THOMASVILLE- The November meeting of the Thomasville Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution featured a program by Theresa Brown about the history of Metcalfe, Georgia. The meeting was held at Mary’s Kitchen in Metcalfe and was presided over by Chapter Regent Shelba Sellers. The speaker was introduced by Regent Sellers. Brown is a member of the Thomasville Chapter DAR. She is involved in many volunteer activities in Thomasville and Thomas County.

Brown began her program about the history of the Rushin House, a blue Victorian home in downtown Metcalfe which was recently restored by Carolyn and Judson Butler. It was built in 1890 and was the home of James M. Rushin, Brown’s great-great-grandfather and his wife Emily Boles Rushin. He served in the War Between the States. Brown’s great grandfather, Dr. William Baker Watkins and Emma Rushin were married in the Victorian home in December of 1890. He served as the second Doctor in Metcalfe. The Rushin family is buried in Metcalfe at the 1848 Friendship Cemetery.

Around 1898, Metcalfe was thriving as a railroad town. Thomasville Commercial Bank (now Synovus) began here in 1915 and celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding in Metcalfe in 2015. The Elmer Horne Store is called the “Orange Crush building” because of the beverage ad on the exterior wall. After the recent closing of the lumber mill, activity in Metcalfe has changed a lot. The Metcalfe Community Association is very active now in its efforts to revitalize Metcalfe. They hold the Spring Market Day in mid-March each year and thousands of visitors attend the event.

The Metcalfe Methodist Church and Metcalfe Baptist Church were built exactly alike in 1890. Around 1934, a tornado caused extensive damage to the Metcalfe Methodist Church and it was rebuilt. Today, both churches have active congregations.

The historic depot building in Metcalfe was recently purchased and the new owners are planning to renovate it. There are also plans for the creation of a Metcalfe Museum in the old courthouse building on the grounds of the Thomasville History Center.

The “e” in Metcalfe came about as the town was named for Dr. John T. Metcalfe. Through the years, the “e” was dropped and not included on most signs and maps. The “e” was later added back to the name. The Metcalfe Heritage Society was founded in 2010 and a “Historic Metcalfe” sign was placed downtown.

After lunch, Thomasville Chapter DAR members and guests toured the Metcalfe Methodist Church and Friendship Cemetery. Established in 1848, Friendship Cemetery is maintained by the Metcalfe Heritage Society. Revolutionary War soldier Joseph Anderson is buried there. Pvt. Anderson served in the South Carolina Militia in Gen. Francis Marion’s Brigade. His grave was marked several years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). The Thomasville Chapter DAR also participated in the marking ceremonies.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was founded in 1890 to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world’s largest and most active service organizations. More than one million women have joined the DAR since it was founded. To learn more about the work of today’s DAR, visit www.DAR.org. For more information about the Thomasville Chapter DAR, visit thomasville.georgiastatedar.org or facebook.com/ThomasvilleChapterNSDAR.