What is a Patriot? Patriots were those who resided in the Thirteen Colonies and rejected British rule. There were known as Continentals, rebels, and revolutionaries. Their opposition, the Loyalists, were in support of continued British law. In July of 1776, the United States of America declared itself as an independent nation.
Patriots were from every social, economic, and ethnic background. Lawyers, students, planters, merchants, farmers, slaves, and freemen were among the group. The group included males and females.
The Patriots all shared one conviction: our 13 Colonies ought to be free and they were willing to risk their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor to persevere through eight long years of war in order to defeat the mightiest army on earth—to achieve American Independence.
Our Patriots
Our Founders
CHARTER MEMBERS-1897
Mrs. Annette W. Burr
Miss Mabel Clarke – Treasurer
Mrs. Celia L. R. Clarke
Mrs. Cornelia M. Clarke
Mrs. Elizabeth M. Davison
Mrs. Rebecca Crapo Durant
Mrs. Clinton H. Hyatt
Miss Belle A. Jenny
Mrs. Margaret Keeney – Secretary
Mrs. Harriett Kelly
Mrs. Mary E. A. S. McConnelly – Historian
Mrs. Gratia D. Mahon
Miss Margaret T. Olcott
Mrs. Mary Palmer
Mrs. Anna M. O. Smith – Vice Regent
Mrs. Harriet P. Thompson – Regent
Mrs. Minnie D. Whitehead – Registrar
Mrs. Margaret A. Woodworth
On June 3, 1897, 11 descendants of Revolutionary War soldiers gathered at Harriet Thompson’s Kearsley Street home in Flint—the first meeting for the Genesee Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The sixth DAR chapter in the state was established due to many pioneers from the Genesee County in western New York.
Legend:
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| ADC | Aide-de-Camp |
| BG | Brigadier General |
| CAPT | Captain |
| CHP | Chaplain |
| CL | Continental Line |
| COL | Colonel |
| CPL | Corporal |
| CS | Civil Service |
| ENS | Ensign |
| FIF | Fifer |
| 1LT | First Lieutenant |
| LTC | Lieutenant Colonel |
| MAJ | Major |
| MATR | Matroos |
| MM | Minute Man |
| NONCOM | Non-Commissioned Officer |
| ORDL | Orderly |
| PNSR | Pensioner |
| PS | Patriotic Service |
| PVT | Private |
| PVTR | Privateer |
| S.D.I. | Signer of the Declaration of Independence |
| SGT | Sergeant |
| SGRMAJ | Sergeant Major |
| SOL | Soldier |
| STAFFOF | Staff Officer |
| WGM | Wagon Master |
| WPNSR | Wife who received a pension |