Welcome!

The Major General Robert Howe Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), supports our veterans through a variety of activities and promotes education through American history essay contests and Good Citizenship competition in our local schools. Please contact us to visit one of our meetings and learn more about our chapter.

History of Our Chapter

The Major General Robert Howe Chapter in Whiteville, North Carolina, was organized on November 26, 1935. Its sponsor and first regent was Annie Wooten Carson who had been a member of the DAR in Halifax County. When her family moved to Columbus County, she directed the formation of a new chapter with twenty two charter members.

The chapter chose to bear the name of Major General Robert Howe, who was the only North Carolinian on the staff of George Washington’s Continental Army. After his marriage to Sarah Grange, Howe lived in what is now part of Columbus County on the Cape Fear River. Howe became a major general and played a significant role in the American Revolution, first in the Southern Department and later as Commandant of West Point. He developed an interest in spy networking and served on the commission that convicted Benedict Arnold for being a traitor.

Since its inception, the primary focus of the Major General Robert Howe Chapter has been on historical, patriotic, and educationally related projects — specifically, Constitution Week, Good Citizenship competition, and American history essay contests. One highlight occurred in a county-wide observance of the Bicentennial of the Constitution in 1989 when a contingent of members participated in celebratory activities and marched in a parade with a patriotic banner. A similar event took place in 1992 to commemorate the five hundredth anniversary of Christopher Columbus, for whom our county was named.

DAR members have to prove that they are descended from someone who served in the American Revolution. They are justly proud of this ancestor and of the DAR organization that fosters a patriotic spirit.