Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell (January 24, 1839 – July 4, 1930) was Vice President Presiding of the

Daughters of the American Revolution The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a lineage-based membership service organization for women who are directly descended from a person involved in the United States' efforts towards independence. A non-profit group, they promote ...

Personal life

Mary Virginia Ellet was born on 24 January 1839 in

Lynchburg, Virginia Lynchburg is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. First settled in 1757 by ferry owner John Lynch (1740–1820), John Lynch, the city's populati ...

, the daughter of

Charles Ellet Jr. Charles Ellet Jr. (1 January 1810 – 21 June 1862) was an American civil engineer from Pennsylvania who designed and constructed major canals, suspension bridges and railroads. He built the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the longest suspension ...

and Elvira Augusta Daniel. She married William Daniel Cabell (1834-1904) on 9 July 1867 and became step-mother to his two daughters. Together, the couple had six children: three boys and three girls. William opened Norwood School for boys in

Nelson County, Virginia Nelson County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,775. Its county seat is Lovingston. Nelson County is part of the Charlottesville, VA Metropolitan Statistic ...

from 1865 to 1879. After the school's closure, the Cabells moved to Washington, D.C., where, in 1881, the couple created and directed the Norwood Institute for Girls and Young Ladies. In 1897 the couple left education and returned to Nelson County. She died on 4 July 1930 in Michigan City, Indiana at the age of 91.

DAR membership

Mary Cabell was one of 18 organizing members of the

on 11 October 1890. She presided over the first meeting and would continue to chair additional meetings and the 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses. The newly formed Society elected the

First Lady of the United States The first lady of the United States (FLOTUS) is the title held by the hostess of the White House, usually the wife of the president of the United States, concurrent with the president's term in office. Although the first lady's role has never ...

, Caroline Scott Harrison as their inaugural President General and Harrison accepted on the condition that she would be more of a figurehead. Cabell was given the title Vice President Presiding and was charged with the practical running and administration of the DAR. When Harrison died in office on 25 Oct 1892, Cabell took over all responsibilities of the President General's office but did not take on the title. During the next election, Cabell turned down the nomination of DAR President General in favor of nominees with more prominent social standing. Cabell was responsible for establishing much of the DAR's foundation, goals, and purpose. Her home served as the headquarters of the DAR in its first year, and she proposed the construction of their "House Beautiful," Memorial Continental Hall, in Washington, D.C. Her vision was of “the finest building ever owned by women . . .” one that would serve “as an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” During the First Continental Congress, Cabell asked members “What is your object: what do you propose; what good will you do; what is the use of such an organization? What does thou work?” She had a vision of women working together to achieve their goals in harmony and friendship. During the 7th Continental Congress in 1898, Cabell was elected Honorary Vice President General.

References

Daughters of the American Revolution people 1839 births 1930 deaths People from Lynchburg, Virginia 19th-century American educators 19th-century American women educators Wikipedia articles incorporating text from A Woman of the Century

External links

* {{wikisource-inline, Woman of the Century/Mary Virginia Ellet Cabell