Aaron Guild
The Aaron Guild Chapter is named after Aaron Guild, an American patriot born in Dedham, Massachusetts on April of 1728. More commonly known as Major Aaron, he was commissioned by Governor Pownall as ensign in Captain Eliphalet Fale's company in a regiment of foot soldiers commanded by Colonel Nichols; and afterwards he was promoted to a captaincy in the same company.
When a messenger from Lexington came galloping through Norwood announcing that war had begun, Aaron was "ploughing" the field in front of his house. Leaving his "plough and oxen standing", he hastened to his house, took down his favorite king's arm and departed immediately to the scene of action, where he aided in firing upon the British troops who were hastily returning to Boston.
Aaron Guild held various offices during the war, including positions on a Committee of Safety, a Committee of Safety and Correspondence, and a committee providing for the families of non-commissioned officers; and in 1775 he was named a Muster Master.
Major Aaron's picture is on the Seal of the Town of Norwood. Guild Square is named in his memory and there is a memorial marker at the site where Aaron Guild's farm once stood in front of the Morrill Memorial library, Norwood in his honor.
In 1983, Aaron Guild Chapter placed a DAR plaque on the grave of Aaron Guild located at the Old Parish Cemetery, Norwood. Each Memorial Day since, Aaron Guild Chapter honors his memory by decorating his grave with flowers and holding a special ceremony.
Aaron Guild's son, Jacob Guild was a Revolutionary War patriot as well. In 2011, there are plans in the works for a special grave marking ceremony in honor of Aaron Guild's granddaughter (and also daughter of Jacob Guild), Martha Guild Kimball. She is (also) buried at the Old Parish Cemetery, Norwood. Martha Guild Kimball was a DAR Real Daughter. The distinction of honor is given to DAR members whose fathers were patriots in the Revolutionary War.
History of the Aaron Guild Chapter
Organized on October 7, 1975, with 15 members.
Aaron Guild Chapter has accomplished many achievements in its 35 years.
* Presented Good Citizen Awards to students from Blue Hills Regional Technical High School, Norfolk Agricultural School, Norwood High School and Walpole High School.
* Presented certificates to essay winners during American History Month.
* Presented flags, stands to the Boy Scouts, St. Catherine's, AARP, and the Girl Scouts.
* Presented ROTC medals at Stonehill College.
* Honored outstanding history teachers from neighboring schools.
* Honored volunteer public servants.
* Honored veterans, and donated many hours and items to veteran's hospitals.
* Have marched in the 2010 Memorial Day parade in Westwood, MA.
* Honored public servants with award certificates for their outstanding volunteer work.
* Have given genealogy workshops in the fall and spring the past three years to aid people researching their ancestors. Please contact Sunny O'Malley for further information.
* We participate in celebrating National holidays by placing historical and patriotic material in the Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood and the Walpole Library.
A snapshot of view of Aaron Guild Chapter members:
Each member of the Aaron Guild Chapter is a descendant of an American patriot who served in the Revolutionary War. We welcome new members and guests at our meetings. We meet once a month (October to April), and once in the summer. Our meetings are held at various times and locations to accommodate members with varying schedules. For more information contact Carol Sansone.
Some members are retired, have careers, or are still in college. Some of us are mothers, grandmothers, or single. A few of us have mothers, daughters or granddaughters who are DAR members!
- One member is a chairman of both the stewardship committee and the nominating commitee of her church in addition to voluntarily playing the organ and/or piano on certain occasions. She holds a chairmanship of the music committee and is currently on the 200th anniversary committee of her church.
- Another member is an active in her town's Historical Society and a committee member of the town’s Historical Commission. As a member of the Historical Commission she is webmaster of the town’s Historical Commission website and is working on a preservation project of a 17th Century house. She is also webmaster/administrator of her hometown school alumni website.
- One of our members has given a talk on the Constitution to 6th grade classes and helps out at a local Soup Kitchen.
- A Junior member plays in a Easter Seals volleyball tournament, and volunteers at a water station for the Boston Marathon yearly. Monthly she gives dinners at the homeless veteran shelter in Boston with the Boston Tea Party Chapter. Daily, she is the House Corporation Vice President for her University Sorority Chapter.
- Many of our members have a passion for learning about their heritage; some are members of other Genealogical and patriotic societies and hold officer positions.
- We hold the belief of activism in one’s own political views. Several members are very involved in the political process. (Although the DAR does not hold any political party agenda.)
- Some members are active with their town’s senior citizen center and are committed to helping the town’s elder population.
- We have members who are active in conservation and are members of Garden Clubs, and wildlife associations and animal rescue programs.
- Another member is a retired educator, and volunteers in a kindergarten classroom and does tutorials at the local public schools. She also has knitted hats for active duty military in Afghanistan.
We come from many walks of life and are bound by friendship in the Daughters of American Revolution.
