Nathaniel Mitchell DAR celebrates Constitution Day
The Major Nathaniel Mitchell Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a Constitution Day Ceremony Sept. 17 on The Circle in Georgetown.
The chapter is named after Maj. Nathaniel Mitchell, a Revolutionary War hero from Laurel who was a brigadier general in the Delaware militia, served in the Continental Congress 1786-88, served as Sussex County prothonotary 1788-1805, Delaware’s 16th governor 1805-08, state representative 1808-10 and U.S. senator 1810-12. Born in Laurel, he was the son of James and Margaret Dagsworthy Mitchell, and nephew of Gen. John Dagsworthy, who commanded the Sussex County militia in the Revolutionary War and is the namesake of his hometown, Dagsboro.
Mitchell is buried at historic Old Christ Church near Laurel.
The tradition of celebrating the Constitution was started by the DAR. A resolution was adopted by Congress and signed in law on Aug. 2, 1956, setting aside the week of Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week.
The Georgetown chapter was founded in December 1972.
During the ceremony, Regent Carol Evans said the week is time to celebrate the cherished Constitution as the foundation of Americans’ way of life.
