The Chapter was named in honor of Colonel William Preston, who came to America in 1736, at the age of eight. His family settled near Staunton. Later, he became member of the House of Burgesses and held three important frontier offices at the same time-County Lieutenant, Surveyor, and Justice of the Peace. In 1757, he received an Indian commission, and negotiated a treaty with the Shawnee and Delaware Indians. He tried and hanged Tories on charges of treason, and aided in the defeat of Lord Cornwallis at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina.
In 1928, the Chapter asked the Virginia Congressmen
to support the bill to make "The Star-Spangled Banner" the national anthem,
and to use their influence for a carillon as a War Memorial to all Virginians.
The chapter sponsored the organizing of a C.A.R.Society in Roanoke in 1952,
and sponsored the organization of the Botetourt County and Roanoke Valley
DAR Chapters. In 1977, the chapter was recognized at Continental
Congress as one of twelve chaptres to have received the Gold Honor Roll
for sixteen consecutive years.
Mrs. Edwin J. Palmer and Mrs. W. B. Mitchell were
Directors of District VII; and Mrs. C. P. Kennett, Mrs. George K. Griner,
and Mrs. Denver J. Davis served as District officers. Mrs. William
E. Barton served as State Vice Regent, State Chaplain; Mrs. J. R. Alvis,
Jr., was State Parliamentarian; Mrs. John E. Harvey served as JAC State
Chairman, and later as State Registrar and State Chaplain.
updated 08-21-08Return to Colonel William Preston Chapter
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