The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) was founded in 1890. This, its official insignia, represents a spinning wheel. The platinum or white gold distaff represents flax. The Society’s name is enameled on the blue rim of the pin, which is surrounded by thirteen stars representing the thirteen original colonies. The blue and white colors of the Society come from the colors of General Washington’s military staff. The insignia was designed by Dr. George Goode and adopted by the society on May 26, 1891. Dr. Goode had sketched the spinning wheel motif from a wheel used by his mother in the early 1800s, which wheel now is housed at the DAR Museum in Washington. Each insignia pin is engraved on the reverse side with the Daughter’s membership number and is worn attached to a ribbed and watered ribbon of DAR blue and white. The ribbon is worn on the Daughter’s left shoulder, with the insignia placed at the bottom, closest to her heart.
The back of this pin is inscribed “E 4037” which indicates that this pin was originally owned by NSDAR member Cornelia Anna Deyo SHERMAN, wife of Daniel D. SHERMAN, of New York. Mrs. Sherman’s Revolutionary War ancestor was her great grandfather, Colonel LEWIS DuBOIS (1728-1824) of New York. I found “Cornelia A. SHERMAN” on the 1910 and 1920 censuses of New York with her husband Daniel. The censuses reveal her birth-date as 1861, in New York, and the date of her marriage as 1888. She and Daniel SHERMAN were living at Orangetown, Rockland, New York. Further investigation told me that Cornelia DEYO was the daughter of Dr. Nathaniel DEYO and his wife Cornelia DuBOIS, who was a daughter of Lewis DuBOIS born 1774, and a granddaughter of Lewis DuBOIS the patriot.
An interesting thing about this pin is that it may be one of the first DAR pins manufactured for the Society. I glean this from the fact that this pin insignia was first approved by the society on May 26, 1891, and the reverse of this pin shows the manufacturer’s name and patent, Caldwell, and “9.22.91 PATE”, which seem to be dated just four months later. Indeed, Mrs. Sherman was one of the earliest Daughters, the 4,037th Daughter to join the Society to be exact.
Now the old pin rests in my keeping. I found it on the Internet, very tarnished and missing its center stone. Somewhere along the way, someone apparently believed its stone should be in another setting, as it had been ever so carefully removed from the prongs. I measured the distance between those prongs and ordered a new stone on the Internet. I then took it to my local jeweler to mount, all the while being cautious that the tiny gem would not slip off onto the carpet and be forever hidden. It actually cost more to mount than I paid for the stone. However, it seems to be restored to its former sparkling glory and ready for someone to wear somewhere, once again. Recycling is always a good thing.
The image, Insignia, was originally uploaded by Edna Barney. It is posted here from Barneykin’s 
account.
Vanishing Memories 
Hi!
I have a pin that is exactly like this. It was my great grandmother’s. Could you please email me at holisticann@gmail.com so I can ask some additional questions about it?
Thanks,
Ann
Here are some links with more information: Seal and Insignia of NSDAR and Accepted Customs and Practices for Dress and Insignia.
Hi,
I’m doing some research for a graduate class I’m taking in which we are to select three photographs that represent meaningful aspects of our culture, and when I searched DAR (my great aunt was a member), I found your blog and the photo of the pin, which I too now possess since my great aunt’s and parents’ passings. I hadn’t realized until I read your post that there was anything engraved on the back of the pin. I will have to look and see if the number identifies my great aunt or her mother, my great grandmother. Thanks for the info!
Kathy
Neddy, I joined DAR a couple of years ago and found your essay while poking around for more information. My pin is also from the net (ebay to be specific). I think it may have come from a relative, so I need to get her application. I understand you are really not supposed to recycle pins except for family members.
No one had ever explained the story of the insignia to me, so I wanted to thank you for your entry. There is so much to learn about NSDAR. My great-aunt, who died many years before I was born, was briefly a member, and she gave my grandmother–who died the year my parents married–an outline to encourage her to join. Of course, I think the information came from the chapter regent at the time and other members who were from our family. I used the information as a touchstone for my own research.
I have the same pin, missing its center stone. My pin has a blue and white ribbon atached with an additional gold banner marked Pennsylvania. My pin is in its origial leather bound box marked Daughters of the american revolution.
How do I match the # on the back to its owner?
What stone was mounted in it?
Thanks Mike
Mike – DAR Application Papers may be order here: http://www.dar.org/library/record_copy.cfm#howto
I have my great-grandmothers DAR pin but it is not like the one pictured above. It is sterling silver, round with blue and white cloisonee. It is the same design: spinning wheel, flax, 13 stars and it says Daughter of the American Revolution just like the pin above. Do you know why this one is different? How do I find information. I have been on the DAR web site but this pin is not pictured.
Thanks!
Jennifer – The pin you describe sounds like a piece of DAR jewelry that is worn separately from the pins on the official DAR pin sash.
Do you think it is possible to get this pin without membership? My grandmother told me many times that she, her mother and my mother (3 generations) were all DAR members yet I cannot find any of their names in the registry. Very frustrating.
I think I have seen the pin you mention for sale on Ebay. Hamilton Jewelers sells DAR insignia and also DAR jewelry that the public can order. Here is their web site: http://www.hamiltoninsignia.com/categories/Daughters-of-the-American-Revolution/Jewelry
Good Luck!
Hi, the general public may not order DAR pins or insignia. It is only members who can purchase them at the official DAR jewelry store. Pins are earned or are commemorative.