Polly Wyckoff-David Demarest Chapter, NSDAR, History
Polly Wyckoff-David Demarest Chapter, NSDAR, was founded as two separate chapters. The two chapters united in 2002.
The landing of the British forces in Bergen County, New Jersey November 19th-20th, 1776 from an 18th-century painting by a British officer.
Polly Wyckoff Chapter, NSDAR, was founded on April 9, 1926. On the night of November 19-20, 1776, three loyalists guided the British across the Hudson River and up the Palisades in an attempt to attack the American soldiers at Fort Lee, New Jersey. A young girl, Polly Wyckoff, saw British soldiers crossing fields and gave warning. The next day 2,000 American troops retreated through present-day Englewood, across the Hackensack River by the bridge and ferry at New Bridge Landing, and made their way up to the Village of Hackensack. They took all the boats and destroyed the bridges, which temporarily denied the British a crossing as the American soldiers moved on to Newark. The loss of the supplies and equipment at Fort Lee was a disaster for the Americans. The British failed to capture the American army at Fort Lee, and Washington continued his retreat across New Jersey to the Delaware River with his army more or less intact.
Washington's Retreat across New Jersey in 1776 painted by Howard Pyle
David Demarest Chapter, NSDAR, was started on November 3, 1950, by descendants of the immigrant David Demarest. David Demarest, born in 1620 in France, was one of the original French Huguenot settlers in Bergen County, New Jersey. He purchased the land from the Hackensack River to the Palisades, which became known as the French Patent. At least twenty-five of his descendants are known to have served as Revolutionary War Patriots in the American Revolutionary War. His namesakes who were ancestors of NSDAR members are:
David (David D.4, David J.3, Jean2, David1) Demarest b. March 3, 1723, in Hackensack, New Jersey He furnished forage for horses.
David (Joost 4. David S.3, Samuel2, David1) Demarest b. 1733 in Bergen County, New Jersey. He served as a Lieutenant under Captain Samuel Demarest, Colonel. Theunis Day in the Bergen County Militia.
David (Arie4, Samuel3, David2, David1) Demarest b. April 26, 1742 in Schralenberg, New Jersey. He was taken prisoner by the British in 1779.
David P. (Peter3, Jean2, David1) Demarest Baptized in April, 1738 in Schralenberg, New Jersey, died Nov 1820. He served as a private under Captain John Outwater, New Jersey State Troops.
David (Jacob D.4, David S.3, Samuel2, David1) Demarest , b. Nov. 11, 1749 in Schralenberg, New Jersey. He moved to New York and served as a private in the 4th Regiment Orange Co, New York Militia under Lieutenant Colonel Winser.
Where Does Your American Revolutionary War Story Begin?
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The members of the Polly Wyckoff-David Demarest Chapter, NSDAR, welcome you to attend our meetings whether you are a visitor or a prospective member.
The Polly Wyckoff-David Demarest Chapter, NSDAR, teamed up with the Weehawken High School Student Council to collect donations for the NJDAR Women’s Issue Project B.O.S.S. “Bags of Self Sureness” to be delivered to Ellen McGuire at the Center for Hope and Safety, “Rebuilding lives after Domestic Violence” in Rochelle Park, New Jersey. We collected, assembled, and donated over 50 bags.
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