The Charity Greene Ward Chapter NSDAR was organized on October 15, 1976, with twenty-five charter members. Our chapter was named for Charity Greene Ward. "The wife of George E. Ward, founder of Barton County, was Charity Hamilton Green [the spelling of Green/Greene has been controversial], a native of Kentucky. She came of a long line of American patriots. Her father, James Green, was born the night of Braddock's defeat while his father, Thomas Green, was in the Revolutionary War. Thomas was a half brother of Natheniel Green of Revolutionary fame. The mother of Charity Green Ward was Charity Polk, a first cousin of James K. Polk." (Lamar Democrat, August 2005, "Barton County 150 Year" issue).

The Wards donated the land on which Lamar was built. It was in July 1852 that the George Ward family, including Mr. Ward, his wife Charity, their son Edward, their daughter, Josephine, and her husband Joe Parry, were traveling from Independence, Missouri, to Louisiana when Mr. Ward became ill in the area which would become Lamar, Barton County, Missouri. Upon Mr. Ward’s recovery, the family decided to remain in the area for they were impressed with the vast prairie, flowing creeks, and prime timberland. They built a cabin and began a trading post. The Wards were influential in establishing Barton County in 1855 and in 1857 laid out the town of Lamar with an extra large square for a courthouse. Both George E. Ward and his son Edward were Confederate soldiers during the Civil War. Mr. Ward died from wounds he received at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Later, Charity Greene Ward remarried to Mr. Proctor.

Throughout its history the Charity Greene Ward Chapter has been devoted to community service through the National Society DAR ideals of patriotism, education, and historic preservation.

• On July 1, 1978, the chapter dedicated the monument which stands on the southwest corner of 13th and Gulf Streets, commemorating the site where the Wards placed the first building in Lamar in 1852, pictured above.
• We have continuously been involved in numerous DAR projects, including Constitution Week, Flag Day Celebration, American History Essay Contests, and the Good Citizen Award. Chapter members donated American flags to the new Lamar High School when it was built.
• Our chapter has supported the DAR schools and the restoration of the Missouri Room, Continental Hall, in Washington, D.C., as well as the Missouri State Society DAR headquarters, Roslyn Heights, in Boonville, Missouri.
• In September of 1994, our chapter placed a marker on the grave of Wyatt Earp’s wife, Urilla Sutherland Earp. Wyatt Earp was the first constable of Lamar (1870-1871) and his young wife died in the first year of their marriage. Later, Wyatt Earp became famous as a lawman in Wichita and Dodge City, Kansas, and then in Tombstone, Arizona.
• We have great pride in the Lamar birthplace of our most town’s most famous American, President Harry S. Truman.
• Our chapter will continue to emulate the DAR motto of “God, Home, and Country” and to promote patriotism, education, and historic preservation through community service.

About the DAR. The Daughters of the American Revolution is a service organization in which each member is a lineal descendant of a Patriot who gave aid or served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Information about DAR may be found at the National Society DAR web site which includes facts about DAR and membership criteria. Further information may also be found at the Missouri State Society DAR web site.

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"Over the Hills and Far Away" was published in 1706, although it is probably from an older air. It was popular during the Colonial and Revolutionary War era. (Midi file sequenced by Lesley Nelson-Burns)
Music is courtesy of the Lesley Nelson Folk Music Site: Popular Songs in American History.

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Last updated 6 July 2008.

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