On July 25, 1918, a group of ladies met at the home of Mrs. William T. Pace to organize a
chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mrs. Pace had been appointed Organizing Regent by the President General of the National Society,
Daughters of the American Revolution, whose headquarters are at Washington D. C.
   Then, as today, only direct descendants of Revolutionary soldiers or those whose ancestors gave
material aid to the colonies were eligible for membership in the D.A.R.
To perpetuate the memory and
the spirit of the men and women who achieved American independence, thirty five women signed
for membership; thirteen were resident members; twenty-two were non-resident members.
This group of thirty-five women represented the branches of eight Revoluntionary families.
   The chapter organized in 1918 was named Joel Pace Chapter for Joel Pace Sr., head of one
of Jefferson County's best known families.
He enlisted in the Continental Army in Henry County, Virginia, in March 1779,
and served eighteen months. Joel Pace Sr., came to Jefferson county to join the family of his
son, Joel Pace Jr. The senior Pace died in 1831 and is buried in Pace Cemetery near Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
  

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