Purposes The purposes of this society shall be to promote patriotism, to preserve and increase knowledge of the history of the American people, by the preservation of documents and relics, the marking of historic spots, the recording of family histories and traditions, the celebration of patriotic anniversaries, teaching and emphasizing the heroic deeds of the civil, military and naval life of those who moulded this Government between the close of the American Revolution and the close of the War of 1812, to urge Congress to compile and publish authentic records of men in civil, military and naval service from 1784 to 1815, inclusive and to maintain at National Headquarters, a museum and library of memorabilia of the 1784-1815 period.

AWARD

The society which was to become the National Society, United States Daughters of 1812, was organized on January 8, 1892. Mrs. Flora Adams Darling was the founder and first president. The organizing president was Mrs. William Gerry Slade, who was president for eighteen years - 1897-1915.

Any women, over 18, of good character, and any child under eighteen years of age, who offers satisfactory proof of lineal descent from an ancestor who rendered civil, military or naval service to this country during the years 1784-1815 inclusive, is eligible to membership, provided the applicant is acceptable to the society. Members under eighteen years of age are called "Juniors". Young women between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five are known as Flora Adams Darling Daughters.

On February 25, 1901, the society was incorporated by an Act of Congress and approved by President William McKinley as the National Society, United States Daughters of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve. This was the first woman's organization to receive such a National Charter. At the close of the administration of Mrs. William Gerry Slade in 1915, thirty-five State Societies had been organized with an enrollment of 3,758 members.