History of the Josiah Brunson Chapter NSDAR
Allie Claire "Cookie" Dorough
Organizing Regent
During her term as State Regent, Mrs. Hollis E. Woodyard identified a need for a new DAR chapter in the eastern part of the city.
Mrs. Claire “Cookie” Dorough began to recruit members, and an organizational meeting was held at her home on August 3, 1974. Mrs. Hollis E. Woodyard, State Lineage Chairman Louise Julich, Mrs. Richard Moxley, and Miss Rosa Lee Busby helped with the application papers.
The chapter received its charter on October 10, 1974. Organizing members were: Mrs. Kay Ledbetter Boehnke, Mrs. Mae Brunson Cooper, Mrs. Willie Mae Deal, Mrs. Clair Cooper Dorough, Mrs. Velma Nelson Hemphill, Mrs. Grace Thorn Hill, Mrs. Martha Thorn Huffman, Mrs. Nancy Huffstutler King, Mrs. Ethel Nelson Lacy, Mrs. Kerrye Dorough Milhorn, Mrs. Elizabeth Gary Moore, Mrs. Roberta Haynes Paul, Mrs. Marie Teague, and Mrs. Ollie Kendrick Spurlock. The organizing regent Mrs. Dorough, chose the name of her Revolutionary War ancestor, Josiah Brunson, as the chapter's name. Three generations of the Brunson Family were charter members, as well as two other members that were related.
Josiah Brunson was born September 7, 1750, in St. Mark Parish, South Carolina. He was sixth of nine children born to Isaac and Mary (Nelson) Brunson. Josiah was the fourth generation of the Brunson family born in America. At the time of the American Revolution, Josiah and six of his brothers served with General Francis Marion's Brigade in South Carolina. All the brothers survived the war except Mathew, who was killed by the Tories in January 1781. In 1986, the grandmother of two of our members joined at the age of 102; and at that time, she was thought to be the oldest member to join DAR. The chapter has marked the graves of four of its members and two of its Revolutionary War patriots.
Over the years, the chapter has had two state officers, as well as members on the State Board of Management since 1974; also, members have attended state conference since that time. Our chapter is very patriotic and we follow the guidelines set forth by the National Society for small chapters. The chapter has enjoyed entertaining each of the state regents since our organization. Now in our 43rd year, the Josiah Brunson Chapter NSDAR looks forward to continued growth.