Daughters of the American Revolution to honour early US woman who lived here

The Somers Isles Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) conducted a ceremony at St. Peter's cemetery in St. George on Saturday, June 2, 2007, commemorating the life of Anne Willing Bingham.

Mrs. Bingham was considered by many to be the most famous and beautiful woman of her day. In fact, her portrait was painted by Gilbert Stuart and Sir Joshua Reynolds, and it is thought that she also appeared as Draped Liberty on 1795 US coins.

Her husband was a member of the Continental Congress and the United States Senate and both were acquaintances of George Washington.

Anne Bingham was buried at the historic St. Peter's site on May 11, 1801. She had become very ill with galloping pneumonia after the birth of her son, and was en route to Madeira in hopes of a better climate for her recovery. The people of Philadelphia lined the streets as she was taken to her husband's ship the America. Mrs. Bingham's condition became much graver as the America>neared Bermuda, so the ship diverted to St. George on May 7, 1801, where she died four days later.

The occasion for the June 2 ceremony, choreographed by DAR Chapter Regent Ann Gibbs, was the site dedication of Mrs. Bingham's tomb. Lisa Whitehead, representing Southern Cross Cable in Bermuda, presented their 'historic building preservation' donation to Dr. Erskine Simmons, president of the Friends of St. Peter's, for the preservation of St. Peter's church. The site is one of Bermuda's World Heritage Sites. St. Peter's was the meeting place of the permanent settlers in Bermuda.

Marina Slayton, wife of US Consul General to Bermuda Gregory W. Slayton, laid the wreath at Ms Bingham's tomb, while daughter Sasha Slayton read a letter from Anne Willing Bingham to Thomas Jefferson written on June 1, 1787. The 1780s vintage dress was provided by Liz Campbell.

The DAR is an organisation of over 170,000 women worldwide dedicated to education and historical preservation. There are 20 overseas chapters including France, Germany, England, Japan, Canada, Spain and Italy. Anyone interested in joining the National Society of the DAR could contact Chapter Regent Ann Gibbs at 293-1046.

Courtesy of the Royal Gazette