The James Gilliam Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on January 27, 1942, at the home of Mrs. Myron Rex Malone (Eva Belle Welch), in Darling, Mississippi, with seventeen members all from Quitman County. Horseshoe Robertson Chapter in West Point, Mississippi, was the sponsoring chapter. Mrs. E. B. Miller, nationally known genealogist of West Point, and Mrs. Noel H. Malone (Louise Ming), regent of the Horseshoe Robertson Chapter and sister-in-law of Mrs. Rex Malone, gave liberally of their time in organizing the new chapter. The name James Gilliam was chosen in honor of the forefather of Mrs. N. H. Malone and charter members Mrs. J. D. Knight and Miss Eva Ann Knight. He was a valiant soldier of the Revolution, serving from Lunenberg County (later Charlotte County), Virginia. He died October 13, 1792, at Charlotte County, Virginia.
Within a year of the organization of the chapter, women from other counties had joined the group and have been active since that time. Early efforts for the society were directed toward promotion of the World War II effort. The ladies worked in the blood plasma drives and with defense bond sales. They also sent gifts to servicemen and worked with the civilian defense committee. During this time, refreshments were not served at meetings and each member contributed a dollar toward the purchase of a defense bond. Within the first few years of organization, the location of the chapter moved from Darling to Marks, Mississippi. Early in 2010, the procedure was started to move the location from Marks to Batesville, Mississippi. January 2011, a ballot with a self-addressed stamped envelope was mailed to each member with 99% of them returned, counted, and filed with the State Regent. Ballots returned voted 100% to move the location of James Gilliam Chapter to Batesville, Mississippi. This action was confirmed by the NSDAR Board of Management at their April 2011 meeting.
Serving Panola, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Tate, and Yalobusha Counties
jamesgilliam.org 