Area members of National Society Daughters of the American Revolution [NSDAR] will honor the graves of seven, biological daughters of three American Revolutionary Soldiers. The women’s mortal remains are buried in Upper York Cemetery.
On Monday, May 26, 2025, at 12:30 p.m., a dedication will celebrate placement of a bronze marker at the entrance to Upper York Cemetery, 4921 Oil Valley Road, Mt. Carroll, IL 61285. The public is cordially invited to the ceremony; refreshments will follow. A tribute will be given by Thomson American Legion, Donald Ashpole Post. Lawn chairs are encouraged.
This marker will be presented by the Carroll Jo Daviess Chapter of NSDAR, placed to honor seven daughters of three verified Revolutionary War Patriots. Every proud member of NSDAR can document her lineage back to one or more such individuals–men and women–who served the cause of freedom.
This tribute is made possible by a State Regent’s grant, from current State Regent Christina Bannon.
Additionally, the presentation recognizes the NSDAR “America 250” initiative. Next year will be the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America.
Upper York Cemetery honorees were daughters whose families left the Hague, NY, area near Fort Ticonderoga, in the 1840s and 1850s, to settle in Carroll County, IL. They were the early leaders and mothers who forged the settlement of Baileyville, later Argo Fay. Because they mostly came from an area in New York, the Township was named “York Township.”
The feted women include four daughters of Elijah Bailey, DAR ancestor A004623, PVT, served with Captains Smith, Bannister, Clapp, and Drew; Colonels Whitney, Wells, and Shepard companies, 4th Regiment Massachusetts:
•Sophia Bailey Lamb, b. 30 Aug1784 d. 9 Sep1851.
•Susannah Bailey Tomlinson, b. 15 Oct1792 d. 15 March1757.
•Betsy Bailey Atherton, b. 18 Nov1795 d. 17 Dec1872.
•Lucy Bailey Van Vechten, b. 1820 d. 22 Aug1880.
Also feted are two daughters of Noah Woodard, A207224, a Fifer in Capt. Josiah White’s Company, Lt. Col. Benjamin Flagg’s Division, Col. Denney’s Worcester Co. Regt. MA:
•Polly Woodard Smith, b. 1792 d. 16 Jan1879.
•Ruth Woodard, b. 3 Oct1783 d. 9 Jul1861.
One daughter is the offspring of Samuel Patchin, Patriot, who served as a Pvt. in the New York Militia:
•Polly Patchin Bailey, b. 27 Mar1789 d. 22 Jul1870.
Many residents of the Thomson, Savanna, Mt. Carroll, and surrounding Illinois areas are descendants of–or married into–these early families: Holman, Melendy, Carroll, Carpenter, Shoemaker, Whitney, Holland, French, Groharing, Lewis, Smith, Atherton, and Williams.
Members of Carroll Jo Daviess Chapter viewed the plaque: Jill Hesse, Luanne Bruckner, Connie Foster, and Barb Burger. Contact Bruckner at 815-259-3168 with questions about this event.
Women interested in becoming a Daughter of the American Revolution should contact DARregistrar5015il@gmail.com.
