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Who Can Join?
Any woman is eligible for membership who is no less than eighteen years of age and can prove lineal, blood line descent from
an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage,
and death.
What is Acceptable Service?
The National Society reserves the right to determine the acceptability of all service and proof thereof. The National Society
accepts service, with some exceptions, for the period between 19 April 1775 (Battle of Lexington) and 26 November 1783 (withdrawal
of British Troops from New York) as follows:
Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Military Service, such as participation in:
Army and Navy of the Continental Establishment
State Navy
State and Local Militia
Privateers
Military or Naval Service performed by French nationals in the American theater of war
Civil Service, under authority of Provisional or new State Governments:
State Officials
County and Town Officials (Town Clerk, Selectman, Juror, Town Treasurer, Judge, Sheriff, Constable, Jailer, Surveyor of
Highways, Justice of the Peace, etc.)
Patriotic Service, which includes:
Members of the Continental Congress, State Conventions, and Assemblies
Membership in committees made necessary by the War, including service on committees which furthered the cause of the Colonies
from April 1774, such as Committees of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety, committees to care for soldier's families,
etc.
Signer of Oath of Fidelity and Support, Oath of Allegiance, etc.
Members of the Boston Tea Party
Defenders of Forts and Frontiers, and Signers of petitions addressed to and recognizing the authority of the Provisional
and new State Governments
Doctors, nurses, and others rendering aid to the wounded (other than their immediate families)
Ministers who gave patriotic sermons and encouraged patriotic activity
Furnishing a substitute for military service
Prisoners of war or refugees from occupying forces
Prisoners on the British ship Old Jersey or other prison ships
Service in the Spanish Troops under Galvez or the Louisiana Militia after 24 December 1776
Service performed by French nationals within the colonies or in Europe in support of the American cause
Those who rendered material aid, in Spanish America, by supplying cattle for Galvez's forces after 24 December 1776
Those who applied in Virginia for Certificates of Rights to land for settlement and those who were entitled to and were
granted preemption rights
Those who took the Oath of Fidelity to the Commonwealth of Virginia from October 1779 to 26 November 1783
Those who rendered material aid such as furnishing supplies with or without remuneration, lending money to the Colonies,
munitions makers, gunsmiths, etc.
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