Sara De Soto Chapter House
History
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by Mary F. Gall
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The history of the Chapter is interwoven with the William and Mary Jane Wyatt Whitaker family. William H. Whitaker built a log cabin at Yellow Bluffs. In 1856 their cabin was burned by Indians and they fled to Manatee where Furman C. Whitaker, the first Sarasota Doctor, was born. In 1857 William returned to Sarasota and built a second home on the corner of Highway 41 and 12th Street. By 1879 burials of Whitaker family members were made a short distance east of the new home. William H. died in 1888. Eight of his children, as well as his wife, Mary, are buried there in what is now known as Whitaker Pioneer Park.
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Eventually the Chapter became the custodian of this land and this historic landmark. However, due to legal difficulties, a clear title was not obtained until 1959. The cemetery is recorded in the Florida Master Site File in Tallahassee and the City of Sarasota Historical Survey.
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In April 1959, R. E. Johnson & Son, Inc., agreed to move its office building from West Coast Lumber Company to its present location on 12th Street, for the sum of $1,650. This price included building a solid foundation, tearing out the chimney, and disconnecting a nine-foot wing on the north side of the building. This has since been used as a Chapter House for meetings.
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On October 7, 1959, Gordon Higel, descendant of William Whitaker, spoke on the Whitaker Family at the Chapter House. Dedication of the House took place on November 7, 1959. A. Klein Whitaker, grandson of William Whitaker, was the honored guest. The Chapter House was lovingly restored and expanded by members and their husbands. This special care has continued over the years.
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In 1976 Mrs. A. K. Whitaker prepared a layout drawing of the cemetery showing and identifying all grave spaces for the descendants of William and Mary Jane Whitaker. She wrote the following to members of the family: "During the years in which the DAR has owned the cemetery, it has done a wonderful job of repair and maintenance."
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In 1980 the Whitaker Memorial Fund was established by Anton Klein Whitaker in loving memory of his wife, Maybelle Taylor Whitaker. This fund is to be used for the maintenance of the cemetery grounds and the Chapter House. Contributions to the fund were made by various family members. The largest amount, however, was given to the Chapter by Mr. A. K. Whitaker shortly before his death.
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On October 10, 1990, an historical fashion show was held at the Chapter House for the NSDAR Centennial Celebration. The Chapter has been blessed with many multi-talented members who were leaders. Hopefully, the Chapter will exhibit the same pioneer spirit in this new century as it has in the past.
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