James Billingsley Chapter, NSDAR

Serving Richardson, Texas

Our chapter is a friendly, energetic and patriotic group of women who work tirelessly to further the goals of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR): education, preservation of our heritage, and patriotism. We welcome meeting visitors and inquiries. If you are interested in finding out more about our chapter or DAR membership, please contact us.

Our Chapter History

Organized March 19, 1963, the chapter is named for JAMES BILLINGSLEY, who, according to family legend, lost his life when loyalists to the British cause invaded his home in April of 1776. Born in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, in 1726, he was the son of William and Mary Sumner Billingsley. He married Elizabeth Crabtree, and they moved to Guilford County, North Carolina, about 1768. His sons Samuel, James, and John served as soldiers in the American Revolution. One of his descendants, Captain Jesse Billingsley, fought with Sam Houston at the Battle of San Jacinto and is credited by the historian J. Frank Dobie with having given Texas her battle cry “Remember the Alamo!”

The organizing regent of the chapter was Mrs. Harvey P. Shead, a descendant of James Billingsley. The organizing members were Mrs. F. B. Altemus, Mrs. B. R. Burrow, Mrs. Marguerite W. Connally, Mrs. S. W. Diehl, Mrs. John H. Henry, Mrs. Fred K. Ireland, Mrs. Albert Martin, Mrs. E. Noblitt, Mrs. Forest Smith, Mrs. George Tidmore, Mrs. Alfred Van Buskirk, and Mrs. Donald Wills. 

Our Chapter Activities

The James Billingsley Chapter, NSDAR, celebrated a Blue-Ribbon level Chapter Achievement for 2024!

        • We recorded 4,518 America Volunteer Hours!
        • During the NSDAR Month of Service, members donated 41 backpacks for shelter survivors, delivered food to Richardson City Fire Stations and Police Headquarters, and donated $100 to the C.H.R.I.S. Foundation.
        • Members purchased 158 WAA wreaths laid by members at the DFW National Cemetery.
        • The Women's Issues committee made and donated 133 Heart pillows, Knit Knockers, and 113 Chemo Caps to the Baylor Hospital and Richardson Methodist Hospital Cancer Centers.
        • The Service to Veterans Committee awarded 10 Quilt of Valor quilts, donated $210 to Patriot Paws, $2,746 in household items to Support Our Troops Re-sale Shop, $500 in items to Sam Rayburn Memorial VA, and $610 in Walmart gift cards to VA of North Texas.
        • The America 250! Committee celebrated “America’s History of Freedom Through Books” at our Holiday Brunch and donated 16 Liberty Belles Series books to RISD and $300.00 to Hindman Settlement Bookworm Vending Machine Program.