Raleigh DAR to Erect Monument Honoring Frances Pryor Bullock

RALEIGH, NC: With the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of Micajah Bullock Chapter, NSDAR, members have set their sights on erecting a monument honoring Frances Pryor Bullock, the first wife of the chapter’s namesake. Donations and silent auction proceeds from “Fashioning America: A Tea & Fashion Show Celebrating Women's Fashions from 1776 to 1976” (tickets available for purchase here) will be used to celebrate Frances’ life and her contributions in helping achieve American independence.

“Although our chapter placed a DAR marker at the gravestone of Micajah Bullock in 2011, our committee was saddened to learn that Frances Pryor Bullock does not even have a gravestone,” said Katherine Meyer, the chapter’s America 250! committee chair. “She has no monument to her life, no memorial. We decided our chapter should correct this oversight and pay tribute to the unsung heroine in Micajah Bullock's life.”

Micajah Bullock was married shortly before the war, in 1769, to Frances Pryor. As a young wife in her 20's, Frances was raising two toddlers and a newborn when the war started, and she gave birth to several more children during the war. While Micajah was away for long periods participating in the war, Frances took on all of Micajah's responsibilities in overseeing their property and the running of their farm, as well as carrying out her own day-to-day duties as a wife and mother. As her children were all very young or babies, and as they lived in a rural area, Frances would have shouldered these responsibilities on her own, without the benefits of modern conveniences, comforts, or methods of communication. Her courage and sacrifices are not as famous as Micajah's, but they are no less important. Her contributions enabled Micajah to leave home and fight. She was one of thousands of unsung heroines of the Revolutionary War, women whose sacrifices go unnamed and unmentioned. Frances Pryor Bullock died on December 15, 1782 in Granville, NC; her final resting spot is unknown.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members annually provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

The National Society has established the America 250! Committee to plan DAR’s involvement during our nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. Much like the Bicentennial celebration of 1976, this observance provides an exceptional opportunity for community involvement. DAR chapters will work to leave a lasting impact on their communities through meaningful local projects and events during this anniversary.

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership and service projects, please contact Micajah Bullock Chapter, NSDAR at mbchapter1776@gmail.com.