Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s organization dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism, and honoring patriots of the Revolutionary War. Women who are members of DAR are directly descended from a person involved in the United State’s struggle for independence. By becoming a member, the legacy of the patriot ancestor is honored and preserved. Patriots fought, sacrificed, and lost their lives and their freedom – freedom that we are privileged to enjoy daily.
Adri-Anne London Faber’s brother mentioned this women’s organization and DAR’s purpose for existing. She had retired from her occupation of 30 years and being at home became monotonous – so why not inquire more information about DAR. She found the nearest DAR organization, Green Mountain Boys Chapter of San Antonio. During the application process and after completing a genealogy search on Ancestry Info on the DAR web site, she actually found an
ancestor, John London. London fought in the Revolutionary War so he is a Patriot. She also discovered he was buried in a cemetery in Marshall County, on Hobo Shaw Road.
After getting in touch with Historian Lynda Potts, she discovered the Londons were some of the first people in Marshall County. She also learned that she actually has hundreds of ancestors who once lived in this area.
The Londons came upon the land in Marshall County since they were longhunters – hunters who made expeditions into the American frontier for as much as six months at a time. John London wanted to make the land he hunted on his home, so he purchased 379 acres of land for $800 on January 11, 1818, in Marshall County Tennessee. He divided the land between his children Amos, Richard, William, and Sarah. He died in 1832 and was buried on his land in an unmarked grave in the London Cemetery on Hobo Shaw Road.
Adri-Anne was so excited about discovering her ancestors and wanted to learn so much more about them and find the cemetery where John London and his family are buried. So she and her husband planned a trip to Lewisburg. She met with Lynda who gave her more documentation on the Londons as well as a book on the London Family in America. She also researched where the London Cemetery was located and she and her husband visited the grave sites. The small cemetery was grown up but they found several tombstones. Names were legible on a few but most of the dates had faded over the years. They did see Amos’ grave site. The name on his tombstone is legible as well as the year of his death.
Kathy Smith, DAR Registrar of the Robert Lewis Chapter in Lewisburg, and Bonnie Scheuchenzuber, DAR Member of the Robert Lewis Chapter, met with Adri-Anne and introduced her to the Abner Houston Memorial Cabin. Marshall County’s first court met in this cabin on October 3, 1936. In 1957, the cabin was restored by Robert Lewis Chapter DAR. She also found John London’s name on the Revolutionary War Patriots of Marshall County Tennessee’s plaque that is in front of the cabin. Kathy and Bonnie are very instrumental in this chapter and enlightened Adri-Anne on the DAR organization.
“I’m so so thankful that my brother mentioned DAR. DAR opened up a whole new world to me. I was able to transfer all my energy into seeking my ancestors,” Adri-Anne stated. “As people get older they want to know more about their history, about those they never met. I now know where hundreds of my ancestors lived and where several are buried. I am especially grateful to find my Patriot, John London. I certainly treasure this trip to Marshall County and I am so thankful for the new friends that I made.”
If you are interested in becoming a member of the DAR, you can contact Kathy Smith at: kitkat_0401@yahoo.com