Brigadier General John Swift Chapter
Daughters of 1812

The Brig. Gen. John Swift Chapter of Newark, was an active Chapter of the NYS Society of U.S. Daughters of 1812 was very active in the Palmyra & Newark area, especially during the 1930's.

The purposes of the organization are to promote patriotism, to preserve and increase knowledge of the history of the American people by preservation of documents and relics, the marking of historic spots, the recording of family histories and traditions, to compile and publish authentic records of men in civil, military and naval service from 1784 to 1815 inclusive and to maintain at National Headquarters in Washington, DC a museum and library of memorabilia of the that period.

The Society was organized on January 8, 1892. Mrs. Flora Adams Darling was the founder and first president.

Present day the N. Y. S. organization continues with its original purposes, but also supports the V.A. Hospitals, Mountain Schools in Appalachia, etc.

Mrs. Abram D. Smith of Newark, NY, Chapter President, retired in 1936, but under her leadership, 262 graves of 1812 soldiers were located and tabulated in Wayne County. Four bronze tablets commemorating 1812 history were erected, and 'Washington's Prayer', framed and illuminated was presented to the Newark High School. Historical pilgrimages were made to notable sites, full of 1812 folk-lore and traditions, in Wayne County. The Chapter disbanded in 1951.

In 1939, some local members of the Brig. Gen. John Swift Chapter, were: Mrs. Abram D. Smith, Miss Clara Prescott, Miss Minnie Snitzel, Miss Minnie Snyder, Mrs. Charlotte Bronk of Newark. Members of the Chapter from Lyons were: Mrs. Katherine Killick, Mrs. Albert E. Marshall, Mrs. Ralph Strain and Mrs. Charles E. Studor. Mrs. Howard Jeffery and Mrs. Sara Lines of Palmyra and Mrs. Nellie Garlock from Port Gibson. Descendants of these ladies would all be eligible to join the organization.

Additional information is available from the NYS President, Mary Casper, 4259 Deer Path, Marcellus 13108; NYS Registrar, Hallie Sweeting, 832 Route 104-A, Sterling 13156; or Beverly Sherman, P.O. Box 96, Port Gibson 14537.

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