The General Lafayette Chapter is of relatively recent origin. Until 1986, Fayetteville members of SAR met with the Capt. Daniel McKissick Chapter in Bella Vista, which is 37 miles distant from Fayetteville. Such travel being impractical for many members, 28 men signed an application for a new charter, which was subsequently granted on February 22, 1986, at the annual meeting of the Arkansas Society. Organizing President was Robert Pritchard and Organizing Secretary was Milo Cumpston. The new Chapter was officially sponsored by the Capt. Daniel McKissick Chapter, of which Robert Pritchard was past President. Eight members were transferred from the roster of the Capt. Daniel McKissick Chapter to the new organization. The wheel has turned full circle; The Daniel McKissick Chapter has since dissolved and combined its membership with the General Lafayette Chapter.

From its inception the General LaFayette Chapter has been an active participant in the regional community. Nearly $10,000.00 was raised for enlargement of the National Cemetery at Fayetteville; this has become an ongoing project with Chapter members participating in additional enlargement and renovation of the site. Similar efforts have involved the Confederate Cemetery in Fayetteville. The Chapter has sponsored public recognition of outstanding law enforcement officials and of youth achievements in ROTC, Eagle Scouts and high school oration and essay contests. Reference volumes have been presented to the Blair Library in Fayetteville and the Grace Keith Genealogical Collection at the Blair Library, with matching funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, and with funding from Exxon Corporation. Exxon Corporation has also funded grants for a personal computer system presented to the Washington County Historical Society. Chapter members have, through the years, been office-holders in the Arkansas Chapter. Volunteers serve regularly at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fayetteville. A pamphlet describing the origins of the Arkansas State flag was prepared and distributed through the efforts of Jerry Haptonstall, and with funding efforts shared by the Capt. Daniel McKissick Chapter. Currently in progress is an effort to renovate the Waxhaws Monument at the site of the home of Archibald Yell, an early Governor of Arkansas, at South College Avenue and Seventh Street in Fayetteville. The Chapter has recently taken the lead in marking and preserving remains of Revolutionary War veterans in northwest Arkansas and has initiated the transfer of the burial of one such patriot from an industrial site to the National Cemetery in Fayetteville.

Last Updated: 23 Apr., 2005

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