DAR Insignia



National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

Dorcas Richardson Chapter

Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri

To perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; to promote the development of an enlightened public opinion; and to foster patriotic citizenship--these are the objects of our society, Daughters of the American Revolution.

Each member of the DAR is a lineal descendant of a patriot who gave aid or served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The National Society DAR has facts about DAR and information about joining DAR. Further information about DAR is available at: National Society DAR and Missouri State Society DAR


Our DAR chapter was founded May 19, 1912 in Trenton, Grundy County, Missouri, and named after Dorcas Richardson, Patriot, who was the daughter of Captain John Nelson of South Carolina. She was married at the age of 20 to Richard Richardson. Following her marriage, Dorcas lived on her husband's plantation until the Revolutionary War. In 1776, her husband was promoted to captaincy in the regular army under Colonel Sumpter, and later he was taken prisoner and sent to Saint John's Island.

Following the fall of Charleston, the county was overrun with British troops and Tories who took possession of the Richardson plantation, which they made British headquarters. When the British officers discovered that Captain Richardson had gathered patriots around him and joined forces with Marion, they made offers of pardon, wealth, and promotion to Dorcas if she would use her influence to have her husband join forces with them. She refused to even lay the matter before her husband. At the close of the war, he was promoted to the rank of colonel.

Colonel Richardson returned to his wasted plantation and the two patriots spent their declining years in peace and plenty. Six of their ten children came to maturity, married, and reared families.

Dorcas survived her husband several years. She died at the age of 93. Dorcas Richardson, one of the brave women of the American Revolution, kept the home fires burning. She cared for the children, endured the deprivations uncomplainingly, and aided the American cause. (From The Missouri State History of Daughters of the American Revolution by Mrs. Frank Sayre Leach).

The Dorcas Richardson Chapter has promoted the National Society DAR ideals of patriotism, education, and historical preservation throughout its history. Among our many accomplishments are:

-- Recording Grundy County cemetery records.
-- Erecting a sign at the old Grundy County poor farm which lists names of those we know who died there.
-- Presenting a Christmas program for the residents of the Sunnyview Nursing Home.
-- Presenting patriotic and American historical awards to area school children.
-- Supporting our community in historical preservation.
-- Past Regent Jackie Thatcher has developed a database which now contains over 160,000 people who either lived in, were ancestors of, or descendants of Grundy County residents. Her Grundy County Program is a well documented PAF program containing census records, cemetery, birth, death, and other records for Grundy County which go back to at least 1900. Her program is available at both the Jewett Norris Library and the Grundy County Museum in Trenton.

Our luncheon meetings are held on the 1st Monday of the months of March through September at noon. Our programs are varied and interesting and on topics relating to patriotism, education, and historical preservation. If you are interested in joining DAR and would like to attend one of our meetings, please contact us. Visitors are welcome. We will be happy to assist you in proving your lineage to your Revolutionary War patriot.

Our Dorcas Richardson Chapter officers are:
Regent--Evelyn Trickel
Vice Regent--Shirley Lymer
Chaplain--Annabel Baugher
Recording Secretary--Shirley Lymer
Corresponding Secretary--Mary Smith
Treasurer--Shyla Hamilton
Registrar--Mary Lynn Griffin
Historian--Evelyn Trickel



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Music: Like many other Colonial American folksongs, "Early One Morning" was brought to America by the British colonists and was a favorite during that era. (Midi file sequenced by Barry Taylor)
Music is courtesy of the Lesley Nelson Folk Music Site: Popular Songs in American History.

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Last updated 29 August 2010.

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