Sarah Riggs Humphreys – A Woman of Distinction

The Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution celebrates America 250! In anticipation of the July 4, 2026, 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence by the 13 Colonies, the DAR wishes to remind everyone of the sacrifices and heroism of the men and women who fought for our freedoms that we enjoy today.

March is Women’s History Month and the members of the Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, take this opportunity to commemorate and encourage the celebration of the vital role women played in our American history by highlighting our chapter’s namesakes – Sarah Riggs Humphreys and Mary Silliman.

The Sarah Riggs Humphreys Chapter, formed on Oct 11, 1893 and the Mary Silliman Chapter was organized in January 1894. The two chapters merged in October 2009.

In 1893 the Victorian age was in full swing; Queen Victoria’s reign would continue another eight years. Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony”, in honor of his visit to America, was performed in New York. At the Chicago World’s Fair, Scott Joplin was playing his ragtime compositions and women artists, like Mary Cassatt, exhibited their works. Grover Cleveland was elected President and it would be another half century or so before women received the right to vote. In every age, there are women who achieve the seemingly impossible and go forth without looking back.

The founders of Sarah Riggs Humphreys Chapter were doers and visionaries. They saw a need and asked, if not us, who will step forward. They were historians and guardians of our community’s treasurers. They were friends and they were patriots. They left a legacy as true Founding Daughters. When choosing the name for the newly organized chapter they chose to honor Sarah Riggs Humphreys.

Sarah Riggs Humphreys lived a quiet life in Derby her entire life while caring for her husband’s congregation and teaching her children a sense of pride in honoring their city and colony. She was married twice - both times to men of religion. She instilled in her children a sense of unselfish patriotism, goodness, and willingness to serve their country. These were some reasons for choosing Sarah Riggs Humphreys as a chapter name.

Sarah Riggs Humphreys was the great granddaughter of Edward Riggs, one of the first settlers in Derby, CT. Sarah was the daughter of Captain John and Elizabeth Tomlinson Riggs and was born in Derby December 17, 1711. At 21 Sarah married Rev. John Bowers. He died just five years later leaving a very young widow. Around 1739 she married Rev. Daniel Humphreys, pastor of the First Congregational Church. She was elegant in personal appearance, refined in manners and education. For half a century, as wife of the scholarly clergyman, she carried the honorary title of “Lady Humphreys”. She died July 29, 1787, five weeks before her husband. They are buried in the Derby Uptown Old Burying Ground.

At the 7th CT Daughters of the American Revolution General Conference in Derby, held May 19, 1900, the Sarah Riggs Humphreys Chapter Regent, Mrs. Pinney, said “It is usual at these gatherings to recount the virtues and charms of the chapter heroine. I call to mind the enthusiasm aroused by the portrayed characters of Faith Trumbull, Mary Silliman, Catherine Gaylord, and others, and feel depressed that of our chapter’s heroine little can be verified. Of her there is neither portrait nor silhouette. . . .”

Mrs. Pinney went on to say that Sarah Riggs Humphreys was the mother of one of the most distinguished men born in Derby, General David Humphreys.

David Humphreys was born in Derby July 10, 1752; graduated from Yale College, poet of his class. He served under General Putnam as Captain; was promoted to Lt. Col. in the Continental Army; and became aide-de-camp on Washington’s staff. David Humphreys received the British colors for the commander-in-chief at the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781 and brought them to Congress. He was minister to Portugal from 1788-1790 and minister to Spain from 1796-1802. He was a Brigadier General in the War of 1812 and died in New Haven on February 21, 1818 at the age of 66.

While he was Ambassador to Spain, he purchased 100 merino sheep and shipped them to Derby (9 died during the voyage) and 91 disembarked at Derby which was then a port of entry for shipping. He purchased water power and property in what is now Seymour which included two fulling mills. In 1804 he purchased more land and built a factory which was the first for the manufacture of cloth in this country. From this he made the first wool cloth from his merino sheep. By 1808 he enjoyed a reputation for the best made wool in the US which was superior to any imported wool. Humphreys’ friend Thomas Jefferson was an early supporter of American industry and wore a suit made from merino wool at his inauguration.

Today we know Sarah Riggs Humphreys by the success of her son, David Humphreys. We can imagine her teaching him to be resourceful, courageous, and respectful of others. The members of the Sarah Riggs Humphreys-Mary Silliman Chapter, NSDAR are proud to represent the women who helped our nation prosper and grow.

The DAR is a non-profit women's service organization dedicated to historic preservation, education and patriotism. Any woman over 18 who can prove lineal descent to an ancestor who served in the American Revolution is a prospective member. For more information on the DAR visit http://www.sarahriggshumphreysDAR.org

The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution asks everyone to celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States of America and the Patriots that achieved American Independence. For more information visit https://honoringourpatriots.dar.org/