[First line missing] Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution met Thursday, September 9th, at the lovely home of Mrs. Walter Hobbs. Hostesses were Mrs. Clark Braddy, Mrs. Hiram Melvin and Mrs. Taft McCall. The members arrived dressed in colonial costumes.

     The members were invited to the dining room which was decorated in patriotic colors. The centerpiece on the table was of red, white and blue flowers with a blue candle in the middle. Red punch and many dainties were served.

     The meeting was called to order by the Regent, Miss Aniese Cromartie. In the absence of the chaplain, Mrs. W. R. Whitted, Mrs. W. D. Sherman led the ritual and prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the American's Creed were said followed by singing "The Star Spangled Banner".

     During the business hour it was decided to have a yard sale on October 9th. The sale will be held in front of the home of Mrs. D. A. Hutchinson.

     Mrs. Clark Braddy introduced her husband, J. Clark Braddy, who was speaker for the occasion. Mr. Braddy told the members about the 1934 Bladen County Bicentennial.

     Here are Mr. Braddy's comments:

     "Bladen County in 1934 celebrated its 200 (sic) birthday with a lavish display of its heritage put together by her many citizens, probably some of you here today. At least, some of the family names seem to fit.

     Most of the information used by me was gleened (sic) from the four issues of The Bladen Journal published in April 1934, especially for the occasion. These four issues were Clarkton, Bladenboro and Elizabethtown and a countywide issue.

     Before we talk about 1934 we must see first what made it possible. We must look at her people and where they came from, and why they stayed. Also, we must take note of what they were able to accomplish.

     The earliest settlers seem to have been Quakers and Scots. The Quakers were looking for peace from persecution because of their religious beliefs and the Scots for productive land.

     These settlers generally came up river through the port of Brunswick, near Wilmington. Because of swamps in Southeastern North Carolina, the river was the link with the outside world for supplies and per-      [Line missing]

     A little about the Quakers. They were a simple folk who centered their lives around their religion. One of the earlier church or meeting houses as they were called, was in this community. Carver's Creek Methodist Church is the location of an early "meeting house" and cemetary. (sic) Wooden markers still exist in part of the cemetary. (sic)

     It is at this point that we see the point of the two "R's" in the development of Bladen County -- River and Religion.

     As the writers were putting together the historical information for the 1934 Bicentennial, much note was made of the river as a trade route. So much so that there were about 100 boat landings in Bladen County as it is today. Some of them being for plantations and others for villages along the way. Some as close as a quarter of a mile apart.

     The people of Bladen County have always been a religious oriented people. After the Quakers abandoned their Meeting House and moved on to Guilford and other counties the Methodist Churches were established because of the preaching of Bishop Asbury who toured the area. Carvers Creek, Elizabethtown and Purdie Methodist were established.

     The Scots were also very strong in the area and they established the Presbyterian Church in the county, the oldest being Brown Marsh, near Clarkton. It is now in the process of being restored and can be seen today setting (sic) on its little knoll along the road.

     Schools were very important in the history of Bladen County and many were noted in the recorded history. One of the larger being the Clarkton Academy.^* My father attended this school about 1900 and it was considered one of the best college prep schools in North Carolina. It was also noted in many places that the citizens made double use of their clergy by using them as teachers and headmasters in the schools.

     Bladen County has had a proud and exciting growth over her first 200 years and during this period has given birth to 55 of the counties in North Carolina today. It is with this note that we can say it must be a good place to live as everybody wanted a piece of it and we can see why the peoples were proud to celebrate their 200th anniversary with parades and speeches. Thanks to the celebration, much history was recorded that      [Line missing]

     Many of the names and places recorded in 1934 of the past 200 years still exists (sic) today and can be enjoyed by us all. Family names of the past are here- (sic) with us today and play a major part in our lives. The progress of the people was laid out for 200 years for us to see. It showed the transition from settlers carving out plantations along the river to industry along the railroads.

     One of the mainstays of our heritage has been people who take pride in their way of life and preserve it with records for us. There was such a group of ladies in Bladen County in 1928 that did just that when they organized the Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter of the DAR on June 19.

     [Line missing] make it possible for us to take note of places throughout the county by placing appropriate signs or markers denoting historic sites. Many were up in 1934 for the Bicentennial Celebration. This work has not stopped and I am sure the records of the DAR will make 2034 a more memorable year when we celebrate the Tricentennial.

     With pride in our heritage as Bladen County exhibited in 1934, we can be very proud of her people and look forward to a bright and beautiful future."

     It was announced that the November meeting will be at the Veterans' Hospital in Fayetteville. Lunch will be served and a tour will be made of the hospital.
 

^* Site Editor's note: James Calvin McKay (1887-1971) also attended Clarkton Academy.