Esther Marion Chapter, NSDAR
Aiken, South Carolina
Chapter Members at a Memorial Day Wreath Ceremony at Aiken Veteran's Memorial Park
Join the DAR to make a Difference…
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical volunteer service organization composed of women with a common purpose of serving their communities through education, historic preservation, and patriotism.
Esther Marion Chapter, NSDAR, members are lineal descendants of men and women who gave their lives and fortunes to establish the United States during the American Revolutionary War. Our members predominantly live in the greater Aiken County area.
As a volunteer women's service organization, we are dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism and honoring the Patriots of the American Revolutionary War.
If you are interested in learning more about our membership, please contact us here. If you need assistance in tracing your lineage, please contact our Chapter Registrar for assistance!
All photos provided by chapter members and photos with minors are used with parental consent.
About the Esther Marion Chapter, NSDAR
The Esther Marion Chapter, NSDAR, of Aiken, South Carolina was originally organized in November 1893 with the charter granted on February 10th, 1896. Many of the original charter chapter members were descendants of “Marion’s Men”, men who served in General Marion’s Brigade. Due to declining membership at the time, the Esther Marion Chapter, NSDAR, was disbanded on July 1, 1954 and rechartered on December 5, 2018.
The Chapter’s namesake, Esther Cordes Marion, was born circa 1695 to French Huguenot emigrants Dr. Anthony Cordes and Esther Madaleine Balluet in Berkeley County, South Carolina. She married Gabriel Marion in 1714. They were the parents of Francis Marion, one of America’s Revolutionary War heroes for his efforts in the Revolutionary War. His nickname, “The Swamp Fox”, was because of his ability to elude pursuers in swamps and the success of his guerrilla operations. Esther Marion died in late 1757 or January 1758.
Her final resting place is unknown. She may lie beneath the waters of Lake Marion which now covers Pond Bluff, Francis Marion’s home, or she may have been buried at Goatfield Plantation near present day Cordesville, South Carolina.
Who was Esther Marion?
Esther Marion was the daughter of Gabriel Marion and Esther Baluet Cordes and the sister of Revolutionary War General Francis Marion. She married first, John Alston III on November 10, 1748, and second Thomas Mitchell in 1753.
Information provided by the South Carolina 250 Committee
-
We preserve the memories of our ancestors by caring for historical sites and documents. We maintain graves in a historic cemetery in Aiken.
-
Our chapter members are involved in our community by educating the public on the proper flying of the flag by giving out information as well as honoring locals with NSDAR Flag Certificates.
We promote Constitution Week in schools and present Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) medals and Good Citizens Awards to students in Aiken County.
-
In addition to our work promoting proper American Flag use, our chapter participates annually in placement and proper removal of American Flags and Christmas Wreaths via the Wreaths Across America efforts at the graves of U.S. Veterans interred at a local cemetery in Aiken County.
If you have any questions, please contact us!