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DAR preserves the past

By Staff | Oct 25, 2013

Despite the rain, about 50 members of the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), guests and family descendants held a grave marking for Ann Stephen Dandridge Hunter, daughter of Adam Stephen, Revolutionary War soldier and patriot, on the afternoon of Sunday, Oct. 13. The ceremony was held in the Triple Brick Museum and was followed by a reception at the General Adam Stephen house.

The Jefferson High School U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard led the processional. Curator of General Adam Stephen Memorial Association (GASMA), Keith Hammersla, gave the opening remarks. The invocation was given by the Reverend Julie Harris, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church in Martinsburg and the benediction by Barbara Nickell, Pack Horse Ford Chapter member. The Pledge of Allegiance was given by Joe Khare, President, General Adam Stephen Chapter, National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). Sandra Riggleman, Pack Horse Ford Chapter member and Vice President of the GASMA, led the attendees in the American’s Creed. Cheryl Brown, Regent for the Chapter, welcomed everyone. The State Regent of the WVDAR, Barbara M. Frankenberry, greeted attendees and commended Ann Stephen Dandridge Hunter’s contributions to her community. Representing descendants of Ann was Sarah Seemann. Dressed in period clothing, Martin Keesecker, President of GASMA, gave the biography of Ann.

Ann Stephen was born circa 1761. She was 16 years old when her father commanded a division under General George Washington during the American Revolution. In about 1780, she married Alexander Spotswood Dandridge, who served as a Captain during the Revolutionary War. As part of Ann’s dowry, Adam Stephen gave the couple 600 acres, and they lived on “The Bower” property off of Warm Springs Road. They had one son. Ann’s husband died after a lingering illness in April, 1785. Two years later, Ann married Moses Hunter, Clerk of Berkeley County, who was also a patriot during the American Revolution. The couple had three children. Her second husband died when Ann was 37 years old. She never remarried. Ann died at “Hazelfield” at the age of 73 in 1834.

Ann’s obituary in the National Intelligencer states she “could relate, with singular accuracy, many incidents of great interest connected with that memorable era in the history of these American States. From these early associations she imbibed an ardent lover for her country and never failed, on all appropriate occasions, to furnish the most conclusive evidence of distinguished patriotism.”

In a second ceremony, held on Saturday, October 12, Pack Horse Ford Chapter members attended the grave markings and dedication held by the General Adam Stephen Chapter, NSSAR and Bee Line Chapter, NSDAR for President General Charles Francis Printz and his wife, Bethel Hottel Printz.

Charles Printz (July 16, 1915 Sept. 20, 2011) and his wife, Bethel “Beth” Geraldine Hottel Printz (December 16, 1918 – October 20, 2011), served their country and community, both being active in numerous organizations.

Those who are interested in attending a Pack Horse Ford Chapter meeting and help “Preserve the Past, Enhance the Present, and Invest in the Future,” contact Regent Cheryl Brown at 304-876-3817 or Registrar Dorrene Hale at 304-725-6140. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org.