History of the Eunice Farnsworth - Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, NSDAR
The Eunice Farnsworth Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on January 13, 1898.
In April of 1772, Peter Heywood and Joseph Weston, along with their families, were the first European settlers to Somerset County and developed a community in Skowhegan, Maine. Three years later, in the fall of 1775, Joseph Weston’s services were enlisted in piloting Arnold’s Quebec Expedition up the Kennebec River. He went as far as the falls of Norridgewock, where he contracted a severe cold, was compelled to return home, and soon died. His widow, Eunice Farnsworth, was left with nine children to face the future. History tells us she was “brave to bear the sorrows and ills of life, and strong to meet its increased responsibilities.” For four years she struggled alone; then married the gallant Colonel John Moor and moved to the town of Anson. Thirty years later, again a widow, she came back to Skowhegan and lived with her son until her death at the age of eighty-seven years.
January 13, 1898, thirteen ladies met to form a chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Skowhegan. When the subject of a name came up for discussion Eunice Farnsworth was unanimously agreed upon, not only for the reason above stated but because she was the widow of two Revolutionary soldiers and great-great-grandmother of five of the thirteen charter members.
Taken from the History of the Maine Daughters of the American Revolution, 1925.
The Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on February 22, 1902.
The North Anson Chapter, NSDAR, was named for the daughter of Major Ephraim Heald, a soldier of the American Revolution. Called upon at the alarm of April 19th, Major Heald of Peterborough Slip or Sliptown, New Hampshire, now known as Temple, New Hampshire, joined the war at Lexington, Massachusetts. He was the first settler at Temple, New Hampshire. He traded with Indians and traveled to Maine. Heald was the first European man to come as far as Concord and was given two hundred acres to settle there. Ephraim and Sarah (Conant) Heald’s daughter, Ruth Heald married John, son of Deacon John Cragin at Temple, New Hampshire. John Cragin entered the militia at an early age and was sergeant, lieutenant, and in the War of 1812, a captain. The granddaughter of Ruth Heald Cragin, organized the Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, NSDAR, on February 22, 1902.
These two chapters with smaller memberships chose to unite as one, preserving the work and rich heritage of both. We unite as one chapter, strong and vibrant, harmonizing wonderful traditions and additions, serving the main goals of our organization; historic preservation, promotion of education, and patriotic endeavor.
All Daughters share a common bond in that an ancestor served as a Patriot in the American Revolutionary War. We invite and welcome you to attend any of the Eunice Farnsworth-Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, NSDAR, meetings or events, meet our Daughters, and explore what we do. Monthly meetings include a social period, a business session, and a program with a notable speaker. Join us as we honor our American Revolutionary War Patriots.
Please contact us for more information on the Daughters of the American Revolution or the Eunice Farnsworth-Ruth Heald Cragin Chapter, NSDAR.
Sundial in Coburn Park, Skowhegan, Maine
Among the flower gardens in Coburn Park sits a sundial memorial. The sundial was a gift to the park from the Eunice Farnsworth Chapter, NSDAR, to serve as a memorial to Alan W. Buckman, who was killed in the battle of Belleau Woods as a corporal of the high school squad.
