The Allen-Morton Watkins Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution was organized February 20, 1909, and was chartered on March 16, 1910.

The chapter was named in honor of three Revolutionary Soldiers from among Ray County early pioneers: Colonel Charles Allen, Joseph Morton, and Colonel William Watkins.

During the first year of organization the group voted to offer a medal to the pupil in the public school making the highest grade in U.S. history. Recognizing the 8th grade student who is outstanding in history is still practiced, though the award changed from a medal to a monetary award in 1916.

The first social for a regular meeting was February 11, 1911. They played the game, Forty-two, which seemed to be the card game of that era. They had lots of music and flags. Sometimes the music was supplied by the Victrola or the Edison.

September 1914 was the date of the first visit to the chapter by state officers.

Locally, the chapter has a number of annual projects. A gift subscription of the DAR magazine, American Spirit, goes to the Ray County Public Library. The chapter presents awards annually to an eighth grade history student in Richmond and outstanding vocal and instrumental music students from Richmond High School. A member of the senior class at each of the five area high schools in our county is chosen as the "DAR Good Citizen."

During the 1930s the Chapter sent clothing and money to Ellis Island, School of the Ozarks, and the Red Cross.

World War II war effort shows the ladies collecting 25,000 pounds of scrap iron, 200 pounds of rubber and 30 pounds of fat. Every Thursday was spent working in the Red Cross Room on surgical dressings.

The chapter paid tribute to one of its deceased members, Hazel Green Baber, with a contribution of $75 to the Coldwater Cemetery. Mrs. Baber was Chapter Regent, then became State Regent and served on many National committees. She was responsible for the beginning of the Blue Bird Bus, the Missouri transportation to the Continental Congress. Traditionally, at the death of each Daughter, a marker is placed at her grave, with the permission of the family.

The Allen-Morton-Watkins Chapter of DAR meets monthly with noted speakers, informing the members of history, conservation, patriotism, and genealogy.