Nearly 400 people came out to witness a reading of the Declaration of Independence and hear talks on the history of the American Revolution during the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter’s Fourth of July ceremony last week.
The annual reading of the Declaration at the Edenton Tea Party Chapter of DAR’s July 4th celebration has become an Edenton institution. For a highly unusual third time, the Tea Party Chapter has received national recognition for sponsoring the ceremony, held at the foot of the Historic 1767 Chowan Courthouse green in front of a monument honoring Declaration signer Joseph Hewes.
Edenton’s American Legion Post 40 posted the colors at the ceremony and the Tea Party chapter’s new regent, Bonnie T. Henn, gave opening remarks. Chapter Co-Chair Beth S. Taylor conducted the ceremony and fellow Co-Chair Kathleen Towers also addressed the crowd.
Masonic Unanimity Lodge #7, which sent a delegation dressed in Masonic regalia, provided a unique moment during the ceremony when its delegation laid a wreath at the Hewes Monument. Joseph Hewes was a member of the Lodge, which has been in continuous operation since the Revolutionary War.
About 20 Edenton residents, most of them DAR members, were dressed in colonial era costumes for the event.
Chapter historian Anne G. Rowe led the Pledge of Allegiance, and chapter chaplain Clara P. King led the recitation of the “American’s Creed.” The Rev. Elizabeth Polk of Edenton United Methodist Church opened the event with a prayer, after which Heidi Critz sang the national anthem.
Chapter Archivist Martha W. Smith gave a brief biographical sketch of Hewes, observing his initial reluctance to support the drastic step of declaring independence from Britain. Still, when the decision was made, he said, “It is done! And I shall support it” Smith said.
Former Navy Petty Officer Rae Varian Ohlert read the Declaration, the first woman to do so in the event’s history.
Critz led the assembly in singing “God Bless America,” after which the American Legion retrieved the Colors. To close the ceremony, a bell was chimed 13 times as the names of each colony that signed the document were read.
Beth Taylor said last week’s July 4th celebration had the largest turnout for the ceremony in its 25-year history.
The Tea Party Chapter of DAR also hosted a Military Appreciation Day during the Edenton Steamers game on July 3. Volunteers for the organization and HODARs (husbands of Daughters of the American Revolution) helped with refreshments, cooking hot dogs, burgers, and fries. A 50/50 raffle raised money for veterans confined to hospitals across the state.
Pamela Oliveira and Jean Kuchta chaired the project. Cameron Perry, Tea Party DAR Outstanding Senior for 2024, threw out the first pitch, and Ohlert led the singing of the national anthem.
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