- May 2, 2024
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The connection between members of the Daughters of the American Revolution Sara De Soto Chapter goes beyond lineage to the group’s patriotic outlook, from which springs its philanthropy in the community that involves the school system and veterans.
Many members said their interest began with a love of history, one of three tenets of the organization, along with education and patriotism.
Indeed, history can be found throughout the Daughters of the American Revolution house on 12th Street off North Tamiami Trail, with objects on display such as a Freemason robe and artifacts that belonged to the Whitaker family, who were some of the first settlers in the area.
Just outside the house lies the Whitaker Cemetery. Among the generations of Whitakers buried there is Mary Wyatt Whitaker, who became the mother of the first child of a Sarasota settler in 1852. Next door is the historic Pioneer Park, which features two 1800s buildings. Since the 1950s, the DAR has ensured the cemetery is maintained.
It is a fitting setting for an organization steeped in Sarasota history. Regent Pat Rook said the group, which will celebrate its 100-year anniversary in 2025, is the area’s oldest nonprofit.
Barbara Wilkes Asony’s interest in the group didn’t just start with tracing her lineage to John Stagg, who served as a commissary of forage for the Continental Army in New Jersey during the American Revolution.
It began with her mother, Jean Wilkes, who had wanted to join the group but could not prove her lineage.
“I wanted to honor her because it meant so much to her,” Asony said.
As she learned more about her history, Asony found that her family had arrived in America in 1622, almost two centuries earlier than the date of 1803 she had previously believed.
The most difficult part of her DAR application was proving the identity of her mother’s father, whose birth certificate was created in 1894 and listed his grandfather’s name instead of his own, as a substitute.
For the past eight years, Asony has helped verify the lineage of potential members, collecting documents and transmitting her findings for review at the national level.
There are plenty of intricacies to working with genealogies, Asony said.
The most accurate documents are typically wedding registrations, while death certificates rely on secondary information. The census often spelled names phonetically and recorded incorrect ages, with its administrators interviewing one individual for the names of all families who lived in a flat, said Asony.
For Honorary Regent Rebecca Morgan, her genealogy work has branched into the community. She has worked on genealogies for many locals — former City of Sarasota mayor Fredd Atkins, local representative Vern Buchanan, and a family tree that included the lineage of sports commentator and Lakewood Ranch resident Dick Vitale.
“I love the genealogy of it, and learning about your history, and helping other people learn about their history," Morgan said of the organization.
Asony said her charity work began before she joined the group, but it was the DAR that kept it moving forward.
“It keeps you focused, because we stand for certain things, so we can focus our charity work on that,” said Morgan, who has been a member of the organization for over 15 years, having served as a region leader and state officer.
Making up the organization are over 30 different committees, each with a different focus.
The group brings its patriotism to education, working with schools in addition to participating in events like History in the Park each year.
Their annual “Adopt a Classroom” initiative offers money to teachers so they can purchase classroom supplies and books for students and school libraries.
The group works with schools to teach the Constitution and offers the $100 Good Citizenship Award to seniors of local high schools, while an essay contest each year offers $1,000 for first-place students and $500 for second-place students. The DAR also honors teachers.
Near the end of March each year, the group holds History Awards Night, for which students create media of their choice — such as a play, website or poster board display — around a historical topic provided by DAR.
The well-being of veterans is a major cause of DAR members, with members working with Manatee Village in Bradenton to offer gift bags, The Pines of Sarasota to offer backpacks, and Goodwill Manasota on University Parkway to provide items for homeless veterans.
Meanwhile, Morgan said DAR has been performing environmental work “for a long time, before other people got on the bandwagon.”
The group has installed a butterfly garden, hosts environmental speakers and holds related field trips.
“There’s so much to do, you don’t get bored — that’s for sure,” Morgan said.
