WILLIAMSBURG — A group of ladies from the Williamsburg Daughters of the American Revolution chapter recently paid homage to the organization’s first regent ahead of the chapter’s 100th birthday later this year.
Agnes Dixon Foster, the chapter’s first regent, was born in Savannah, Georgia. After marrying her husband in 1881, the family moved to Williamsburg. She was a member of the Civic League of Williamsburg, the Association of Preservation of Virginia Antiquities and the American Institute of Genealogy.
As the organizing regent for the Williamsburg DAR chapter, Foster helped establish the group that had 32 members by its fifth anniversary. She held the position of regent until she died in 1930.
Foster’s two daughters and one of her daughters-in-law were also members of the Williamsburg DAR chapter.
Foster is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, and thanks to the Williamsburg DAR, her grave is now marked with an official DAR grave marker.
Ahead of the Williamsburg chapter’s 100th birthday, Regent Robin Doucette said she is happy to be paying her respects to those who came before her.
“Mrs. Foster embraced the DAR motto of God, Home, and Country. She ensured that the Williamsburg Chapter, NSDAR, supported the DAR mission of historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Her patriotic enthusiasm and dedication laid the foundation for our chapter to thrive and grow through the decades. It is fitting and right that we should now place a DAR marker at her graveside and dedicate it to her memory with heartfelt appreciation as we celebrate a century of DAR service and friendship,” Doucette said.
In addition to the historical marker, the Williamsburg DAR Chapter will also be awarding a scholarship in Foster’s name to a graduating WJCC Schools senior later this year.