Society honors founder who saved Mount Vernon
Contributed by The Ann Pamela Cuningham Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution

State Regent Mrs. William Glasgow and Chapter Regent Mrs. James Wilds display the certificate to be awarded to those who have 50 years of continuous membership in DAR.

The Ann Pamela Cuningham Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 81st anniversary with a luncheon at Forest Lake Club March 7, 2007.

State Regent Mrs. William Glasgow was the keynote speaker. She acknowledged three members of the chapter for each having 50 years of continuous membership in the society: Margaret Westmoreland Clarkson (Mrs. N. Heyward Clarkson), Susan McElveen Graybill (Mrs. Jack S. Graybill), and Ann Weaver Paschal (Mrs. Robert S. Paschal).

Mrs. John Wrenn, vice regent of the chapter, presented Mrs. Glasgow with a check for the S.C. Cottage Project at Tamassee DAR School.

Pre- luncheon music was provided by classical guitarist Chris Essig, who is presently working on a master degree at the USC School of Music.

Scrapbooks from the chapters earliest days were on display.

Mrs. Edward Salley and Mrs. Richard Slocum study old chapter books of the Ann Pamela Cuningham Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

The Ann Pamela Cuningham Chapter was organized January 14, 1926, and was accepted by the National Society March 3, 1926. The name was selected to honor an outstanding daughter of S.C., the lady who saved Mount Vernon. Miss Cuningham was born at Rosemont, Laurens County, S.C. August 15, 1816. She was educated at Barhamville Female Academy in Columbia, S.C.

She suffered from a permanent spinal injury, which was the result of a horseback riding accident while in her teens. She lived in pain and was often bed- bound; however, she fought unceasingly to preserve the home of our first president. In 1853, she founded Mount Vernon Ladies Association of the Union with the purpose of purchasing and preserving the mansion and tomb of George Washington with 200 acres of land. She was the first regent of the association. She retired from office in 1875, shortly before her death in 1875. She is buried in the graveyard of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia.

The first regent of the newly formed chapter was Mrs. W. M. Burney, a fitting selection, since Mrs. Burney was a grand niece of Ann Pamela Cuningham.

Mrs. James T. Wilds Jr. is the current regent of the chapter.