soldier in 1774 and in 1775 was made commander of Rhode Island Regiments. His ability won him many honors, higher ranks, and George Washington's friendship.
Greene's generalship was largely responsible for the triumph of the American forces in the South. After the Americans were defeated in the Battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, Greene was chosen to succeed General Horatio Gates in command of the southern war theater and in early December he took over leadership of a shattered and destitute army.
Greene quickly reorganized it and devised a strategy of retreat northward into North Carolina, goading Lord Cornwallis, the British commander, into following him. His strategy succeeded in dividing the British forces, making the victory possible at the Battle of Cowpens in January 1781, the turning point of the American Revolutionary War. Within eight months Greene freed most of the Carolinas from British control. At the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15, 1781, Greene suffered a defeat, but his troops fell back in good order without serious loss. Cornwallis, who was far from base, was compelled by lack of supplies to withdraw. Greene had lost the battle but won the campaign. His strategic skill thereafter brought the war in the South to a successful close.
It was said that Greene might have had a loss but never had a defeat. The minister of France, de la Luzerne, said of Nathanael Greene, "Other generals subdue their enemies by means with which their country or their sovereign furnished them, but Greene appears to subdue his enemy by his own means. He commenced his campaign, without an army, provisions or military store. He has asked for nothing since; and yet scarcely a post arrives from the south, that does not bring intelligence of some new advantage gained over his foe. He conquers by magic."
Nathanael Greene was a great man, American Revolutionary War hero, and worthy of having a chapter named in his honor.
Locally the Nathanael Greene Chapter NSDAR has:
Held flag retirement ceremonies during war
Presented portraits of Francis Marion and Thomas Sumter to high schools and the Jamestown Exposition
Contributed to the Greenville, South Carolina, Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)
Given flags to Furman University and Women Club, YMCA, Old 96 Girl Scout Council, and Roper Mountain Science Center
Contributed to King's Mountain Monument, Monument for Sumter, Marion, Pickens and the Memorial plaque to signers of the Constitution located at the South Carolina State House in Columbia
Worked with Red Cross and sold bonds
Contributed to all National and state projects and programs.
Marked Dicey Langston Springfield's grave and later placed monument at her home site in Travelers Rest and helped the preservation effort
Knitted garments for the Battleship South Carolina
Started the first Children of the American Revolution Society in South Carolina, the Dicey Langston Society
Constituted a sewing group for a local army airbase, repairing hundreds of garments and turning hundreds of yards of net and colorful cotton materials into draperies for the recreation room and mess hall
Planted two-thousand pine trees at Hopewell Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Greenville, South Carolina.
Presented American History Medals to high schools since 1924 and recognized history teachers with Outstanding American History awards, outstanding seniors with DAR Good Citizen Awards and worked with children through the Junior American Citizens
In 1943, framed copies of Thomas Jefferson’s bi-centennial portrait and presented one to each of the 29 local schools
Chapter members wrote their family histories and donated copies to various libraries
Donated a quilt and 1818 sampler to the NSDAR Museum
Remembering that Promotion of Education is one of our Society's Goals:
Tamassee DAR School, located in the foothills of South Carolina, was the idea of a Nathanael Greene Chapter NSDAR member. When Frances Louise Hudson Mayes served as South Carolina State Regent, she spoke of her vision for a mountain boarding school for girls without access to transportation. Although it was not until the next state administration that the school was actually established, Frances Louise Hudson Mayes set the groundwork for the project as a member of the Nathanael Greene Chapter NSDAR. Our chapter still continues to support Tamassee DAR School's projects, buildings, and students with time, talent, and treasures. Several chapter members have served on the Boards of Trustees at the school, and member Joyce Howard Ellis, served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Our chapter has contributed "woman power" to the State Society.
Organized the state Cameo Society
Designed pins for state clubs
Numerous Daughters have served as state and national chairs
Five members have been recognized as State Outstanding Juniors Members, consecutively from 1998-2000
Fifteen members have served as state officers, including four state regents:
1910-1914 Frances Louise Hudson Mayes
1976-1979 Joyce Howard Ellis
1997-2000 Ann Salley Crider
2012-2015 Dorothy Ricks Lind
Yes, we are the Nathanael Greene Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.
We have a proud heritage of service to God, Home and Country for over a century.
