Grave Marker Dedication in Fortuna Area Cemetery Honors Hester Smith, daughter of David Smith, a Revolutionary War Patriot

Grave marker of Hester Smith Snider in Rohnerville Cemetery. [From Find a Grave]

A discovery made in 1995 has lead to honoring Hester Smith Snider, daughter of the American Revolutionary War Patriot, David Smith. Mrs. Snider was laid to rest in the Rohnerville Pioneer Cemetery, in October 1887.

The California State Society, Daughters of The American Revolution will hold a marker dedication, honoring Hester Snider and officially noting her as the daughter of a Revolutionary War Patriot. Most daughters of Revolutionary War soldiers are buried in the Eastern United States, making it extremely rare for one to be laid to rest in California. The current State Regent, Christina Ramos remarked that “California may never again have the unique opportunity to recognize such a historical connection.”

It wasn’t until 2022 that the potential of this discovery was realized. Plans were put into motion, filing the appropriate forms with the National Society and providing the lineal information needed to prove Hester was indeed the daughter of a Revolutionary War Soldier.

The event will be held at Hester Snider’s grave site, at the Rohnerville Pioneer Cemetery, 1860 Church St. Fortuna. A special marker has been designed and will be unveiled during the brief ceremony. Revolutionary War reenactors in full authentic costume will be participating in the event.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization whose members can trace their lineage to an individual who contributed to securing American independence during the Revolutionary War. Today’s DAR is dynamic and diverse, with over 185,000 members in 3,000 chapters in the United States and abroad. DAR members provide millions of hours of volunteer service to their local communities across the country and the world. DAR chapters participate in projects to promote historic preservation, education, and patriotism. Over one million members have joined the organization since its founding in 1890.

If you are interested in learning more about DAR membership, visit www.dar.org