It was the summer of 1891. Miss Betty Ballinger and her cousin, Miss Hally Bryan, were in the law library of Betty's father, William P. Ballinger, located in Galveston, Texas. It was here that the two women conceived the idea of perpetuating forever the memory of the Texas pioneer men, women, children and soldiers who established the Republic of Texas by forming an association of their descendants. Encouraged by Guy M. Bryan, Hally's father and a member of The Texas Veteran's Association, the two traveled to Houston. They met with 14 other ladies at the home of Mrs. Mary Jane Briscoe on November 5, 1891 to share their thoughts about the idea. The result of this afternoon meeting was the formation of the organization that is known today as The Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Mrs. Mary S.M. Jones, widow of the last president of the Republic of Texas agreed to serve as the organization's president. Its Charter was filed in the Department of State on March 9, 1895. The name first chosen for the group was Daughters of Female Descendants of the Heroes of '36. The association was renamed Daughters of the Lone Star Republic, then Daughters of the Republic of Texas (RDT) in 1892. From the very beginning, the organization was planned as a companion to the Texas Veterans Association and the two groups held joint meetings.At the 1894 Texas Veterans Association Reunion in Waco, the Veterans asked the Daughters to "CARRY ON"...RESOLVED, that one of the greatest pleasures we have enjoyed during our present reunion is the presence of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas; that we approve and admire their noble efforts to perpetuate the memories of the patriots of Texas and to prepare and preserve data for the correct history of Texas; and that we exhort them to persevere in their laudable enterprise and pray them God's help.At the 1907 reunion only 6 members of the veterans association answered the roll call. After the memorial service, each of these men expressed that due to the increasing infirmities of age, he would be unable to attend future meetings. They then unanimously voted for dissolution of the organization, thus the final meeting of the Texas Veterans Association. Before adjourning for the last time, it was resolved that 'the holy memories clinging around it should be merged into the patriotic association, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.Upon motion, they moved to the Presbyterian Church and without the furling of a banner or the strain of martial music, these old heroes laid aside their badges of membership forever and bequeathed their memories and deeds with an 'Undivided Texas' as a precious legacy to The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, by them to be held in trust forever.The objectives of the association are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the people who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas and to encourage historical research into the earliest records of our state. Preservation of documents and relics, the publication of historical records and the celebration of important dates in state history is encouraged. The correct teaching of Texas history in schools and the placement of historical markers are also a portion of the organizations goals.Members are required to be women who can prove lineal descent from a man or woman who loyally served Texas before annexation in 1846 (19 February 1846): as a colonist with Austin's Old Three Hundred, as an officer or private in the service of Texas during the Republic or as a loyal citizen: man, woman or a child, regardless of age who resided in Texas; or a recipient of a land grant. There are currently over 100 chapters and 6.700 members.One of the earliest projects of DRT was to persuade the legislature to purchase the land on which the battle of San Jacinto was fought. The Daughters placed battlefield markers on important sites as pointed out by members of the Veterans Association. The project of marking and placing bronze medallions on the graves of citizens of the Republic continues to this day. The Daughters were instrumental in the state's decision to purchase life-size statues of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston for the Capitol Rotunda in Austin. The DRT also influenced the placement of a monument at Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.In 1905, through the combined efforts of the association and two of its members, Clara Driscoll and Adina de Zavala, the Daughters became custodians of the Alamo. In accordance with their agreement with the state, they have maintained the chapel and the surrounding grounds and gardens without cost to taxpayers and no charge for admission. The DRT Library located on the grounds is open to all researchers. The original Long Barrack building has been restored and is a museum.The DRT maintains the French Legation, built in 1840 for the French diplomatic mission to the Republic of Texas. The Cradle, the original law library of William P. Ballinger, father of the co-founder Betty Ballinger is also property of the organization and the cherished place where she and Miss Bryan formulated the idea of the new organization. The J.B. Wells house was deeded to DRT in 1999. The local chapter maintains the 1885 historic property, located in Gonzales. The DRT Headquarters and Museum located in Austin, opened in 1991. Plans are underway for a new Republic of Texas History Complex. DRT appealed to the legislature to save the Old Land Office Building on the southeast corner of the Capitol grounds in Austin. In 1917, it was designated as a museum and headquarters for the association until 1989.The DRT has sponsored the publication of several volumes of Texas history and biography and has published the lineages of members in the multi-volume Founders and Patriots of the Republic of Texas.Today chapter members are active participants in both local and state events. The Republic of Texas Museum Art Contest is held yearly to document Texas Historical sites, events, activities and individual(s) in the various districts of Texas during the days prior to 1850. DRT offers many children's camps, at the Alamo, the French Legation and the Republic of Texas Museum. The Texas History Essay Contest for Fourth and Seventh Grade students is sponsored annually by local chapters.Membership in a chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas carries the reward of participating in the chapter activities aimed at furthering the goals of celebration and preservation of our Texas Heritage. If you wish to learn more about chapter membership you are encouraged to locate a chapter near you and contact the Chapter President or Chapter Registrar. In San Saba County, the San Saba River Chapter President is Rosemary Cox (325-372-4190) and the Registrar is Louise Sanders (512-752-3400). More information may be found on the DRT website at: www.drtinfo.org.As The Daughters of the Republic of Texas moves into its 120th year, members will continue to preserve our rich Texas heritage, honor her heroes, document her pioneers and protect her historic relics and monuments.To celebrate 120 years, the San Saba River Chapter hosted a tea on October 6 at Rylander Memorial Library honoring the Llano Pioneers Chapter and the Heart of Texas Chapter, the newest chapters in our immediate area. The Daughters enjoyed fellowship, a celebratory cake and specialty teas from Bon Ami in San Saba.It was the summer of 1891. Miss Betty Ballinger and her cousin, Miss Hally Bryan, were in the law library of Betty's father, William P. Ballinger, located in Galveston, Texas. It was here that the two women conceived the idea of perpetuating forever the memory of the Texas pioneer men, women, children and soldiers who established the Republic of Texas by forming an association of their descendants. Encouraged by Guy M. Bryan, Hally's father and a member of The Texas Veteran's Association, the two traveled to Houston. They met with 14 other ladies at the home of Mrs. Mary Jane Briscoe on November 5, 1891 to share their thoughts about the idea. The result of this afternoon meeting was the formation of the organization that is known today as The Daughters of the Republic of Texas. Mrs. Mary S.M. Jones, widow of the last president of the Republic of Texas agreed to serve as the organization's president. Its Charter was filed in the Department of State on March 9, 1895. The name first chosen for the group was Daughters of Female Descendants of the Heroes of '36. The association was renamed Daughters of the Lone Star Republic, then Daughters of the Republic of Texas (RDT) in 1892. From the very beginning, the organization was planned as a companion to the Texas Veterans Association and the two groups held joint meetings.At the 1894 Texas Veterans Association Reunion in Waco, the Veterans asked the Daughters to "CARRY ON"...RESOLVED, that one of the greatest pleasures we have enjoyed during our present reunion is the presence of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas; that we approve and admire their noble efforts to perpetuate the memories of the patriots of Texas and to prepare and preserve data for the correct history of Texas; and that we exhort them to persevere in their laudable enterprise and pray them God's help.At the 1907 reunion only 6 members of the veterans association answered the roll call. After the memorial service, each of these men expressed that due to the increasing infirmities of age, he would be unable to attend future meetings. They then unanimously voted for dissolution of the organization, thus the final meeting of the Texas Veterans Association. Before adjourning for the last time, it was resolved that 'the holy memories clinging around it should be merged into the patriotic association, The Daughters of the Republic of Texas.Upon motion, they moved to the Presbyterian Church and without the furling of a banner or the strain of martial music, these old heroes laid aside their badges of membership forever and bequeathed their memories and deeds with an 'Undivided Texas' as a precious legacy to The Daughters of the Republic of Texas, by them to be held in trust forever.The objectives of the association are to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the people who achieved and maintained the independence of Texas and to encourage historical research into the earliest records of our state. Preservation of documents and relics, the publication of historical records and the celebration of important dates in state history is encouraged. The correct teaching of Texas history in schools and the placement of historical markers are also a portion of the organizations goals.Members are required to be women who can prove lineal descent from a man or woman who loyally served Texas before annexation in 1846 (19 February 1846): as a colonist with Austin's Old Three Hundred, as an officer or private in the service of Texas during the Republic or as a loyal citizen: man, woman or a child, regardless of age who resided in Texas; or a recipient of a land grant. There are currently over 100 chapters and 6.700 members.One of the earliest projects of DRT was to persuade the legislature to purchase the land on which the battle of San Jacinto was fought. The Daughters placed battlefield markers on important sites as pointed out by members of the Veterans Association. The project of marking and placing bronze medallions on the graves of citizens of the Republic continues to this day. The Daughters were instrumental in the state's decision to purchase life-size statues of Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston for the Capitol Rotunda in Austin. The DRT also influenced the placement of a monument at Washington-on-the-Brazos, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed.In 1905, through the combined efforts of the association and two of its members, Clara Driscoll and Adina de Zavala, the Daughters became custodians of the Alamo. In accordance with their agreement with the state, they have maintained the chapel and the surrounding grounds and gardens without cost to taxpayers and no charge for admission. The DRT Library located on the grounds is open to all researchers. The original Long Barrack building has been restored and is a museum.The DRT maintains the French Legation, built in 1840 for the French diplomatic mission to the Republic of Texas. The Cradle, the original law library of William P. Ballinger, father of the co-founder Betty Ballinger is also property of the organization and the cherished place where she and Miss Bryan formulated the idea of the new organization. The J.B. Wells house was deeded to DRT in 1999. The local chapter maintains the 1885 historic property, located in Gonzales. The DRT Headquarters and Museum located in Austin, opened in 1991. Plans are underway for a new Republic of Texas History Complex. DRT appealed to the legislature to save the Old Land Office Building on the southeast corner of the Capitol grounds in Austin. In 1917, it was designated as a museum and headquarters for the association until 1989.The DRT has sponsored the publication of several volumes of Texas history and biography and has published the lineages of members in the multi-volume Founders and Patriots of the Republic of Texas.Today chapter members are active participants in both local and state events. The Republic of Texas Museum Art Contest is held yearly to document Texas Historical sites, events, activities and individual(s) in the various districts of Texas during the days prior to 1850. DRT offers many children's camps, at the Alamo, the French Legation and the Republic of Texas Museum. The Texas History Essay Contest for Fourth and Seventh Grade students is sponsored annually by local chapters.Membership in a chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas carries the reward of participating in the chapter activities aimed at furthering the goals of celebration and preservation of our Texas Heritage. If you wish to learn more about chapter membership you are encouraged to locate a chapter near you and contact the Chapter President or Chapter Registrar. In San Saba County, the San Saba River Chapter President is Rosemary Cox (325-372-4190) and the Registrar is Louise Sanders (512-752-3400). More information may be found on the DRT website at: www.drtinfo.org.As The Daughters of the Republic of Texas moves into its 120th year, members will continue to preserve our rich Texas heritage, honor her heroes, document her pioneers and protect her historic relics and monuments.To celebrate 120 years, the San Saba River Chapter hosted a tea on October 6 at Rylander Memorial Library honoring the Llano Pioneers Chapter and the Heart of Texas Chapter, the newest chapters in our immediate area. The Daughters enjoyed fellowship, a celebratory cake and specialty teas from Bon Ami in San Saba.