French Lick Chapter History
The French Lick Chapter is a vital, active chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American
Revolution, Tennessee Society, with 82 enthusiastic members in Nashville, Tennessee.
Membership growth is a high priority.
The chapter was organized December 13, 1938, and confirmed by the National Society in February 1939, becoming
the 67th chapter of the Tennessee Society. The name is one of the oldest historic names in Middle
Tennessee. As early as 1705, this spot was occupied by fur traders and was known as “Salt Lick” because of the
salt springs nearby.
When the French traders came down from Kashaki, Illinois, and settled here, the name was then changed to the
“French Lick Fort.” The good boat “Adventure” brought its weary travelers, and here they remained until
Fort Nashborough was constructed on the bluff of the Cumberland River. In 1780, the name French Lick was changed
to Nashboro in honor of Col. Francis Nash; and, in 1784, Nashboro was changed to Nashville by the Legislature
of North Carolina.
The chapter has many activities and projects that revolve around the
NSDAR motto, “God, Home, and Country.” Chapter interests often fall
into these categories: history, historic preservation, genealogy,
veterans, patriotism, and patriotic education. French Lick members
forge strong friendship ties through successfully completing chapter
projects. The French Lick chapter consistently earns the highest
chapter achievement award designated by NSDAR.
Following is a list of some of the chapter's endeavors.
Governor Bill Haslem issued a Proclamation to the chapter.
Chapter activities include: clothing donations and furniture to Fisher
House at Ft. Campbell, Operation Stand Down, VA contributions, knitted
helmet liners for active soldiers, soldier care packages, knitted
afghans delivered to Stars and Stripes Retirement Home for Veterans in
Gallatin, Tennessee, JROTC medals to Hendersonville High School
students, and participation in the Veterans Day Parade in Nashville,
Tennessee.
Members
participated in observances of the following patriotic events: Flag
Day, July Fourth Bell Ringing, Constitution Week, the Veterans Day
Parade, and the George Washington Birthday Luncheon.
The
chapter emphasizes support for the DAR supported schools with financial
donations. Members save food labels for education and collect printer
ink cartridges in a recycling program to benefit one of the DAR
supported schools.
Some of our chapter goals have been to
continue conservation education and improving the habitat for wildlife.
Following a DAR program on Attracting Wildlife to Your Home, the French
Lick Chapter, assisted in establishing a bluebird trail at Bluegrass
Country Club. Members learned how to provide proper habitat and
maintain nesting boxes. Our
bluebird trail has been certified by the Audubon Society.
Conservation is one of the goals of our chapter, as well as history,
genealogy, and community service.
For the last several years, French Lick has conducted an internet genealogical
workshop.
One of our historic preservation projects has been in conjunction with
the Andrew Jackson Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Members worked to rehabilitate and restore the Buchanan Station
Cemetery. This cemetery is one of the oldest in Davidson County. War of
1812 veteran, Major John Buchanan, and his wife are buried here.
Some past chapter programs include:
- Bill Puryear
"Founding of the Cumberland Settlements"
- Steve Rogers
"Potters and Pottery of Tennessee"
- Wanda Sobiesky,
Knoxville Attorney
"Women's Suffrage Movement" - Dr. Bill McKee
"Famous Women of Tennessee"
- Kent Hiday,
Habitat Consultant
"Creating the Perfect Wildlife Habitat in Your Backyard and How to Attract Bluebirds"
- Col. James Patten Totten, grandson of Gen. George Patton
"The Life of General and Mrs. George Patton"
- Our 75th Birthday Celebration of French Lick DAR Chapter, "A Look Back at Our Chapter"
Speakers – Past Regent Ellen Davis, TNDAR officers, and guests
French Lick proudly sponsors the Good Ship Adventure Society of Children of the American Revolution.
Below are some interesting highlights concerning the chapter’s early
committees, past fund raising, and patriotic work during World War II.
One of the chapter’s early committees was the Ellis Island Committee.
Chapter members sent boxes of clothes and other items to Ellis Island
for the use of the immigrants entering the USA. In return, handiwork
and crafts of the immigrants were shipped back to the chapter to
exhibit and sell. Other committees were: Girl Homemakers, Americanism,
Conservation, National Defense, Correct Use of the Flag, Advancement of
American Music, and Valley Forge Bell Tower Chairman.
Fundraising in the chapter’s early years also supported historic,
patriotic, and educational efforts. The chapter donated $5 for a
Tennessee star to be placed on the National Birthday Bell at Valley
Forge in 1941. Each member was asked to donate five cents for the fund
for the Robert Morris Tower stained glass window at Valley Forge.
Members contributed in many ways to the effort to
win World War II. By December, 1943, the members of
the French Lick Chapter alone had bought over $1,700
worth of war bonds and war stamps.
