Captain Harmon Aughe Chapter – Frankfort, Indiana
The Clinton County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded on June 3, 1908, at the home of Organizing Regent Mrs. Margaret Vinnedge Sheridan. The name of the chapter was selected in honor of Revolutionary War soldier, Captain Harmon Aughe (pronounced “oy”, as in joy). “The Liberty Bell” was originally selected as the chapter name; however, it was already taken. The Captain Harmon Aughe Chapter was then selected by the founding members to honor Harmon Aughe. In addition, the members selected the forget-me-not was selected as the chapter flower.
Harmon Aughe was born on August 9, 1759 in Philadelphia, PA. He entered the Continental Army in Chester County, PA, June 1776 and was discharged in April 1777. He entered the service in Captain Hartman’s Company and was ensign under Colonel Thomas Bull three months before the Battle of Brandywine, where he served as guard. He served in the wagon brigade under William Evans and was stationed at Valley Forge, where he spent his winter hauling forage.
Harmon Aughe married Mary Fertick in 1787, had a son, John, in 1788, and was recorded as having lived in Pikeland Township in Pennsylvania until 1791. Mary died (date unknown) and he married Mary Munger in 1793 and had seven more children. He lived briefly in Rockingham County, VA, and then moved to Warren County, OH in 1813. He moved to Clinton County, IN shortly thereafter, where he died May 19, 1846. He was survived by his great, great, great grandson, Bruce Aughe, who lived in Frankfort until his death in 2021. Two of Bruce’s four daughters still live in Frankfort.
He is buried in the Old South Cemetery in Frankfort, IN (located at the intersection of Freeman and Clay Streets). A bronze tablet marking his grave was placed by Mrs. Margaret Vinnedge Sheridan. Sadly, in 2022, the marker was removed by someone and could not be replaced due to the age of the stone and unavailability of the emblem.
The original charter members were:
Organizing Regent Margaret Vinnedge Sheridan, Miss Ethel Bayless; Miss Laura E. Bayless; Mrs. Alice Kennard Cheadle; Miss Anna Margaret Claybaugh, Historian; Mrs. Joseph Claybaugh; Miss Virginia Emily Claybaugh; Mrs. Kate Gordon Ewing, Secretary; Mrs. Nora Lee Kramer; Mrs. Lillian Kemp McClure; Miss Emma Merrick; Miss Sarah Merrick; Mrs. Susie Parker Moss; Mrs. Dora Hazelton Parent, Treasurer, Mrs. Isabelle Parker; Mrs. Mary McCorkle Sims, Vice Regent and Chaplain; Miss Jessie Eldred Stricker; and Mrs. Martha McKinsey Wallace, Corresponding Secretary.
Current Members
