About the West Virginia Society of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution
When the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was formed in New York City on April 30, 1889, representatives of the State of West Virginia were present.
The West Virginia Society of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized on January 31, 1890. Its officers and charter members were:
Officers:
John J. Jacob – President
George L. Cranmer – Secretary and Registrar
Robert White – Treasurer
Charter Members:
Arthur O. Baker – member #3137
Harry C. Caldwell – member #3129
Friend Cox – member #3139
Gibson L. Cranmer – member #3127
Jacob E. Curtis – member #3138
George C. Dewey – member #3136
Orville C. Dewey – member #3131
Samuel F. Faris – member #3140
John J. Jacob – member #3128
Daniel Z. Philip – member #3135
W. H. H. Stanberry – member #3134
William Tucker – member #3130
Robert White – member #3126
Hanson W. Zane – member #3132
Orloff L. Zane – member #3133
The West Virginia Society had become inactive for a number of years since it was first organized in 1890 but it was re-activated on February 26, 1927, when it received its new charter from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Since that time, the West Virginia Society membership has steadily increased.
In 1947, the West Virginia Society hosted the 57th Annual Congress of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, which was held at Huntington, West Virginia. The 57th Congress at Hungtinton had the largest number of registered delegates and guests of any Congress held before 1947.
Currently, the West Virginia Society is composed of twelve chapters:
Captain James Neal Chapter, Parkersburg, Wood County
Captain Ralph Stewart Chapter, Oceana, Wyoming County
Daniel Boone Chapter, Charleston, Kanawha County
Fort Henry Chapter, Wheeling, Ohio County
General Adam Stephen Chapter, Martinsburg, Berkeley County
General Andrew Lewis Chapter, Huntington, Cabell and Wayne Counties
General Hugh Mercer Chapter, Princeton, Mercer County
George Rogers Clark Chapter, Clarksburg, Harrison County
Greenbrier Valley Chapter, Lewisburg, Greenbrier County
John Beckley Chapter, Beckley, Raleigh County
Point Pleasant Chapter, Point Pleasant, Mason County
Tygart Valley Chapter, Elkins, Randolph County.
In 2012, the West Virginia Society of the National Society, Sons of the American Revolution was awarded the prestigious Colorado Award.
The Colorado Award is presented to the state society with the highest percentage of increase in membership among states with more than 100 members.