DSDI Honors Anne Clark Hooper at Plaque Dedication
The Orange County Historical Museum of Hillsborough, North Carolina, and the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence honored Anne Clark Hooper on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 2 pm. There was a beautiful program followed by the dedication of her plaque to honor her life and sacrifices. Anne was the wife of William Hooper, a North Carolina Signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Anne’s burial site was unknown until a recently discovered document confirmed that she died in the Nash–Hooper House in Hillsborough. With great pride, Sheryll Pope Albert was finally able to document Anne’s place of death and worked closely with the Town of Hillsborough and Dr. Shirley Smith (DSDI) to secure approval for placing a marker beside her husband in the Old Town Cemetery.
The program began with Mayor Mark Bell and DSDI President General Andy Keller extending a welcome and greetings. Andy called on Brenda Pope Odom to serve as acting Color Guard. It was a very endearing moment, as Brenda had never posted colors before. You can see from the photo she had a big smile!
DSDI Members and guests in attendance were Andy Keller and his wife Kathryn, Sheryll Pope Albert and her husband Harry, Stephanie Nelson, Brenda Pope Odom and her husband Charlie, Syd Dursse, Bill Nelson and his wife Lynnette, Judith Livingston Tucker Newman and her husband Jim, Marguerite Creel, and Laura Edwards. Three Hooper descendants–Sheryll, Brenda and Laura–were among those in attendance. It was great to finally meet Laura Wills Edwards, author of Anne Clark Hooper’s biography.
Greetings were extended by DAR Regents of both the Davie Poplar Chapter and the William Hooper Chapter. Members of the two chapters hosted a grand reception featuring an impressive display of American Revolution memorabilia for the semiquincentennial, along with an assortment of delicious foods and beverages.
Guest speaker Carrie Currie, Executive Director of the Person County Museum of History, delivered a compelling presentation on the barriers faced by women during the American Revolution and the milestones in the advancement of women’s rights. She also addressed the unique challenges experienced by women of color. It was especially fitting that Anne Clark Hooper’s marker was unveiled with such a celebration during Women’s History Month.
Catie Atkinson, Manager of the Orange County Historical Museum, and Sheryll Pope Albert shared the reading of “Anne Clark Hooper–A Life Shaped by Revolution,” which included her biography and excerpts from the Life and Correspondence of James Iredell, Volume VI, and Life and Correspondence of James Iredell, Volume II. Although little is recorded about Anne, these excerpts humanized her story and offered meaningful insight into her character.
The program began in the Fellowship Hall of Hillsborough Presbyterian Church and then processed to William Hooper’s family plot, once his garden and now incorporated into the Old Town Cemetery. Approximately 57 people attended the event.
