Organized March 26, 1914
The John Guild Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR), was named for the Reverend John Guild, an ordained Presbyterian minister; nine of the sixteen charter members were descendants of John Guild. During the Revolution, John Guild was “hated” as a true patriot. His home was entered by British soldiers, his papers destroyed, and his books torn to pieces. The Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Pennington, New Jersey, where he was pastor was used by the British soldiers for barracks. The seats were hacked to pieces by the cutting up of meat, and the marble topped communion table was broken by the blow of a fire lock. On Christmas night 1776, Washington crossed the Delaware, and in a surprise attack the next morning, defeated the British Army at Trenton. Washington was guided that night “from the point of crossing the river to the northerly edge of Trenton by three men: John Guild, John Muirheid, and David Lanning.” – From “Historical Discourse” by George Hale
The John Guild Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), of Jackson, Missouri was organized on the sixteenth of March 1914, with sixteen charter members. [Note: the 26th is the correct day.] The ladies assembled at the home of Mrs. Alvin Kneibert and were joined by several Cape Girardeau ladies, who were members of the Nancy Hunter Chapter, NSDAR, and Mrs. Macfarlane, then the State Regent, who came for the purpose of perfecting the organization. The following were charter members: Miss Winifred Jones, Mrs. J.W. Hunter, Mrs. Nettie Howard, Miss Mabel Henderson, Mrs. Alvin Kneibert, Miss Lizzie Ramey, Miss Gayle Ramey, Miss Martine LaPierre, Miss Mary LaPierre, Miss Adelaide LaPierre, Miss Christine Medley, Miss Elizabeth Medley, Miss Conway Medley, Miss Frederica Medley, Miss Ruth Medley, and Miss Bernice Williams. From Missouri State History of the D.A.R. 1929
Prior to 1931, the Daughters of the American Revolution chapters in the state of Missouri were not formally organized into districts, but during that year Guild Chapter, NSDAR (later John Guild Chapter, NSDAR) entertained all the chapters in the area — Sikeston, Charleston, Poplar Bluff, Cape Girardeau, Farmington and Jackson. At that time, the 80 DAR members present decided to formally organize into the Southeast District.
Centennial Celebration
Enjoy a look back at the first 100 years with our slideshow put together in 2014 to celebrate our centennial anniversary.
110 Years of Service and Friendship
Our chapters have increased in number through the work of visionary women who passed on the objectives of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In 1901, the Nancy Hunter Chapter, NSDAR, in Cape Girardeau was organized with twelve members, and their numbers increased until a new chapter was formed in 1914. The newly formed “Guild” chapter in Jackson, Missouri, later became known as the John Guild Chapter, NSDAR, and the two chapters have worked promoting historic preservation, education, and patriotism ever since.
The John Guild Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated 110 years of Service and Friendship in 2024. We wish to give our heartfelt thanks for their mentorship and support that has made both chapters successful as we continue passing the lantern of patriotism to future generations.