The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution, founded in 1895, is the oldest patriotic youth organization in our country. Membership is open to descendants of patriots of the American Revolution. Members gain valuable leadership experience in conducting meetings, following parliamentary procedures and standard protocol, serving as delegates and speaking before groups at local, state and national conferences. The responsibility and privilege of selecting officers helps members gain an understanding of the democratic process. Once a member reaches age 18, they become eligible to join the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) or the Daughter of the American Revolution (DAR).
For Eric Smith (grade 12) and Emma Smith (grade 10), their membership in the CAR is through their mom's side of the family as she is a current member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (Bethlehem PA Chapter). Having knowledge of one's ancestry helps to establish the link as members are required to submit paperwork tracing their lineage from their birth all the way back to this ancestry. For Eric and Emma, this patriot's name is Caspar Ritter. He was a Corporal in the 7th Company, 4th battalion of the Northampton Militia. Caspar is their 8th great grandfather and was born in 1749 in Milford, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Many local residents can trace their ancestry back to the Pennsylvania Germans who settled in PA prior to the Revolutionary War. Eric and Emma will continue to add additional patriots to their file from both their mom and dad's families. - by Patti Smith
