Chapter History

The William Marsh Chapter, NSDAR, in LaFayette, GA, was founded on April 12, 1911, with Mrs. J.F. Wardlaw appointed as the first Chapter Regent. "We Are One by the Memories of Our Fathers" is the motto adopted by the founding members of our chapter.

Our chapter has 45 members, and we meet every third Thursday at 2:00 p.m. from September until May, except for January when we meet on the third Saturday at 2:00 p.m., April when we meet on the third Thursday at 6:00 p.m., and May when we meet on the third Saturday at Noon. In December, we have a Christmas luncheon instead of a regular meeting. Please email our chapter for meeting times and locations.

Our members promote Constitution Week each year, we donate books to our local library and encourage literacy in children, and we send donations to DAR schools. We also promote education by volunteering at area schools and providing DAR lesson plans. Our chapter supports patriotism by maintaining gravesites of our military servicemen and women. In June, we distribute flags on Flag Day and educate individuals on the Flag Code. We donate needed items to the VA Hospital to help our veterans. We also support the active military by sending cards of encouragement overseas. We are a Commemorative Partner for the National 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration. Finally, our chapter promotes historic preservation by contributing to Meadow Garden in Augusta, GA, the historic home of George Walton, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and by providing tours of the Historic Marsh House.

The chapter was named after American Revolutionary War soldier William Marsh, whose son, Spencer Stewart Marsh, settled in LaFayette, GA, around 1835. His wife, Ruth Terrell Brantley Marsh, built the Marsh House. The Marsh-Warthen House (official name) is important to an understanding of social and cultural history due to Spencer Marsh's efforts to promote the welfare of the LaFayette area. As a community and business leader in LaFayette and Walker County, Marsh encouraged progressing the community's economic, educational, and religious life. In addition to his influence as a local merchant, Mr. Marsh helped organize the Trion Factory (in Chattooga County, south of LaFayette) in 1845, the first cotton mill in northwest Georgia. Today this is known as Mount Vernon Mills. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh-Warthen_House)