About Us – Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR

About Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR

The Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on February 12, 1901, with 15 charter members. Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR, was named for the Revolutionary War heroine, who carried powder, and lead and pewter to make ammunition with, through 16 miles of wilderness for the men who were engaged in the first naval battle of the war, which took place in the waters of Machias Bay.

Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR, are the proud caretakers of the Old Burnham Tavern, built in 1770 by Job Burnham, seven years after the landing of the first settlers. The principal work of the chapter has been the restoration and furnishing of this building. It was here that Captain Moore of the Margaretta died. It was here that the first Masonic lodge in Eastern Maine was organized.

Our Namesake

On June 27, 1902, the grave of Hannah Weston in Jonesboro was dedicated by our chapter. We placed a granite marker near her gravestone. It was for Hannah Weston, who did heroic work at the time of the first naval battle in Machias, in June 1775, that this chapter is named.

Our "Real Daughter"

Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR, is proud to count a Real Daughter among their past members. Not to be confused with the “daughter of a Revolutionary War soldier or Patriot,” a Real Daughter was distinguished because she was a DAR member as well as the actual daughter of a soldier or Patriot. In the early years of the National Society, a DAR chapter who could name one or more of the 767 Real Daughters among its members was extremely proud of this living link to the American Revolution. Hannah Weston’s Real Daughter was Sabrina Watts Hall (1806-1906).

Our Honored Members

Doris Pike White

Hannah Weston Chapter, NSDAR’s thirtieth chapter regent, Doris Pike White, also served as NSDAR President General from 1959-1962. Download the article about Doris Pike White and her accomplishments.

Valdine Chalmers Atwood

“I drove 2,000 miles this week (round trips to Vermont, D.C. and Maine from my home in New York), and one of the highlights was meeting Valdine Atwood, a Maine Daughter who invited me to her home when she heard I was visiting her hometown of Machias, Maine. Valdine has been a DAR member for 67 years …. And has records of the 80 women she has helped join as her chapter registrar (though she points out that astounding amount is only about half of how many her mother welcomed as registrar before her)! Valdine served as Maine State Regent from 1980-1983 during Mrs. Shelby’s administration.”

President General Denise Doring VanBuren – June 11, 2021

Learn more about Hannah Weston, and the historic markers the chapter has placed. Visit our photo gallery to see chapter activities. Is your ancestor already a Patriot? See if he or she is listed.