Submitted by Jewell Carmichael and Chris Harris
It was great to have 16 daughters of the American Revolution, Rebecca Pickens Chapter, meet on May 10, 2016 at Ashpole Presbyterian Church in Rowland, NC.
It was special because the Chapter was chartered May 9, 1916, and to celebrate members had a picture made in celebratory 100 year old glasses. When that many ladies get together on a special occasion you can believe there is some talking going on. After enjoying delicious refreshments, consisting of a decorated birthday cake, the group was called to order by Regent Chris Harris. The meeting always begins with the ritual led by the regent. This is usually followed by business, new and old. Their facts are recorded by a competent secretary, who this year is Polly McIntyre. Various reports are given by elected officers and committee chairs.
The program which followed was led by Jane Calhoun who gave interesting facts about the organization of Ashpole Church and about the church now. Jane introduced Lib Sherwood and Betty McGirt Williams, current members, who added more information. Ashpole was the “mother” church for eleven churches organized in and around Dillon County. All are still in existence but four.
The ladies led a tour of the beautifully kept church and cemetery. The pews in the sanctuary were divided so that men sat on one side and women on the other. They were enclosed by little doors at each end.
This was not unusual seating in days of yore and is still practiced in some churches today. Another item of interest was a quilt made in 1929 by some of the ladies of the church who charged $.10 to have your name embroidered on it as a fund raiser. The ladies who quilted this heirloom have their names embroidered on it also. Lorene Arnette, a new member of the DAR, grew up in Ashpole as well as Jane Calhoun and Janie McNeil.
Before adjournment, Regent Harris thanked the program chairman and the other hostesses. Cathy Baxley, Fay Sloan, and Chris Harris hosted the meeting. Other member attending included Rena Alford, Rosemary Bethea, Lee Ann Calhoun, Jewell Carmichael, Sally McSwain, Joan Rocha, Julie Sawyer, Susan Shine, Patricial Townsend, and new member, Tracey Townsend.
