About
The Woman Behind the Name: Freelove Baldwin Stow
Every DAR chapter is named after a notable Revolutionary-era figure. For the Milford chapter, that was Freelove Baldwin Stow, a local woman who managed a significant crisis on the home front.
In 1777, a British prison ship brought 200 sick, starving American prisoners to the Milford coast. Freelove’s husband, Captain Stephen Stow, volunteered to nurse them through a severe smallpox outbreak. He contracted the virus and died, leaving Freelove to navigate life while four of her sons were away fighting in the Continental Army. Choosing her as the namesake honored the resilience of the women who kept families and communities together during the war.
How It All Started (1896)
The Milford chapter officially organized on March 27, 1896, during a wave of national interest in early American history and genealogy.
The chapter's driving force was Mary Hepburn Smith, the founding Regent. She was a civically-minded woman with the financial resources and organizational skills to establish the group. She wanted the chapter to be more than just a social club, envisioning an active preservation society that would protect Milford’s history before it was lost or forgotten.
The First Chapter House: A 1907 Original
In the early 1900s, Mary Hepburn Smith donated the land and a significant portion of the funding to build a permanent headquarters. Designed in the Colonial Revival style, it opened in 1907 at the current site of the Milford Bank on the Milford Green.
Historical Note: This wasn't a repurposed historic home. It was one of the very first buildings in the United States custom-built from the ground up specifically to serve as a DAR chapter house—operating essentially as an early 1900s meeting and research space for women focused on historic preservation.
A Century of Local Impact
The chapter spent the 20th century acting as local historians and community organizers. Key initiatives included:
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Wartime Support: During WWI and WWII, members turned the chapter house into a local relief hub—rolling bandages for the Red Cross, knitting gear for troops, and organizing war bond drives.
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Preserving Genealogy: Long before digital databases, these women spent decades hand-copying local church records, town documents, and family trees to ensure Milford’s early history was documented and preserved.
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Monument Upkeep: They assumed responsibility for maintaining the monument in Milford Cemetery dedicated to the 46 unknown soldiers who died in the 1777 smallpox outbreak.
The Modern Chapter
Today, the Freelove Baldwin Stow Chapter still serves the Milford community from its chapter house at 55 Prospect Street, just a short walk from the Soldiers Monument in Milford Cemetery.
The current focus centers on community service, professional networking, and historical research.
Members focus on three main areas:
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Historic Preservation: Maintaining their historic property and marking local Revolutionary War graves.
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Education: Funding local scholarships and sponsoring school essay contests.
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Community Patriotism: Supporting veterans and participating in local civic events.
The modern chapter serves as a space for women to connect, support the Milford community, and keep local history accessible.