In January, delivering stuffed animals to the Montgomery County Family Justice Center are (from left) Jackie Cronin, Acting FJC Director Thomas Manion, and Patty Vitale. Photo Contributed
On June 7, 1974, the Hungerford’s Tavern Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was founded in Potomac. Ever since the organization was begun, they have provided patriotic service to the nation, the state and community. Their motto, “God, Home and Country” serves to define their mission: dedication to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America’s future through better education.
Why was this DAR chapter named for Hungerford’s Tavern? The birthplace of Montgomery County was most likely the popular Hungerford’s Tavern, which stood at the corner of South Washington and Jefferson streets in Rockville. According to the Hungerford’s Tavern Daughters of the American Revolution website, “On Saturday, June 11, 1774, at Hungerford's Tavern, the leading men of lower Frederick County met with Henry Griffith as moderator and Archibald Orme as clerk and resolved unanimously: ‘That it is the opinion of this meeting that the most effectual means for the securing of American freedom will be to break off all commerce with Great Britain and the West Indies.’ Dr. Thomas Sprigg Wootton, Nathan and Zadek Magruder, Richard Brooke, Henry Griffith, Evan and Richard Thomas, Dr. William Baker, Thomas Cramphin, Jr. and Allen Bowie were appointed to carry the resolution to Annapolis.”
“Two years later, on September 6, 1776, a resolution introduced by Dr. Thomas Sprigg Wootton was passed by the Maryland Assembly dividing the western and south sections of Frederick County into Washington and Montgomery, the first counties in the state named for citizens of the colonies. At this time it was directed that elections be held and Charles Hungerford's tavern was the place chosen for these first Montgomery County elections. On May 20, 1777, the first court was held in Hungerford's Tavern, which continued to serve as the seat of government for Montgomery County until the first court house was erected in 1779.” The current Montgomery County Courthouse is near its previous location and Rockville’s Hungerford Drive honors the tavern proprietor who also served several years as a justice of the peace.
The National Society of the DAR has more than 165,000 members in more than 3,000 chapters throughout the United States, D.C. and in 12 countries around the world. Hungerford’s Tavern DAR has 35 members who perform many service projects and activities. Everyone in the organization must prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.
Even though the Hungerford’s Tavern DAR is one of the smaller chapters in Maryland, the members accomplish a number of service projects each year.
“Our most rewarding service project is hosting a reception for newly naturalized citizens at the Beltsville Federal Courthouse,” said Membership Chairman Jackie Cronin. “We give a welcoming speech to the new citizens as they take the oath of citizenship in the courtroom and we pass out American flags and a Pledge of Allegiance card to all in attendance. Another project is serving dinner and bringing breakfast, books, gloves and cards to the ladies staying at the Sophia House Shelter. We have recently initiated a collection of items for the Montgomery County Justice Center too.”
Other projects include educating students and adults through Constitution Week displays and elementary schools and libraries, placing wreaths at Veteran’s Triangle in Bethesda for Memorial and Veteran’s Days, sending boxes to active-duty military personnel, honoring living Vietnam veterans with a ceremony and reception and serving as active leaders and supports of the Hungerford Resolves Society, Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.) The group also supports DAR-founded Schools, DAR Approved Schools and American Indian Schools.
“Joining the DAR originally gave me a way to connect to my ancestors, but now the most meaningful part of our organization is the lasting friendships I have made with both the local daughters and the state members,” cronin said. “We all share a commitment to service and to keeping patriotism alive and well in our society. I thoroughly enjoy the hands-on service projects the chapter provides. Our members join to become part of something unique with an irreplaceable connection to the past.”
The organization meets on the third Monday of the month at the Potomac Community Center in September, October, November, April and May. In January, they meet with their Children’s Organization (C.A.R.) and in February, they meet on a Saturday for a local historical fieldtrip. Anyone interested in joining should contact Cronin at JackieCroninDAR@gmail.com.