Members of Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter DAR, which includes members from Bienville Parish, met at St. John’s Church in Minden on April 13th. This month’s theme was A Tribute to Native Americans. Linda Watson gave a presentation about the life of Pocahontas. Hostesses for this month’s meeting were Shirley Cobb, Mary Long, and Linda Watson.
Our annual DAR State Conference was held through a Zoom meeting again this year, and our chapter received several awards. All but one of the State Level winners of the DAR American History Essay Contest were from Webster Parish. They are: Anna Grace Vining (5th grade), Addison Bond (6th grade), and Cade Vining (8th grade). Because our chapter had three State level winners, we received the First Place Achievement Recognition Award in American History. Donna Sutton, our Genealogy Preservation Chair, received a top award at State for a major project involving the preservation of antique Bible records.
We are excited to welcome Nancy Holmes as a new member to our chapter. Her patriot ancestor is Robert McGinty. His biography is in a book called “A Twig of the McGinty Family Tree” by Garnie William McGinty, shelved at the Ringgold Branch Library. Robert McGinty was born in 1746 in Augusta Co, VA. When he was about 16 his father moved the family to North Carolina, and Robert attended school in Mecklenburg. He married Deborah Wright, the daughter of a Baptist minister. In 1779, they moved to Columbia Co, GA, and Robert served as a Private in the local militia. During the war, Georgia settlers were driven from their homes by the British, and they went as refugees into the Carolinas. After the war, Robert and his family returned to their ruined cabin and lands. Robert received 250 acres of bounty land and a bonus for refugee service. A few years later, he was licensed to preach at Phillip Mill Baptist Church. According to Campbell’s History of Georgia Baptists, Robert was a person of easy and polite manners, a man of general information, and a sound and sensible preacher. Robert died in Monroe Co, GA, on February 10, 1841.
Was one of your ancestors part of the American Revolution (1775-1783)? Researching your family has never been easier, and DAR members can help you. A membership in DAR connects you with a group of women who are passionate about history and service, with local projects that help veterans and inspire students. Please like our Facebook page: Daughters of the American Revolution – Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter, and contact us at dorcheat-bistineau@yahoo.com.