| During the
summer of 1891, in her father’s law library, a site in
Galveston, Texas, that is now known as the “Cradle,” Miss Betty
Ballinger and her cousin, Miss Hally Bryan, conceived the idea
of perpetuating forever the memory of the Texas pioneer families
and soldiers of the Republic of Texas by forming an association
of their descendants.
The two cousins then traveled
to Houston, where they shared their thoughts with fourteen other
ladies at the home of Mrs. Andrew Briscoe on the afternoon of
November 6, 1891. At that meeting, they formed the organization
that is known today as The Daughters of the Republic of
Texas.
The Charter of The Daughters
of the Republic of Texas was filed in the Department of State on
March 9, 1895
The Daughters of the Republic
of Texas is an association with one hundred and six chapters
divided into ten districts. Each chapter is a part of the larger
organization and must operate within the framework of Bylaws
established by the Association.
A convention is held
annually. The convention dates have varied through the
years: April 21, March 2, March 18, February 18 and 19, also May
14. It was on May 14,1836 that Interim President
David C. Burnet and Santa Anna signed the Treaties of Velasco,
following the defeat of the Mexican forces at San Jacinto. Since
1936 The Daughters' tradition has been to choose a date as close
as possible to the Velasco Honor Day for their Annual
Convention.
Resolution of
the Texas Veterans Association at the Reunion in Waco in 1894
where the Veterans asked The Daughters to "CARRY ON" ...
RESOLVED,
that one of the greatest pleasures we have enjoyed during our
present reunion is the presence of The Daughters of the Republic
of Texas; that we approve and admire their noble efforts to
perpetuate the memories of the patriots of Texas and to prepare
and preserve data for the correct history of Texas; and that we
exhort them to persevere in their laudable enterprise and pray
them God's help.
In 1907, at
the last meeting of the Texas Veterans Association, only six
members answered the roll call. After the usual memorial
service, each one of these men expressed that, owing to the
increasing infirmities of age, he would be unable to attend
another meeting. They then unanimously voted for the dissolution
of the organization.
But before adjourning for the last time, it was resolved that
‘the holy memories clinging around it should be merged into the
patriotic association, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
Upon motion,
they repaired to the Presbyterian Church where without the
furling of a banner or the strain of martial music these old
heroes laid aside forever their badges of membership and
bequeathed their memories and their deeds with an ‘Undivided
Texas' as a precious legacy to The Daughters of the Republic of
Texas, by them to be held in trust forever.
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