Marker placed at the foot of Rosalind Ewing Martin’s grave
Judge David Campbell chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution members joined with Tennessee State DAR leaders to honor former chapter and state regent Rosalind Ewing Martin by placing a footstone with the NSDAR Insignia at her grave in Forest Hills Cemetery.
Mrs. Cyrus Griffin Martin was a life-long resident of Chattanooga and is described in the History of Hamilton County as a member of one of the oldest and most distinguished families in Tennessee. Her ancestral ties included colonial and revolutionary lines through every branch of her family.
Mrs. Martin’s life centered on service. Her volunteer service began when she was just 17 with the Red Cross as the first local chapter was organized in Chattanooga. She continued her service with the Red Cross until her death in 1983. She joined the Judge David Campbell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at the age of 18 and remained a member for more than 66 years. At the age of 27, she served her first term as chapter regent and continued in that leadership role for an additional four years. Mrs. Martin was also regent from 1967-68. Noted for her generosity, in 1941, Mrs. Marin donated the portrait of President Andrew Jackson to the DAR Museum in Washington, DC, for display in the Tennessee Room. The portrait still graces the wall of our Tennessee State room.
During the First World War, Mrs. Martin rolled bandages for shipment to DC, made cookies and manned the cookie jar for troops traveling through Chattanooga by train, and served troops refreshments who transported the bodies of fellow comrades fallen by the Spanish Influenza from Fort Oglethorpe.
Mrs. Martin was also an avid knitter. In support of the troops in World War II, she knit 196 sweaters, 26 pairs of mittens and 36 caps during a single year. She also participated in the Bundles for Britain program by donating, collecting, and packaging clothing and household items for families in England. She became state regent in 1946, assuming the position after the death of the serving State Regent. She helped the State DAR and our local community transition from a wartime footing. After both wars, she was involved in supporting veterans and recognizing their service.
Mrs. Martin was an avid reader and became a lifelong supporter of the Chattanooga Library. She also served as president or held office in numerous linage societies, including Colonial Dames, Daughters of American Colonist, Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Daughters of Barons of Runnymemde.
Mrs. Martin died in 1983 at the age of 88. Much had changed in her lifetime. Automotive transportations became the prevalent mode of travel. She saw the emergence of the aircraft from its tentative forays into the air to mighty and powerful fighting machines and as a commercial travel conveyances. She witnessed the advent of space travel, the moon landing and the rise of commercial television as family entertainment. She lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s, yet her life was reflective of one who gave.
Those in attendance at the grave marking included Tennessee State DAR Regent Charlotte Reynolds, State 1st Vice Regent Cecile Wimberley, State 2nd Vice Regent Emily Robinson, and State Chaplain Jill Jones-Lazuka. Officiating at the ceremony was Chapter 1st Vice Regent Susan Lindsey, 2nd Vice Regent Marie Wingate and Chaplain Jennifer Thomas. Also in attendance was Chapter Registrar and National Vice President General of the DAR Susan R. Thomas and National Vice Chair for Junior Membership, Southeast Division Meegan Burton.