Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR Celebrates 100th Anniversary

Members of the Chief John Ross Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and guests met together recently at the MAC on McCallie Avenue to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the organization and chartering of the chapter.

It was 1923 and, in Chattanooga, the Chief John Ross Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, with Sarah Divine Cooke as organizing regent, was chartered. The list of charter members included family names easily recognized by Chattanoogans - - Clemons, Cox, Kain, Lewallen, Magill, Tucker, Willingham, Austin, Draper, Huffaker, King, Magill, Eager, Jones, Logan, Varnell and others - - and many of their descendants are still active in local civic endeavors.

The name was chosen to honor Chattanooga’s founder and the longest-serving Cherokee Principal Chief. Chief Ross, who had famously fought alongside Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend as part of the Cherokee Brigade and, in 1828, became principal chief. He would later challenge the Cherokee removal by appealing to President Jackson to intervene. When President Jackson refused, Chief Ross and his family chose to accompany his people to the Oklahoma Territory, where he served as principal chief until his death in 1866. Additionally, the founding members hoped to pay tribute to the significant history and influence of the Cherokee nation in this region.

Centennial Regent Jennifer Sawyer Harvey presided at the celebration, which began with the posting of colors by the Central High School JROTC Honor Guard, an invocation by Chaplain Teresa Webb Rimer and the Patriotic Ritual led by Donna Dodson, CJR recording secretary and flag chairman, and Wanda Lynn Poteet Garret, honorary regent.

Regent Sawyer introduced Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution State Regent Emily Robinson, who brought greetings from the over 6,000 Tennessee Daughters and congratulated the members of the Chief John Ross Chapter on the chapter’s historic birthday. State Regent Robinson’s theme for her administration [2022-2025], “Volunteer Hearts in Action!”, reminds all TNDAR members of the volunteer tradition of the state of Tennessee and describes the Tennessee Daughters who proudly volunteer with all their hearts in their communities, promoting the DAR objectives of historic preservation, education and patriotism. As Mrs. Robinson often shares, “Our members are the heart of the Tennessee Society!”

Regent Harvey introduced esteemed guests, beginning with Charlotte Stout Reynolds, honorary Tennessee State regent and honorary vice-president general, NSDAR. She then acknowledged the members of State Regent Robinson’s Executive Board in attendance: TSDAR First Vice Regent Carol Reynolds Teeter, TSDAR Second Vice Regent Nannette Feeback, TSDAR Corresponding Secretary Holly Jayne Matthews, TSDAR Recording Secretary Jane Chambers, TSDAR Treasurer Helen Moore, TSDAR Registrar Renee Willingham Hamilton and TSDAR Historian Cindy Dowell. Regent Harvey also thanked Cherokee District Director Marie Wingate and Secretary Jessica Mines Dumitru [CJR member] and Cumberland District Director Joan Clark and Secretary Gail Longton for their service to the state organization and attendance.

CJR First Vice Regent Candace Barger shared the ‘regents’ history’ by noting, “During our chapter’s 100-year history, the Chief John Ross Chapter has been led by 51 regents. Our chapter regents wear a lot of different hats. A chapter regent is called to engage the chapter members in community events and encourages growth, not only for the members in the Society activities, but also for the chapter. A chapter regent is a leader, organizer, mentor, friend and smiling face.” She then introduced the six Honorary Regents: Honorary Regent Luanne Hobbs Dewitt, 2000-2004, Honorary Regent Wanda Lynn Poteet Garrett, 2004-2008, Honorary Regent Sarah Cash Roach, 2008-2010, Honorary Regent Teresa Webb Rime, 2013-2016, Honorary Regent Jessica Mines Dumitru, 2016-2019 and Honorary Regent Linda Moss Mines, 2019-2022.

CJR members also paid special tribute to Founding Regent Sarah Divine Cook’s two granddaughters in attendance, Rachel Decosimo and Sally Koehn, along with their families.

Celebrating God, Home and Country with members and friends at the 100th Centennial Celebration sparked lively conversation about the past, present and future of the Chief John Ross Chapter, NSDAR.