
davey jackson Chapter
jackson, Wyoming
Training new leaders Since 1977
The Davey Jackson Chapter, located in Jackson, Wyoming, was established on December 9, 1977, by Regent Erin Muths with 13 members present. Our chapter is named after David (Davey) E. Jackson, a fur trader who came west from Missouri in the early 1800s to trap beaver in this area. The town of Jackson is also named after him.
Our Chapter is a diverse group of women of all different ages and backgrounds. We share a common bond in that we each have one or more ancestors who provided civilian or military patriotic service during the American Revolutionary War.
Our members serve as volunteers in many community organizations which include veterans, schools, senior groups, hospitals, churches, scouts, the library, genealogy classes, and U.S. Naturalization Ceremonies for new citizens. We work to uphold the objectives of the DAR National Society to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and secure America’s future through better education. We have 74 members, 8 associate members, and many prospective members working on their applications.


About Davey Jackson
In 1822, David saw an ad in a Missouri newspaper, seeking young men to travel the Missouri River to the Rocky Mountains, to be employed as hunters with the Rocky Mountain Trading Company. Although his wife was against the idea, David saw this as a great opportunity to explore and gain wealth. He joined the company, along with many other young men, such as Jim Bridger, William Sublette, and Jedediah Smith. His wife and children remained in Virginia.
For eight years David pursued this adventure, fraught with troubles, including harsh weather, difficult terrain, competition from Canadian, British and French trading companies, and both kindness and treachery from the Native tribes. The company suffered many losses as their beaver pelts were often stolen. Many hunters died under the harsh conditions or by murder at the hands of competitors or tribes.
Eventually David Jackson, William Sublette and Jedediah Smith, finding trust in each other, formed their own company, “Smith, Jackson and Sublette.” After long periods of hunting, David often returned to the beautiful valley in the Teton Mountains, which Sublette eventually dubbed “Jackson’s Hole.” (Today, the town of Jackson, WY, in that valley, bears his name.) By 1830, David was tired of the whole fur trading experience and he returned east, without amassing his fortune. He reunited with his son William Pitt Jackson in St. Genevieve, Missouri, in the early 1830’s, but not with his wife or three other children.
On a business trip to Paris, Tennessee in 1837, David became ill with Typhus Fever. By December 1837, although gravely ill, he managed to write a letter to his oldest son Edward John Jackson, known as “Ned,” asking him to conclude all his business dealings. He provided his son a thorough written account of all the money that was owed to him, and all the debts he had yet to pay. David died shortly after that at age 49, on December 24, 1837, in Paris, Tennessee. He was a long time member of the Masons, and upon his death David was buried by fellow Masons from Paris, Tennessee, in the Paris City Cemetery, Henry County, Tennessee.
Jackson, Wyoming
Gateway to the
Grand Teton National Park
and
Yellowstone National Park



Historic Preservation Projects
In May 2020, historic markers were purchased and placed in Jackson at the town hall and also in Paris, Tennessee where David Jackson lies in an unmarked grave. Both tablets list the key points of interest in his life. Jackson bears his names and remnds us of the early years in Wyoming. A community dinner was held to raise money for these historic markers.

Americanism
Naturalization Ceremonies
The Davey Jackson Chapter partners with the Federal Courts, U. S. Immigration, and the Grand Teton Park each year to welcome new U. S. Citizens.
The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center is the setting for a moving ceremony that welcomes approximately 30 citizens.
Grand Teton Park Superintendent, David Vela, and Federal Court Judge Rankin provide moving presentations emphasising the process for obtaining citizenship and the responsibilities of citizens. The Chapter and the Teton County Library provides welcome bags.
A social hour following the ceremony allows the new citizens to mingle and enjoy the moment with their families.











Scholarships & Schools
Thanks to the Old Bill’s Community Foundation in Jackson, the Chapter awards number of scholarships each spring. The Community Foundation matches all funds donated each September at the Old Bill’s Fun Run. Amounts raised and awarded to the high school seniors who will be attending college total between $5,500 to $8,300 each year. Seniors write an essay about the Constitution. The entries are judge on content, quality, and composition.
DAR Scholarships
The Chapter supports and assists with applications for national scholarships.
NSDAR offers a variety of scholarships available through the DAR Scholarship Committee. Last year, the DAR Scholarship Committee awarded 83 scholarships totaling more than $280,000.
Click here for more information.






