About Us
History
The Battle of Shallow Ford Chapter, NSDAR, takes its name from an American Revolutionary War skirmish that took place on October 14, 1780, in Huntsville, North Carolina.
History of the Battle
Colonel Gideon Wright and his brother Captain Hezikiah Wright led a company of 600 Loyalist militia. They planned to join forces with General Cornwallis in Charlotte, North Carolina, which was held by the British. Colonel Joseph Williams gathered 300 Patriots and prepared to ambush the British at the ford of the Yadkin River.
A short battle followed, which the Patriot forces won. The British Loyalist militia scattered and fled. Casualties included 14 Loyalists and one Patriot, Henry Francis, a captain in the Virginia militia. A tombstone for Francis remains at the site of the battle.
The Battle of Shallow Ford was a successful tactic to delay British reinforcements to Charlotte. Another major battle win for the Patriots was the Battle of King’s Mountain. Cornwallis was forced to retreat south in November of 1780.
The Battle of Shallow Ford Chapter, NSDAR, was organized on March 12, 1984, and received its charter in June of 1987. The organizing regent was Ruby Steelman Thurston.
The colors are presented at the commemoration of the Battle of Shallow Ford in Huntsville, North Carolina.
The Shallow Ford historic marker is situated along the Great Wagon Road and is the site of the Battle of Shallow Ford.
The chapter historian participates in presenting the colors with the Sons of the American Revolution and descendants of General George Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Meetings
Our chapter meets in the months from January through May and September through December. A typical meeting includes social time, a guest speaker or program, and a business meeting. We also have our annual Heritage Dinner in December, a joint meeting of Forsyth County chapters in November, a Valentines for Vets card workshop, a genealogy workshop, and other special gatherings where we volunteer with Historic Bethabara Park!
We encourage anyone interested in joining DAR to attend one of our meetings to better understand the DAR organization and especially our chapter. You will learn more about our chapter by going to the “What We Do” page to read about some of the things that we do throughout the year.
Please contact us for the meeting dates and location.