Black Beaver
On March 7, 1914, Organizing Chapter Regent Malvina Bowling Glenn conducted the first meeting of the Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR. Professor Joseph B. Thoburn, Department of History, University of Oklahoma and State Historian, gave the address. His wife, Rachel Conwell Thoburn, was one of the 17 charter members present. The charter officers were: Mary Goodrich Porter, Regent; Malvina B. Glenn, Recording Secretary; Anne McCall, Corresponding Secretary; Minnie Merriman Hutchin, Treasurer; Florence N. Van Buskirk, Registrar; and Pauline Egbert Ownby, Historian.
The new chapter desired to be named in memory of the Delaware Scout, Captain Black Beaver. As recorded in the minutes from the initial meeting in 1914, Professor Thoburn provided a sketch of Black Beaver's life, stating "He was indeed a most noble and worthy man ... in naming your chapter for him you are honoring the memory of as high-minded a patriot as any of who we have record."
Black Beaver was born near Belleville, Illinois, about 1806. He was present as an interpreter at the council held by Colonel Henry Dodge with the Comanche, Kiowa, and Wichita tribes in 1834 in the Red River country. The United States government requested his services due to his expert knowledge of the tribes of the southern plains. During the war with Mexico, Black Beaver accompanied the American Army of Invasion and was in command of a company of Indian scouts. Because of his service, he was afterward called Captain Black Beaver. He died May 8, 1880, and was originally buried in Anadarko, Oklahoma. In 1975, his remains were moved to a place of honor at Fort Sill Post Cemetery, Lawton, Oklahoma. On May 13, 1954, a statue of Black Beaver was unveiled in the Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol building.
The new chapter desired to be named in memory of the Delaware Scout, Captain Black Beaver. As recorded in the minutes from the initial meeting in 1914, Professor Thoburn provided a sketch of Black Beaver's life, stating "He was indeed a most noble and worthy man ... in naming your chapter for him you are honoring the memory of as high-minded a patriot as any of who we have record."
Black Beaver was born near Belleville, Illinois, about 1806. He was present as an interpreter at the council held by Colonel Henry Dodge with the Comanche, Kiowa, and Wichita tribes in 1834 in the Red River country. The United States government requested his services due to his expert knowledge of the tribes of the southern plains. During the war with Mexico, Black Beaver accompanied the American Army of Invasion and was in command of a company of Indian scouts. Because of his service, he was afterward called Captain Black Beaver. He died May 8, 1880, and was originally buried in Anadarko, Oklahoma. In 1975, his remains were moved to a place of honor at Fort Sill Post Cemetery, Lawton, Oklahoma. On May 13, 1954, a statue of Black Beaver was unveiled in the Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol building.
Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR - A Century of Service, and Counting
In March 2014, Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated its 100th Anniversary. During its first century, chapter members noted many acts of service to their community, state, and organization.
The installation of the Washington Irving Monument near the Little Axe school in 1932 was co-sponsored by the Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR, to commemorate the centennial of Washington Irving's visit to the area. Due to a highway change in 1970, the chapter supported the relocation of the marker to the Washington Irving Memorial Roadside Park in Little Axe. The marker's design incorporates clusters of rose rocks from the region.
In 1955 and 1956, the chapter's Genealogical Records Committee canvassed 21 rural cemeteries in Cleveland County, making a list of the inscription on tombstones. There are about 4,000 inscriptions listed on 166 pages. The committee gave this compilation to the Oklahoma State Historical Library in Oklahoma City and the NSDAR Library in Washington, D.C.
In 1973, the Cleveland County-Norman Historical House, also named Moore-Lindsey House, built in 1899, was preserved as a museum for the community. The Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR, furnished the dining room, and the Children of the American Revolution Minute Men Society furnished one of the bedrooms.
For many years, several chapter members were community volunteer producers for the Norman area cable TV channel. They wrote scripts and interviewed DAR members and guests for shows about DAR, historical events, and other interesting programs.
Outstanding programs have included: American Revolutionary War reenactors, historical figures, genealogy programs, and "Quilts of Valor," members signed quilt blocks which were made into a quilt and sent to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany. In addition, speakers have presented programs about events on earth to an astronaut in outer space.
Yearly chapter events include:
The installation of the Washington Irving Monument near the Little Axe school in 1932 was co-sponsored by the Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR, to commemorate the centennial of Washington Irving's visit to the area. Due to a highway change in 1970, the chapter supported the relocation of the marker to the Washington Irving Memorial Roadside Park in Little Axe. The marker's design incorporates clusters of rose rocks from the region.
In 1955 and 1956, the chapter's Genealogical Records Committee canvassed 21 rural cemeteries in Cleveland County, making a list of the inscription on tombstones. There are about 4,000 inscriptions listed on 166 pages. The committee gave this compilation to the Oklahoma State Historical Library in Oklahoma City and the NSDAR Library in Washington, D.C.
In 1973, the Cleveland County-Norman Historical House, also named Moore-Lindsey House, built in 1899, was preserved as a museum for the community. The Black Beaver Chapter, NSDAR, furnished the dining room, and the Children of the American Revolution Minute Men Society furnished one of the bedrooms.
For many years, several chapter members were community volunteer producers for the Norman area cable TV channel. They wrote scripts and interviewed DAR members and guests for shows about DAR, historical events, and other interesting programs.
Outstanding programs have included: American Revolutionary War reenactors, historical figures, genealogy programs, and "Quilts of Valor," members signed quilt blocks which were made into a quilt and sent to Landstuhl Medical Center in Germany. In addition, speakers have presented programs about events on earth to an astronaut in outer space.
Yearly chapter events include:
- George Washington Luncheon, February
- Naturalization Ceremony, March
- Norman Earth Day Festival, April
- University of Oklahoma Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Awards Ceremony, April
- May Luncheon
- Flag Day Celebration, June 14
- Guest Day and Membership Tea, September
- Cleveland County Fair Booth, September
- Constitution Week Proclamation, September
- National DAR Day of Service, October
- Veterans Day Observance, November
- Wreaths Across America, December