One day, as I was searching the web to learn more about my genealogy, I stumbled upon the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Descendants Database. I found information about my ancestor, Stephen Butterworth and discovered I could purchase record copies (copies of membership or supplemental applications of members of The Daughters of the American Revolution) providing details about him, and the generations leading to his grandfather, Benjamin Clement.

I gathered the proof needed for my DAR application that connected me to Stephen Butterworth. My application was verified and I became a member of DAR. Making the decision to join DAR provides the six generations that connect me to Stephen Butterworth to countless other descendants of Benjamin Clement who come searching for their connection to the founding of our country.

Benjamin Clement in The Revolutionary War

Benjamin Clement contributed to the Revolutionary War effort by manufacturing gunpowder in 1775. The book, The History of Pittsylvania County Virginia, by Maude Carter Clement, provides a quote from Charles Lynch that was published in an August 1775 edition of the Virginia Gazette.

Along with the quote from Lynch, there are directions that were used for making salt-petre. It involved digging up old dirt floors of meat packing houses, boiling it and using the strained liquor in a process similar to the one used to make lye from wood ashes. Colonel Charles Lynch was identified as a neighbor of Captain Clement and Clement is described as “an old man of some seventy-five years at the time they partnered to manufacture the gun powder”.

A simple sentence on DAR applications for descendants of Benjamin Clement describes his contribution to establishing American Independence as “Making gunpowder for the Contintental Army”. It turns out, producing gunpowder during the Revolutionary War was a significant contribution because it was often in short supply. George Washington issued orders prohibiting its wastage in 1775 and he had to repeatedly reissue similar orders throughout the war despite the French supplies of gunpowder.

Over the years of learning more about each of the people who are part of my heritage, I have gained a greater appreciation of American History. When I set out to join DAR, it was rooted in learning more about genealogy research and having access to records. I had no idea how many avenues for personal and community enrichment it provides. In May of 2019, I began serving as the Chapter Registrar for Lily of the Cahaba Chapter of DAR in Hoover, AL. This role is to help prospective members complete applications to prove their direct line to a Patriot of the American Revolution. In 2021, my professional life as a Digital Marketing Professional merged with my volunteer service to DAR. As Co-Chair of the Alabama State Society DAR Volunteer Information Specialists (VIS) Committee, I built a new website for ALSDAR. I help maintain it and provide online resources support for members. I enjoy being able to lend a hand while I’m learning new things and forming many friendships.

My West Virginia Genealogy

If you are researching West Virginia surnames, you might benefit from the information documenting my direct line to Benjamin Clement. There is a heavy concentration in Kanawha County, West Virginia. Generations 3 to 9 are presented below. Generations 1-2 are not included in order to protect the privacy of living relatives. Feel free to contact me privately if you are interested in more information:

• Generation 3: My grandfather, Virgil Floyd Rider is the son of Honzura Rider (Ulrich Rider) and Lottie Mae Wills of Kanawha County, WV.
• Generation 4: My great grandmother, Lottie Mae Wills, was the daughter of John Harvey Wills and Mary Elizabeth Barker of Kanawha County, WV.
• Generation 5: John Harvey Wills b 1853 (Bedford County?) Virginia was the son of Mary Elizabeth Butterworth and her husband Edward M. Wills. Some sources have his name as Edwin Wills. They moved from Bedford Co, VA, to Kanawha County, WV.
• Generation 6: Mary Elizabeth Butterworth b. 1836 (Bedford County?) Virginia was the daughter of Stephen Butterworth and his wife Locky Ann Wilson.
• Generation 7: Stephen Butterworth b. abt. 1794 Virginia was the son of Isaac Butterworth and his wife Elizabeth Walker.
• Generation 8: Isaac Butterworth b. 1767 Bedford County, Virginia was the son of Elizabeth Clement and her husband Benjamin Butterworth.
• Generation 9: Elizabeth Clement b. abt 1745 Pittsylvania County, Virginia was the daughter of my patriot ancestor, Benjamin Clement b. abt. 1700 in King William County, Virginia.

Think you might be connected to a Revolutionary War Patriot? Explore the resources available at DAR to conduct your research.

NOTE: This article was updated July 25, 2021.