The following is a transcription from an undated newspaper column (likely The Marietta Times) describing a grand reception held here by Lucy Davis for the Marietta chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR.)

“Society”

D.A.R. Reception

The Marietta Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated Washington’s birthday with a reception at the home of their regent, Mrs. Theodore Davis, Saturday afternoon. The patriotic spirit or the day found expression in various ways; the great hall door was opened to the guests by a diminutive George Washington (Master Rollin Curtis, Jr.) in ceremonial, colonial costume, correct from silver knee-buckles to be-ribboned queue and looking as though he had stepped from the frame of some graceful figure painting a century ago, to perform this act of gallantry; further on his dainty counterpart, a doll-like Martha Washington, personated by little Lucia Manley, presented a tiny silken flag to each of the arrivals. A drapery of the national colors embellished the lofty rooms of the Davis mansion, where the company was received by Mrs. Davis, and later heard an interesting program pertinent to the occasion.

Mrs. Anna Perry had the paper of the afternoon, her title being “A Connecticut Soldier in Ohio.” The subject of her sketch was Major Wyllys, native of Hartford, Connecticut, a young Revolutionary soldier who served through the war in the first regular regiment, U.S. troops, and at the close of the revolution was sent west with General Harmar’s command, to garrison the fort of that name on the “Point,” which preceded the settlement of Marietta. He lost his life in a battle with the Indians. Major Wyllys’s father was a colonial governor of Connecticut, and his mother was Ruth Wyllys. He was a classmate of Nathan Hale at Yale, a friend of General Washington, and a fine type of the hero of the “days of ’76.” Mrs. Perry, herself a native of Hartford, was a member the Ruth Wyllys Chapter, D.A.R., of that city, from which she transferred to the Marietta Chapter; in the most entertaining way she treated the career the Connecticut soldier, first in the East, then in the early days of Marietta, thus in a way connecting historically the two chapters while memorializing the life of a revolutionary hero.

Miss Willia Cotton, ex-regent of the Chapter, gave an informal talk on Washington, “from the human side”; “not as the statesman or the soldier, but as the man.” She told a few anecdotes of his youth and marriage in her clever way, throwing side-lights on the character of the great man which were very interesting.

A quartette composed of Mrs. Geo. Vaughn, Mrs. Sharlott, Mrs. Julia Flanders and Mrs. Charles Flanders, sang delightfully without accompaniment two old familiar songs. Then Mrs. Davis, the present regent, in a fitting little speech, presented to Miss Cotton, on behalf of the chapter, an ex-regent’s pin. Miss Cotton responded, expressing her pleasure in receiving the gift. The pin is a beautiful one, embodying the seal of Ohio in gold, surmounting a garland in blue enamel, inscribed Ex-Regent, D.A.R.

This concluded the formal program, and as a prelude to an invitation to the dining room, Mrs. Davis read the following, which fairly evoked the spirit of Dean Swift in its subtle satire, and was laughingly applauded:

“Has the ice cream been molded into liberty bells?”

“It has, Sire.”

“Is there a hatchet at each place?”

“There is, Sire.”

“Is there a picture of Martha over the fire-place?”

“There is, Sire.”

“Has a cherry been placed in the cocktails?”

“Even so, Sire.”

“Are the Daughters of the American Revolution assembled?”

“They are, Sire.”

“Very well, then. Dust off the family tree and notify the caterer we are ready.”

In the dining room, Miss Caroline Eells poured tea, and the hostesses chatted with their guests. Fifty ladies were present.

The Chapter has worked consistently along patriotic lines since its inceptions, its greatest achievements being the magnificent bronze gates erected at the entrance of historic Mound cemetery. Few citizens can boast anything handsomer in the way of similar memorial.