McMullen - Lucinda Hardee
Lucinda Hardee was born March 22, 1824, daughter of John Michael Joseph and Lucy (Sears) Hardee. According to a newspaper article, she was the first "Real Daughter" to receive a "tablet" signifying her as such. Her father died in 1839 and is buried on the banks of Offield Creek. Lucinda first married Daniel Williams in Montgomery County Oct 13, 1844. He died March 19, 1892 and she married in that year, John McMullen. He died slightly less than 6 years later. When approached by a committee of daughters, they found Lucinda to be a "most pleasant and affable old lady." It is said that her memory was remarkable and that she recounted with great precision the stories of the revolutionary war told her many years ago by her father. In 1913, Mrs. McMullen was able to attend a state conference of DAR members which was held in the Crawfordsville Center Church. The delegates were surprised and pleased when Mrs. McMullen, aged 89, appeared at the meeting. She was given a standing ovation. In a strong voice, she thanked the members for the financial aid which had been given to her by the National DAR. Delegates immediately presented her with a surprise gift of $49.00. She was accompanied to the meeting from her home in New Market by Mrs. O'Connor, a long time friend and Mr. J.H. Armantrout. She died Oct 18, 1914, aged 90 years and 6 months. She and both husbands are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville, Indiana. She had no children to grow to adulthood.
The following is the agenda for the dedication of the marker at her grave.
America Prayer - Rev. Oggel Flag
Salute Address given by Rev. Guy Carpenter
Memorial Roll -- Mrs. Burgess
Mrs. Lucinda H.McMullen a Sketch by Miss May Taylor
Unveiling of Tablet - Miss Julia Jeanette Gery American Creek
Decoration of Grave
A Journal Review article read as thus: "The annual memorial service and decoration of graves for deceased members of Dorothy Q Chapter, D.A.R., was held at Oak Hill Cemetery Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Charles Butler, chairman, presiding. After the singing of America, led by Prof. Oldfather, Rev. J.l. Wilkinson offered prayer which was followed by the presentation of a silk flag to the chapter by the regent, Mrs. James M. Waugh, in memory of her mother, Mrs. Jasper N. Davidson. This flag replaced one given ten years ago in the same way. Rev. Guy O. Carpenter gave a most interesting address concerning the flag and its symbolism. At the grave of Mrs. Lucinda Hardee McMullen, an official bronze tablet was unveiled in her honor as a real daughter which signifies that she was a daughter of a Revolutionary soldier and had been affiliated with this chapter. Little Miss Julia Jeanette Gery of Darlington who is a charter member of the Children of the American Revolution, now in process of organization, unveiled the marker with a few appropriate words and salute. Dorothy Q. Chapter takes a pardonable pride in placing the first real daughter tablet in Indiana and Miss May Taylor, chapter registrar, prepared and read the following sketch of Mrs. McMullen.
"Mrs. Lucinda McMullen, a real daughter of the Revolutionary War, was accepted by the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, in 1903 and became a daughter of Dorothy Q. Chapter, Crawfordsville, Indiana. Mrs. McMullen was born in Rush County, Indiana, March 22, 1824, and died October 18, 1914. She was the daughter of John Michael Hardee and Lucy Sears, his second wife. Her father served seven years in the Revolutionary war enlisting at the age of 15 years. He died in Alamo at the age of 78 years and is buried four miles southwest of Crawfordsville, near the Offield settlement marker. Mrs. Lucinda McMullen came to this County and after her marriage to Daniel Williams lived in Alamo. one child was born but died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Williams lived together for fifty years. After his death she moved to Ladoga and married Joseph McMullen moving to a farm four miles south of New Market. Mr. McMullen lived nine more years and is buried in Old Indian Creek Cemetery. After his death, Mrs. McMullen moved to New Market. She lived alone, but was looked after by Mrs. Deborah O'Connor, her next door neighbor, and given the best of care. James Armantrout took care of her business. Mrs. McMullen was remarkably well preserved. While she did not have much of this world's goods she was rich in memories and talked entertainingly of incidents of pioneer life. When the State D.A.R. conference met here in 1913, Mrs. McMullen attended one of the sessions and the audience arose to do honor to a real daughter. It was an inspiration to all present and an occasion long to be remembered. Mrs. Charles Warren Fairbanks, past president general, was present and was much impressed with the ceremony. This was Mrs. Fairbanks' last public appearance. She died shortly after. Dorothy Q. Chapter was proud to have a real daughter and gave her a mother's care during the declining years of her life. David Douglas and family, connections of Mrs. McMullen, from New Market, were present, also Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Dooley, Mr. and Mrs. Burton and family from Rockville, Charles Gery and family and Mrs. Clara Reeves, James Peterson and wife from Darlington, George W. Harshbarger and wife from Ladoga. B.T. Orcutt, a Spanish-American war veteran, placed the tablet and engraved a date on the stone as a courtesy to the chapter which is greatly appreciated.