About Us
History
Founded in Old Fort, North Carolina, in 1935, the Greenlee Chapter, NSDAR, was named after James Greenlee, the ancestor of several organizing members. James Greenlee together with his sister, Grace, and her husband, Captain John Bowman, came from Virginia to Burke County, North Carolina, prior to the American Revolutionary War. When the war broke out, Captain John Bowman and James Greenlee joined their relatives of the McDowell family in their raid against the Tories.
Captain Bowman was mortally wounded at the Battle of Ramseur’s Mill. Mrs. Bowman (Grace Greenlee) buried her husband on the battlefield where he so gallantly fought. She later married General Charles McDowell. Grace Greenlee McDowell is whom the Grace Greenlee McDowell Society of the Children of the American Revolution was named.
James Greenlee fought in the Battle of King’s Mountain and the Battle of Cowpens. After the war ended, he held several public positions including land inspector, justice in Burke County, member of the North Carolina Convention in 1788, and the first coroner of Burke County. James Greenlee owned large amounts of land in Burke County as well as the surrounding counties of Yancey, Mitchell, Buncombe, and Rutherford. His property included land along the Catawba River near Old Fort.
Old Fort
The name says it all. Old Fort is indeed one of the oldest towns in western North Carolina. It was originally a fort, built by the colonial militia before the United States Declaration of Independence. Once called “Gateway to the West,” the settlement served as the westernmost outpost of the early Thirteen Colonies.
In 1930, a 30-foot arrowhead was dedicated to honoring the peace between Native Americans. The granite arrowhead was built as a symbol of peace between two competing Native American tribes in the region, the Cherokee and the Catawba.
The Greenlee Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated the 102nd birthday with one of our members who was in an assisted living facility. A Navy veteran, she always enjoyed sharing about her travels. She truly served her country.
The Greenlee Chapter, NSDAR, visited the Avery County Historical Museum in Newland, North Carolina. Two members found themselves behind bars during the tour. The museum is housed in the old Avery County jail, built in 1912.
The Greenlee Chapter, NSDAR, enjoyed the field trip to the Burke County Historical Museum in Morganton, North Carolina. Two members are thankful that they do not have to wash clothes with a scrub board as their ancestors did.
Many of the Greenlee Chapter, NSDAR, members are from families who have lived in the area for a long time. They appreciate history and enjoy sharing it with others by supporting historic preservation, patriotism, and education.
Meetings
Our chapter meets on the third Saturday morning in the months from January through May and September through December. A typical meeting includes social time, a guest speaker, and a business meeting. Our members enjoy taking field trips to the many historic locations in our area.
We encourage anyone interested in joining DAR to attend one of our meetings to better understand the DAR organization and especially our chapter. You will learn more about our chapter by going to the “What We Do” webpage to read about some of the things that we do throughout the year.
Please contact us for the meeting dates and location.