|
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.
|
