Chapter History
The Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter is named for a distinguished Revolutionary War soldier. A Major in the 2nd North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Army, Hardy Murfree led a successful diversionary attack against British forces during the Battle of Stony point in 1779. In 1806, Colonel Murfree moved to Tennessee, living near Franklin, until his death in 1809. He is buried on a farm in Williamson county. The city of Murfreesboro was named for him by an act of the Tennessee State Legislature in 1811.
The Colonel Hardy Murfree Chapter is among the oldest recorded organizations for women in Rutherford County. Founded on April 25, 1910, the chapter has numbered among its members many distinguished and talented women. One, Mary Noailles Murfree, was a famous and respected author known as Charles Egbert Craddock. The great-great-granddaughter of Colonel Hardy Murfree, she wrote more than 25 books. Miss Murfree served NSDAR faithfully as organizing chapter regent (1910-1912) and as Tennessee State Regent (1912-1914).
Several Daughters have served the State or National Society in various positions, but Sarah McKelley King has been the only member of our chapter elected President General (1983-1986). Mrs. King also served as Curator General for the DAR Museum in Washington, DC, and as Tennessee State Regent. With a life dedicated to the preservation of Rutherford County's history, she successfully worked to save both Oaklands Historic House and the Rutherford County Courthouse from destruction.
Jean Marie Faircloth was another member of prominence. The second wife of General Douglas MacArthur, she was at his side in war and peace, and represented him at official and social functions during the occupation of Japan post World War II. Mrs. MacArthur was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Ronald Reagan in 1988. The citation for the medal, America's highest civilian award, called her "a shining example, a woman of substance and character, a loyal wife and mother, and like her general, a patriot."
Another chapter member of prominence is Dr. Rhea Seddon, a physician and retired NASA astronaut. After being selected as part of the first group of astronauts to include women, she flew on three Space Shuttle flights: as mission specialist for STS-51-D and STS-40, and as payload commander for STS-58. Both before and after her career in the astronaut program, she has been active in the medical community in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Texas.
Sarah McKelley King
Honorary President General