Beautiful Springfield Hall near Historic Old Fort Parker in Limestone County was the perfect setting for Jonathan Hardin Chapter’s Centennial Tea on Sunday, March 27th in honor of State Regent, Marcy Carter-Lovick. Mrs. Lovick and Chapter Regent, Nancy Brown McSwane, welcomed more than sixty Texas Daughters to celebrate Jonathan Hardin Chapter’s 100th Anniversary. The chapter was honored to have several Texas Society officers in attendance; State Regent, Marcy Carter-Lovick; Vice Regent, Barbara McCormick Petrov; Chaplain, Georgi Brochstein; Recording Secretery, Shirley Bland; Organizing Secretary, Susan Johnston; Registrar, Susan McRee Adams; Historian, Betty Bird; Librarian, Paula Owen. District VII Director, Carole Lowe and the Heart of Texas Regent’s Council President, Pamela Marie Baker were also in attendance as well as several state committee chairs and vice-chairs. Many chapters across the state of Texas were represented. Honorary Jonathan Hardin Chapter Regent and thirty-year member, Kay Alston served as the Committee Chair for the Centennial Tea. Mrs Alston has also served the Texas Society as a state officer under two administrations as State Organizing Secretary and State Chaplain. She has served the National Society in numerous Committee Vice Chairmanships and as a Board Member of the Tamassee DAR School in Tamassee, South Carolina. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Kate Duncan Smith DAR School in Grant, Alabama.
In honor of the chapter’s 100th anniversary, the Senate of the State of Texas issued a proclamation stating that Jonathan Hardin Chapter is a “thriving part of a proud and historic service organization” and “The Senate of the State of Texas hereby commend the members of the Jonathan Hardin Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution for upholding a proud legacy of service and tradition and extend to all best wishes for a memorable 100th anniversary celebration”.
The Jonathan Hardin Chapter was established on March 28, 1922 in the home of Mrs. John H. Sweatt and was formally organized as the Mexia Chapter with 14 charter members. The chapter’s name changed the following year to honor Jonathan Hardin, a Revolutionary War veteran and an ancestor of three of the chapter members. Jonathan Hardin, also known as John Harding, was born in 1756. He served in the American Revolution as a private under General Marion J. Hardin. His service was in North Carolina where he received a land grant. Jonathan Hardin died in 1792 in Gallatin, Sumber County, Tennessee.
After meeting in the members homes for several years, the chapter grew and moved its monthly gatherings to the Gibbs Memorial Library in Mexia, where its 200 plus members continue to meet today. The chapter remains committed to the organization’s mission to promote patriotism, education and to preserve and honor American history. The chapter members serve the communities surrounding Limestone County under the current leadership of Regent Nancy McSwane. The chapter currently has three members serving the Texas Society as State Committee Vice Chairs, they are; Mrs Kay Alston, Mrs Aleece McBay and Mrs Patti Gauntt. From fourteen organizing members in 1922, Jonathan Hardin Chapter has grown to over 210 members. Only sixteen of the one hundred and ninety-seven Texas chapters have greater than 200 members and all of which are located in metropolitan areas. Two outstanding Jonathan Hardin Chapter Registrars have made this tremendous chapter growth; Billie Bournias and Patti Gauntt.
Chapter Regent, Nancy McSwane is serving in the final days of her two term administration as the 44th Regent of the Jonathan Hardin Chapter. Nancy’s love of DAR and her enthusiasm are contagious and have brought attention, energy and growth to the chapter.
This 100th Anniversary “Centennial Tea” honoring the Texas State Regent, Marcy Carter-Lovick provided the perfect occasion to honor the chapter members’ ancestors and celebrate the chapter’s continued dedication and commitment to promoting the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission of Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism through service to God, Home and Country.
