DAR honors Calhoun County resident

During the two-day event, daughters gathered to celebrate and learn from each other, as well as showcase initiatives sponsored by local chapters.

On Saturday, at “Let’s Celebrate, By George! Our Patriot Ladies Luncheon,” they heard from Margaret F. Pickett, author of “Rebecca Brewton Motte: American Patriot and Successful Rice Planter.”

Rebecca Motte’s estate is located in Calhoun County on the banks of the Congaree River.

The following announcement comes from Alice Lamb Caskey, State Regent of the South Carolina Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

“On the banks of the Congaree lies a woodland estate, once the home of a remarkable woman and widowed patriot named Rebecca Brewton Motte. Mrs. Motte graciously offered her home to the cause of freedom.

“In recognition of the generous donations, we are joined today by two very special guests whom I have had the pleasure of meeting over the past few years through their work in historic preservation, Mr. and Mrs. Luther Wannamaker. Mr. Wannamaker, the landowner and manager of this property, has not only shared with us at DAR exclusive opportunities to view this historic site and hosted symposia for us, but has also offered this property for excavation for archaeological research by Dr. Steven Smith of the University of South Carolina, students such as Stacey Renae Whitacre for her dissertation, and has provided countless historians such as Dr. Alexia Helsley, authors such as our speaker today, Margaret Pickett, numerous journalists, and American Battlefield Trust preservationists access to study this land.

“At the age of 95 and having recently retired from the seed business, he has made it his mission to share the story of America’s struggle for freedom. Luther Wannamaker, a graduate of Washington and Lee University and Yale School of Law, is an outspoken supporter of women who have dared to defend a patriotic cause. I am grateful for the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Wanamaker.

“On behalf of the SC State Society Daughters of the American Revolution, I present the DAR America 250 Commendation Medal, in recognition of your extraordinary efforts to not only honor the men and women who achieved American independence, but also to educate others about their service and sacrifice. Mr. and Mrs. Wannamaker were present today under the pretext of listening to our guest. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Wannamaker, for all you have done to help us remember our history and preserve this sacred part of America’s past.”