National Society Daughters of the American Revolution |
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Wheaton, Illinois |
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Annual Christmas Tea
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Chapter History |
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The Perrin-Wheaton Chapter was organized on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, 1928 at a meeting held in the home of the Organizing Regent, Mrs. H. H. Gugler. There were 25 women present who had received notice from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington D.C., that their ancestors had fought, or given service to the cause of freedom for the united States during the Revolutionary War. Descendents of the chapter organizers and founders included some of the pioneer families who first settled in the city of Wheaton. Jude Perrin and James Wheaton were the ancestors of 11 charter members. In honor of these first settlers, the request was made that the name Perrin-Wheaton be given to the new chapter. While only 12 were needed to form a chapter, there were very proud to organize with 25 members. The new Perrin-Wheaton chapter became the 103rd in the Sate of Illinois and the 3rd in DuPage County. These women then began their dedicated work for “God, Home and Country.” In Wheaton cemetery, and marked by the Chapter in 1930, is the grave of William Gary, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, who died in 1817 in Connecticut. His widow, Lucy Perrin Gary, and her children came to Illinois before 1837 and joined the Reverend Charles Gary in “Gary’s Settlement,” which later became known as Wheaton. Her daughter, Orinda, who married Jesse Wheaton, had the body of her father shipped to Wheaton and his final resting place in Wheaton Cemetery after the Civil War. In 1929, Perrin-Wheaton Chapter, along with other DuPage County chapters, worked with the county to secure “Pioneer Park” at the site of Hobson’s Mill. It was the first pioneer settlement in DuPage County and was marked with a dedication plaque by the participating chapters. The George Washington Bicentennial was observed in 1932 by planting many George Washington elms. Some of these plantings have memorial plaques placed by members of the Perrin-Wheaton chapter. Among the treasured possessions of the chapter is the now fragile silk flag, which was presented by the organizing regent and a gavel hewn from a walnut tree grown on the Wheaton family homestead. The chapter was instrumental in having a display case built for historical and patriotic displays. Wood found in the basement of the old Adams Memorial Library was used and it matched the wood of the interior of the library. After the community built the Wheaton Public Library, the DuPage County Historical Society bought the Adams Library building and our display case remains there today.
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August 1971
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