The Benjamin Prescott Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a regular business meeting on April 3 at the Patterson Library in Westfield.

The opening ritual was led by Regent Myra Johnston and Chaplain Deborah Cenni. The President General’s Report was summarized by Regent Johnston. The President General stated that the cherry blossoms were beautiful in Washington now. Spring is the perfect time to get involved with historic preservation, education, and patriotism. The 250th anniversaries of the battles of Lexington and Concord, known as the “shot heard around the world,” will be commemorated in Boston on April 14 and 15. A new exhibit, “Fighting for Freedom: Black Craftspeople and the Pursuit of Independence,” will be on display at the DAR Museum until Dec. 31.

From May 5 to 7, the DAR Genealogical Research Institute will hold classes at Headquarters. The President General ended her Report by welcoming all members to the 134th Continental Congress. Information for Continental Congress can be found on the Congress Website on the DAR website. Regent Johnston asked members if they were planning on going to Continental Congress to let her know.

The National Defender’s Report was read by Linda Kuzara. Entitled “Dr Mary Walker: First Female Medal of Honor Recipient,” it spoke of the accomplishments of Walker. She was born in Oswego and graduated from Syracuse Medical College.

Because she was a woman, many people of her day did not take her medical practice seriously. When the Civil War broke out, Walker tended to the wounded at field hospitals.

It wasn’t until 1863 that her medical credentials were finally accepted, and she was able to work as a War Department surgeon.

At one point, Walker was arrested for being a spy. While in prison, she refused to wear the traditional feminine clothing, preferring the attire of trousers and shirts. After four months in prison, Walker was released. For the remainder of the Civil War, Walker worked at a Women’s Prison Hospital and at an orphan asylum. During her lifetime, Walker was an advocate for Women’s Rights. In her later years, Walker opened her home to women who were harassed for not conforming to the traditional ideas of what a woman should be. Walker died on February 21, 1919 and was buried in Oswego. To this day, Walker is the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor.

Carol Abell made the motion to accept the minutes from March 6, 2025, Historian Elizabeth Sedlmayer seconded it, and the minutes were filed as written.

Treasurer Bonnie Larkin gave the treasurer’s report and Barbara Pietro, Registrar, presented 2 sets of completed applications for signatures to send to Washington. Registrar Pietro reported she is currently working with 3 prospectives.

Johnston spoke about the upcoming visit of New York State Regent Pamela Barrack to our area. The luncheon in her honor will be on Saturday, May 3 at noon at the Jamestown Chapter House. Reservations are due by April 15.

Discussion then followed concerning Benjamin Prescott Chapter’s Real Daughters. Real daughters are actual daughters of Revolutionary War soldiers. Regent Johnston presented a list of the real daughters with dates and known burial sites. Sedlmayer then read some excerpts concerning these real daughters.

Vice-Regent Brenda Johnson gave an update on the Lafayette tea to be held on Sunday, June 1 at the Fredonia Grange. Chapter members should buy their tickets soon, as reservations are already coming in.

Our chapter field trip is planned for July. After some discussion, it was decided to visit Letchworth State Park and visit the Mary Jemison statue.

In August, the chapter plans to lay wreaths at the graves of real daughter grave markings in Forest Hill Cemetery in Fredonia, and enjoy a picnic lunch in the cemetery. Afterwards, an ice cream social is planned at the home of Registrar Barbara Pietro.

Abell presented the Patriot Minute about her grandfather, Clifford Fairbanks. He taught school before and after he served in France during WWI. He kept journals about his experiences and the contrast between classrooms of the early 20th century to today was very interesting.

The next meeting will be on May 1 at Demetri’s on the Lake in Dunkirk at 5 p.m. If you are over 18 years of age and had an ancestor who fought or gave aid to the brave soldiers that fought and won the American Revolutionary War and would like to join us, please call Barbara Pietro at 716-392-1166 or email her at jbpietro@gmail.com.