Pictured is DAR member Sarah Johnson. Submitted photo

Those who fought and helped out during the American Revolution were ordinary people that were called to help make their country better, and for Daughters of the American Revolution member, Sarah Johnson, having a connection to these people reflects just how important something like that is.

Johnson, of Jamestown, has many connections to people who fought in the American Revolution, with both of her parents, Loretta and Gene Smith, having Revolutionary War patriots in their backgrounds. One of these patriots is William Waite, who was born in Rhode Island in 1730. He grew up in a Baptist household and became a Baptist minister, but was also a gold smith by trade. Most ministers, Johnson noted, had to have a trade to support themselves as well, as most did not have a church that was able to financially support them.

Around 1770 Waite and his family moved to Washington County, New York, just north of Albany, right on the border of Vermont. There he established a Baptist church and a town called White Creek. Johnson said this is where the family lived during the Revolutionary War, and that both Waite and his eldest son fought in the Battle of Bennington in August 1777. Johnson added that this battle was part of the Saratoga Campaign and they won against the British general John Burgoine. Waite also offered his church to be used as a temporary hospital for the wounded from the battle. He and his wife stayed there to be part of the community with their 13 children.

“I think it is so interesting to look back at, for all of us in the DAR, to look back at all of our patriots and to think that they were just ordinary people just living their lives, taking care of their families, being a part of their community,” Johnson said. “Then they are called to enter this fight for freedom, for independence, for their country even though most of them were immigrants or first generation Americans. I think it’s so important for us even now to continue to remember that even though we’re just ordinary people just living our lives, that we are called upon to do things to make our country better, to continue to fight for our freedoms in America.”

As America’s 250th birthday approaches, Johnson said it is a wonderful time to be a part of the DAR, as they are focused on reminding everyone of the wonderful qualities of being a patriot in America. Johnson said people are all interested in the common good for America, and while people might not agree on everything, Americans by and large want to have their freedoms and be a part of a country that is doing good things.

“Just like our patriots in the Revolutionary War, we are looking out for each other, for our neighbors,” Johnson said. “This is still a great time for us to really be investing ourselves in our communities and providing services that we can to the people around us and the people who need help in our communities.”

Johnson added that with the country so divided right now, America’s 250th birthday provides an opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate who we are as a nation. This includes looking at where America came from as a nation 250 years ago, and to continue to work even now towards furthering the freedoms Americans want to have.

Johnson said she also loves being a part of the DAR, during this celebration and always.

“Every chapter decides what their focus is going to be, and I really love that our chapter is so service oriented, especially with service to our veterans and community,” Johnson said. “I know not everyone can be in the DAR who wants to be in the DAR but I really love that focus and hope that it is something that everyone can share at this time of the 250th.”